Can anyone recommend me a Day Spa that is actually a Day Spa not just a beauty salon?

[GeneralEyes]

I would like to go away for a spa break for a few days but can't actually stay away overnight, IYSWIM.

So I thought I would go for a spa day in a hotel a couple of times - however it seems that to get value for money I would need to be there 9am-6pm and I can't manage that - I have to get away by 4-ish.

Next, I decided that I should go to a smaller set up, like in a normal beauty salon but where you can stay for 4 hours or something like that, without feeling like a spare part in between treatments. Does this make sense? Can anyone kindly recommend somewhere near St Albans, Harpenden, Hemel Hempstead?

If you travel to watford the spa in presence is amazing! Only went first time the other wk. was thinking wasn't really my thing but turns out was lovely. Did the thermal suite experience, loved it

Bath spa is awesome but nowhere near where you want.... So, yeah, I'm helpful. (but it is ace)

Westminster Lodge in St Albans has a really nice spa. It's in the leisure centre, but it really is nice!

I was going to say Westminster Lodge, too!
What about Sopwell House?

It was Sopwell House that I called actually, and was told a spa day is 9-6pm!
I'm going to google westminster Lodge now - and also the Watford one although that is a bit far to go.

if all else fails I guess I could do Sopwell House and leave early, perhaps I wouldn't want to stay that long anyway. Not sure!

Doesn't a treatment at Sopwell entitle you to use of their facilities for the day?

Thank you thank you thank you MNers..

i have booked a couple of days at Westminster Lodge (Verulamium Spa) and would never have known about it if not for you kind posters. It sounds very good, and the lady on the phone was definitely very helpful and spent ages helping me pick and choose treatments which would compliment eachother etc. I'm really looking forward to a couple of days relaxation there, without staying the night and/or having lunch/dinner included in the price (which I really DON'T want as I'm low-carbing and also wanted to cherry pick treatments). Perhaps I will report back after my 2 days if anyone's interested!

Regarding Sopwell ContinentalKat I thought about investigating your idea that perhaps a treatment there would entitle me to use of facilities, but on looking at their treatment list/prices, I realised they do exactly the same treatments (ESPA) at Westminster Lodge, and CHEAPER so it was a no brainer in the end. Thank you!!