Best adult-only spas

With the majority of children now back at school, the adult-only spa market is ripe – and ready – for bookings. If you’re a parent this could mean a stress-evaporating massage followed by a swim and a nutritious lunch; if you aren’t, it’s lower prices, smaller footfalls and peace and quiet all the way. Here’s our pick of the best adult-only spas to say ‘ahhh’ in.  

The Scarlet Spa, Cornwall

With children banned but pooches welcome, some may say The Scarlet has got it right (we said some). Idyllically set on a deserted stretch of caramel sand on Cornwall’s Mawgan Porth beach, the hotel’s eco-credentials, organic restaurant and nature-inspired rooms are second-to-none. The Ayrvedic-inspired spa is a spiritual place with tented treatment rooms, an outdoor pool cleansed by reeds and an indoor pool overlooking the beach. If you do one thing before arriving, make sure you pre-book the Clifftop Hot tub experience - a raised hot tub overlooking the Atlantic Ocean where you can watch the sun set with a glass of bubbly.

Hoar Cross Hall, Staffordshire



As soon as you begin journeying down the driveway at Hoar Cross Hall your shoulders are guaranteed to drop an inch - 43 acres of pristine grounds and a terracotta-hued mansion practically scream ‘come in and relax’. April saw the property re-open after a £14 million upgrade to the communal areas, spa and all 97 bedrooms - some now boast baby pink freestanding baths; others have balconies with hot tubs. And with a Nordic Heat and Ice room, hydro-pool, saltwater pool, Kniepp foot massage, detox centre, snooze room, deep relaxation room, hair salon and atrium, the award-winning spa is anything but ordinary. Treatments are courtesy of Elemis, Jennifer Young and Jessica.

Weavers Spa at The Swan at Lavenham, Suffolk



Being in higgledy-piggledy Lavenham - with its black and white tudor buildings and old world charm – is a pretty peaceful experience in itself; a stay at Weavers House Spa at The Swan hotel could be the cherry on the tranquillity cake. The fifteenth-century Swan Hotel is all low beams and roaring fires with a modern extension housing the spa. Simple touches - such as fresh macaroons post-treatment and burning aroma candles - elevate the experience. Despite a relatively small footprint, there’s a sauna, steam room, garden room and outdoor pool on a pretty terrace. Treatments showcase Temple Spa and Jennifer Young.

Lifehouse Spa & Hotel, Essex



Lifehouse is an adults-only spa hotel set in 130 acres of beautifully-tended gardens near the trendy coastal town Frinton-on-Sea. The whitewashed Scandi-style hotel building stands out – in a good way – amongst all the greenery, drawing visitors in like a magnet. Inside, clean lines, neutral shading and plenty of glass keep rooms and central areas pared back and Nordic. Try the Italian restaurant – a hit since head chef spa Ugo Simonelli took the helm – and the spa with its 18-metre heated indoor pool, saunas, steam rooms, salt inhalation room and gym. The treatment menu favours Elemis, Clarins and Made for Life with something for everyone, including men and spa-goers living with, or recovering from, cancer.

The Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall Village, Lancashire

It may be part of a holiday village – where children roam free - but the spa offering at Ribby Hall is a glamorous adult-only hotel set in the rolling Lancashire hills, with its own peaceful lake. A day spa, an overnight sanctuary or a place to pop in for a treatment, it’s many things to many guests. The thermal space – made entirely of glass – overlooks a spa deck with outdoor hot tub, sauna and large hydro-pool surrounded by loungers. Book an Aqua Thermal package and combine time in the thermal area – which has seven different experiences – with a two-course lunch, afternoon tea or two-course dinner. Try the Natural Spa Factory Teatox for top-to-toe relaxation.