Your 'best ever' spa recommendations?

[Quirkyme]

Hello,

Could people kindly share the best spa stays/breaks you've been to or one/s that you'd highly recommend in the UK (I don't mind recommendations for abroad too) please?

I'd like to really explore different spas and take time out more often to do so so adding to my list!

Preferably adults -only spas

Also, if anyone has particular recommendations for a birthday break (my bday is mid-March - turning 29!), it would be much appreciated.

Thank you

Stobo hands down, no competition

Pennyhill park

https://www.exclusive.co.uk/the-spa-at-pennyhill-park/?utmsource=google&utmmmedium=local&utmcampaign=spa-pennyhillpark

Sopwell House is lovely! And so is Aqua Sana (Center Parcs).

Has anyone been to and can recommend Champneys in Tring?

Gleneagles - best massage I’ve ever had (and I’ve had a lot!)

Chewton Glen

This is such a brilliant idea for a thread!

People can want different things from spas, though, and I agree with the pp who says that the UK isn’t the best place for them. That said …

The Porchester in West London (Queensway) porchesterspatreatments.co.uk/the-spa is one of my favourites. Same-sex and brilliant for rehabilitating yourself (take along a load of magazines and progress through the tepidarium to the caldarium - they have saunas and steam rooms, and it adjoins to the public swimming pool). I haven’t been for years but used to love it there.

The modern bathhouse in Bath is also good fun - mainly because of the rooftop pool.

Both these are fairly budget options.

The Priory in Bath

We went to a very cool spa on our honeymoon.in Italy called the Grotta Giusti. There are also some wonderful spa hotels in Montecatini Terme.

There was also a great spa at the Pestana Casino Hotel in Madeira and the Blauhotel in Portopetro, Mallorca.

My DB used to work at Sopwell House, the England football team used to stay there, don't know whether they still do.

I cannot recommend a UK spa because I am not personally a fan. However, I love thermal spas- mostly in Central Eurpoe- and pre-covid would head over 2-4 times a year if there were cheap enough flights. I usually take teen DD, her friend and a like minded friend. Absolute favourite is Hajdúszoboszló in Hungary. Flights to Debrecen (also has a great thermal baths) although easy enough on the train from Budapest. Budapest of course has lots of thermals. We also like Velingrad in Bulgaria, Paummukale in Turkey and a fair few in Slovenia. We usually do not bother to book a spa hotel but just an apartment nearby and pay for day entry as there is often more than one option. In this part of the world they take it very seriously and thermal prescriptions are part of the health service. It is also lovely in winter to be in hot thermal water whilst it is snowy and cold. Bonus is massages and treatments are amazing value, although some on offer require a medical consultation (not standard tourist treatments as you would expect in UK- far more specialist).

Thanks for this thread, I have a few on my list to look up!!

@MissyB1 I also live near Malvern and I personally think the Malvern is basic. It has reasonable facilities but it's not outstanding in the slightest. I thought the pools were 'scruffy'. It often gets recommended on local FB groups but it definitely wouldn't be on my 'go to' list

Another vote for Nirvana Spa in Wokingham.
It's a day spa so no accommodation but there are plenty of nice hotels nearby.
I went with a friend a couple of times, fell in love and then spent a year on the waiting list for membership!

Monart is incredible. I would go again in a heartbeat. The restaurant there is also excellent.

Pennyhill Park is excellent- lots of attention to detail and the accommodation is fantastic.

The Grove in Herts is also very good, although I haven't been in a couple of years.

I personally prefer small spas to larger, potentially more crowded ones even though the facilities are more limited - my 'local' spa is this one and I love it: elementsboutiquespa.co.uk/

I don’t quite get what all the fuss is about Pennyhill Park. Do people go there on conferences? It seems very corporate, and they keep mentioning how the England rugby team like to train there. The indoor pool with underwater music is, admittedly, very nice, but the decor is utterly bizarre - a sort of Twin Peaks meets mock Tudor style. Still, it does the job - you’ll have a nice enough time there, probably.

Hey everyone. Thanks for the suggestions. Just came back from one already on the list where I spent Xmas, and narrowed it down to a few for options for March.

Much appreciated 🤎

Eden Hall is absolutely amazing!!!!