They were all crowned winners in the Good Spa Guide 2021 regional awards – and this, says Stylish Spy, is exactly why you should book one (or more) for 2022
Christmas is over, the goose is getting fat (or is that just me)… it’s that time of year when our thoughts turn to healthy eating, shedding the pounds and booking something to look forward to. So where better than a UK spa visit, with its absence of pre-flight testing, some much-needed time out and some good grub?
Whether you’re trying Veganuary, crossing off the days until you can drink again (four down; 27 to go) or just fancy a facial, there’s a spa here for you. Our advice: book now… before they book up.
The Bvlgari Spa
Winner of Best Spa in London
Style et substance is the name of the game at the exquisitely designed Bulgari Spa in the heart of London’s affluent Knightsbridge. Descend beneath the five-star hotel and you’ll find an Instagram-worthy 25-metre swimming pool, golden vitality pool, thermal facilities and divine treatments. The focus is on wellbeing, with programmes designed to harmonise and balance from the outside in, perfect if you are residing in, or visiting, London. Escape to one of the wooden poolside cabanas; complete serenity will prevail.
Fairmont St Andrews
Winner of Best Spa in Scotland
Set on a 520-acre coastal estate just three miles from St Andrews Castle, Fairmont St Andrews offers extensive golf, leisure and spa facilities in glorious surrounds. Treatments go beyond the norm with locally-themed massages, facials and relaxation therapies from Aromatherapy Associates, Caudalie, Ishga, Little Butterfly and OPI. And not forgetting the facilities: a 16-metre pool surrounded by loungers, a sauna, a steam room, a Jacuzzi and plenty of space to relax. And, with scenery like this, relax you will.
The Woodland Spa
Winner of Best Spa in the North-West
With 100 acres of Lancashire countryside to play with, post-Christmas peace and quiet is guaranteed at The Woodland Spa. The Thermal Experience Journey includes a range of heat rooms, plus a hydrotherapy pool, outdoor infinity pool and a tranquil serenity pool in a low-lit relaxation room. Allow three hours to enjoy the facilities before heading off for treatments from Decléor, Neom and OPI. When hunger strikes, enjoy food with a view at the restaurant above the spa, with its outdoor terrace (for the brave/Covid avoiders) overlooking those green, green hills.
Aqua Sana Longleat Forest
Winner of Best Spa in the South-West and Channel Islands
This much-loved Aqua Sana spa – with its with natural materials, calming palette and living walls - draws inspiration from its tranquil forest setting. A £6m investment has afforded the addition of a heated outdoor pool, reflexology footbaths, a range of steam rooms and saunas, an ice cave and a selection of relaxation rooms - money well spent. The spa also has three new experiences to try: Moonlight Steam Room, Moonlight Shower and Forest Cavern. Which one will you go for?
Serenity Spa at Seaham Hall
Winner of Best Spa in the North-East
The setting for Seaham Hall is as expansive as it is exhilarating: the north-east coast (County Durham to be exact). The spa building and facilities are impressive; the treatments superb. The spa journey begins at the fabulous underground walkway that connects the spa to the hotel – walk past pebbles and running water until you reach a huge carved elephant (yep). Inside, there’s an ozone treated pool, a hydrotherapy pool and thermal rooms; head outside for steamy hot tubs.
Hoar Cross Hall
Winner of Best Spa in the West Midlands and Wales
Jacobean in style, Hoar Cross Hall occupies an idyllic location in the Staffordshire countryside. With a fantastic refurb under its belt, water babies will love all the pools - from hydrotherapy and whirlpool to plunge and saltwater – the good range of thermal facilities and the well-thought-out relaxation areas. Face and body treatments are courtesy of Elemis and Voya; check out the new nail bar and the larger-than-average hair salon before lunching at the spa’s own café, Hugo's.
Ragdale Hall Spa
Winner of Best Spa in the East Midlands and the East
The original dedicated spa retreat, Ragdale Hall has quite a cult following. You’ll find good quality, well-priced treatments delivered by people who really know their stuff; the huge array of facilities on offer will have you visiting your favourites time and again – don’t miss a dip in the infinity pool seemingly spilling over into the Leicestershire countryside. Gloriously, at Ragdale you can be as pampered or healthy as you like; enjoy a healthy meal or opt for cake and Champagne – we won’t judge.
Aqua Sana Woburn Forest
Winner of Best Spa in the South-East
The modern glass and timber spa building at Aqua Sana Woburn occupies an incredible 7,600 square metres – we can officially tell you that that’s a lot of spa. The World of Spa has six areas for you to journey through - fire and ice, blossom, herbal, sensory, mineral and gemstonem and salt spa - before chilling out in the zen garden, on a double waterbed (try not to snore) or in the fire relaxation room with its loungers facing flickering flames.
Stylish Spy
4th January 2022
Spy Likes:
Minimalist lines; organic products; facial massage; tranquillity; interesting people-watching.
Spy Dislikes:
Discarded towels on loungers; steam rooms that aren't steamy; mobile phones.
