Rowton Hall Hotel & Spa, Chester
Rowton Hall Hotel & Spa, Chester
Spend a lazy afternoon in Rowton’s elegant spa, which offers Elemis facials and body treatments, along with a choice of treatments for men and mums-to-be. The Lounge & Terrace offers delicious light meals, many using fruit and vegetables grown in the hotel’s picturesque gardens, which also promises guests a tranquil space to stroll, practise yoga or simply curl up on a lounger with a good book. The hotel itself is a classic Georgian manor house with 39 individually styled rooms. The bright lights of Chester are just 10 minutes’ drive away quoted from website https://q-spa.org/
One-night Winter Getaway break from £145 B&B, including £25pp dinner allowance and spa access
Auchrannie Resort, Arran
Spending time at the soothing ASPA spa is just part of the restorative experience at Auchrannie, which offers wood-panelled “retreat” cabins, buried deep in the glen, alongside luxury lodges and spa bedrooms. Exploring Arran’s silent, unspoilt landscapes – whether on foot, bike or Segways (both available to hire) – is a tonic in itself, and makes an ideal combination with the therapeutic massages and treatments on offer in the spa. There are three restaurants to choose from when it comes to dining and excellent facilities for kids, making this a great family choice.
Doubles from £119 B&B; treatments from £50
Mallory Court, Warwickshire
Here’s the best of both worlds: a contemporary spa experience with the traditional comforts of a country hotel. Along with the oak panelling, manicured gardens and pretty gabled rooms, there is the impressive Elan Spa with a sauna, hydro pool, gym and nail salon, as well as seven treatment rooms. Expect fine dining with seasonal menus and ingredients sourced from their own kitchen gardens. Stratford is less than half an hour away, as is Warwick and Leamington Spa but you may want to stay closer to home: sipping mocktails in the heated outdoor vitality pool with views across a pretty courtyard garden is definitely a highlight.
A one-night package includes a treatment, Tastes Of The Season dinner in the Manor House Dining Room, full English breakfast and two hours in the spa, £249pp
The best holistic retreats
Monkey Island, Berkshire
Steeped in history, Monkey Island began life as a fishing getaway in the 18th century, and went on to become a riverside inn, famous as a destination for writers, musicians and artists. It reopened in 2019, with a floating spa housed on a traditional barge on the river, offering unique treatments including a “floating” massage on an aqua-cushioned bed, and a Malay massage, which uses long, kneading strokes. Guests can also enjoy riverside walks or boat trips on the Thames. End the day in the cosy Whisky Snug, accessible by a secret staircase.
From £213 room only; floating spa package from £425;