January detox: 10 best luxury hotel spas in the UK
8 January 2024
Small wonder that January is the month when we most crave a restorative visit to a luxury hotel spa.
If you’re not feeling your best after the excesses of Christmas, you’re far from alone — and the good news is that selecting the right spa breaks with treatments can help you face the new year fully cleansed and running at full steam.
Whether you’re in need of a deeply rejuvenating January detox and a serious kick start to your wellness goals for 2024, or simply a bit of gentle R&R, we’ve selected some of the finest luxury spa hotels in the UK for a spa day or longer stay dedicated to your wellbeing.
From lavish country mansions set in acres of parkland to spectacular seaside retreats offering the latest seaweed-infused elixirs, these are the hotels to head to for the most innovative approaches to wellness —and feeling beautiful both inside and out.
Calcot & Spa
An achingly pretty Cotswolds country hotel in Tetbury, Gloucestershire, Calcot & Spa is a sight for sore eyes. In fact, chances are you’ll feel brighter upon arrival and be skipping along to its celebrated spa. Here, you’ll find a cosy oasis designed for blissful relaxation with facilities including a luxurious outdoor hot tub and hi-tech gym.
Top-to-toe treatments are in abundance and the hotel offers a range of great spa days and January spa breaks, such as the Ultimate Spa Break — an overnight stay with breakfast, two 55-minute treatments and unlimited use of the spa.
Ellenborough Park Hotel & Spa
Arguably the finest luxury hotel spa in Cheltenham, Ellenborough Park scores style points with fashionistas who flock here to drink in the hotel’s beautiful interior design and get a five-star wellbeing and beauty fix.
While away the hours and unwind in the Jacuzzi, gym, sauna and steam rooms, and Relaxation Kama Room or take a plunge into the heated outdoor pool.
Treatment wise you can opt for a quick fix Revive & Glow package ( a 25-minute treatment of your choice such as a Back Massage and Elemis Express Facial and use of the indoor spa facilities), or one of the special overnight spa break offers to get a little more luxury for less, such as Escape & Unwind, which includes a 55-minute spa treatment.
The Elms Hotel & Spa
The Elms Hotel & Spa is a gorgeous mansion house ideally located in the heart of the Worcestershire countryside. Picture glamorous, maximalist-styled guestrooms and statement interiors throughout…including a lush botanical-themed spa. The Greenhouse spa is home to award-winning fitness and wellness facilities, including an indoor/outdoor hydrotherapy pool, state of the art gym with spin suite, a soothing sauna, botanical lounge area, and a tropical swimming pool.
From manicures to facials, treatments are designed to make you feel fabulous and overnight hotel spa breaks include The Ultimate — B&B with a 60 minute Hydra Facial and a Rocks of the Mediterranean Massage. But for deeper January detox breaks, treat yourself to a longer stay and a bespoke package of treatments created by the resident wellness and beauty experts.
Seaham Hall Serenity Spa
The former home of illustrious poet Lord Byron, Seaham Hall Hotel & Spa is an inviting seaside haven that delivers an appealing mix of historic and contemporary design flair. Situated a stone’s throw from Seaham Beach on Durham’s stunning Heritage Coast, this luxury hotel and spa is blazing the trail in Blue Health wellness experiences.
The hotel’s award-winning Serenity Spa offers spa breaks with treatments using premium products including ishga, an organic, luxury skincare brand. Combining the purest Scottish seaweed with natural spring water, this collection of treatments from facials to seaweed body wraps promotes healthy, youthful and glowing skin. And for greater mental clarity and stress relief, you can also experience a hypnotherapy session with an expert practitioner, and a range of other holistic therapies.
Bodysgallen Hall & Spa
The best luxury hotel spa in Wales? It’s an accolade that can be comfortably claimed by Bodysgallen Hall & Spa — a sumptuous hotel with a rich and romantic history, located in the charming seaside town of Llandudno. The Spa houses a large indoor swimming pool with spa bath, sauna, steam room, and gym.
Here, you can choose from a vast array of beauty and wellness treatments using products by Aromatherapy Associates, Environ and CACI, and specialist treatments including the Bioslimming Wrap — a paraben-free fat burning and slimming body wrap designed to enhance weight loss and firm and tone the skin. It uses thermo regulation to burn fat and delivers visible results from the first treatment.
The Vineyard Hotel & Spa
If head-to-toe beauty treatments, followed by a feast of a dinner with fine wine is your idea of bliss, Berkshire’s celebrated hotel designed with oenophiles in mind, is the place for you to relax and revitalise. Located in Newbury, The Vineyard Hotel & Spa is a chic contemporary hotel that channels a laid-back California vibe — the perfect pick-me-up for winter days in the UK.
The beautiful spa with an inviting heated pool is an oasis of tranquillity and there’s a range of hotel spa packages to choose from. The hotel has partnered with Irene Forte skincare —a range of vegan friendly and sustainable products created with natural ingredients grown on its organic farm in Sicily. Designed to rejuvenate mind, body and spirit, the treatments include the Sicilian scrub and the Forte face and body ritual.
The Swan at Lavenham Hotel & Spa
If you’re seeking a luxury spa hotel in Suffolk, The Swan at Lavenham Hotel & Spa is the perfect choice for a January detox spa break with thoroughly modern spa treatments in a romantic mediaeval setting. A historic treasure, this Tudor hotel is nestled amongst 300 listed buildings, and features traditional fireplaces with many cosy nooks for chilling out.
The hotel is home to the 5 bubble Weavers’ House Spa, where you can indulge in a boutique spa experience with bespoke treatments tailored to your specific needs, including body massage, facials, manicures, and pedicures. The spa also offers pregnancy packages, as well as spa days and longer stay experiences.
Bovey Castle Hotel & Spa
Combine replenishing spa treatments with bracing walks in Dartmoor National Park to restore your rosy glow at one of the best spa hotels in Devon. Bovey Castle Hotel & Spa is a 275-acre country resort with a championship golf course, as well as its award-winning spa, the Elan Spa & Studio.
Unwind in an inviting oasis with indoor swimming pool, whirlpool, sauna and steam room and work your way through the enticing treatments menu. Featuring luxury Temple Spa products, the therapies include Mediterranean Marinade and All About the Glow facials, an extensive choice of massages, plus microneedling and menopause relief treatments. And you can also stretch, breathe deeply and calm your mind with a spot of yoga — you’ll find a range of classes with expert yoga instructors in the adjoining fitness studio.
Park House Hotel & Spa
Arguably the best spa hotel in West Sussex, Park House Hotel & Spa promises a very sweet escape in a charming country house in rural Midhurst. The home-from-home interior style vibe of the guestrooms, its warm hospitality and seductive spa conspire to make this a thoroughly soothing stay for your January detox or quest for a bit of luxury TLC.
The House Spa is home to an indoor and outdoor heated swimming pool, saunas, and a fully equipped gym with personal training options. It offers a great choice of quick fix treatments such as manis and pedis to full day or longer sessions for premium pampering, including grooming for men, using top beauty brands including Voya, Caudalie and Jessica. Whichever you decide, you’ll find both the menu and the environment are designed to reboot your wellbeing.
Sopwell House Hotel & Spa
Situated in the historic town of St Albans, Sopwell House is one of the finest luxury spa hotels in Hertfordshire. Housed in a striking white Georgian building, the hotel has period interior design with a vibrant contemporary twist —with guestrooms to match. The Cottonmill Spa at Sopwell House comprises the Cottonmill spa centre and a private member’s area, The Club at Cottonmill. Access to Cottonmill is included for all guests, but those staying in a Mews Suite can also access the exclusive Club.
Spa facilities include an indoor pool, two vitality pools, a gym with the latest Technogym ‘Artis’ line equipment, sauna, steam room, and a poolside terrace and sitting room. Signature treatments feature products by ELEMIS and Aromatherapy Associates, and if you’re looking to kick start your fitness routine, you’ll find a wide selection of classes held in the spa’s studio.
Talbooth House & Spa
Talbooth House & Spa is the top destination for those in search of a luxury hotel spa in Essex. Located on the riverside of a 19th-century country estate in Dedham Vale, this boutique hotel is a haven of peace and calm with just 12 individually styled bedrooms, all named after English poets from Shakespeare to Keats, and a luxurious day spa.
Situated in the Pool House complex, the spa comprises a heated outdoor swimming pool, complete with hot tub, log burning fire, showers and changing areas. The hotel has partnered with Elemis to offer a comprehensive range of face and body treatments, and you can also get the glow with a St Tropez tanning session, or treat yourself to a makeup makeover with a beautician using Delilah Cosmetics.
Let PoB Hotels take care of the rest, and explore our Wellness Collection to plan your spa break in 2024.
If you're looking to find your inner and outer glow this year, don't miss our Get the Glow Retreat at Barnsley House with wellness guru Madeleine Shaw - find out more here.
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