Pennyhill Park an Exclusive Hotel & Spa

Pennyhill Park Hotel and Spa is set in 123 acres of beautiful Surrey countryside near Bagshot and Camberley. The original house was built in 1849 and has been extended significantly and sympathetically since it became a hotel in 1972. It became part of the Exclusive Group of Hotels and Venues in 1981.

The Spa was built in 2003 and sits within its own 45,000 square foot ‘wing’ of the hotel which blends seamlessly with the outdoor thermal areas and pool.

The Spa reception area is spacious, light and bright. Here you can collect your spa bag with your robe, flip-flops and card to access the facilities. The Spa restaurant, Themis, is on the left and a seating area with sofas and chairs on the right, which overlooks the outdoor pools. The seating area is a great space to sit, relax and order drinks and snacks.

Head downstairs to the changing rooms which are impressively large, well-equipped and very clean. There are plenty of private cubicles, several benches for belongings, large lockers, piles of fresh fluffy towels, seven huge showers, a double swinging seat and vanity areas with Dyson hairdryers and tongs.

The outdoor facilities lie in a natural valley between the main hotel and the spa – you will have seen the pools glimmering temptingly on your way to the spa wing. Here you will find an 18-metre heated outdoor pool surrounded by loungers. There are comfortable seating areas with tables tucked between lavender beds, all protected by white parasols and sails on sunny days. The poolside café offers drinks, snacks or more substantial meals: poolside spa butlers will serve you, so you don’t need to lift a finger.

The three warm Canadian hot tubs stand out with their statement black marble: there are two for couples and one for a group of four. There is also a very warm and bubbly indoor/outdoor hydrotherapy pool which is large enough for 15 people. Flower beds and large, raised flowerpots create splashes of colour around the pool area and beyond.

Indoors you’ll find the serene 25-metre ballroom pool with underwater music, a raised hot tub to one side and comfortable loungers along the windows facing the outdoor pools. In the extensive thermal suite, you will find two foot-spas, a tepidarium with nine heated, mosaic-tiled beds and a dry heat sauna with floor-to-ceiling-glass walls. There are two fragrant circular steam rooms (one scented with rose and jasmine, the other with menthol), a warm laconium, a salt steam inhalation room, a gently heated ‘blue room’ and a hot steam room.  

Cool down in the spacious ice igloo, brave the drench bucket that pours freezing cold water over your head or try the three experience showers.

There’s also a light relaxation room with a semi-circle of loungers, and a candle-lit post-treatment sensory room with six gel beds with cushions and duvets to keep you snuggly warm.

We tried the Natura Bisse Diamond Energy Facial (60 minutes, from £125).

My therapist, Hannah, led me from the cosy treatment reception area to one of the 23 treatment rooms, on the first floor of the spa wing. The large room was warm and lit by candles. Hannah talked me through my treatment and asked me about my areas of concern, before leaving me to disrobe and lay face up on the bed. She began the treatment by spritzing the room (and me) with lavender-scented Diamond Mist Spray which I found calming. 

Hannah started the deep cleansing ritual by applying a refreshing Tolerance Enzyme Peel, which uses salicylic acid and prickly pear cactus extract. She explained the peel would initially prickle my skin and indeed it did for a few moments; it wasn’t unpleasant and felt like it was doing something good. Hannah then performed a (much needed) pressure point shoulder massage and a sculpting facial massage using Diamond Nectar Serum.

Next, Hannah applied the Diamond Ice-Lift Mask which covered my face and eyes – she checked I didn’t feel claustrophobic, but I found it cocooning. The cooling algae mask felt luxurious, the gentle lavender scent soothing. The mask contained marine DNA and sensorphine, a neuropeptide said to increase the level of beta-endorphins (happiness hormones). I certainly felt content.

Hannah massaged my feet and legs, then gently peeled off the mask before applying the final slather of moisturiser and Diamond Extreme Eye Cream. As I roused myself, Hannah brought me a water and explained that I may be quite dehydrated, so should drink plenty more. In the mirror, I saw my complexion was visibly radiant and hydrated.

Hannah then led me to the dark post-treatment Sensory Room with waterbeds, warm blankets and twinkling lights in the ceiling. It was totally silent and an ideal place to gather my thoughts.

The Spa at Pennyhill Park offers a wide range of facials, massages, scrubs, muds, wraps, manicures, pedicures, beauty treatments and holistic therapies. They also offer ‘recovery’ treatments for anyone dealing with a long-term illness including cancer.

Themis is the large, bright café/restaurant next to the spa reception where you can feast in your robe. It serves a selection of fresh, healthy, organic dishes, including vegetarian and vegan dishes, and will cater to dietary requirements. Nibbles, brunch, wraps and sandwiches all feature on the menu, alongside mains such as the five-grain super food salad, seared tuna poke bowl, ramen and Surrey Hills venison burger. There’s also a tempting selection of desserts, created by Head Pastry Chef, Sarah Frankland, plus afternoon teas, wine and fizz.

We enjoyed a light and delicious lunch of seared sea bass fillet served with fennel pearl barley, cherry tomatoes, green beans, orange buerre blanc and toasted almonds. For dessert we had a rich and decadent chocolate and pink peppercorn mousse served with a palate-refreshing pomegranate compote and raspberry sorbet – absolute heaven!

If you’re staying overnight, don’t miss the fine dining experience at the Michelin-starred The Latymer. We feasted on the 6-course Discovery Menu and every single dish was an intricate delight. You can also opt for the more relaxed The Brasserie, a chic space with grey upholstered dining chairs, porcelain chandeliers and stained-glass windows overlooking the gardens.

We loved

The luxurious, well-equipped changing rooms: We especially loved the huge marble showers and Dyson hairdryers.

The ballroom pool: Grand and Art Deco inspired, the pool was calm and peaceful on the day we visited. We enjoyed the gentle colours from fibre optic lighting.

The thermal rooms: The scent of roses from the steam rooms permeates the indoor facilities, and the design gives a feeling of space and discovery as you wander through.

Floating in the outdoor pools and hot tubs on a cold winter’s evening as the steam rose and fairy lights twinkled.

We didn’t love

A spa of this size may feel busy at peak times. If you want to enjoy it in peace, try to visit on a weekday.

Couples: The marble and cream decor is unisex and the hotel and grounds are very romantic.

Rugby fans: The English rugby team train here – you might well catch a glimpse of them during your stay.

Groups of friends: There are plenty of sociable spaces to enjoy at Pennyhill Park and the thermal experience is great fun.

Once again, we awarded The Spa at Pennyhill Park the highest Good Spa Guide rating of 5 Bubble Luxury. The spa has extensive water and heat facilities, the staff are professional but down to earth, and you can choose from a good range of luxury treatments. The food in all three restaurants is delicious.

Scarlet Spy visited in December 2020 and awarded it 5 Bubble Luxury.