From healing waters and locally harvested seaweed to tubs with killer views, Scarlet Spy dips into those spa hotels that are worth a visit for the baths alone.
Bath goals: river-side bathing
Sink into an alfresco bathtub overlooking the River Moy and Belleek Forest at The Ice House’s Chill Spa in County Mayo. Outdoor bathing rituals include Himalayan salt, Atlantic seaweed (Fucus Serratus) or warmed spice mud, and come with complimentary herbal tea and fresh fruit sorbet. Staying at the hotel? Take full advantage of the in-room bath butler.
Bath goals: all the baths
From double baths in Silver Birch (see lead photo), to the Twickenham Suite with its own eight-seater Jacuzzi (no questions asked), Pennyhill Park has a bath tub for every occasion. If you’re more of a shower-type, the Acacia Plush junior suite has a rather futuristic horizontal shower (pictured above); lie down and relax while six jets spray down providing a variety of water massages.
Kohler Waters, Old Course Hotel
Bath goals: bathe in rainbows
The spa at Old Course Hotel in St. Andrews is the only Kohler Waters Spa outside of the US and offers treatments with therapeutic water treatments. After an enthusiastic body brush, submerge yourself in the SŌK Overflowing Bath by Kohler; the chroma-therapy full-colour spectrum feature allows you to literally bathe in rainbows. What’s not to love?
Buxton Crescent Health Spa Hotel
Bath goals: Healing waters
Built over the Buxton Spring - once loved by the Romans - Buxton Crescent uses the pure mineral-rich water to lower blood pressure and assist with skin disorders. The Buxton CO2 Mineral bath experience – with added CO2 gas for extra bubbles - takes place in the beautifully-designed spa bath and is inspired by the original 19th century natural baths at sister hotel in Mariánské Lázně in the Czech Republic.
Nàdarra Spa, The Coniston Hotel
Bath goals: tubs for two
Location is key at Coniston with rolling hills, enchanting woodland and a huge lake for the taking. The best place to enjoy those views? In side-by-side roll-top tubs in the spa garden, with your favourite person, of course. Bespoke bath treatments come as standard: choose from a pure Scottish seaweed bath from Ishga or a detoxifying therapeutic tea bath.
The Well in the Garden Spa, Cliff at Lyons
Bath goals: twilight bathing
Tucked in a private corner, behind the Well in the Garden spa, is the brand new Garden Room and Outdoor Thermal Spa. Here you’ll find beautiful copper bath tubs for Nordic-inspired bathing; soak up the idyllic surrounds of Cliff at Lyon while your skin is bathed in locally-grown seasonal herbs and flowers, organic Irish peat and ginger/organic seaweed harvested from the Irish coast.
The Spa in the Garden, The Manor House Hotel
Bath goals: cold water immersion
No longer just reserved for the Wim Hof’s of the world, cold water baths are popping up at forward-thinking spas like The Manor House’s English spa garden. After toasting in the enormous Salt Steam Inhalation Chamber, cool off in the icy cold plunge bath – sandwiched between the cold-water shower and bucket shower. Guaranteed to blow away the cobwebs and activate the nervous system.
Alchemist Spa, Woolacombe Bay Hotel
Bath goals: oversized copper tub
The Woolacombe Bay Hotel & Alchemist Spa is set in the seaside town of its namesake, famous for its award-winning three-mile stretch of sand and rolling Atlantic breakers. We love the spa’s oversized copper tub; your bath butler will draw it for you, adding your choice of oil, so you can sink beneath the bubbles with a glass of something sparkly.
Bath goals: pink baths
Book an Exclusive Suite on your Serenity Spa Stay at Hoar Cross Hall to guarantee a room with a bath; ask for the baby-pink free-standing roll-top – a hit with the Spa Spies. In the spa, opt for Lazy Days Detox Seaweed Bath and submerge your body in hand-harvested Atlantic seaweed to release unwanted toxins and help alleviate aches and pains.
Scarlet Spy
12th January 2023
Spy Likes:
Nature-inspired spas, cold water plunges, sound baths, deep tissue massage, delicious food.
Spy Dislikes:
Thin walls in treatment rooms, loungers hoggers, bright lights
