13 spas for a summer spa-cation

Ahh those summer holidays abroad… 4am alarm calls, long drives in the dark, airport chaos, missing luggage; you name it, we’ve experienced it. So much so that this particular Spa Spy will be shunning the fly and flop this year and booking a UK-based spa break instead. With a wide selection of countryside getaways, coastal retreats and buzzing cities to choose from, the only question is which spectacular spa to pick. Stylish Spy selects 13 of the best spas for a summer spa-cation – see you poolside.

Best for: Coastal spa-ing – Serenity Spa at Seaham Hal

Celebrating 25 years this summer, this hotel has all the holiday trimmings with direct access to the beach and suites with side-by-side freestanding tubs. Guests at Seaham Hall can also book one of the property’s self-catering lodges, perfect for families wishing to DIY their meals and hang out uninhibited. In the spa, the Outdoor Zen Garden is perfect for soaking up the sun, while medical grade skin treatments facilitate summer glow ups. After a day exploring the creamy coastline, order a seasonal smoothie and relax poolside. For coastal fare with a side of watery views, book a table at The Dining Room. Gecko is the spa’s wellness restaurant where you can tuck into small Asian plates on a sunny terrace.

Best for: music lovers - Hope Street Hotel & Spa

Hope Street Hotel is ideal for city slickers wishing to explore the delights of Liverpool. The spa features a 15‑metre indoor pool with underwater music, an outdoor courtyard vitality pool and plenty of facilities to go hot and cold in; treatments, meanwhile, cover everything from anti-inflammatory CBD facials to salt stone massages. The hotel itself - all exposed brickwork and city views – has two restaurants; we loved The London Carriage Works. It’s Hope Street’s Georgian Quarter location that really sings, however, with its nods to music; this is the home of the Philharmonic Orchestra, the city’s Music College and a tremendous Beatles tribute. With some of Liverpool’s best bars, theatres and cafes here too, boredom is not an option.

Best for: adults-only spa-ing - Gaia Spa at Boringdon Hall

If kids are likely to put the kybosh on your spa time, book into Gaia at Boringdon Hall, an adult-only spa overlooking Dartmoor National Park. Enjoy uninterrupted time in the spa’s indoor infinity pool, outdoor hydropool, saunas and steam rooms before booking a Gaia skincare ritual or holistic journey. Lunch with a view is provided at Spatisserie. For longer stays, book a Signature Spa Break including accommodation, full spa and wellness studio access (for yoga, Pilates and fitness classes), a 60‑minute Gaia treatment, breakfast, dinner at either Michelin-starred Àclèaf or the Mayflower Brasserie and 10% off additional spa sessions. When you’re done spa-ing the Delights of Devon are just a blob of clotted cream away.

Best for: a chic getaway – The Club at Cottonmill

A stone’s throw from St Albans, Sopwell House is a popular spot with locals and Londoners looking for a chic getaway (and hosts of this year's Good Spa Guide awards in November, no less). This Spa Spy can certainly vouch for the hotel’s new corner suites with their spacious dressing areas, balconies and Gin trays. The spa garden is a thing of beauty with double day beds, sunken hot tubs and pools aplenty. Order a glass of fizz or a cocktail from a passing host to get into the holiday spirit. The spa’s child-free policy will assist here, too as will The Club - a member’s only spa space hosting a limited number of guests. You’ll also find two floors of steam rooms, saunas, relaxation rooms and places to eat.

Best for: poolside cocktails – Signet Spa at The Retreat Elcot Park

When the sun finally decides to put in a proper appearance, Elcot Park is exactly the place to be. Part of The Signet Collection, this stylish Berkshire retreat was practically made for long summer afternoons, with a heated outdoor pool that invites guests to take a leisurely dip before claiming a sun lounger for the rest of the day. Whether you're checking in for a spa stay or simply escaping for the afternoon, the hotel's relaxed approach means day guests can enjoy a slice of the luxury, too. Order something chilled (the cocktails come highly recommended), settle in beside the pool and soak up those elusive rays while they last.

Best for: alfresco spa-ing – The Spa at Pennyhill Park

Pennyhill Park really comes into its own when the British weather decides to play ball (and boy has it done so recently). The sprawling outdoor spa space is made for languid summer afternoons, with open-air hot tubs bubbling away at a toasty 36. If you're feeling particularly indulgent, book one of the private cabanas complete with shaded loungers, copper bath, fridge full of soft drinks, Nespresso machine and even a tablet so cocktails can be summoned at the touch of a button. Speaking of cocktails, the Pool View Bar serves them alongside light lunches and sweet treats overlooking the pool. Just don't blame us if you forget what day of the week it is.

Best for: a quick reset – Utopia Spa at Rowhill Grange

Sometimes all you need is some rest and relaxation (and someone else to make your breakfast). Rowhill Grange's aptly named Renew & Refresh package ticks every box, pairing an overnight stay with unlimited access to the Utopia Spa until 1pm on the day of departure. Throw in your choice of 40-minute massage or facial, £40 to spend on dinner in RG's restaurant and a hearty Full English the following morning, and you've got all the ingredients for a proper recharge. Whether you spend your time drifting between pools, steam rooms and loungers or simply hiding from your inbox, you'll leave feeling infinitely more human.

Best for: Mediterranean vibes – Verbena Spa

If jetting off to the Med isn't on this year's agenda, Verbena Spa can deliver a convincing substitute a little closer to home. Set in the North Yorkshire countryside, its outdoor pool and hot tub somehow manage to channel the feel of a boutique resort on the Amalfi Coast —minus the airport queues. After soaking up the sunshine, pull on your walking boots and head into the North York Moors before returning for a treatment and another leisurely dip. Add in the peaceful rural setting and healthy dose of Yorkshire hospitality and you'll almost forget you're only a few hours from home.

Best for: garden lovers – Bishopstrow Spa

Country house hotels don't come much prettier than Bishopstrow. Set within rolling Wiltshire countryside, the estate is currently undergoing a thoughtful restoration, with lush gardens, ancient woodland and the River Wylye weaving through wildflower meadows. Wellness here stretches far beyond the treatment rooms, with yoga, floating sound baths and forest bathing encouraging guests to slow down. The working kitchen garden keeps chef Darren Stephens supplied with homegrown produce for hearty dishes at The Garden Grill, while summer gatherings beside the river offer the perfect excuse to dine outdoors. Add nearby attractions - including Longleat and Stonehenge - plus dog-friendly rooms and countryside views from every window, and you've got yourself a serious staycation.

Best for: capital wellness – The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Mayfair

Sightseeing in London during the summer months isn’t for the faint-hearted, particularly with children in tow. Hidden beneath the bustle of London's smartest postcode, the Spa at Mandarin Oriental Mayfair is a subterranean sanctuary centred around the longest indoor pool in Mayfair. The new Moment of Mayfair Day Pass makes it easy to escape the capital without leaving it, combining spa access with healthy refreshments and plenty of time to recharge. Wellness expert Laura Dodd oversees a programme of yoga, Pilates, meditation and sound healing, while immersive treatments such as The Art of Reset and Sleepfulness are designed to tackle everything from stress to digital overload. Feeling refreshed? Our glorious capital awaits.

Best for: family holidays with a spa twist – The Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall Village

Travelling with little ones doesn't have to mean waving goodbye to your spa fix. Ribby Hall Village cleverly combines a five-star holiday destination with an adults-only spa hotel, meaning parents can sneak away for a two-hour Aqua Thermal Journey while the rest of the family keeps busy elsewhere. Set within more than 100 acres of Lancashire countryside, the spa has outdoor pools, hydrotherapy experiences, saunas and steam rooms aplenty, as well as peaceful corners to unwind in. Luxurious rooms, indulgent treatments and countryside surroundings make it just as appealing for a grown-up spa break too. Everyone's a winner.

Best for: country house luxury – The Spa at Lucknam Park

There are country estates, and then there's Lucknam Park. Surrounded by 500 acres of parkland, woodland and immaculate gardens, this grand retreat delivers everything you'd hope for from a quintessential English escape. The award-winning spa features an indoor-outdoor hydrotherapy pool where guests can drift between warm water and fresh country air before unwinding at the hands of an experienced therapist. Beyond the spa, walking trails, horse riding, tennis and cycling provide plenty of opportunities to explore the estate, while elegant rooms, private cottages and exceptional dining ensure you'll never be in a hurry to leave.

Best for: luxurious spa suites – Aqua Sana Forest Spa Elveden Forest

The new Forest Spa Suites at Elveden Forest set the bar high for luxury spa-ing this summer. Nestled deep within the forest - but close enough to the spa to wander across in your robe - the suites are more like modern flats than hotel rooms. We loved the fully-equipped kitchens, the huge tub in the sleek bathroom (open the doors to allow the forest air in as you bathe), the cracking fire in the bedroom and the deep balcony with swinging seat for two. Spa Suite bookings include breakfast, lunch, a 50-minute treatment, two full days in the re-vamped spa (and what a spa it is) and a £70 voucher to spend on dining or skincare.

Best for: reconnecting with nature – Lifehouse Spa & Hotel

If your idea of bliss involves birdsong rather than busy bars, Lifehouse is your perfect summer hideaway. Surrounded by 12 acres of historic gardens and more than 100 acres of peaceful Essex countryside, it's a place where long walks are more than encouraged. Better still, it's only 90 minutes from London, making it an easy escape from city life. Guests can spend one day unwinding in the spa, the next exploring the sandy beaches of Frinton-on-Sea, or the traditional seaside fun of Clacton, before returning for seasonal dishes in the hotel's AA Rosette restaurant. Whether you fancy doing absolutely everything or absolutely nothing, Lifehouse makes both feel equally rewarding.

Best for: a Scottish spa escape – Cairndale Spa

Scotland has long mastered dramatic scenery; now it has an impressive new spa to match. Since opening, the adults-only Cairndale Spa in Dumfries has amassed an enviable list of accolades, including Best Spa in Scotland and our own Five Bubble Luxury Status. Guests can work their way through thermal pools, Himalayan salt and infrared saunas, steam rooms, Scotland's only double hammam and a Rasul mud experience before retiring to the herbal lounge. Add stylish bedrooms, excellent dining and warm Scottish hospitality, and you won’t want to leave this family-owned hotel.

Best for: forest bathing – SenSpa at Careys Manor

If the New Forest's ancient woodland doesn't lower your blood pressure, SenSpa certainly will. Tucked away in the pretty village of Brockenhurst, Careys Manor combines countryside charm with one of the UK's best-loved destination spas. Authentic Thai-inspired treatments (using the spa's own product range) sit alongside extensive thermal facilities, creating a wellness experience that's every bit as restorative as the surrounding landscape. Spend your days walking or cycling through the forest before returning for an evening spa session followed by dinner in one of the hotel's restaurants. By checkout, you'll be wondering why anyone bothers with flights during the summer holidays.