Best spas in Wales

With over 20,000 miles of paths to roam, dramatic mountains and Britain’s only coastal national park – with its stunning beaches, secret coves and wild swimming - Wales is the perfect backdrop for wellness. Scarlet Spy shares the best Welsh spas to get your fix…  

St Brides Spa Hotel, Saundersfoot



St Brides Spa Hotel is built into the clifftop overlooking Carmarthen Bay; sink into the infinity pool and soak up miles of pristine Pembrokeshire coastline. At high tide, as you bubble away in delicious 30 degrees - an optical illusion makes it seem as though nothing separates you from the sea below. There’s a cliff-edge dual treatment room – offering ocean-inspired treatments from VOYA - with full-height windows that slide open to take advantage of the calming sound of the tide.

Lanelay Hall Hotel & Spa, Pontyclun

The vibrant tropical-inspired décor of South Wales’ tRiBe Spa; leads to the new zen spa garden. Unwind in the relaxation pods dotted poolside or curl up with a book on the plush sofas surrounding the toasty firepit. Enter the new vitality pool through the free-flowing waterfall before submerging in 38-degree waters. A glass of something bubbly can be ordered from the garden menu, along with a hearty brunch.  

The Parkgate Hotel, Cardiff 



Urbanites will love Cardiff’s new mammoth 170-room luxury hotel, located in the old post office. Panoramic skyline views come as standard here; the Principality Stadium is just a rugby ball’s throw away. The best place to take in the city vista? From the rooftop spa, located on the sixth floor, with its own thermal suite and Herbal Steam Temple for two. Book a range of treatments from British brand, Elemis; we love their Pro Glow Rose Facial.  

Lake Vyrnwy Hotel and Spa, Powys



Situated on the edge of Lake Vyrnwy – with its waterfalls and Berywn mountains - this spa has the location licked. With 24,000 acres of National Nature Reserve to explore, there’s miles of walking trails, epic bird watching opportunities and a lake primed for paddle boarding. The Jacuzzi spa pool, sauna and toasty tepidarium lounges have views of the vast expanse of water with its central Gothic tower and wooded hills rising around its edges. 

Wave Garden Spa, Snowdonia 

Snowdonia is always worth the schlep but throw in a cleverly-designed spa - with a mountain backdrop - and you’ve got a winner. Beyond the spectacular North Wales landscape, the spa offers four treatment rooms with treatments from Thalgo and Tribe517, a double hammam and its very own inland surf lagoon. Post treatment, retreat to the relaxation room - a stand-alone structure with bi-fold doors, rattan loungers and cosy blankets. 

The Vale Resort, Vale of Glamorgan



Spread over 650 acres of private castle grounds in the Vale of Glamorgan countryside, The Vale Resort has a hotel, two championship golf courses and one of the largest spas in Wales. After a dip in the 20-metre indoor pool, saunter between the sauna, steam room and hot tub before drifting off in the lantern-lit, Bedouin tent-inspired Sleep Zone. The spa treatment menu is well-curated with appearances from Sundari, Temple Spa and Clarins.

Well Spa at Bluestone National Park Resort, Pembrokeshire



Bluestone is a luxury lodge resort situated within 500-acres of Welsh countryside and surrounded by ancient woodland. While the kids hit the flumes at the Blue Lagoon Water Park or scale the tree tops at The Steep Ravine, worn out parents can slope off for some well-deserved R&R at Well Spa, ESPA’s flagship spa in Wales. Set in the heart of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the spa draws inspiration from the wild waters, rich in natural salts, and the spring water bubbling from the mountains.

Laguna Spa at the Park Plaza Hotel, Cardiff 



A city hotel with a 20m, UV-filtered, stainless steel swimming pool gets the thumbs up from us. Get horizontal on the poolside loungers before chilling in the spa bath or steam room. Eco-friendly, all-natural brand Pevonia is used in the tranquil treatment rooms. Post-treatment, feast on afternoon tea with finger sandwiches, Welsh cakes and buttermilk scones. Upgrade to a boozy Hendrick's G and Tea, with cucumber-infused gin, served in vintage teapots. 

The Kinmel & Kinspa, Conwy County



Just a few steps from The Kinmel, Kinspa is set in acres of rolling parkland with epic North coast views. Along with a dip-able nine metre swimming pool, you’ll find a large hydrotherapy pool, with a swim-through waterfall overlooking a water garden, plus an aromatherapy sauna, steam room and drench bucket showers. Choose treatments from Neom Organics or Elemis and, if you can close your eyes on the stunning panoramic views, take a snooze in the Tranquillity Suite.