Can some suggest a Spa Retreat hotel in the UK?
Posted by Free-Satisfaction979@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 54 comments
Me and my partner are looking for a spa retreat somewhere in the UK for the end of May. Ideally we’re after a full board stay with things like a swimming pool, sauna, steam room and massage treatments included or available on-site.
We want somewhere that feels luxurious and relaxing, but still reasonably priced. Budget is roughly £450 to £650 for two nights for both of us.
A few places we’ve already looked at:
- Pennyhill Park
- The Abbey Hotel
- Windmill Retreat
- Mottram Hall
- Moddershall Oaks
Would love some recommendations if anyone’s stayed somewhere they’d genuinely recommend, especially hidden gems I might’ve missed before booking!
hp17nw@reddit
I went to Pennyhill Park a few weeks ago and was really disappointed for the price.
lkjw104@reddit
Really how come? I went a couple of years ago and it was incredible
hp17nw@reddit
The spa itself had a good range of rooms and the massage was amazing but it was looking a bit tired with cracked tiles, no towels by the pool and when I arrived it took me ages to get a locker as the only ones free were broken. Various things in our room didn’t work. The main issue was the service around the weekend though, we were there on an overnight stay and the food service at dinner was atrociously slow, we had to flag down a staff member to take drink orders, then the same for food, then after waiting an hour and a half the food then came wrong, they gave us 50% off the bill. Then as we were leaving to go back to our room at 9pm I checked my phone and had loads of missed calls from the spa because we hadn’t realised we owed £11 from the spa lunch and when I called back the woman was insisting that even though she knew we were staying in the hotel and we had a card on file she needed payment that moment and I needed to go back to my room to get my payment card and take it to the spa. The hotel receptionist ended up calling the spa to tell them to stop and sort it out. It just felt like a catalogue of annoyances that added up overall, and just not worth the price paid. I won’t go again.
lkjw104@reddit
Oh nooo that’s such a shame. I looked at their recent reviews and it seems they’ve gone downhill a lot
Beautiful_Minute_800@reddit
Grantley hall in Yorkshire. Unbelievable place.
Free-Satisfaction979@reddit (OP)
Way out of budget!
5h0D10n@reddit
This was a lovely place https://theelmshotel.co.uk
Free-Satisfaction979@reddit (OP)
Wow
Few_Calligrapher_580@reddit
The Glass House!
Frosty_Leg4438@reddit
I’m always a little suspicious of the answers on this thread!
I’m a helpful handsome man, but if I knew of a magic spa hotel that was super chill, spacious and affordabl, there’s no way I’d be letting a million redditors know about it!
Digiplannersdesigns@reddit
I loved The Manor House Spa in Alsager they do breakfast and dinner packages.
Strange_Head6219@reddit
Hoar Cross Hall in Staffordshire is worth a look if you haven't already. It's a proper old country house spa, full facilities including pool, sauna, steam room and treatments on site. It's been around forever so it's not trendy but the experience is genuinely luxurious and it often comes in under what the more marketed places charge for the same thing. End of May should be lovely there too. Might just squeeze into your budget depending on the package.
Free-Satisfaction979@reddit (OP)
Wow this is nice, and it's not too far from us too, will deffo add this to the list, thanks!
Strange_Head6219@reddit
No worries. Let us know how it is if you do end up going!
Much_Party_335@reddit
It’s so much better midweek
ComfortableCulture75@reddit
Sorry to butt in. Hoar Cross is hen do central of a weekend. I’ve been there a few times, last time was chaos. I was paid to go there to shoot content for a paid AD, and at 7pm as we were walking to dinner a big hen do party came barrelling past us in a narrow corridor and one of them, steaming drunk, vomited all over the floor, walls of the corridor. And all over the handle of someone’s door. It’s gone downhill IMO and unless I could go midweek I’d avoid.
No_Release2180@reddit
I also have been to Hoar Cross and found that it was incredibly busy, loud and cramped. I don't think they're very good at managing how many guests they book. Their facilities aren't huge either.
mister_meaner7@reddit
Low wood bay Windermere.
hotdamn_1988@reddit
Have you been here? It looks great I am thinking of going
mister_meaner7@reddit
I have been many times it’s the only hotel and spa I go to. It’s only an hour away from mine and it’s like I’ve entered a different world. They keep the bar open as well as long as people are in there. They said to me next morning once they’ve never had the bar open that late 🫣. I missed breakfast and they came to me offered to make me something. Nothing is too much trouble.
hotdamn_1988@reddit
Wow! I am defo going here
EpicSh0tz@reddit
100% best spa hotel I have been to UK wide
wardyms@reddit
Wasn’t expecting this to already be here. OP it has an outdoor infinity pool looking into lake Windermere.
Alive_Forever_9541@reddit
Have a look at Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, Edinburgh.
Look at the rooftop, outdoor pool/jacuzzi. It's really nice.
ribenarockstar@reddit
My old work used to use the square below the pool as our fire assembly point - fond memories of people in the rooftop pool looking down and chuckling at us standing in the rain getting cold.
glitterynights@reddit
Lake Vyrnwy Hotel & Spa in Montgomeryshire. You didn’t say where in the UK so figured you might like it out in the sticks.
Arabellaa2026@reddit
Ragdale Hall was amazing when I went, but if I remember correctly, I’m sure it was quite pricey, so it might be over budget. Center Parcs is also one of my favourites, and they do overnight spa packages.
Subject_Tap_1346@reddit
check out Lucknam Park near Bath, it’s got that perfect mix of old-school country estate vibes and a super modern spa that actually feels like a proper escape from the world.
evenstevens280@reddit
I went to Calcot Manor Spa in the Cotswolds recently and it was absolutely stellar
Managed to get pretty reasonable prices, too.
Jpmoz999@reddit
Bedford Lodge in Newmarket is worth a look.
schminanina@reddit
Manor House Spa in Alsager is fantastic. I've been to Moddershall and Hoar Cross a few times and Manor House has become my new favourite! Great facilities, multiple pools, a swim up bar. Plus they're very strict on reserving beds/seats which means there's always free space to sit/lie down. It's amazing.
_LV426@reddit
Lodore Falls outside Keswick was our fav. Prices will be top of your budget I think, depending on what you book, but you could probably find deals and stuff.
January with snow on the hilltops standing in the heated pool with a glass of fizz is quite a treat :)
Additional-Mess-8827@reddit
The Retreat at Elcott Park
Beneficial-Path7886@reddit
The crow wood in Burnley is lovely might be over budget though!
bluejackmovedagain@reddit
Buxton Crescent is definitely worth a look. Although, you might need to wait until the have an offer on.
No_Release2180@reddit
You should consider the Aqua Sana spa at Center Parcs. I have been to many spas over the the years and genuinely nothing beats Aqua Sana. They're super modern, clean, spacious and with lots to do there. They feel really immersive and relaxing. Most other spas I find just have a handful of experiences, whereas Aqua Sana provides so much more. Depending on where you're based, some of them have hotels attached for overnight breaks, but you can also go for just the day.
RaymondBumcheese@reddit
Yeah we just did the Woburn one. Out of the school holidays it’s pretty reasonable, the facilities are pretty good and you can use the rest of the park when you get bored.
Cuznatch@reddit
100% agree. Going to Aqua Sana Sherwood ruined every other spa for me because nothing compares. My second favourite has probably been Lifehouse spa in Essex, partly because of the gardens, but also the spa was clean, well maintained and had a good atmosphere.
iwannabeinnyc@reddit
St Michaels Spa in Falmouth Saunton Sands Hotel in Saunton (near Barnstable)
alexjfinch@reddit
St Brides in West Wales or I’ve just stayed at The Pig near Bath which was exceptional
Jaded_Valuable439@reddit
The Last Drop Village in Bolton.
If you sign up as a member you get all these little extras as well. It’s got an on-site pub, restaurant, little cafe and also a few little shops. It’s stunning and it’s really cheap too so for your budget you’d probably get 3-4 days!
Brendan_Lopez@reddit
Dormy House, Cotswolds
ParamedicNo4010@reddit
Saltmoore
PoisonedDM@reddit
The Swan in Lavenham
GLA_Postal_Services@reddit
See if Alexander Hotels suit your needs
ProfPMJ-123@reddit
I'd recommend the Swinton Estate.
https://www.swintonestate.com/
It would be at the top end of your budget, but it's a stunning place.
BellendBuilder@reddit
Mercure Sheffield Kenwood Hall Spa and Retreat, Smallshaw Cottages, Losehill House, Ringwood Hall, Moon Spa.
All in and around Sheffield and the Peak District.
I’m a contractor and have done refurbishment works on all of these places.
frankie6376@reddit
Seaham hall in the north east is very nice from 1st hand experience
Try here
https://www.spabreaks.com
Theratchetnclank@reddit
The best spa i've been to is The Woodland Spa in Burnley. It's got the best facilities and also has a hotel next door you can book as a package together. I've tried many others but that one remains the best in my opinion. It consistently wins awards too.
FreshMontrealer12@reddit
Harbour Hotel in Christchurch
banwe11@reddit
Ribby Hall in Lancashire
Free-Satisfaction979@reddit (OP)
Ooo this looks nice, will add to my list to review, thanks!
Evo_ukcar@reddit
Grantley Hall in Yorkshire?
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