Spas that do more

Gone are the days when spas offer just a handful of facials and massages... nowadays guests can saunter out of those glass doors with their Chakras aligned, their lives mapped out following a Tarot reading and a new haircut. Stylish Spy goes on a quest to find those spas that go above and beyond.

Best for… health screenings
Retreat at The Lowry, Manchester

They say knowledge is power; when it comes to our health, nothing could be truer. Hormone testing can shine a light on thyroid conditions, the onset of menopause and polycystic ovaries, amongst others, while regular cholesterol testing can help ward off strokes. Thanks to a collaboration with AssureHealth, Re:Treat at The Lowry offers a myriad of on-site health screenings from £60 per test; that's money well spent - and no waiting for a GP.
Also try: Botox, Colonic Hydrotherapy, Cryotherapy, IV drips

Best for… spiritual healing
Champneys Forest Mere, Hampshire

From Angel Affirmation Cards and Tarot Readings to Psychic Healing and Hypnotherapy, Champneys leads the way when it comes to spiritual healing. Spa goers at Forest Mere can choose a 25-minute (£49) or 45-minute (£85) Angel Card or Tarot Reading session for positive messages surrounding a life challenge or reassurance about the future. They can also opt for a 50-minute (£85) healing session – book Spiritual for re-balancing, Psychic to release the past (and live the future) and Transformational to free trapped emotions.
Also try: Bowen Technique therapy, Crystal Reiki, Reiki

Best for…  in-house specialists
Akasha Holistic Wellbeing at Hotel Café Royal, London

There are so many specialists on hand at Akasha Holistic Wellbeing we’re surprised there’s room for guests - but then Akasha has been specially created to promote health, happiness and fulfilment. Spiritual and meditation mentors, specialist aquatic bodywork practitioners, yoga teachers, personal trainers and Qi specialists are all on hand to offer advice, impart wisdom and bend you into all sorts of shapes in one of two light, airy private studio and the all-singing-and-dancing gym.  
Also try: Hammam, Floatation Tank, Watsu Pools

Best for…. menopausal support
The Spa at South Lodge, West Sussex

It’s rare for a spa to have an in-house clinic dedicated entirely to menopause but the Specialist Aesthetics and Medical (SAM) Clinic at South Lodge is just that (and may we say, bravo). Led by Dr Sarah Spencer, the clinic can prescribe body identical HRT (which administers just the right amount of oestrogen required for your own body) in the forms of gels, capsules and patches, as well as dermatology - think Botox, chemical peels, fillers and skin boosters - delivered in softly, softly way.
Also try: Osteopathy, Reflexology

Best for… water babies
Buxton Cresecent Health Spa Hotel, Derbyshire

It seems fitting that a spa built on a natural spring be renowned for its water facilities. As well as a Victorian thermal pool filled with mineral-rich water, the spa also has several baths for water-based treatments including a Mineral Bath infused with C02 to help lower blood pressure, and a Hydro Massage Bath to relax the muscles for deeper massages. We loved climbing into a warm bath for an Underwater Jet Massage (30mins, £45), where a therapist directed jets of water onto our thighs to blast away unsightly cellulite (amen).
Also try: Bio Balance Training, Magnetic Therapy, Physiotherapy

Best for… sports enthusiasts
Three Graces Spa at Grantley Hall, Yorkshire

More sports men and women are visiting spas to relieve post-workout tightness through massage or speed up the recovery with Traditional Chinese Medicine. The Three Graces Spa at Grantley Hall goes one step further with Elite, a pioneering health and fitness centre designed to improve performance. Facilities include a stamina building Performance Centre, an underwater treadmill, a Cryotherapy chamber, 3D Body Scanners and water massage beds. The team at Elite can also perform on-site blood analysis.
Also try: Jennifer Young treatments for those living with, or beyond, cancer