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The Best Hotel Spas In The UK

Olivia Emily — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 13:32:13 +0000

There’s nothing better for body and mind than a spoiling spa sojourn, says Olivia Emily. These are the best hotel spas in the UK.

Read the C&TH Responsible Tourism Guide

The Best Hotel Spas In The UK

Whatley Manor – The Cotswolds

Reset and recharge at Whatley Manor’s Aquarius Spa, with its experiential thermal suite, hydrotherapy pool, heated stone recliners and salt scrub showers, with treatments utilising Parisian wellness brand Sothys, and Gaia’s organic and beneficial products. whatleymanor.com

St Moritz – Cornwall

The only non-Soho House Cowshed Spa in the UK, this rustic-luxe spa brings a satisfying mixture of tranquillity and indulgence, drawing on products with botanical ingredients straight from a country garden, with a choice of scents before your treatment begins. stmoritzhotel.co.uk

Lime Wood – New Forest

It’s all natural wellbeing at Herb House Spa, where all its three floors inviting the forest surroundings indoors. A sauna, hydro pool, Mud House, outdoor hot pool, and ten treatment rooms all instil calm and serenity, while a rooftop gym and indoor lap pool await the more energised. limewoodhotel.co.uk

Devonshire Arms – Yorkshire

The Secret Spa here epitomises the spa retreat: nestle into your private bell tent (complete with complimentary refreshments) and gaze across the Yorkshire Dales before hopping to the sauna, steam room and hydrotherapy pool at your leisure. devonshirehotels.co.uk

Bailiffscourt – West Sussex

Drawing on nature, this Sussex barn-inspired spa pulls the outdoors in through expansive windows. Limber up in the heated indoor and outdoor pools, take it easy in the relaxation rooms, and then indulgent in a restorative Temple Spa treatment. hshotels.co.uk

Inhabit – London

Take a breather… Inhale at Inhabit centres wellness across four key pillars: calm, balance, awaken and strengthen. Expect a soothing subterranean spa, with a gym, yoga, pilates and meditation studio, and tranquil treatment rooms offering organic Gaia treatments. Queens gardens. inhabithotels.com

Heckfield Place – Hampshire

With a recommended three hours’ visiting time, disconnect and return to simpler times at The Bothy By Wildsmith, hidden through Heckfield Place’s walled garden. A nature-fuelled, healing experience awaits. heckfieldplace.com

Beaverbrook – Surrey

Nurture mind, body and soul at Beaverbook’s spa, where contemporary artwork inspired by nature is enhanced by vibrant furnishings and dappled light pouring through stained glass windows. Gaze across the Surrey Hills from the outdoor pool before your holistic, nurturing treatment. beaverbrook.co.uk

Corinthia – London

Espa Life, Corinthia’s wellness spa, is rooted in restorative treatments, utilising the latest technology and science with ancient holistic methods to provide an innovative wealth of treatments, rituals and therapies. corinthia.com

Chewton Glen – Hampshire

A proper spa with superb facilities, you can easily while away a whole day dedicated to just you – in the indoor and outdoor pool, the hydrotherapy pool, the hot tub and a vast array of top-notch treatments with brands such as Oskia and Natura Bissé. chewtonglen.com

Dormy House Hotel – The Cotswolds

Feel fabulous at Dormy House Hotel’s House Spa, where an indoor-outdoor concept eases you between soothing therapies, from the serene pool to the terrace hot tub and Scandi-style thermal suite. dormyhouse.co.uk

The Retreat At Elcot Park – Berkshire

Relax, refresh and revive at Signet Spa, where residents can switch off in the hydrotherapy pool or salt flotation pod, detox Scandi style in Himalayan salt sauna, breathe deep in the aroma steam room, and indulge in a menu of ILA Spa treatments. retreatelcotpark.com

The post The Best Hotel Spas In The UK appeared first on Country and Town House.

21 Beautiful Day Spas To Visit In London

CTH Editors — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 10:00:29 +0000

Never has a luxury spa day been more appealing. From the best massages and facials to the most innovative new spa treatments to try now, book yourself in for some me-time at one of the best day spas in London. Because we all need a little R&R right now, we’ve rounded up our favourite day spas in the city.

The Best Day Spas in London 2023

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1. The Spa at Four Seasons, Park Lane

Where? Four Seasons Hotel London, Hamilton Place, Park Lane, London, W1J 7DR

What? Forget the archetypal subterranean lair housing most London spas and head instead for the 10thfloor. Four Seasons Park Lane’s spa is a sky-high sanctuary, packing sweeping views over London’s rooftops and pulling in rays of natural light that immediately lift spirits and visitors high above the pressures of the city. This spa is compact, yet perfect. There is no vast pool but an enormous jacuzzi, hammam and sauna serving up killer views across the city while sweating out toxins. The relaxation area is dark, sultry and smug, entered through a separate door with bed and sound system duos which would enthuse even the well-seasoned first-class flyer. Aside from the plush changing rooms, slick facilities and progressive treatment lists, what sets this spa apart from the London abundance is the light permitted to spill in – and the sense of space and calm this brings.

The Treatments: Four Seasons 5* standards are reflected in the treatments available. A freshly curated list of results-driven options was rolled out in July 2019, featuring the Linda Meredith Oxygen Facial, an anti-pollution facial with crystals, and a Deep Sleep Lavender Pouch Massage. Mesmerised by the views? Stay for a Margaret Dabbs pedicure and you’ll get the best seat in the house.

BOOK IT: fourseasons.com

Read Our Review Of The Deep Sleep Lavender Pouch Massage Here

2. AIRE Ancient Baths London

Where? 2-3 Robert St, Covent Garden, London, WC2N 6BH

What? Deep beneath JM Barrie’s former home in Covent Garden (there’s a first edition of Peter Pan in reception) lies Aire Ancient Baths, a fabulous new watery underworld of thermal baths, just like the Romans used to love. Now it’s for lucky modern Londoners to come to with friends, your lover, your mother or just by yourself to find your inner child and loll about in candle-lit watery chambers of varying temperatures (from a freezing 10-degrees celsius to one of the steamiest steam rooms I’ve ever been to), as well as a Floatarium where you can rub salt (not into a wound, we hope) but onto your body as self-exfoliation before – perhaps – a dunk in a red wine-filled tub.

The Treatments: The Wine Bath Experience, we think, will go down particularly well in London – we don’t need telling that red wine is full of antioxidants. There’s also a menu of experiences that form part of your aqueous journey should you so choose – from argan oil massages (and hair masks) to Himalayan salt rituals. A fun new edition for people who want to explore our amazing city once more.

BOOK IT: beaire.com

3. The Spa at 45 Park Lane

Where? 45 Park Lane, London W1K 1PN

What? Unlike many London spas, the newly opened wellness space at Dorchester Collection’s Mayfair hotel, 45 Park Lane, has space on its side. There’s a 20-metre pool, plus a large gym, a hydrotherapy pool, saunas and a personal training room. Designed by Jouin Manku, the spa has been created to bring a sense of the outside in, with a floral mosaic, natural timbers and light-coloured stone.

The Treatments: With a treatment menu provided by Valmont and Aromatherapy Associates, visitors can rest assured that their visit will be met with capable hands. There’s a treatment for every need – spanning facials, massages, body, beauty and grooming – with the main highlight being Valmont’s luxury anti-aging facials and Aromatherapy Associates’ soothing and massages. You can also head across the road to The Dorchester, which currently boasts a spa partnership with Dr Uliana Gout, founder of Harley Street’s London Aesthetic Medicine (LAM) Clinic. The partnership has created a brand new treatment, LAM Luxe – The Red Carpet, a five-in-one treatment which revitalises skin while closing pores and treating blemishes, without needles, pain or downtime.

BOOK IT: dorchestercollection.com

4. The Spa at Mandarin Oriental London

Where? Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London

What? Disciples of Mandarin Oriental’s spa would be forgiven for thinking its decadent, brooding walls did not warrant a revamp. But Adam D. Tihany’s contemporary overhaul rolls in a fresh, elegant canvas for the Chinese elements to spill onto and that de rigeur 360-degree health philosophy to perform against. Spread across two basement floors in the hotel, the sound of trickling water blends into soft Chinese music and naturalistic setting. On top of the 13 treatment rooms, a new spacious Oriental Suite with two massage beds and a Rasul water temple blends heat, steam and mud for the ultimate mind and skin reset. A large, ethereally-lit jacuzzi is flanked by a metallic waterfall wall, feminine sculptures and a sauna and steam room. The new, spacious changing rooms are the paragon of foresight – Aromatherapy cleanser to mouthwash for the taking (essentially everything you’d forget on a spa day is provided). And if hairdryers are the barometer for a decent spa (and if you don’t spend too long in the lavish showers, their Dyson wands will whisk you to that 8.30pm dinner on time. For the gym bunnies, classes and PTs are available in the new fitness centre.

The Treatments: Every treatment at Mandarin Oriental is developed in consultation with specialists in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Their signature treatments from the healing Japanese Reiki massage to the Digital Wellness escape are renowned for their eastern healing qualities and preventative insight. The new Oriental QI treatment is a near two-hour dose of pure euphoria, the ultimate ‘unwind and forget’ massage that works along the meridians with a personal choice of oil (mine is cardamom, lemongrass and coriander to flush out toxins). Their masseuses are truly masters in their craft, aware of the holistic approach required for de-stressing and guarantee a fine-tuned pummelling that will ease any physical and mental tension. The rosehip and goji berry red tea created by Mandarin Oriental to round-off the show is to re-balance your earth element (and tastes delicious to boot).

BOOK IT: mandarinoriental.com

5. The Beaumont Spa

Where? The Beaumont Hotel, Brown Hart Gardens, London W1K 6TF

What? By far one of the most elegant sanctuaries in London, The Beaumont’s spa is a black and white marble tiled Art Deco masterpiece that perfectly blends the classic with the cutting-edge. The space itself is intimate but perfectly sized: this small underground oasis somehow fits in a steam room, sauna, cold plunge pool, ice bar, relaxation area, heated hammam table and treatment rooms without ever feeling remotely cramped or full – instead, the vibe is of a private, secret haven far from the crowds just a few metres above. Choose from a vast array of the latest reading material while you relax pre and post-treatment on the plush, white cushioned loungers and sipping on purifying water infusions and herbal teas to detox.

The Treatments: A recent partnership with OSKIA has brought the unending benefits of the British brand’s award-winning pure nutritional skincare to the Beaumont – new facial treatments and therapies are carried out by OSKIA-trained therapists and formulated for each client’s individual needs and skin type. The Signature Glow facial in particular is a game changer – it’s carried out in a sleek black-and-white themed treatment room which hums relaxing music, perfectly heated to ensure ultimate relaxation. And it does what it says on the tin (and some), with a combination of skilful facial massage, cleansing, exfoliating and intense hydrating (where needed) resulting in a quasi-supernatural glow that lasts for days. The 75 minutes whizz by in unadulterated bliss, with a final light head, neck and shoulder massage providing that extra spring in your step as you regretfully re-emerge into the real world.

BOOK IT: thebeaumont.com

6. The Spa at the Four Seasons, Ten Trinity Square

Where? Four Seasons at Ten Trinity Square, London, EC3N 4AJ

What? The Spa at Four Seasons Trinity Square offers a much-needed refuge in the heart of the adrenaline-fuelled city. The changing rooms are made to dwindle away the hours, with single-sex saunas and all the ‘extras’ you always forget to bring, from hairdryers to deodorant. Every wall and corner of this spa is smooth and ‘round’ so you don’t feel ‘boxed in’ but are instead curious see what lies around the corner. Designer Joseph Caspari has used a calming grey colour palette that is light enough to keep you awake. The columns around the pool and glistening mosaics are reminiscent of Roman Bath’s and a nod to the building’s grand history. There’s no awkward Jacuzzi sharing with strangers here – it’s huge.

The Treatments: The team here know what they’re dealing with, especially in the stress-powered city. Rather than a quick rub and ‘off you go’, they know there needs to be a holistic approach to guarantee results – there’s no ‘quick fix’. Signatures have therefore been designed exclusively for the spa, combining ancient therapies from both East and West, with modern day techniques. If you don’t have much time but are equally aware of the ‘quick-fix’ fable, opt for the full body massage with wild organic ingredients. The oils will calm you and the therapist will soothe and relax you, talking through your ‘tight areas’ after in a bid to pin down the cause.

BOOK IT: For a spa treatment, call the hotel directly at +44 (0) 203 297 9200 or book online at fourseasons.com

7. Natura Bissē

Where? Multiple locations in London

What? After exploring the streets of the UK cpaital step into a cool, calm, serene world of wellbeing – after all, what better way to wind down than lying supine in an oxygenated treatment room, while Natura Bissē’s expert therapists bring new life and colour to tired bodies and faces. The much vaunted Spanish brand has multiple standalone day spas in London and it delivers its highly advanced bespoke treatments in surroundings designed by Spanish architect Juan Trias de Bes. So, drop your bags and let your shoulders drop too – in utter relaxation.

The Treatments: If you’re looking for a quick pick me up Natura Bissē’s express facials focus on a specific area of concern, and will have you relaxed, refreshed, and ready to hit the shops again.

BOOK IT: naturabisse.com

8. Ushvani Spa

Where? Ushvani Spa, 1 Cadogan Gardens, Chelsea, London SW3 2RJ

What? This is where those reluctant to share a sweaty steam or bump into a colleague post-massage come to switch off. Ushvani, tucked behind Sloane Square feels more like a discreet subterranean escape than a spa… and that’s how they like to keep it. With only five treatment rooms, it’s rare that two guests will even cross in the Damai relaxation room as this ‘boutique spa’ works to a meticulous scheduling plan. After all, alone time with just the therapeutic trickle of water, an exotic fruit plate and undisturbed consciousness is what the overspun Londoner needs more than any quick fix massage. A spa since 2008, the warming wooden-panelled Cadogan building is a welcome antidote to the contemporary, clinical wash populating London’s spa scene. Silky walls in the relaxation room, spicy aromas and dark wooden furniture and figurines pay homage to the Malaysian ethos governing the spa and offer a comforting retreat from the plunge pool and steam room. Book in for a yoga class for the ultimate release.

The Treatments: The treatments play on that Malaysian spirit, with deliciously long and fruitful massages (though opt for the 90 minute Balinese, a welcome exception to the theme). The devil’s in the detail with Ushvani, from the lotions and potions in the changing rooms to the jewellery bags provided for guests, but the most impressive ‘extra’ has to be the meditative encased floral image greeting guests underneath the massage bed.

BOOK IT: ushvani.com

9. South Kensington Club

Where? South Kensington Club, 38-42 Harrington Rd, Kensington, London SW7 3ND

What? A philosophy falling somewhere between Russian tradition and Mediterranean joie de vivre sets the tone at South Kensington Club. Or put simply ‘mixed doubles, a sauna and a stiff martini’ (it’s all about balance). This chic West London private member’s club has a spa with a refreshingly unique take on wellness. The layout is social, an ode to the traditional Russian bathhouse, with plush interiors more suggestive of a private residence than a large spa. There is a great emphasis here on the power of tea and simple relaxation, rather than peddling massage and treatment as the only way to unwind. Saying this, the treatment list – from banya to Himalayan salt massages – draws from a wide variety of traditions and cultures with notably friendly staff well-versed in lowering members’ cortisol levels.

The Treatments: The spa’s hero treatment at South Kensington Club is The Bathhouse experience. This includes a traditional banya treatment (a weekly ritual in Russia) where birch leaves are used at speed to manipulate the hot air over the body, stimulating circulation and allowing clients to quite literally sweat out your week. Breathers are recommended between these sessions in the communal banya and hammam, or with their specialised herbal tea and magazine in a quiet corner. There are various ‘steps’ that you can graduate to once you have pushed through the first two (it gets steamy in there), but the therapist will quickly gauge your limits. Opt for the mud treatment after to both exfoliate and nourish your skin with all the minerals the urban jungle deprives us of.

BOOK IT: southkensingtonclub.com

10. Ilapothecary

Where? 99 Kensington Church Street, W8 7LN

What? Instead of the perspex, glass and white leather in your typical city spa, at Ilapothecary you’ll find tall wooden cabinets and hundreds of drawers bursting with little curiosities, tinctures and herbs. The place’s herbal smell is the first sign that this isn’t your average beauty spa, but rather a holistic hideaway disguised as one of the many charming antique shops lining Kensington Church Street. Through the use of natural medicine, energy healing techniques and traditional massage, Ilapothecary promises to combat the pressures of daily life – a promise they deliver on. Upstairs you’ll find a restorative space where talks and workshops are held, and at the back is a – secluded treatment room where music plays softly and therapists work their magic.

The Treatments: Although the Beat The Blues Back Massage or Digital Detox Facial Therapy sound appealing, this is a place where it’s best to listen to the experts. Upon arrival you’ll fill in an extensive 50-point questionnaire on your physical and mental health, from this the therapists can draw up a diagnosis and offer advice on specific treatments which will serve your body best.

BOOK IT: ilapothecary.com

11. Bulgari Spa, Bulgari

Where? Bulgari Hotel, 171 Knightsbridge, London SW7 1DW

What? A Mecca of subterranean calm, the Bulgari Spa offers the full Italian job: seamless, sleek furniture, marble-just-about-everything and a post-treatment power shower that will never leave you. The decadent, volcanic basement hosts London’s longest swimming pool, laced with white cushioned loungers more comfortable than any bed, and quaint table bells to call in elaborate quinoa salads. Potent eucalyptus oils permeate the steam rooms, clearing your sinuses, and warming your winter cockles.

The Treatments: The treatments here are based on traditional oriental practices one of the best being the renewing enzyme facial designed to boost cell regeneration and give you that ten-hour-sleep glow. And the best thing? The towels, you’re never without a towel or slippers as they’re scattered meticulously throughout the spa.

BOOK IT: bulgarihotels.com

Review: A Day At The Bulgari Spa

12. SENSE SPA at The Rosewood

Where? The Rosewood London, 252 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EN

What? SENSE SPA at The Rosewood London defies the claim that switching off requires leaving the city. Cocooned in an urban hideout of bamboo walls and rippling water, you feel a million miles away from the London frenzy. A natural, organic theme pervades the products and therapies, using Australian skincare company Sodashi and body treatment products are plucked straight from the garden estate.

The Treatments: A huge selection of treatments awaits at SENSE SPA, from holistic revival remedies and ‘sense journeys’ crafted using essential oils to couples and family treatments. One of the highlights on the menu is the British Rose Body Massage, a traditional luxury which dates back to the reign of Queen Victoria and helps to improve relaxation, circulation and flexibility.

BOOK IT: rosewoodhotels.com

Review: Alchemy of Sleep at Rosewood London

12. ESPA at Corinthia

Where? ESPA Life at Corinthia, Whitehall Pl, Westminster, London SW1A 2BD

What? ESPA at the Corinthia is an unexpected oasis, buried in Whitehall bureaucracy and Big Ben keyrings. The white marble changing rooms warm you up for the impending relaxation, along with a weighty bathrobe and fluffy slippers. The spa has a volcanic feel to it, subterranean dark quarters with stone beds pressed up against a roaring fire, hot water bubbling against glass walls resembling ice. While not catering to lengths, the pool demands that you float and forget, the waves reflecting hypnotically on the ceiling.

The Treatments: ESPA has pioneered a Brain Power package, aligned with the hotel’s Neuroscientist in Residence programme, during which time neuroscientist Dr Tara Swart will be studying mental resilience and recovery as a major factor in achieving peak brain performance. The mindfulness massage aims to reduce stress holistically, through breathing, visualising and a scalp massage using warm rose quartz crystals. Then there’s Yoga Nidra, aiming to train busy minds to concentrate fully and fall into pure, unfettered relaxation.

BOOK IT: espalifeatcorinthia.com

Review: Corinthia London

14. Cloud Twelve Spa

Where? Cloud Twelve Spa, 2-5 Colville Mews, Notting Hill, W11 2DA

What? In the hustle and bustle of Notting Hill and housed in a family members’ club is this unexpected haven of rejuvenation. Treatments range from the quick to the languid; a blow-dry to a green coffee sculpting treatment. The spa prides itself on results-driven treatments that fuse the best of Western and Asian philosophies, a philosophy which applies whether you’re in the mood for a high-tech beauty treatment or a sleep therapy procedure. Open for members and non-members, Cloud Twelve also boasts the use of all the usual spa facilities from a relaxation room to a sauna and salt room.

The Treatments: The holistic healing philosophy manifests in craniosacral therapy, cryotherapy, naturopathic nutrition and traditional Chinese medicine. For the sleep deprived, the spa’s Tranquility Pro Sleep Ritual combines aromatherapy, music and unique massage techniques to induce a deep state of relaxation. Before you leave, pop into the separate hair and nail salon for a quick manicure also.

Cloud Twelve’s detox programmes promise to reinvigorate and re-energise through tailored nutrition, herbal medicine and the spa’s signature treatments. Book in for a consultation with herbalist, naturopath, and Cloud Twelve founder Jenya Di Pierro to discuss bespoke dietary plans and individualised herbal remedies. Or the spa’s green coffee sculpting treatment is a restorative combination of dry skin brushing and deep massage that facilitates lymphatic drainage and improves circulation – a session of self-improvement while also letting you imbibe in all the spa’s relaxation techniques including a sound bath, and heated massage bed… For the time-poor amongst us, an intravenous drip or intramuscular shot (administered by fully certified medical practitioners) can deliver nutrients and minerals directly into your bloodstream. Whether it’s detoxification, immunity, or anti-ageing you’re after, there’s be a shot for you.

BOOK IT: cloudtwelve.co.uk

Read Our Review Of Cloud Twelve’s Massages Here

15. Bamford Haybarn Spa at The Berkeley

Where? The Berkeley, Wilton Place, London SW1X 7RL

What? The Berkeley’s rooftop haven of whitewashed wood aims to bring a heavy dose of countryside serenity to central London. Unlike the 5* get up downstairs, the spa is covered in clean white and greys with that refined ‘rustic’ somewhat reminiscent of Soho Farmhouse. The main lure of The Berkeley’s spa is the rooftop pool, one of the best places to be on a sunny day in London, with white linen sun loungers dotted around the herby garden patio and champagne on tap. If the sun’s a no show, the pool transforms into a luxurious indoor setting.

The Treatments: They offer all the expected spa treatments, with a few curve balls and a pregnancy package that mums-to-be swear by. Indulgent guests, seeking a move away from the organic, natural overtones can opt for the Gold Fine Body Wrap using grapes and champagne on the skin.

BOOK IT: the-berkeley.co.uk

The Ultimate Knightsbridge Weekender: The Berkeley & Beyond

16. Aman Spa at The Connaught

Where? The Connaught, Carlos Place, London W1K 2AL

What? Beneath the Connaught’s decadent Edwardian lobby lies the Eastern promise of blissful unwind. The pièces de résistance of the spa is undoubtedly the serene pool, its water ionised using a UV system and complemented by the crystal steam room plied with essential oils. It’s no shock that spa memberships at the Connaught are tricky to get hold of.

The Treatments: The signature experiences at Aman Spa derive from traditional rituals of renewal, notably from India, Thailand and China including herbal compresses, balancing and restorative treatments. More bespoke wellness therapies consist of postural and movement analysis for those bent over a computer all day, reflexology, and traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture.

BOOK IT: the-connaught.co.uk

17. Akasha Spa at Café Royal

Where? Hotel Café Royal, 50 Regent St, Soho, London W1B 5AS

What? Next time you hurry across Piccadilly Circus, think about the healthful relaxation you could be having in a secret space right under your feet. The Café Royal, now a sleekly modern hotel with a calm, Eastern influence to its décor, has been a centre of London dining and entertaining for over 150 years and has conserved its ornate, gilded, Belle Epoque public rooms. But the underground Akasha Spa has a 21st-century sense of luxury serenity.

The Treatments: Based on the four elements, with holistic treatments that link Western innovation with Eastern tradition, its natural materials, warm colours and fresh aromas exude wellbeing. Alongside its signature offerings, visitors can pick from a number of treatments and experiences created in collaboration with Aromatherapy Associates – from body detoxes and facials to skin renewal. Nine treatment rooms, including one for couples, a gym, fitness and yoga classes, a sauna and hammam and a beautifully lit pool with London’s first Watsu pool for private hydrotherapy sessions make this a place to linger.

BOOK IT: hotelcaferoyal.com

Read Our Review Of The Valmont Facial Here

18. The Lanesborough Club & Spa

Where? The Lanesborough Club & Spa, Hyde Park Corner, Belgravia, London SW1X 7TA

What? London’s most sybaritic new spa ups the ante with spa butlers who polish your shoes and press your clothes while you robe up for some serious treats.

The Treatments: There are massages designed to uncurl people who spend hours in front of the computer and customized facials curated by skin guru Anastasia Achilleos which feature cranial sacral massage (a light touch therapy that strokes points around the scalp and shoulders to releases pressure throughout the body) along with oodles of deeply relaxing facial massage that has even the most stressed souls levitating off the heated water mattress.

BOOK IT: lanesboroughclubandspa.com

Read Our Review Of The Lanesborough’s HydraFacial Here

19. COMO Shambhala Urban Escape, COMO Metropolitan London

Where? COMO Metropolitan London, 19 Old Park Ln, Mayfair, London W1K 1LB

What? An Asian-inspired sanctuary found within renowned Park Lane hotel COMO Metropolitan, based on the award-winning wellness concept Shambhala – which translates as ‘sacred place of bliss’. The spa itself is small, sleek and minimalist, with less focus on fancy showers and more on top quality treatments, with six sophisticated treatment rooms offering expert therapies for body and face. Couples’ treatment rooms with private steam facilities and baths are available to book.

The Treatments: Treatments at COMO not only pamper, they dig deep for long-lasting results, from facials to acupuncture to reiki. There are lots to choose from, all of which are based on Asian spa techniques. For those keen to brighten their skin, the Guinot Hydradermie is the ultimate hydration facial, designed to deep cleanse, oxygenate and reinvigorate the skin to create a glow that lasts for weeks. Massages range from the nurturing to the invigorating, with options for Shiatsu, a Japanese massage using powerful stimulation on pressure points to release muscular tension. For total body exfoliation, go for the COMO Shambhala Bath, which involves dry brushing, a full body scrub, moisturising and an invigorating bath, followed by a signature massage. Special treatments are also available for expectant mothers, men, and those suffering from jet lag.

BOOK IT: comohotels.com

20. The Landmark London Spa & Health Club

Where? The Landmark London, 222 Marylebone Rd, Marylebone, London NW1 6JQ

What? An oasis of calm amid buzzing Marylebone, this spa is tucked away on the lower ground floor of iconic hotel The Landmark London.

The Treatments: It’s often the little touches that make a spa special, and there are many to note here, such as the complimentary mint-infused tea, fluffy towels and slippers, and choice of scent or essential oil to burn throughout your treatment. A wide range of facials, body wraps, massages and firming therapies are available, with products by Spanish skincare company Germaine de Capuccini. The Landmark London Tea Dreams is certainly dreamy: you’ll enjoy a full body massage followed by an energising facial, leaving you with supple skin, a radiant glow and a feeling of tranquillity. If you’re after something more exfoliating, go for The Landmark London Elixir, a full buffing and polishing body treatment, followed by an facial and face massage designed to reduce stress. The Mediterranean Candle Massage is also a popular choice, which involves a full body massage complete with energising crystals, applied to the body’s Chakra points to create a sense of harmony. After your treatment, spend a leisurely afternoon relaxing at the spa’s facilities, which include a chlorine-free jacuzzi, 15m heated pool, steam room, sauna, sanarium and a gym.

BOOK IT: landmarklondon.co.uk

Hotel Review: The Landmark London

21. The Dorchester Spa

Where? The Dorchester, 53 Park Ln, Mayfair, London W1K 1QA

What? The Dorchester’s spa doesn’t stray far from the hotel’s iconic British style. It does add a slap of Art Deco glamour though– indulgent interiors to reflect the extravagance treatments. Aromatherapy Associates products and treatments work to alleviate life’s stresses, as do the aromatic steam rooms and slick relaxation quarters where time stands still.

The Treatments: The rejuvenating signature facials by Carol Joy London are worth stretching the extra mile for, relaxing tense facial muscles and completing your stress MOT. More importantly, the aptly named ‘Spatisserie’ serves 4 Bento Boxes of your lean green choice or simply a ‘guilt free’ Afternoon Tea. Too much ‘guilt free’ indulgence later, you can work it off in the Fitness Studio equipped with Swill Balls, cardio vascular equipment, and Medicine Balls galore.

BOOK IT: dorchestercollection.com

Featured image: The Spa at 45 Park Lane

The post 21 Beautiful Day Spas To Visit In London appeared first on Country and Town House.

The Best Manicures & Pedicures In London

Rebecca Cox — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 14:10:55 +0000

In need of a nail makeover? Look no further than our round-up of the best mani-pedis in London. Whether it’s the best luxury manicures in town or tip-top pedicures at our favourite London spas, book in some pamper time, pronto.

The Best Manicures & Pedicures in London

Iris Avenue

Mani-pedis are served up with cocktails, smoothies and cups of coffee at Fitzrovia salon Iris Avenue. Step into its gorgeously colourful, Art Deco-inspired interiors and let yourself be led to the bar (for a pre-appointment drink), before the beauty team whizz you away for your treatments. Iris Avenue specialises in manicures and pedicures, as well as threading, lashes, waxing, massages and more. Manicures come with funky nail art in a colour and design of your choice; see the salon’s Instagram page for inspiration or ask your nail technician for some suggestions. You can also upgrade your pedi for the full works by opting for the Baby Feet Pedicure – think buffing, filing and a complete callus crack-down as well as the classic toe painting.

Where? 32 Store Street, London WC1E 7BS

BOOK: irisavenue.com

Blush + Blow, Fulham

A welcome addition to a stylish parade of shops in between Fulham Broadway and Parsons Green, Blush + Blow is a local neighbourhood salon offering nail and hair services. The atmosphere is buzzy but not too busy so that you can’t relax and enjoy your treatments – the shop has a constant stream of regular customers popping in and out with their pampered pooches, who are welcomed by the friendly staff with treats (as is the human customer). Visit Blush + Blow for a speedy and impeccable shellac manicure. The selection of polishes is good, and the technicians are to be trusted with colour advice. Plus, if you’re heading out that evening too, book in a blowdry with Vanessa who’ll work wonders on all types of hair, whilst you get your nails done.

Where? 197-199 New Kings Road, London SW6 4SR

BOOK: blushandblowlondon.com

Nails & Brows

A swanky salon spread over two floors and hidden behind glamorous Berkeley Square, Nails & Brows has only been open for a few years but already boasts the likes of Meghan Markle, Halle Berry and Lady Gaga as loyal customers. It’s pricey but it’s the best – each manicure is bespoke, the nail technicians even going as far as creating customised colour blends to find an exact match for your skin tone. This is the perfect place to experiment with nail art thanks to staff’s impeccable taste and faultless technique – try gold leaf elegantly applied atop the perfect pink, or individual flecks of glitter adorning your cuticles. Prepare for a barrage of compliments.

Where? 31 Berkeley Street Mayfair, London W1J 8EJ

BOOK: nailsandbrows.me

Agua Spa at Sea Containers London

Renowned for its holistic, forward-thinking approach to wellbeing, the multi-sensory Agua Spa is the perfect spot if you want to unwind while your hands and feet get a little TLC. The classic spa mani-pedi includes a seasonal herbal scrub and massage with nourishing body butter of rosemary, St John’s wort, marigold and lemon balm, while the hot oil version uses Japanese techniques (aka, no nail polish) to utterly nourish the skin and cuticles.

Where? Sea Containers London, 20 Upper Ground, South Bank, London SE1 9PD

BOOK: seacontainerslondon.com

Young LDN, Notting Hill

Is there a greater joy than sitting back and catching up on all the Netflix series you’ve been too busy to watch? How about if you could do that while also getting your bi-weekly mani? Notting Hill’s hippest beauty destination offers just that, and it’s just as dreamy as it sounds. Pop on their noise-cancelling Beats headphones and tune into your favourite series courtesy of the iPads stationed at every nail booth while expert techinicians buff, file and paint away – no small talk necessary. Heaven.

Where? 228 Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill, London W11 2RH

BOOK: youngldn.com

Cowshed Carnaby

If you can’t make the pilgrimage to Babington House for a quick mani-pedi, check in to a Cowshed Spa at Primrose Hill or Shoreditch House and give your hands or feet a treat. If you’re in a hurry, a quick polish change is only 30 minutes, but the ultimate Cowshed manicure includes exfoliating treatments and a scalp and shoulder massage. There’s a fully stocked bar to enjoy, too – perfect when you’re waiting for those nails to dry before diving back into the busy city.

Where? Multiple locations, see here

BOOK: cowshedonline.com

Margaret Dabbs

The pioneer of the medical pedicure; you know your feet are in safe hands with Margaret Dabbs. For the ultimate treat (a necessity at least once a year, pre-summer, preferably) book in for Margaret Dabbs’ medi-pedi. Carried out by professional podiatrists, your feet will be given a complete overhaul, with the perfect finish to boot.

Where? Multiple locations, see here

BOOK: margaretdabbs.co.uk

Guys & Dolls Parlour, Shoreditch

The perfect beautifying spot for both men and women, this gorgeous retro parlour is set just off Brick Lane. A quick file and polish is just £12, but while you’re in, why not try their 45-minute reflexology treatment on for size?

Where? Multiple locations, see here

BOOK: guysanddollsparlour.co.uk

London Grace

Nails, coffee and cocktails? Sounds pretty perfect! Upon returning from New York, Kirsten Hazell spotted a gap in the market for a luxury nail bar which offers all three – transforming your regular nail appointments from being something of a chore to a great way of catching up with friends, with a few drinks thrown in! London Grace now has five locations in London, all open late and with plenty of space for you and your friends to all sit together (great for an alternative birthday celebration, check out their party packages). The manicures are top notch, using their own formaldehyde-free lacquers to ensure healthy as well as beautiful nails – and the Lychee Martinis are pretty fabulous too.

Where? Multiple locations, see here

BOOK: londongrace.co.uk

DryBy, Marylebone

The downstairs of swanky hair salon DryBy is home to one of London’s best-kept beauty secrets. A favourite of Vogue staffers, the manicures are both luxurious and thorough, made extra special by the beautiful nail art that they specialise in. It’s elegant and modern as opposed to tacky, with metallic geometric lines painted onto millennial pink nails or cute little symbols stencilled on – each one is bespoke. They’ve just launched an exciting nail art collection with Alex Steinherr, beauty director of Glamour, so you can choose from 8 nail looks that’ll have you staring at your hands for days.

Where? 74 Mortimer Street, London W1W 7RZ

BOOK: dryby.co.uk

Featured image: Iris Avenue

The post The Best Manicures & Pedicures In London appeared first on Country and Town House.

The Best Day Spas In LA To Book Now

Charlie Colville — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 08:20:32 +0000

Los Angeles is home to many a good thing – from delicious grub and snazzy vintage stores to gorgeous beaches and, of course, its A-list inhabitants. This is undeniably the place to be if glamour is what you seek, but don’t let the bright lights and fast pace drain your energy before you can truly get going. If you’re planning a trip to the City of Angels anytime soon, make sure to sneak in a slice of You Time with a trip to one of the best day spas in LA.

The Country & Town House Responsible Tourism Guide

The Best Day Spas In LA

The Spa at The Beverley Hills Hotel

Where? The Beverly Hills Hotel, 9641 Sunset Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

What? A lavish oasis nestled on Sunset Boulevard, Beverly Hills Hotel is known as the original 90210 and boasts a private setting from its 12-acre gardens. The spa, which underwent renovations in 2021, is the vision of Champalimaud Design – which sought to blend together the hotel’s playful and chic atmosphere while maintaining an air of relaxation. There’s four treatment rooms available to book out, as well as a duet suite for couples, family and friends, where guests can receive body and facial therapies from the spa’s menu (and get cosy on warmed-up treatment tables). There’s also a snazzy new nail suite with pedicure chairs and a manicure area, which looks out onto the hotel’s citrus garden.

Treatments: The spa, which offers almost 40 treatments in total, divides its menu into three categories: massages, facials and nail care. Over 20 product lines are used, including big names like Natura Bisse, NuFace, Valmont, UMA, Skin Authority and Knesko Skin, alongside a combination of natural ingredients, advanced technology and internationally-inspired wellness rituals. You’ll be hard pressed to pick one treatment, so it’s best to flit between the three categories. Want to feel deeply relaxed? Start things off with a relaxing Pink Himalayan Salt Stone Massage to simultaneously sooth and purify skin. Want to try the latest ant-aging technology? Try the Power Glo Facial, which uses LED light therapy to stimulate collagen and contour the face. Want the ultimate pampering session? Let the talented beauty technicians scrub and massage you into a puddle of happiness with the Power Manicue and Pedicure. And as if the regular treatments aren’t enough, you can even opt for ‘enhancements’ that add an extra layer of luxury to your experience.

BOOK: dorchestercollection.com

The Spa at Hotel Bel-Air

Where? Hotel Bel-Air, 701 Stone Canyon Road, Los Angeles, CA 90077

What? Those wanting a taste of the high life can a take trip out to the California hills to try out the intimate spa at Hotel Bel-Air. This is one of the most famous hotels in the area, known throughout the years to have hosted the likes of King Charles III, The Beatles and Grace Kelly, and will make you feel every bit the A-lister. The spa has been dubbed ‘a restorative oasis’ and features seven treatment rooms, a relaxation lounge and a nail suite with multiple manicure and pedicure stations. Couples also have the opportunity to have a slice of paradise for themselves in the Enclave Suite, which has two treatment beds, a marble soaking tub, private patio and waterfall – super dreamy.

Treatments: Hotel Bel-Air has an impressive list of treatments on its menu, spanning facials, massages, body treatments, nail care and full-blown retreat packages. The spa is currently partnered with Swiss skincare expert Valmont, using products from its line that blend scientific research and natural resources for powerful results. While there’s plenty of highlights from the menu that you’ll no doubt be dying to try, we suggest trying one of the immersive retreat experiences so that you can try out multiple treatments in one. The Bel-Air Beauty package, for example, offers four whole hours of relaxation with a head-to-toe pampering session that includes a facial, manicure and pedicure.

BOOK: dorchestercollection.com

Conrad Spa

Where? Corad Los Angeles, 100 South Grand Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90012, USA

What? Having just opened in the summer of 2022, Conrad Los Angeles is the new kid on the block that everyone is keen to meet. The hotel, which is located in downtown LA, features a full-service spa that takes an approach of ‘boundary-free wellness’. Alongside private treatment rooms, guests can enjoy the spa’s dry sauna and enlightenment lounge before and after any treatments they have booked in. And those who have spent over $200 at the spa can even take a dip in the hotel’s rooftop pool (or sit poolside with a drink in hand, if that’s more their speed).

Treatments: Conrad Spa leans more on the side of modernity and technology when it comes to its treatments, with an innovative selection of high-tech wellness therapies and performance tools to choose from – including LED Light Therapy, Normatec Compression Therapy, Quantum Harmonic Therapy, Core Meditation and more. Those after instant results can also try out one of smart skincare services listed on the menu, which uses emerging technology in the industry to help you look your most radiant. If you’re more into traditional treatments, the spa also offers therapeutic massages (think Ashiatsu and Thai) to restore balance and amp up the relaxation factor.

BOOK: hilton.com

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Chuan Spa

Where? The Langham Huntington Hotel, 1401 South Oak Knoll Avenue, Pasadena, California 91106, USA

What? Fancy a mini-break from your mini-break? Or maybe you’re a local wanting to escape the city for a bit? Either way, a trip out to the residential neighbourhoods of Pasadena can do you no wrong – especially when it means a stop by The Langham Huntington Hotel and its award-winning spa. Nestled on the hotel’s grounds, Chuan Spa, which offers an international experience underpinned by the ancient traditions of the Orient, features 12 treatment rooms as well as a VIP suite, sauna, herbal steam and whirlpool and a state-of-the-art fitness centre.

Treatments: Chuan Spa’s signature massage and facial treatments are inspired by Traditional Chinese Medicine, which when combined with cutting-edge skincare technology deliver refreshing results that will stay with you long after you’ve stepped out of Pasadena. All treatments are inspired by the Five Elements theory, used to identify basic disharmonies within and direct you to the best products for your needs. Choose from a range of massages, facials, body treatments and hand and foot therapies (with maternity, men’s and custom options available), or try out one of the packages for a full whammy.

BOOK: langhamhotels.com

Larchmont Sanctuary Day Spa

Where? 331 N Larchmont Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004

What? This award-winning boutique spa has a prime spot in LA’s historic Larchmont Village, where celebrities Muhammad Ali, Shecky Greene and Nat King Cole once called home. The spa, which boasts an ethos of ecologically responsible wellness, offers both indoor and outdoor spaces for guests to explore and relax in. A visit is underpinned by a holistic approach, both in body and space (Larchmont Sanctuary Day Spa was once blessed by nine Tibetan monks from the Garden Shartse Monastery to achieve the ultimate zen experience), with an emphasis on intimacy and internationally-inspired treatments.

Treatments: East meets West at the Larchmont Day Spa, where an emphasis is placed on products that are free of chemical preservatives, artificial fragrances and are completely cruelty-free. Relaxation is the main highlight on the menu, with treatments spanning massages, facials, waxing, full-body, hydrotherapy, CBD and salt therapies. The goal? To heal, detox and invigorate. One of the must-try treatments for newcomers to try is the Illuminating Body Detox, a three-step full-body experience that features a detoxifying scalp massage and foot massage with a Himalayan salt scrub, followed by a Hungarian Moor mud wrap.

BOOK: larchmontsanctuary.com

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Ciel Spa at SLS Hotel

Where? SLS Hotel, 465 La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048

What? Tucked away from the busy hubbub La Cienaga is SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, and its uber-luxurious spa. The Ciel Spa is the creation of Pearl Recovery Retreat and Wellness, LA’s leading hub for cosmetic post-op services and recovery, and boasts treatments led by some of the finest therapists in the world. Some famous faces that have dropped by the hotel in recent years include Olympic diver Tom Daley, actress Kat McNamara and TV personality Rodney Wallace.

Treatments: Ciel Spa’s menu is nothing if not expansive, designed to cater to your every whim and need. Treatments cover pretty much everything you could think of, from endermologie, massages, facials and body treatments to hair care, nail care, waxing and makeup application. Some of the most coveted options on the menu, however, are the Biologique Recherche facial and anti-aging treatments (Ciel Spa is one of the only establishments in LA to offer these treatments), which even have their own exclusive product range, available to buy onsite after you’ve tried them out with a therapist – and ultimately gotten the bug for more.

BOOK: sbe.com

Featured image: The Beverley Hills Hotel

The post The Best Day Spas In LA To Book Now appeared first on Country and Town House.

Dog-Friendly Hotels: 20+ Labradorable Places To Stay In The UK

Rebecca Cox — Fri, 19 May 2023 15:04:13 +0000

Em-bark-ing on a staycation adventure and hoping to take your four-legged friends away with you? Luckily, it has never been easier to travel with pets, and more luxury hotels and rentals than ever cater for dog lovers and their furry plus ones. If you’re looking for a place to rest your head, pooch in tow, the search ends here. Here is our ulti-mutt guide to the UK‘s best dog-friendly hotels.

Read the C&TH Guide to Responsible Tourism

First, a few words of advice on taking your furry friend away with you. Most hotels allocate specific rooms for those bringing canines, so always ensure that you let the hotel know you’re bringing your dog with you. Remember that not everyone loves dogs (the horror) and some people are allergic to them, so be mindful of other guests. Be a good dog owner and always clear up after your hound. Don’t forget bags and a towel for cleaning muddy paws. Be aware of areas of the hotel that dogs are not allowed in – these typically include places where food is being served. If you’re not sure, ask the reception team on arrival.

The UK’s Best Dog-Friendly Hotels

Bodysgallen Hall, Llandudno

Set in 200 acres of parkland and woodland, with views of Snowdonia and Conwy Castle, Bodysgallen Hall is doggy heaven. Hunker down in a cottage – prepared with water bowl, dog bed and snacks – before venturing to nearby Llandudno for walkies amid classic seaside scenery. bodysgallen.com

Hart’s Hotel, Nottingham

Four-legged friends can luxuriate in Hart’s Hotel’s ground floor garden rooms, with French doors leading directly to the secluded private garden. Dine al fresco on your garden furniture, or venture further afield for a run around one of Nottingham’s award winning parks. hartsnottingham.co.uk

Sand & Stone Escapes, Nationwide

Bring your dog on your next staycation adventure, with Sand & Stone Escapes’ abundance of unique cottages, apartments and homes across the UK. From romantic wood-clad boltholes to spacious houses for all the family, you can even filter for dog-friendly escapes on the website. sandandstoneescapes.com

George & Dragon, Cumbria

With its rustic bar and wood-burning stoves, this 18th-century coaching inn sits on the edge of The Lake District. When the George & Dragon reopens this summer, 11 lovely rooms will make for the perfect retreat, with well-behaved dogs welcomed with open arms. georgeanddragonclifton.co.uk

The Wellington Arms, Hampshire

This country inn sits on the Hampshire/Berkshire border, home to four lovely rooms and an unpretentious pub. Choose a tasty meal from the daily menu, pooch by your side chowing down on Lily’s Kitchen treats and hide chews. thewellingtonarms.com

Wild Thyme & Honey, Ampney Crucis

Venture to this Cotswoldian idyll and make yourself at home: the country inn is nestled in Ampney Crucis near Cirencester, and features 24 beautiful boutique rooms with exposed stone, unique event spaces, and cosy pub, The Crown at Ampney Brook. wildthymeandhoney.co.uk

The Cat Inn, Hoathly

Set in the picturesque West Hoathly village, this 16th-century free house epitomises country pub charm, with an intimate four bedrooms above the pub and dining room. Nestle down in the oak-beamed pub by a cosy fireplace, dog by your side and real ale in hand. catinn.co.uk

The Traddock, Ribblesdale

With beautiful Georgian and Victorian rooms in God’s own country, this family-owned country house hotel in Yorkshire welcomes dogs in all its rooms and suites. With two lawns onsite and the Dales on the doorstep, you’ll never be short on exciting walks. thetraddock.co.uk

Hare & Hounds, Newbury

With 30 bedrooms set across four buildings, Hare & Hounds is countryside charming with a contemporary twist. Furry friends are welcome in all ground floor rooms, with a dog bed, bowl and ‘Bramley Dog Box’ ready in your room when you arrive. hareandhoundsnewbury.co.uk

Artist Residence Oxford

Artist Residence’s Oxfordshire outpost sits at the gateway to the Cotswolds, with seven dog-friendly bedrooms equipped with dog bed, water bowl and Lily’s Kitchen dog treats, along with luxurious beds, rainfall showers and inspiring decor for the humans. artistresidence.co.uk

The Rose & Crown at Romaldkirk, Durham

Next to a Saxon church in a picturesque village, this 18th-century coaching inn is surrounded by rolling rural landscapes. With 14 rooms to choose from, The Rose & Crown has ‘Welly-bix’ dog treats homemade in Romaldkirk and a special hosing/drying area for any muddy walks. rose-and-crown.co.uk

The Goodwood Hotel, West Sussex

Famed for its Glorious Goodwood and Revival festivals (as well as Goodwoof) and set across 11,000 acres of nature on the edge of the South Downs, furry friends are more than welcome at The Goodwood Hotel, with comfy beds, water bowls, tasty treats and dog-friendly dining. goodwood.com

Glenapp Castle, Scotland

The stunning façade of Glenapp Castle is like something out of a Disney film with its enchanting towers and turrets. Located one and a half hours from Glasgow airport or just over a 400-mile drive from London, it’s more than worth the journey. If your furry friend is happy to travel by car we recommend driving as it makes for an adventure full of breath-taking views. On arrival you’ll find the warmest of Scottish welcomes. Each of the bedrooms and suites are unique, renovated and capture traditional Scottish luxury perfectly. Visitors refer to the ‘Glenapp Magic’ – a feeling that starts before check in and lasts until after departure.

Your Dog Will Love: The dog-loving staff, who give endless love and attention (and weren’t in the least bit put out when muddy paws met a pristine white shirt). Dog-friendly rooms with direct access to the castle grounds. There are also star-gazing activities on offer at the hotel that you can take your four-legged friend along to.

Petiquette: There are extensive grounds for dogs to roam freely on but be sure to clear up after him or her. No one likes stepping in an unwelcome surprise while playing a round of croquet. The hotel doesn’t allow dogs in the castle restaurant or the drawing room where food is being served. Review by Kim Pearson

BOOK: glenappcastle.com

Airds Hotel, Scottish Highlands

Relais & Châteaux Airds Hotel is a dog-walker’s heaven. With stunning views of Loche Linnhe and the Morvern Mountains beyond, all accommodation is dog friendly, along with specific dog friendly dining areas. In addition to recommending dog friendly walks, the Airds Hotel staff come with a prerequisite for pampering pooches and fuss over all four-legged guests. The hotel provides all canine overnighters with a fluffy blanket in their room and a fresh bowl of food and water on a regular basis. The Airds garden is the perfect place for a stretching run around before heading down to the local loche beach for a splash and a swim. Humans optional.

BOOK: relaischateaux.com

Down Hall, Essex

Just a 45-minute journey from London via Liverpool Street Station, Down Hall is situated in Bishop’s Stortford within 110 acres of thriving gardens and woodland. It’s the perfect destination for both dog and pet parent to explore and unwind amongst nature. If relaxation is top of your agenda, make sure you book in for a relaxing massage at Eden Spa. Unwind with tea on the terrace, or enjoy a cocktail in the Ante Lounge or Cocktail Bar. Enjoy dinner in the Garden Room restaurant, overseen by Executive Chef Graham Noonan-Chatham. The menu is prepared using fresh, seasonal produce and offers vegan and vegetarian options. Down Hall recently upgraded its grounds and facilities to ensure that guests, big, small and four-legged, can enjoy a relaxing stay within the property’s expansive estate.

Your Dog Will Love: The ground floor room with direct access to 110 acres of beautiful gardens and woodland. Doggy room service, complete with homemade dishes, like Bow-Wow Tenderloin and Chow-Hound Chicken finished off with a pupcake.

Petiquette: Dogs are only permitted in designated pet-friendly bedrooms. The pet fee charge is £20 per night and includes a water bowl and snacks. Dogs are permitted throughout the expansive hotel grounds, and each of the pet friendly rooms have double doors leading onto an external area within the grounds. Pets are allowed in the lounges and on the outdoor restaurant terrace, but are not permitted in the Garden Room.

BOOK: downhall.co.uk

Cliveden House, Bark-shire

This historic National Trust Relais & Châteaux country house, just 40 minutes from London, is set in 376 acres of Grade-I listed formal gardens, and enjoys panoramic views over the River Thames. It is renowned as a venue for entertaining royalty and prime ministers, but it is pooches they treat best. With a doggie bed and bed time treat as standard for all four-legged friends, the highlight here is the special doggie menu in The Astor Grill at Cliveden, featuring fillet steak and rice, moistened with light gravy. After a meal fit for a king, pampered pooches can walk it off and explore the hotel’s woodlands, riverbanks and formal gardens – there’s plenty to sniff at around Cliveden.

BOOK: relaischateaux.com

Palé Hall, Snowdonia

This luxury Relais & Chateaux country house hotel is positioned on the doorstep of Wales‘ Snowdonia National Park. Set in 16 acres of grounds, the beautifully landscaped gardens were filled with banks of daffodils when Lily visited. There are two restaurants to choose from. The Huntsman bistro, which welcomes dogs (the house cured smoked salmon started is a must) and a fine dining restaurant, offering five and eight course tasting menus. The hotel also offers self-catering apartments featuring hot tubs and golf buggy transfers to and from the main building. The eclectic mix of design styles throughout the hotel come together to create a cosy, run from the heart ‘home from home’.

Your Dog Will Love: The provision of essentials left in the room including a doggy bath robe, perfect for keeping warm after baths and wet walks. Hikes in Snowdonia and offers of dog sitting and walking services. The more walks the better! And the kind staff who were never too busy to stop to shake paws and offer treats. A truly dog-friendly hotel in every way.

Petiquette: The hotel provides baby gates and request that dogs are kept in the bathroom (on a comfy mat provided) while you’re not with them. They ask that dogs are kept off the beds and furniture. If your dog is of a nervous disposition you can arrange for a dog-sitter to stay with them in the room while you’re not there. Review by Kim Pearson.

BOOK: palehall.co.uk

Thyme, Southrop

Described as a village within a village, Thyme is located in the Cotswolds‘ Southrop, around 70 miles from London. It comprises a collection of restored historic buildings within an enclosed hamlet environment. The family who own this very special Cotswold destination are truly committed to environmental welfare – one of their many projects includes the beautiful planted meadow, carefully researched and curated to encourage wildlife. This and the cut flower garden are a must-see. Comprising restaurants, bars, a spa, cookery school, flower arranging classes and a farm, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Petiquette: Certain areas of Thyme welcome dogs, but they’re not allowed in the main bar and restaurant. There are specific rooms set aside for dogs so be sure to request one of these upon booking. Review by Kim Pearson.

BOOK: thyme.co.uk

The Scarlet Hotel, Cornwall

Set into the cliffs overlooking Mawgan Porth Beach, The Scarlet offers stunning views of the Cornish cliffs, sea and skies. The hotel has been designed to connect you with the outdoors, so if the weather is good, enjoy some fresh air poolside or the cliff-top hot tubs. When it’s not so pleasant, snuggle up in the relaxation lounges or treat yourself to a massage at the Ayurvedic inspired spa.

Petiquette: There are five dog friendly hotel rooms so make sure to ask for one of these when booking. The hotel has both dog-friendly and dog free areas around the hotel, to ensure that all guests are comfortable. While The Scarlet is dog friendly, the hotel is designed for adults and doesn’t typically host under 18s. Fur babies only! Review by Kim Pearson.

BOOK: scarlethotel.co.uk

Rothay Manor, Lake District

Follow in the Lakes Poets’ footsteps and hunker down in a Lake District manor house. Your pup will love exploring the pinnacle of British countryside but, over at Rothay Manor, they’ll love their comfy George Barclay dog bed even more. The hotel is spacious and comfortable, with a Drawing Room for coffee, drinks or afternoon tea, the Brathay Room for breakfast and dinner, and a dedicated dog wash and boot room with Ruff & Tumble dressing gowns so furry guests can rinse off muddy paws after a day on the fells.

BOOK: rothaymanor.co.uk

Heath Hall Farm, Surrey

A study by Simoniz recently revealed that Heath Hall Farm is the place to take your furry friend for your annual staycation. Located on a farm nestled in the the sprawling hills of Surrey, guests can choose from a selection of Shepherd’s huts (with hot tubs!) to spend the night. Take advantage of the setting during the day with the bicycles provided by exploring the local area – Midhurst Polo Grounds, Goodwood Race Course and Motor Racing Circuit, and Petworth Park are all a short distance away. In the evenings, unwind to the sounds of nature (and the odd farm animal or two). Prepare to be greeted by Dotty and Mabel, the owners’ dogs, who will surely make a good playmate for your canine. Taking your pooch will cost an extra £10, but it’ll be worth it to see their happy face once you get there.

BOOK: heathhallfarm.co.uk

The Eastbury, Sherborne

Pups will love The Eastbury, a countryside hotel located in the picturesque town of Sherborne, Dorset. There are nine cosy dog-friendly rooms available – most of which include their own private garden – with a dog bed, bowls, treats and a toy provided upon arrival. Canines are welcome to breakfast, lunch and dinner in the hotel’s award-winning Seasons restaurant, where they’ll even be treated to their own chef-made meal – chicken and rice for supper and sausages for breakfast. As for things to do, delight in the hotel’s favourite dog-friendly walk where you’ll catch sight of the 16th century Sherborne Castle, then potter through town and enjoy a wealth of quirky independent shops, historic pubs and the spectacular Sherborne Abbey.

BOOK: theeastburyhotel.co.uk

One Aldwych, London

A recent addition to the dog-friendly hotel scene, Covent Garden’s One Aldwych – renowned for its enviable central London location and sumptuous interiors – is now encouraging guests to treat their furry friends to an unforgettable stay. Launched in partnership with dog boutique and grooming parlour Bow Wow London, the hotel offering includes a bed and bowl for pups to use throughout their stay, plus delicious treats from Bow Wow. Why not go the extra mile and book your pup in for a much-deserved pamper at the Covent Garden store? Then treat yourself to an equally-deserved treatment at the hotel’s resident Health Club.

BOOK: onealdwych.com

Chewton Glen, New Forest

Located in the heart of the New Forest, Chewton Glen offers four-legged friends plenty of options for woodland and coastal walks. The 18th Century Relais & Châteaux country house hotel and spa boasts 14 luxurious Treehouse Suites for doggie guests to sleep nestled in the magical New Forest. To ensure dogs feel welcome, dog treats, beds and bowls are ready and waiting on arrival – and can even be personalised upon request. Dogs with a spring in their step will also enjoy the hotel’s location, which is just a few minutes’ walk from the beach and rocky coastline of the New Forest National Park, meaning there are plenty of wonderful walks for woofers.

BOOK: relaischateaux.com

The Kensington, London

There’s much for owners and dogs to enjoy at this renowned townhouse hotel – namely, the launch of its newest dog-friendly offering, ‘It’s a Dog’s Life at The Kensington’, where guests – and pups, of course – can experience a luxurious stay in a newly refurbished room or suite, including a delicious a la carte breakfast. Dog beds, blankets, food and water bowls are each provided, whilst the hotel is surrounded by a number of parks and dog-friendly spots which furry friends will love – just ask the concierge if you’re in need of a walking route. Pups are also invited to tea in the hotel’s cosy portico – the ideal spot to rest up after a day spent exploring the city.

BOOK: Available until 30 December 2022. doylecollection.com

Buxton Crescent, Buxton

If it’s a weekend of long walks you’re looking to enjoy with your pup, you can’t go wrong with The Peak District. Located on the edge of the national park, Buxton Crescent – an impressive Georgian Grade I listed building, having undergone an extensive hotel renovation – is an ideal dog-friendly place to stay within the country. There’s much to explore outside of the 18th century hotel, from the Peak District’s rolling hills to the charming and historic spa town of Buxton. The hotel spa is also worth noting – complete with a restored Victorian swimming pool – as well as the inviting hotel lounge and bar where pups and owners can snuggle up by the open fire.

BOOK: ensanahotels.com

The Egerton House Hotel, London

Dogs are more than welcome at Knightsbridge’s The Egerton House Hotel. The luxury five-star establishment – located just a stone’s throw from Hyde Park – even offers Doggy Afternoon Tea in the Drawing Room; think chicken and beef meatloaf, homemade dog biscuits and delicious ‘doggy’ ice cream. Pups are also treated to VIP grooming, pet-friendly beer or champagne upon arrival – I say! – and custom-made pet beds. There’s even a dog walking service in case you can’t bare to leave the sumptuous confines of the hotel.

BOOK: egertonhousehotel.com

Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh The Caledonian, Edinburgh

Don’t take a trip to Scotland without your furry friend in tow. The historic Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – the Caledonian welcomes pups of all shapes and sizes and boasts and enviable location, right at the centre of Edinburgh old town. Enjoy an array of scenic walks exploring the city, through the Royal Mile, to Edinburgh Castle and across the hilly Arthur’s Seat. Revitalise in the spa (taking advantage of the whirlpool and sauna), then enjoy a tipple at The Caley bar, a sophisticated Victorian drinking spot inspired by the Caledonian Railway.

BOOK: hilton.com

Four Seasons Hotel, Hampshire

At the Four Seasons in Hampshire there are 500 acres of gorgeous grounds to explore – meaning early morning walks are equally fun for you and your four-legged friend. Afterwards, sit outside the Wild Carrot bar for lunch or book a table on the terrace of The Library for afternoon tea. A bed, bowl and food are provided, and the concierge can arrange dog sitting (at extra cost) on request.

BOOK: fourseasons.com

Hambleton Hall, Rutland

Hambleton Hall is a classic countryside getaway with 17 acres of grounds and gorgeous gardens. Enjoy the sitooterie on the south-facing terrace or, post winter walk, warm up in front of an open fire in the hall, where dogs can sit and watch the world go by. Ask in advance and the team can arrange anything from bedding and bowls to crates and cuddly toys. They can even sort out a dog sitter.

BOOK: hambletonhall.com

The Felin Fach Griffin, Powys

This cosy redbricked pub with rooms near Brecon welcomes dogs as much as their owners – and for no extra charge. Canine companions can patter round the bar and sit under the table while you tuck into dishes of pork ribeye or sea bream in the dog-friendly Tack Room dining area. A towel and a selection of tempting biscuits are provided in the rooms for dog guests, too.

BOOK: felinfachgriffin.co.uk

The Harper, Langham

There are plenty of social spaces at The Harper hotel in Langham and nearly all of them are suitable for dogs, from the casual lounge, Ivy’s, with its living room style (where you can also sit down for supper) to the sun-filled courtyard and cosy bar. There are tasty treats in reception, dog beds available on request and an outdoor roll top bath, the ‘dog and boot’, for washing sandy paws after days out at gorgeous Norfolk beaches like Wells-next-the-Sea or Brancaster Beach.

BOOK: theharper.co.uk

The Nare, Cornwall

Perched above gorgeous Carne Beach, which is perfect for afternoon games of fetch, The Nare allows dogs in all of its rooms including the sea-facing Whittington Suites that launched last year, each with a large private balcony. There’s a doggie dinner menu which includes the chef’s dish of the day (cold cuts), self- catering kennels for working dogs and the South West Coastal Path that runs past the hotel for spectacular walks by the sea.

BOOK: narehotel.co.uk

Artist Residence, Brighton

The brilliant location of this boutique bolthole, a two-minute walk from the seafront, makes it a shoo-in for a four-legged coastal escape. For hounds who really want to run free, the South Downs are just a short drive away. The Bigger Sea View and Below Deck rooms are dog friendly, where there will be a bed, bowl and Lily’s Kitchen treats waiting. Dogs are also welcome to join you in the buzzing café-bar, while you sip morning coffee or early evening cocktails.

BOOK: artistresidence.co.uk

The Lygon Arms, Broadway

Taking your canine companion to dinner is positively encouraged at The Lygon Arms, which serves up dishes such as beef steak or sausages to hungry hounds in the Russell Room lounge. There are great walks around Broadway; afterwards, clean up at the muddy paws station in the hotel courtyard. Ask about a ‘nails and tails’ spa session too – while you have a relaxing massage, Broadway Dog Groomers will spoil your pooch with a bath and facial.

BOOK: lygonarmshotel.co.uk

Headlam Hall, County Durham

At this country house retreat, the Mews bedrooms (ground floor, with direct outside access and a dedicated parking space) and self-catering apartment The Hideaway are both ideal for dogs and can be kitted out with a special bowl, towel and biscuit treats. Four-legged companions are also allowed in the brasserie, the main hall lounge and bar, as well as the walled garden. A few yards away is the village green for an off-lead run-around.

BOOK: headlamhall.co.uk

Rosewood, London

A Barbour dog bed, Lily’s Kitchen meals and a pampering session with groomer Jamie Griffen (while you nip off to the spa) are all part of the Canine Package at the Rosewood. Dogs can venture into all of the restaurants and guests are given Pearl’s Guide to London (Pearl is the hotel’s resident retriever), an edit of the capital’s dog-friendly pubs, coffee shops and parks, including
Lincoln’s Inn Fields a three-minute walk away.

BOOK: rosewoodhotels.com

Featured Image (c) Down Hall, Essex.

The post Dog-Friendly Hotels: 20+ Labradorable Places To Stay In The UK appeared first on Country and Town House.

UK Wellness Festivals To Book Now

Ellie Smith — Thu, 18 May 2023 11:23:02 +0000

Looking for a festival without the hangover? Check out our regularly updated guide for all the latest news on the UK wellness festivals taking place in 2023. From lakeside yoga retreats to adrenaline-fuelled fitness events, these festivals are all about nurturing mind and body. The 2023 wellness season is drawing to a close with the end of summer – meaning there’s plenty to get excited for in 2023…

Read the C&TH Responsible Tourism Guide

In Brief: The 2023 Wellness Festival Calendar

May: Balance Festival
June: The Big Retreat Festival, Wellnergy
July: Love Trails, ALSO Festival, LoveFit, Peter Crone at Camp Kerala, Summer Camp By The Good Life Society
August: Wilderness Festival, Green Man, Soul Circus
September: VERVE

UK Wellness Festivals To Book In 2023

Balance Festival

Work out with global fitness experts, learn from top wellness gurus and sample some of the hottest health foods of the moment at Balance Festival, which returns to The Old Truman Brewery in London this May. As well as classes from London’s top fitness studios (Barry’s, Boomcycle, and KXU), expect a meditation dome, a market and start-up village to see the latest venues in the wellness sector.

Where? The Old Truman Brewery, London

When? 19–21 May 2023

BOOK: balance-festival.com

The Big Retreat Festival

After a two-year hiatus, The Big Retreat Festival returned this summer, taking place in Lawrenny Castle Estate in the UK’s only coastal national park. Billed as ‘an adventure for all five senses’, the event combines music (Toploader and Scouting For Girls are confirmed headliners), books, storytelling and wellness. Fitness is a big part of the event, too, with the Energy Field hosting a range of classes including circuit training, pilates, dance and assault courses, alongside mindset talks and nutrition workshops. Afterwards, replenish in the Soul Space, a sanctuary complete with wood-fired hot tubs, wild swimming and gong baths. You can also listen to inspiring speakers in the Talk Tent, a collaboration with the global Shelf Help Community, which is dedicated to supporting personal development.

Where? Lawrenny Castle Estate, Wales

When? 1–4 June 2023

BOOK: thebigretreatfestival.com

Wellnergy

Drawing together five pillars – mindfulness, fitness, food, music and laughter – Wellnergy is a London-based day festival packed with fitness activities, learning sessions, and delicious and healthy food. Speakers including Grace Beverley, Dilly Carter, Dr Alex George, Alice Liveing, Maude Hirst and Laura Hof will all be present, and there will also be music curated by the Gardens of Babylon collective with internationally renowned electronic music artists Magit Cacoon and Patrice Baumel.

Where? Barn Elms Sports Centre, London SW13 0DG

When? 17 June 2023

BOOK: Tickets from £65. wellnergy.co.uk

David Altabev

Love Trails

Explore some of the UK’s most beautiful coastal sights, tidal islands and ancient woodland at Love Trails, a festival which combines running, music and adventure. Taking place on the spectacular Gower Peninsula in South Wales, there are a number of organised runs taking place, ranging from trail runs to mindfulness runs to pub crawl runs.

If you’re not big into running, there are plenty of other fitness activities to get stuck into, including wild swimming, orienteering, paragliding, rock climbing, surfing and sunrise yoga. Talks, debates and live interviews also take place throughout the weekend from the likes of Hannah Phillips, Sarah Thomas and John Kelly.

Where? Gower Peninsula, South Wales

When: 6–9 July 2023

BOOK: lovetrails.com

ALSO

Taking place in the lakeside setting of Warwickshire’s Park Farm, ALSO is centred around reconnecting humans with nature. Spanning the likes of mindful thinking, climate change and mental health, guests can anticipate wellness activities, forward-thinking discussions, workshops, art and theatre, with a number of theorists, authors and comedians hosting talks around topics such as parenthood and our relationship with technology. For 2023, comedians Sara Pascoe and Celya Ab will perform alongside great music from K.O.G, Love Itoya, Get the Water and plenty more. The 50-acre landscaped grounds also offer space for outdoor activities like forest bathing and wild swimming, while family style dining events encourage festival-goers to meet new people, get inspired, and tuck into delicious food.

Where? Park Farm, Warwickshire

When? 14–16 July 2023

BOOK: also-festival.com

LoveFit

Fancy the best of both worlds? Head to LoveFit, a festival that fuses fitness with classic music festival vibes. By day you can take part in everything from spinning to boxing to paddle boarding, but by night it’s all about music, DJs and late-night partying. The line-up typically sees some of London’s hottest fitness studios in residence, including Kobox, F45 and Fierce Grace, alongside an abundance of good, healthy food to fuel the weekend. The ultimate detox-retox.

Where? St Clere Estate, Kent

When? 14–16 July 2023

BOOK: lovefitfestival.com

Peter Crone at Camp Kerala

Known as the ‘Mind Architect’, Peter Crone is a writer, speaker and thought leader who specialises in human potential. He has worked with world-famous actors and athletes all over the world – and now we can experience his work thanks to a festival from luxury, under canvas accommodation provider Camp Kerala. Taking place in the remote British countryside, the 2022 event was transformative, with talks and Q&A sessions with Peter designed to help participants unlock their potential. Alongside this, guests enjoy nourishing meals made using fresh, organic ingredients, take part in yoga and guided walks, and reside in a luxurious private tented lodge. There’s a spa too, where you can relax in the sauna, have a tailored massage or try ‘fire-ice therapy’. Worlds away from your average festival, this one is designed as a ‘weekend of enlightenment’, which will inspire a new way of living.

Where? Glastonbury

When? 27–31 July 2023

BOOK: series.petercrone.com

Summer Camp By The Good Life Society

Over in the glorious, unusual and historic setting of the Hawarden Estate against the backdrop of two castles, The Good Life Society is back with Summer Camp, a series of micro festivals set in the estate’s Walled Garden, taking place over four weekends in July. Stepping back from larger-scale events following the pandemic, micro really does mean micro: there will be space for only 125 guests at each weekend, creating an intimate and personal atmosphere bolstered by guided foraging walks, wild swimming and self-improvement workshops.

Where? Hawarden, Wales

When? Throughout July

BOOK: thegoodlifesociety.co.uk

Andrew Whitton Fanatic

Wilderness Festival

Set in the idyllic Cornbury Park in Oxfordshire, Wilderness Festival is hailed as one of the UK’s top weekend wellness festivals. While it holds many of the aspects of a traditional music festival (including a stellar line-up), guests can also take part in activities like wild swimming, fireside cooking sessions and mindfulness classes. Think yoga brunch clubs, foraging workshops, supper clubs and live theatre shows, alongside relaxation time at The Sanctuary & Lakeside Spa, complete with outdoor hot tubs.

Where? Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire

When? 3–6 August 2023

BOOK: wildernessfestival.com

Otherlands Music & Arts Festival

Rejuvenate mind, body and spirit in Perth this summer at Otherlands, the festival striving to to be more than just a music festival. Expect yoga and breathwork classes for a moment of tranquillity before more typical festivities commence. There’s also the wellness sanctuary – compromising of saunas, hot tubs, and masseurs – offers a serene escape across the whole weekend.

Where? Scone Palace in Perth, Scotland

When? 11–13 August 2023

BOOK IT: otherlandsfestival.com

Green Man

Ultra-zen hideout-come-retreat, Green Man Festival is a haven for nature lovers, explorers and health enthusiasts alike. Not only does it offer your usual yoga and pilates, they have a dedicated Nature Nurture garden, a quiet corner tucked away in the Welsh countryside complete with gong baths, restorative hot tubs and Indian summer massages.

Where? Brecon Beacons, Wales

When? 17–20 August 2023

BOOK: greenman.net

Soul Circus

Yoga and wellbeing festival Soul Circus has soared in popularity since launching in 2017. Held at the picturesque Cotswolds hills of Elmore near Gloucester, festival goers can try an array of different types of yoga, from aerial to restorative, as well as other exercise classes such as barre and boxing. You can also enjoy a wide selection of locally sourced, healthy food, live music and DJs, attend one of the many workshops on offer, or simply chill out in a lakeside hot tub. The gardens and woodlands make a beautiful backdrop for the festival’s many light shows and parties, which run late into the night.

Where? Elmore, Gloucestershire

When? 17–20 August 2023

BOOK: soulcircus.yoga

VERVE

Ever worked out in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty? Here’s your chance: VERVE festival, set in the beautiful Cranborne Chase. Activities on offer include sound baths, yoga classes, storytelling and farm runs, alongside talks on topics related to physical and mental health, such as sober curiosity and fertility. Guests can also explore the non-alcoholic bar, try a CBD IV drip, and meet like-minded friends at evening supper clubs. VERVE is also taking steps to conserve the natural beauty of the earth: it’s one of the UK’s first zero-waste festivals, and there’s no plastic on site.

Where? South Wiltshire

When? 16–17 September 2023

BOOK: feeltheverve.com

Featured Image: ALSO Festival 2022.

The post UK Wellness Festivals To Book Now appeared first on Country and Town House.

The Best Resorts In The Maldives

CTH Editors — Thu, 18 May 2023 08:45:09 +0000

Now is the time to start planning your next dream holiday. And, if you’re looking for paradise, the white sands and turquoise seas of the Maldives might mean it’s close to the top of your wish list. We’ve been embracing island life for this guide to the best resorts in the Maldives – offering everything from beach front rooms to overwater dining, these hotels will make your experience of paradise all the more perfect…

Read the C&TH Responsible Tourism Guide

The Best Resorts In The Maldives

Why Does Everyone Go The Maldives?

The Maldives is a popular destination for unparalleled island vibes, crystal clear waters, and the ultimate in luxurious relaxation. This archipelagic country in the Indian Ocean sets the bar very high when it comes to island getaways. Overwater stays (often with slides from your bedroom to the sea) come as standard, and the secluded desert island vibe is guaranteed. World class hotels are in the majority, with many occupying their own private islands and hosting world-class spas, sustainability labs, underwater restaurants and more. There are also lush jungles to explore, as well as reefs to observe (and protect). Treehouse bars nestle along coastlines, lagoon spas offer the perfect place to relax, and conservation programmes set the standard high.

Which Island Is The Best In The Maldives?

Picking your Maldives holiday by island is almost impossible, since there are more than a thousand, most of which are tiny. It’s much better to consider your destination by hotel, which is why we’re here to help. Another consideration is the journey time and method, since some are reachable by boat, whereas others require a (more expensive) sea plane to reach.

When Is The Best Time To Visit The Maldives?

The Maldives is a famous winter sun destination, offering a slice of white sand, blue sky and turquoise ocean amid the northern hemisphere’s wintery gloom. That said, the Maldives is a dreamy location to visit year-round, so don’t let the winter sun popularity deter you from pursuing your Maldivian dreams at another time of the year. Check out our full guide on when to visit the Maldives here.

Is It Sustainable To Go To The Maldives?

Ecotourism and the Maldives is a tricky topic to navigate. Overtourism remains a huge risk for many of the world’s most beautiful destinations, but ecotourism also represents a lifeline to many at-risk countries. Costa Rica provides a model of how tourism can transform a country at risk of environmental destruction. The Maldives relies on tourism for its economic survival, and increasingly sustainability initiatives provide a lifeline for the ecological survival of this archipelagic nation. Speak to your hotel about their sustainability initiatives and consider how you could leave a positive impact during your stay, whether this is a financial or physical contribution to the community and/or the conservation of this beautiful destination. Check out our dedicated guide to sustainable resorts in the Maldives here.

Ready to find your perfect Maldives resort?

The Best Hotels In The Maldives

There are over 100 resorts in the Maldives, scattered across the archipelago’s 1,200 islands. But where to start, and how to choose the best? Here’s our guide to the best hotels the Maldives has to offer.

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Ritz-Carlton Maldives

Fari Islands

Like the recently opened Patina Maldives, the Ritz-Carlton forms part of a triptych of resorts on Fari Islands, a man made archipelago on the North Malé Atoll, which when complete will also include a new property from Capella Hotels & Resorts.

Spread over a trio of islands, this 100-villa property was the last project for architect Kerry Hill, who set a new design standard for the Maldives with a concept that takes its cues from the ‘notion of completeness’ with lots of circular shapes and sensuous curves.

These can be found throughout, from the resort’s magnificent ring-shaped spa to the glorious overwater villas. Here, dressed in an understated palette of neutral materials and natural, tactile textures, the space seamlessly flows from the inside to the outside, where a curved deck and pool merge into the sparkling sea beyond.

The resort itself is intimate in size with the majority of the restaurants located on Culinary Island. This includes IWAU, an outdoor Japanese restaurant; Summer Pavilion, which serves tapas-style modern Chinese fare in a lantern-inspired space perched over the velvety lagoon; and La Locanda, which serves breakfast by morning and transforms into a Southern Italian restaurant for lunch and dinner.

The Beach Shack, at the very end of the third island, is pure beachside bliss, where a crowd-pleasing menu of dishes from refreshing salads to burgers can be enjoyed against the lazy lap of the crystalline waters, as paddle boarders drift past in the distance.

As for its green credentials, the resort’s sustainability programme includes an efficient approach to gastronomy, and design elements that include sustainably sourced timber, solar panels, as well as a dedicated plant that provides the resort’s still and sparkling water.

BOOK IT: One-bedroom Ocean Pool Villa starts £1,308, including breakfast. ritzcarlton.com

Eco Travel Trends and Sustainable Destinations

Patina Maldives

Fari Islands

The debut resort from Capella Hotels & Resorts’ new elevated lifestyle brand, Patina has certainly stepped things up a notch in the Maldives.

Newly opened, this 110-villa property is part of Fari Islands, a new manmade archipelago in the North Malé Atoll, which when complete, will comprise a trio of hotel brands including Capella and the just-opened Ritz-Carlton, designed by Kerry Hill.

Patina itself is spread over a sprawling 42-hectares, its lush interiors fringed by talcum-white sands and beyond that, a clear turquoise lagoon. Alongside the resort, the island is also home to Fari Marina Village, a 20-berth marina and a social hub comprising a collection of the resort’s 12 restaurants from the Patagonian-inspired Brasa to a burger truck.

Designed by Brazilian architect Marcio Kogan, the resort’s neutral palette is boosted by earthy hues, subtle textures and matt surfaces that includes timbers, linen, rattan, stone and natural fibres. There’s lots to do too, from dolphin-spotting at sunset aboard the resort’s Adastra superyacht to getting pampered in the photogenic spa, where a series of low-lying cubic treatment rooms can be found dotted among the lush landscape. We suggest spending some time on your spacious outdoor deck, reading a book in the swinging hammock, followed by a bath at sunset with an indulgent glass of champagne.

BOOK IT: One Bedroom Sunset Water Pool Villa from £1,860. patinahotels.com

One&Only Reethi Rah

North Malé Atoll

It might have opened two decades ago, but One&Only Reethi Rah is still setting the bar high in terms of luxury hotels in the Maldives. Perched on a lush 108-acre octopus-shaped island with over six-kilometres of secluded coastline, the resort is the ultimate in barefoot luxury with 12 pristine beaches, a sprawling spa, an exceptional water sports offering and a collection of excellent restaurants and bars.

The villas have been designed by Jean-Michel Gathy to feature soaring ceilings with exposed bamboo beams, indulgent bathrooms, which are the same size as the bedrooms, and details like a mini fridge (yes really) for your makeup.

Spend the day lolling on your private cabana at the Beach Club, before heading to Fanditha – the Arabian restaurant – or Tapasake to watch the sun go down. The latter is the resort’s overwater Japanese-Peruvian restaurant, where you can get your sushi and sashimi fix alongside other crowd-pleasers like the black cod with miso.

Not to mention the spa, which completes the experience as the ultimate honeymooner’s dream destination.

BOOK IT: Beach Villa from £1,345, including breakfast. oneandonlyresorts.com

Kudadoo Maldives

Private Island, Lhaviyani Atoll

Imagine a place where everything and anything is available at any time, anywhere you want. Welcome to Kudadoo, an intimate 15-villa resort with an exclusive all-inclusive offering that covers everything from unlimited spa treatments to champagne on tap.

Set on a postage stamp of an island in the Lhaviyani Atoll, the resort’s distinct Japanese aesthetic comes courtesy of New York-based Japanese architect Yuji Yamazaki. As such, the overwater villas channel tranquil ryokan vibes, their curved roofs and slatted timber exterior leading to an elegant interior with an open-plan living room and sleeping area, and an indoor-outdoor Japanese inspired bathroom.

When not lazing on your spacious outdoor deck – which comes complete with its own pool, sofa swing, outdoor dining area and easy access to the lagoon for some epic snorkelling sessions – head to The Retreat. Here, you’ll find the main swimming pool, restaurant (which has a wine cellar and cheese room), bar and spa, all housed within a space that has been smartly designed to maximise natural air flow, with a roof that incorporates 984 solar panels, enabling the entire resort to be purely powered by the sun.

Whether it’s a private yoga session, an in-villa massage, or a romantic breakfast on a secluded nearby sandbank, whatever you want is yours, at any time and anywhere. Pair this with the intuitive and discreet service of your personal butler, and you have a ground-breaking concept that will impress even the most discerning of travellers.

BOOK IT: One Bedroom Ocean Residence from £2,500, with everything included. kudadoo.com

Huvafen Fushi

North Malé Atoll

Huvafen Fushi might not be as flashy as some of its competitors, but what it lacks in excess is more than made up for with its charm, intimacy and amenities.

Its location is a short 30-minute speedboat ride from Malé, but it seems a world away, its compact size, lush foliage and quiet sandy lanes coming together to reveal a tranquil retreat with an informal, barefoot vibe.

There are just 44 private bungalows and pavilions, all of which have their own pools, however if you can tear yourself away, the main infinity pool is a great alternative, particularly at sunset, when you can meander to the adjoining bar for a cocktail.

Along with five bars and restaurants, including an underground wine cellar as well as Raw, which offers fresh, organic and wholesome dishes from its perch over the lagoon, there’s lots to do from stargazing with champagne on the resort’s dhoni to coral adoption. But it’s the spa that is the biggest wow factor with its mesmerising underwater treatment room eight-metres below sea level.

BOOK IT: Beach Bungalow from £1000, including breakfast. huvafenfushi.com

Hurawalhi Island Resort

Private Island, Lhaviyani Atoll

It’s no surprise the area of sea around Hurawalhi is called ‘The Aquarium’. Alongside an abundance of truly astonishing sea life, it is also a haven for dolphins – many of which can be seen frolicking at breakfast time just off the deck of Canelli restaurant – while there is a manta ray feeding and breeding ground 150m from the beach.

Aside from that, there’s plenty to do, from scuba diving and snorkelling to sunset cruises, spa treatments, or just lazing around on the spacious deck of your villa. But for something a little more elevated, head to 5.8, where you’ll dine on dishes like the ponzu salmon belly with aromatic glazed scallop while being entertained by a mesmerising display of undersea life.

As for being green, 30% of the island is powered by solar energy, there is also a water bottling plant, a food recycling programme, and extensive kitchen garden. Pair this with an array of restaurants and bars – including a romantic champagne pavilion for sunset bubbles – gently swaying palm trees, dazzling white sand and brilliantly clear turquoise waters, and you might just have the dream island escape.

BOOK IT: Ocean Villa from £428, including breakfast. hurawalhi.com

Amilla Maldives Resort & Residences

Finolhas Baa Atoll

Amilla Maldives Resort & Residences (previously Amilla Fushi) continues to be a true disruptor of the traditional Maldives experience thanks to its brilliant white minimalist cuboid villas along with a private marina, which feels much more Miami than Maldives. And then there’s the glitzy infinity pool, buzzy Emperor’s Beach Club and a spa and wellness village with offerings like Sensora light, sound and vibration therapy.

More recently, the resort has taken things a step further with a sustainability programme that goes far beyond banning plastic bottles to include The Nut – a dedicated coconut processing facility that will utilise waste to make everything from cold-pressed virgin coconut oil to coco peat for the gardens – and Cluckingham Palace- home to the happiest chickens in the Maldives.

If you can tear yourself away from your villa, there is a weekly activities schedule that includes all sorts from acrobatics classes to foot reflexology workshops. Complete this with a glamping experience in a luxury air conditioned bubble tent, which comes with champagne and a private chef, and it’s no wonder the resort is a favourite of the jet set.

BOOK IT: Double rooms from £790 a night, including breakfast. amilla.com

Anantara Kihavah

Baa Atoll

Paradise might be an overused word when it comes to the Maldives, but Anantara Kihavah really is heaven on earth. Perched within the Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the private island is ringed by the whitest of sands and beyond that, nothing but a crystal-clear turquoise lagoon that is a playground for a kaleidoscope of tropical fish. Its remote location means endless horizon views and the starriest of skies, which are best experienced from Sky Bar, which is where you can also find the Maldives’ only over water observatory.

The style of the resort is traditional, with lots of timber and thatched roofs that add to the barefoot luxury vibe, while the 80 beach and over water villas are signature Anantara with high-end finishes. Elsewhere, there are six bars and restaurants, with four of them located in a hub. This includes Sea, which features the world’s first underwater wine cellar and marine activity so mesmerising, you might forget to eat.

Diversions include everything from snorkelling around the house reef with a marine biologist, to sunset cruises or wine tasting. Between June and early October, make sure to head to nearby Hanifaru bay to snorkel with the manta rays.

BOOK IT: From £1202 for a one-bedroom Beach Pool Villa, half-board and taxes included. kihavah-maldives.anantara.com

Gili Lankanfushi

North Malé Atoll

Gili Lankanfushi has won a swag of awards for best resort in the Maldives and Asia – and it’s not hard to see why. It’s postcard perfect – from the blindingly white sand beaches fringed by swaying palms, to the room-temperature green ocean, to the champagne, sashimi and feet-in-the-sand breakfasts, to some of the best snorkelling in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s even changed its clocks to ‘island-time’, so guests enjoy an extra hour of sunlight. When you arrive at the North Atoll by speedboat (20 minutes from Malé airport), you surrender your shoes as part of the No Shoes, No News policy. Your butler then takes you to your spacious over-water villa. Each guest gets use of a bike, but it’s tempting – initially at least – to not leave your luxuriously appointed new home.

Whole days can pass pleasurably as you loll on the villa’s hammocks, daybeds and in the upper deck area (where a bed can be made up to sleep under the stars). If you feel energetic, you can jump off your back deck to have a quick snorkel. Once you do venture out, activities include the sunset dolphin cruise, surf lessons and diving. But it’s tempting to just chill. The spa is divine. Drift off during your Ayurvedic massage while looking at bull sharks and manta rays as they swim past the glass spa floor.

BOOK IT: Doubles from approx. £1,157. gili-lankanfushi.com

Naladhu

Private Island, South Malé Atoll

Translated as ‘beautiful island’, Naladhu is the ultimate in ‘far from the madding crowd’ privacy, offering pin-drop silence where rest and relaxation are the order of the day. Located in the South Malé Atoll, a nifty half-hour speed boat ride from Malé airport, just 20 spacious and immaculate residences offer a getaway where you literally don’t have to clap your eyes on anybody else. Unless, that is, you want a private chef to cook you up a wicked feast, or an in-house spa therapist with healing hands to administer massages beside your own swimming pool. In fact, it would be a sin not to submit to Naladhu’s famous in-room ‘spa journey’ – choosing between Ayurvedic, Thai, Balinese or Western programmes.

Once you’ve got over your jet lag and your body’s feeling soft and supple, head out for activities such as kayaking, snorkelling and swimming with sharks, should the mood take you. Come here for nothing more than the sand under your toes, the salty sea water against your skin, the sun on your face and every conceivable anxiety taken care of. Sounds like the perfect holiday. And you can always book out the entire island should you either be planning the reunion of the century or really can’t stand the thought of anybody else being around.

BOOK IT: From £954 B&B for an ocean house with a pool. anantara.com

JW Marriott Maldives

Van’gaaru Island

Straw hats off to JW Marriott. With its ultra-private supersize villas, sensational food and abundance of water sports, the brand has raised the bar yet again with its spanking new resort in the Maldives. Set on the remote island of Vagary in the northern atoll of Shaviyani, this beach retreat has 60 thatched villas, each with a private pool and thakuru (butler). Pops of cream, blue and natural materials echo the surroundings with massive expanses of glass to draw the outside in. When beachside lounging gets too much, get stuck into the preposterously long list of water activities on offer – the snorkelling turtle quest is a must.

Back on dry land, drop your little ones off at the fantastic kids’ club before heading to the sublime overwater spa (book the deeply healing stress relief massage). The five restaurants in the resort stretch from Italian to Thai – don’t miss the Japanese teppanyaki at Hashi, run by former Nobu chef Namuraj Tamang. Grab a cocktail beforehand in Rum Baan, nestled in the treetops, which has a staggering 98 signature rums to sample. Or, for the all-out local experience, go for a traditional Malaafaiy dinner on the beach. You won’t regret it.

BOOK IT: From approx. £681 B&B for a pool villa. marriott.co.uk

Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi

South Malé Atoll

This highly anticipated new opening takes barefoot luxury to the next level from the moment you land. While others wait to pile onto tiny seaplane transfers, an air-conditioned Princess yacht with sun deck (and four bedrooms) whisks new arrivals, champagne in hand, on a blissful 40-minute cruise to the resort. Forget any corporate connotations – this Waldorf Astoria maximises on marrying innovative and imaginative concepts (think photogenic tree-top bamboo dining nests at the superb Terra restaurant and glass-bottomed spa treatment rooms for mid- massage shark spotting) with sophistication and relaxed comfort.

Spread across three private islands joined by bridges, it’s one of the Maldives’ larger hotels – though with comparatively fewer villas, there’s a total sense of privacy. Villas are vast. Some overwater, others on the beach, and reef villas: a bit of both. Floor-to-ceiling windows look out onto a spacious deckwith a private infinity pool big enough to really swim in. With snorkels delivered to your door, and a house reef teeming with a technicolour array of sea life just a short swim away, one could easily never leave their villa. Make sure you do, though, as with 11 restaurants, a sublime spa and an abundance of water sports and excursions on offer, there’s so much to see and savour in this truly exceptional spot.

BOOK IT: Reef villa with pool from £1,480 B&B. waldorfastoriamaldives.com

InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort

Raa Atoll

Here’s the thing – it’s not hard to find silky soft sand and azure waters in the Maldives. What truly sets this resort apart is the way it makes you feel. From the moment you step onto the arrival jetty and are welcomed like a long-lost friend with a cool drink and warm hug, you get a sense of home. The meticulous attention to detail extends beyond each room’s bricolage interiors, and is infused in every interaction you have with staff. A dedicated island curator will be on hand to make your stay seamless, organising snorkelling trips, stargazing, beach picnics, outdoor movie nights, spa treatments, and even unpacking and repacking your suitcase. It’s also the first InterContinental resort to offer Club InterContinental benefits to all guests, including complimentary afternoon tea and aperitif cocktails.

Enclaved within the Maldives’ largest lagoon, you needn’t venture too far to swim among rays, sharks, turtles and schools of fish. There are six dining spots but Fish Market, with its open kitchen and indoor/outdoor seating truly stands out with a bold menu that’s bursting with aromatic, south-east Asian flavour. The overwater spa is heavenly but for a truly transformative treatment, book in with the Chinese medicine doctor whose methods include acupuncture, cupping, remedial tui-na, herbal medicine and other ancient techniques to restore internal balance.

BOOK IT: From approx. £791 for a beach pool villa. maldives.intercontinental.com

The Residence Maldives at Dhigurah

Dhigurah

Just 13 miles north of the equator, this resort is remote even by Maldivian standards. Too far from capital Malé to travel by seaplane, it can only be reached on a 55-minute domestic flight and final speedboat ride to secluded Gaafu Alifu, one of the world’s largest and deepest atolls. The island itself is thick with jungle, sandy pathways weaving through banana and coconut trees for a real back-to-nature feel. There are 173 villas, from beachfront to overwater with either sunrise or sunset views, but none will disappoint. All are spacious but simply designed, with thatched roofs, neutral colours and teak and rattan interiors, and all come with private pools, bicycles and Insta-perfect views of the glowing, aquamarine sea and endless horizon beyond.

There are water-sports galore, dolphin-watching cruises, a kids’ club, glorious 42-metre infinity pool, Clarins spa and the resort’s own deserted island for an unmissable picnic lunch. Otherwise, feast on international flavours at the Dining Room, classic Cantonese fare at Li Bai and the Mediterranean menu at poolside Café del Sol, or cycle the stunning one-kilometre bridge to Falhumaafushi to sample the excellent restaurants at the resort’s neighbouring sister property. A double delight.

BOOK IT: cenizaro.com

Read our full review of The Residence here

VARU by Atmosphere

North Malé Atoll

A relative newcomer, Varu opened in late 2019. Located on the north-west edge of the Malé Atoll, it’s just a 40-minute speedboat ride from Malé airport. On arrival, a golf buggy whisks guests to one of 108 beach-front or overwater villas, each with inviting décor featuring both luxurious and natural elements, with additions such as open-air bathrooms and private pools. Regardless of accommodation, every guest is on an all-inclusive plan that covers non-motorized water sports, a range of excursions (including stargazing and fishing), all meals and an impressive array of drinks (for example – the minibar is, dangerously, replenished twice daily).

Dining options include a contemporary buffet and traditional Maldivian restaurant, complete with educational video on arrival. Unwind in the Elena spa, where face-down time is enhanced by views through the floor’s window onto the water, or lounge by the infinity pool for dreamy sunset views. Recreational options range from a games room (great for those scorching midday hours) to an Astro football pitch, to the free use of snorkelling equipment – perfect for reef exploration that can be accessed, blissfully, from your very own living space.

BOOK IT: Seven nights from £2,799pp, including transfers. varu-atmosphere.com

Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa

Fasmendhoo Island

Mastering the tricky all-inclusive concept is the Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa, found in the northwestern part of the Maldives archipelago. Villas are available to book for a lower rate than many of the resort’s all-inclusive competitors, though this certainly doesn’t come at the price of design, facilities or service, all of which are impeccable. Once you’re on the island, there’s no need to worry about additional costs – bar a few extras, such as jet skiing – adding a new level of relaxation.

With 20 hectares of land to play with, Emerald has more space than many Maldivian resorts too, allowing privacy across the 120 villas, which are split between the beach and the water. Food is a highlight, with four restaurants to explore including Amazònico, the first South American restaurant in the Maldives: a rainforest-style, lantern-bedecked space with an open fire grill. ‘Natural elegance’ is the hotel’s tagline: bamboo, langhi langhi leaves and stones create a tropical-chic vibe in which the architecture exists in harmony with the natural landscape. Italian influences can also be seen in aspects of the design – the Venetian-inspired bathrooms are worthy of a special mention, featuring white marble, freestanding baths and floor-to-ceiling windows boasting some of the best views in the whole of the Maldives. And the bar is set high.

BOOK IT: From £550 all-inclusive for a deluxe beach villa. emerald-maldives.com

Conrad Maldives

Rangali Island

Lauded for its kaleidoscopic blue waters, pristine shores and exquisite villas peppered across two verdant islands, the Conrad may be a beloved classic and author of the Maldives signature wooden stilt villas, but it is far from complacent. The hotel’s relentless quest for a spicy edge over its counterparts reached its climax this year with the launch of THE MURAKA, a once-in-a-lifetime butlered residence and affront to tired ideals on luxury, submerged five meters under the Indian Ocean with Bond villain panache. Guests are privy to a near-psychedelic flush of marine life from their sumptuous bed, shower, walk-in-wardrobe, even loo. As a barefoot luxury veteran, the resort’s spas, restaurants and villas are sewn delicately into the lush, celestial landscape: the infinity pools play on the sea’s vibrant hues, the Over Water Spa embodies the treasured edge of the Maldives cliché and even the tennis court is wrapped in exotic bloom.

BOOK IT: Prices start from £589 for a Deluxe Beach Villa for two on a bed and breakfast basis and are POA for THE MURAKA, with a butler and extra exclusive experiences available. conradmaldives.com

Four Seasons Resort Maldives

Landaa Giraavaru, Baa Atoll

The skies are so vast and sparkling in the Maldives the idea of sleeping under an ordinary flat ceiling is unthinkable. Instead, the double-height vaulted bedrooms in the Four Seasons at Landaa Giraavaru create an expansive sense of freedom and overlook private pools long enough for a proper swim. Luscious hibiscus and glossy cheese plants surround the thatched outdoor living room, and beyond a bosky thicket of exotic plants the sea washes onto spotless white sand.

There are 102 villas here, but in the evening when the restaurants fill with people, you rather wonder where these fellow guests have been all day – indulging in room service or upside down, doing weightless yoga? Under the bright blue sky, hammocks hang loose between palm trees and the four swimming pools are exclusively yours for the day – one is the only Olympic-sized facility in the Maldives. The spa is brilliant, with an Ayurvedic massage that takes clients on a transcendental journey for 90 minutes. Don’t miss the Marine Discovery Centre, where injured turtles and fish come to recuperate with the in-house marine biologists. A heavenly idyll.

BOOK IT: From £6,569 for three nights B&B from 21 September, followed by three nights on the Four Seasons Explorer catamaran taking part in the Manta Trust diving expeditions. Includes flights and transfers. elegantresorts.com

JOALI Maldives

Muravandhoo Island, Raa Atoll

The Maldives is formed of 20 mesmerising natural atolls which have, over the years, become home to more envy-inducing resorts than an Instagram star could shake a selfie stick at. With big hitter Soneva Fushi and its Six Senses Spa still flying the flag for the larger, more established resorts, it’s this smaller, boutique addition to the pack which promises ultimate solace and serenity in bucketloads. Muravandhoo Island is home to a 73-strong pack of villas, split across the beachfront and wooden jetty, each with private steps down to the crystal clear water’s edge. A fantastic kids’ club, hosting daily storytelling and treasure hunts, keeps little ones entertained while adults get to grips with the wealth of activities on offer, from snorkelling to unearthing the many mosaic art installations dotted across white sands. The wellbeing centre, meticulously brought to life by ESPA, provides respite from the often sweltering temperatures. It’s also dedicated to responsible luxury, and has recently been awarded the Silver Certification from EarthCheck – so you can relax in peace, safe in Joali’s green hands.

BOOK IT: Beach villa from £1,456 B&B. joali.com

Kandima Maldives

Orchid Magu Malé

Kandima brings a full-blown resort concept to the Maldives at an accessible price point. It’s a three-kilometre-long private island, with acres of space and activities on tap. One of only a handful of hotels in the Dhaalu atoll chain, there are over 40 near-private dive sites and all manner of watersports in the vast turquoise lagoon. There’s tennis, badminton, five-a-side, volleyball, gym and art classes and an excellent kids’ club complete with mini water park, as well as gravity-defying aerial yoga, a first for the Maldives. The style is more like a contemporary Ibiza hotel, with a bold, shiny colour scheme. With 11 different bars and restaurants, a beach club and pool at the southern tip and another 100m pool by the watersports HQ, you can do something different every day. At this price point it’s easy to see why it won best newcomer in the Maldives travel awards last year.

BOOK IT: Seven nights half board from £455pp (family of four sharing a room), excluding transfers. kandima.com

The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort

Miriandhoo Island, Baa Atoll

The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo is a classy, contemporary alternative to the castaway-chic resorts typically found in the archipelago. Japanese developers and Italian architects have infused the resort with a clean aesthetic, piazza-inspired entrance and modern suites complete with Toto electronic toilets. There are six room categories but no short straws to be drawn as all include Westin’s Heavenly beds and are located along the fringes of the island, offering spectacular sea views. Overwater villas include decks which span the full length of the open-plan suites, with a private pool, outdoor shower and steps leading straight to the sea. Overlooking a pristine turquoise lagoon in the Baa Atoll, Maldives’ only UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, the island’s tropical landscape is home to a rich mix of marine life, from reef sharks to manta rays. Solo travellers needn’t worry, a photographic studio with on- hand professionals will help you capture Insta-worthy holiday snaps.

BOOK IT: Doubles from £593 B&B. marriott.co.uk

Soneva Jani

Medhufaru Island, Manadhoo

The latest outpost from Sonu and Eva Shivdasani, the couple who brought us one of the best and longest-standing hotels in the Maldives, Soneva Fushi. When Soneva Fushi first opened in 1995 there were few hotels to rival it. While it is still going strong, Soneva Jani is its younger, rather snazzier sibling. All rooms are in bells and whistles water villas: a kitchenette, a rooftop dining area, a private pool, a sitting room, a bed with a retractable roof so you can sleep under the stars. Most villas come with their own waterslide into the sea, and if they don’t you can pay to add one. Meantime the incredible Peruvian restaurant serves zing-fresh ceviche and offers an overwater cinema where you can loll with popcorn after your meal and watch a movie outside. Everything is designed to nudge you into enjoying yourself; it would be absurdly hard not to succumb.

BOOK IT: Doubles from $2,989 (£2,292) B&B. soneva.com

Constance Moofushi Maldives

South Atoll

Gliding over the glistening Indian Ocean down to the South Ari Atoll is a wondrous experience in itself – step off the seaplane onto the ivory shores of Constance Moofushi and your breath is truly taken. Verdant pathways give way to pristine beaches while winding jetties lead to stilted ‘thatch and rope’ villas. Dotted with airy bars, oceanside eateries and an overwater spa, this paradise isle is tiny – you can stroll its palm-fringed perimeter in less than 15 minutes. While the vibe is horizontal by day, the island vivifies at dusk with DJs spinning chilled tunes and chefs rustling up candlelit grills on the beach. Head to the Totem Bar for oceanside sundowners and hypnotic views, or to the Manta eatery for moreish Maldivian fish curries. One of the few luxury all-inclusive resorts in the Maldives, you’ll find that drinks, colourful culinary offerings, most watersports and an offshore excursion are part and parcel here.

BOOK IT: Seven nights from £3,469pp all-inclusive, including economy flights and seaplane transfers. inspiringtravelcompany.co.uk

Mirihi

Private Island Resort

True barefoot luxury, this is Robinson Crusoe meets Wallpaper chic, perfect for design-savvy divers wanting easy access to the famed southern atolls where whale sharks and mantas lurk. One of the smallest Maldivian resorts, Mirihi weighs in at only 40 rooms, spread between overwater bungalows – book rooms 25 through 39 for the best snorkelling access – and beach villas hidden away in the coconut palms. Food is excellent, particularly the curries and sushi selection, with lavish themed buffets every night in the main restaurant. You can eat à la carte at Moraca, the restaurant on the water, and watch turtles, sharks and giant parrotfish swim beneath the underlit pontoon. It’s low-key, laid-back luxury, with no TVs in the rooms and not much to do on land apart from indulge in exquisite massages at the spa and relax into the paradise of tropical island life. Which is exactly the point.

BOOK IT: Seven nights B&B from £1,920pp, incl. taxes. mirihi.com

Hotel Fairmont Maldives

Sirru Fen Fushi

Flying in by seaplane, the first thing you notice about the Fairmont is the 200m swimming pool. It bisects the aptly named Sirru Fen Fushi or ‘secret water’ island. With only 120 villas – all of which come with private pool and butler service – spread over one of the Maldives’ largest resort islands, everything here is allowed to breathe. The design oozes understated style and bohemian rustic chic. Beach villas feel like private riads with lime-washed courtyard walls, ornate turquoise doors and large gardens, and the spacious overwater villas share the same vaulted ceilings and hand-etched cabinetry. A huge beaten copper bath takes centre stage. In a first for the Maldives they also offer lush safari-style tented jungle villas. Families are exceptionally well catered for, with a wonderfully imaginative kids’ club poolside. Teens will love the graffiti-covered shipping containers of Majaa, too.

BOOK IT: Seven nights B&B from £2,415pp, excl taxes and transfers. fairmont.com

Niyama Private Islands

Olhuveli, Kudahuvadhoo Dhaalu Atoll

One of the most breathtaking islands in the Dhaalu Atoll. Scarlet and lemony umbrellas pop out against pristine ivory beaches, aqua infinity pools melt into the ocean and jungle-flanked pathways lead to stylish abodes. Two islands combine to create the resort – ‘Chill’ is the hub, playing host to lavish lagoon villas and a spa, while ‘Play’ boasts chic beach villas, a super-cool surf club and Nest, an Asian-fusion eatery where you can chomp on teppanyaki among the treetops. A fashionable crowd of loved-up couples and families explore the islands on personalised bikes. When the kids are settled into their Explorer’s club, grown-ups can choose to while away the days on jet skis and catamarans, hop on a dhoni to spot bottlenose dolphins or ride the waves at Vodi surf point. Niyama is the only luxury resort in the Maldives where the surf breaks directly on its own shore.

BOOK IT: Seven nights from £2,929pp half board, including flights and seaplane transfers. inspiringtravelcompany.co.uk

The Nautilus Maldives

Thiladhoo, Baa Atoll

What you want, when you want, is the overriding vibe on this tiny speck of sand in the Baa Atoll – a 30-minute flight from the capital, Malé. This is a private and exclusive bolthole where world-class cuisine and the finest wines collide, 24 hours a day. There are three restaurants and two bars, but why not dream up a bespoke breakfast on an isolated sandbank, coupled with a remote beachside spa treatment? Or imagine a sunset barbecue on a nearby virgin island, followed by a dusk-lit search for dolphins. Calling The Nautilus’ 26 beachside and overwater houses ‘rooms’ would be a disservice – they’re ginormous homes, flanked by lofty coconut palms and surrounded by wooden decking, boasting large pools, easy access to the house reef and views of the horizon-gobbling Indian Ocean. So slow down, adapt, and be creative – the world (or at the very least this 242 x 249m island) is very much your oyster.

BOOK IT: Doubles from £1,909, including breakfast. thenautilusmaldives.com

Shangri La Villingili

Villingili Island, Addu City

Shangri-La’s Maldivian resort offers an extensive array of options for those who desire a fitness focussed holiday. In addition to the daily workout and yoga classes running year-round, the resort has a Masters in Residence programme where experts in the field of health and wellbeing are invited from around the world to host programmes of classes, talks and events on the island. Those who prefer to organise their own exercise have access to a Technogym equipped gym, tennis courts and three jogging trails. The guided snorkeling trips out to the reefs will have you so mesmerized by the shoals of technicolour fish that you’ll forget all the swimming you’re doing, until you return to the boat seriously ready for lunch. As well as the fitness, activities on offer also include dolphin boat tours, jet skiing, kayaking as well as traditional Maldivian night fishing.

BOOK IT: shangri-la.com

Cheval Blanc Randheli

Noonu Atoll Randheli Island

In a preserved environment, pristine waters and opulent vegetation offer Cheval Blanc Randheli an exceptional setting. The Maison has been conceived in synergy with the island’s natural surroundings, lush vegetation and lagoon views. Stunning design by Jean-Michel Gathy and exceptional service, treats and surprises punctuate the stay to adorn everyday life and to surprise guests. With an exceptionally personalised and caring approach, service is tailored according to each guest’s wishes. Choose from Island Villas, Water Villas or – unique in the Maldives – Garden Water Villas which combine private garden space on one side with direct water access on the other side. The Owners Villa is an exclusive four bedroom villa on its own private island, the ultimate holiday experience for families and friends.

BOOK IT: From approx. £1,850 per night for a double room, including breakfast and all taxes and charges. chevalblanc.com

Milaidhoo Island

Private Island

This is the ultimate resort for laid-back luxury, ideal for the high-end luxury traveller whether that’s couples, honeymooners or groups of friends, who love diving and adventure. Foodies can learn how to master traditional recipes, handed down through generations and can join the local fisherman for the catch of the day. Waterbabies can discover the spectacular Maldivian sea life with Milaidhoo’s resident marine biologist, with a visit to Hanifaru Bay, a marine protected area which attracts the largest seasonal groupings of manta rays in the world. For the ultimate day out in paradise, take a trip to a remote sandbank where you can snorkel, sip champagne, enjoy a seafood bento box lunch and laze around on sunbeds crafted out of sand, adorned with cushions.

BOOK IT: From $1,625 per night in a Water Pool Villa on a half board basis, based on two sharing. milaidhoo.com

Baros Maldives

Private Island, North Malé Atoll

Baros Maldives is the ‘original’ luxury resort in the Maldives, having opened in 1973. It is situated in the central southern part of North Malé Atoll, just 25 minutes by speedboat from the international airport. Surrounded by one of the best house-reefs in the Indian Ocean – only 15–30 metres from the shore – the spectacular resort is alive with colours, fish, turtles, rays and coral. It’s romance all the way; Baros was voted ‘Most Romantic Resort in the World 2016’ at the World Travel Awards for the fourth time, where it’s all about the ‘outside, inside life’ feel for guests with their 45 Beachside and 30 Water luxury Villas, many complete with private pools. Designed by Maldivian architect Mohamed Shafeeq, with interiors by Anita Indra Dewi, all were built by local craftsmen using natural materials to blend with the surrounding environment, including natural stones, tropical wood, coconut thatch, sandstone and timber.

BOOK IT: From $675 per night in a Deluxe Villa on a B&B basis, excluding taxes. baros.com

Six Senses Laamu

Southern Laamu Atoll

This is the only resort in the Southern Laamu Atoll with an incredible signature Six Senses Spa, its own resident marine biology team committed to turtle conservation and coral health and recovery, and some of the best waves in the Maldives to surf. The vibe is most definitely barefoot luxury, aimed at those who want a luxury Indian Ocean resort experience that goes beyond just five-star service. It is also a family paradise with so many on offer to keep little ones entertained and allow parents some R&R time. Aside from the incredible spa offering for which perhaps the group is most famous, guests can venture out onto a yacht for the day, which includes fishing, snorkelling and a picnic on a deserted island, with a beach barbecue on the private sandbank serving up a delicious catch of the day.

BOOK IT: From US$827 (approx. £635) per night in a Lagoon Water Villa, subject to 10 percent service charge and 12 per cent GST. sixsenses.com

Furaveri Maldives

Raa Atoll

A humble island intrinsically connected with its destination and situated near a UNESCO biosphere reserve, Furaveri offers enticing dive sites and manta ray hotspots. Entirely un-reclaimed, meaning the development of the island has had minimal impact on its surroundings, here is a place that champions natural beauty with a glorious, unspoilt beach that elegantly wraps itself around the lush 23-hectare island. Friendly and unpretentious, it’s a great alternative to the glitz and glamour of many other Maldivian resorts. Woven among a dense jungle retreat, the understated chic of the 107 villas offer spacious, marble-finished bathrooms with huge egg- like bathtubs, whilst the beach pool villas feature laissez-faire cabanas filled with the sound of the ocean.

From a Mexican grapefruit margarita on the perimeter of the reef to Japanses dishes from an interactive teppanyaki counter, Furaveri offers diners a global menu. Much of its organic produce is sourced from its considerable chef garden, which nurtures chilli trees, herbs, fruit and vegetables for both guests and those who live and work there. The island also houses its very own on-site bottling plant, where up to 360 tonnes of seawater is transformed into drinking water.

BOOK IT: From £295 for a beachfront villa full board. furaveri.com

Check out our other guides to the Maldives:

Featured photo by Rayyu Maldives on Unsplash

The post The Best Resorts In The Maldives appeared first on Country and Town House.

The Best Spas for Mental Health

Guest Writer — Mon, 15 May 2023 16:24:40 +0000

More often than not, it’s your mental health that needs healing before any physical restoration takes place. Find some zen this Mental Health Awareness Week: these spas take care of your mind as well as the body.

Read the C&TH Guide to Responsible Tourism

The Best Spas For Mental Health

Borgo Egnazia

Puglia, Italy

Set on the Puglian coast among thousand-year-old olive trees, this dreamily beautiful hotel looks after all the family. Mirroring the design of a traditional local village, the 184 white stone rooms, casettas and villas, dotted among bougainvillea-filled cobbled streets, are crisp and clean with Adriatic sea views. Six restaurants leave you spoilt for choice, along with a superb kids’ club, two private beaches and four pools – mothers can truly reclaim themselves. And it’s the Vair Spa that steals the show. Quiet, cream- coloured and candle-lit, with elegant barefoot therapists clad in Grecian gowns, it’s all about targeted healing of the body and soul.

Begin with the Roman thermal baths: a two-hour, steaming hot and blindingly cold adventure. Then there are the fantastic treatments, from hydrating facials and muscle-melting massages to volcanic-mud wraps. A laughter workshop is in the mix too, involving local folk dance pizzica (less excruciating than it sounds). For pure bliss, plump for the U Mor massage that uses local olive oil and warmed seawater in strokes synchronised to the sound of waves. You can also enjoy deep yoga, explore the countryside on bikes or go for gentle runs.

BOOK IT: borgoegnazia.com

Masqi, The Energy House

Alicante, Spain

Tucked into the divine landscape of Sierra de Mariola, MasQi’s intimate eight- bedroom retreat occupies a simply converted 19th-century farmhouse surrounded by views of verdant hills, cherry, olive and pine trees. A gentle wind washes your spirit clean and the air smells of oranges, lavender, rosemary and thyme. Just to arrive here is tranquillising, before you’ve even got to the food, yoga and therapies. Owner Sonia Ferre’s aim is to offer back to the world the tools she discovered when recovering from her own personal crisis. As such, the approach is deeply personal and full of heart.

The calibre of the treatments would be hard to match anywhere in Europe, if not beyond. There’s no need to worry about which practitioner is on your programme, all are confident enough to deliver their own intuitive healing. Daily yoga is pure and traditional rather than being treated as a sport, meditation classes frequently combine sound healing or gong baths, and the food is exceptional. Expect miso soup, nut butters, fruits and porridges for breakfast, nourishing four-course lunches and dinners. You’ll leave grounded, inspired and blissed out.

BOOK IT: masqi.es

Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa

Arizona, USA

Passing through the serene Sonoran desert to reach this modern-day retreat ensures you arrive with a true sense of tranquility. This is Scottsdale, Arizona – often dubbed the Beverly Hills of the Southwest – where sun-drenched mountains are dotted with shots of bright colour from the flowering cacti and lush green succulents. It’s built into the side of the rocky outcrop that dominates the local skyline, said to be shaped like a camel’s head. This is an exclusive – and private – retreat. Vast suites with floor-to-ceiling windows take in the blissful panoramic views of aptly named Paradise Valley stretching beyond.

Historically, this was a site for Native American meditation, so wellness is very much rooted in Sanctuary’s foundations. It’s now home to one of the top destination spas in the US – and one of the best spas for mental health. Asian influences permeate throughout, from its reflection pond and Watsu pool to signature treatments like the muscle-melting Luk Pra Kope, a blend of Thai massage and organic medicinal herbs. Whether it’s cocktails by the cabana-lined infinity pool, or a transformative spa journey, this Sanctuary lives up to its name.

BOOK IT: sanctuaryoncamelback.com

Dharana at Shillim

Maharashtra, India

Kindness seeps through the pores at Shillim: to yourself, to others and to the planet. Set among 350 acres within a 3,000-acre conservation estate in India’s Western Ghats, this goes far beyond forest bathing – it’s a freediving immersion into nature. There’s no gym – instead you ramble into the surrounding mountains or practise mindful yoga in a shala that floats amid the trees. Ancient wisdom (Ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine, naturopathy) softly nudges shoulders with modern diagnostics and your personalised programme gives you exactly what you need, rather than what you think you want. For most that means a deep reset for frazzled nervous systems (weight loss, rejuvenation, and so on, will all follow once that’s sorted).

Everything is designed to soothe, from the Zen-inspired villas to the gentle daily routine. Ayurvedic bodywork rules supreme and the therapists frequently veer off-piste, depending on your needs – they’re drenched in compassion. Dosha-dedicated food is delicious. Even the smallest frog is treated as royalty here and your conscience can be further soothed in the knowledge that your travel (both flights and car transfers) is carbon-offset by the estate’s heartfelt eco initiatives.

BOOK IT: dharanaretreat.com

Must Pack

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Vivien Sheriff Aquamarine the Queen Panama, £256, viviensheriff.co.uk

SEP Jordan Made 51 x UNHCR linen shawl, £121, sepjordan.com

Etro Geometric-print silk-twill turban hat, £320, matchesfashion.com

James Perse T-shirt, £85, net-a-porter.com

Penelope Chilvers Sol Pampas slides, £99, penelopechilvers.com

Featured image: Dharana at Shillim.

The post The Best Spas for Mental Health appeared first on Country and Town House.

Spa Trek: Yeotown – Spa Review

Lucy Cleland — Wed, 10 May 2023 11:35:46 +0000

Yeotown magically unravels and reknits you with physical exercise, good food and mental and spiritual nourishment, says Lucy Cleland.

Spa Trek: Yeotown – Spa Review

It was really only on day four that the genius of the Yeotown regime filtered through. The penny dropped at last when I found myself, along with ten other women – all shapes, ages, nationalities and backgrounds – singing our hearts out, wiggling our hips and, most of us (me included), shedding the odd tear. Crooning, however tunelessly, to Bruno Mars’s Just the Way You Are, is enough to send the steeliest of people to the edge of emotion; for those of us whose armour had been gently stripped back over the past few days, we were mere putty in our teacher’s hands.

But let’s go back to day one, when my fellow guests (this time, but not always, all female – most strangers to each other) and I gathered in the wooden beamed kitchen of the farmhouse complex with beautiful cabin-style rooms nestled on a hill in the north Devon countryside, for our ‘welcome’. I’d felt slightly nervy, unused to sharing ‘wellness’ (I usually do it solo). I’d brought my preconceptions, fatigue and insecurity into the room. But, I reasoned, I wasn’t here to make friends. It was only through the shared (intense) experience of Yeotown that is akin to peeling layers off an onion in terms of cutting through us both physically and mentally (it is billed as a detox, after all), that by day four, I not only felt warmth towards these incredible women, I felt positively nourished by them, along with the most beautifully flavoursome and nutritiously dense food, courtesy of Dan the cook.

Whether they were luminaries in the art world, professors of neuroscience, or non-working mums with troublesome teenage daughters, it wasn’t those labels that defined them, but it did make them intensely interesting on those ten kilometre hikes along the hilly Devon coast (stunning).

The days are busy – physically demanding but immensely rewarding (especially when you are greeted on your return with a warm lemongrass and coconut drink). There is little time between ‘activities’ (for want of a better word) but they are so cleverly paced that you don’t mind that after your hike there is later an hour of weights and exercises in the garden (with Meg, who makes the sessions a hoot). Punctuating the physical comes the mental and spiritual or just plain relaxing: a cooking demo; breathing, meditation, a talk… and some surprises (they don’t like you to know what to expect each day).

Each morning though starts with yoga. And if you’re lucky enough to have Yeotown co-founder Mercedes as your teacher, consider yourself blessed. For me, she somehow transcended every other yoga teacher I’ve had. I’ve heard her words before – it’s about your life off the mat, not on it – but they never quite penetrated in the way that Mercedes was able to explain it in her fast-paced Canadian lilt. She pushed us into discomfort, made us hold it, acknowledge it, feel it and breathe through it (the metaphor for life). I hadn’t practised for a few years – she fully made me want to get back to that mat regularly.

At the end, most of us were still there to share a final lunch. It felt like the end of something precious, but also the beginning too – a clearing of internal space which could now be replenished. Yeotown hopes your filling is nutritious in all senses of the word: kindness to yourself, food that heals you; and exercise that keeps you strong. It is a formula worth sticking to. But should you wander off course, you can always come back again – as many of their guests do, year-in, year-out.

BOOK IT

Five-day detox retreat, from £2,450 per person. yeotown.com

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These Are The Best Spas In Bath For Luxurious Relaxation

Olivia Emily — Wed, 03 May 2023 11:18:46 +0000

Named – and famed – for its Roman baths, Somerset‘s biggest city is counted in World Heritage’s ‘Great Spa Towns of Europe’ list. And rightly so: with hot springs in a town of stunning Georgian buildings, a daycation in Bath is not one to miss. Looking for a day spa in this most quintessential of spa towns? Here is the C&TH pick of day spas in Bath.

Read the C&TH Responsible Tourism Guide

The Best Day Spas in Bath

The Gainsborough Bath Spa
Thermae Bath Spa
The Spa at No.15 by GuestHouse, Bath
Homewood Bath
The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa
L’Occitane Garden Spa at The Bath Priory

The Gainsborough Bath Spa

Best For: A quintessential Bath spa

Recalling local 18th-century artist Thomas Gainsborough, Bath’s five-star hotel, The Gainsborough Bath Spa, sits in a stunning Georgian Grade-II listed building and is the only hotel in the UK with access to natural hot springs. Seamlessly blending the traditional and the contemporary, the Romanesque Spa Village has columns, a glass roof, a replica mosaic, and three thermal pools of varying temperatures. There’s a plethora of massages and face and body treatments to choose from, with a focus on aromatherapy. There’s also a delicious restaurant with locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients to retire to afterwards – or, if you fancy staying longer than a day, sumptuously comfortable beds to flop into at the neighbouring hotel. thegainsboroughbathspa.co.uk

Thermae Bath Spa

Best For: Thermal with a contemporary edge

Right in Bath’s city centre, Thermae Bath Spa is a light and airy stylish setting in which to wind down. Their popular ‘Thermae Welcome’ package includes access to all the main facilities: the indoor, curvy Minerva Bath fed by thermal waters and with an invigorating whirlpool; the wellness suite, including a state-of-the-art Infrared Room, a Celestial Relaxation Room, an invigorating Ice Chamber, and two aroma Steam Rooms, with Roman and Georgian inspired displays; and the spectacular open-air rooftop pool offering views over the city and surrounding hills, with naturally-warm, mineral rich water. There’s also the lovely Springs Cafe for refreshments and plenty of treatments to add on to your day trip. thermaebathspa.com

The Spa at No.15 by GuestHouse, Bath

Best For: Subterranean sanctuary

With a passion for wellness and tailored treatments to address individual guests’ needs, The Spa at No. 15 by GuestHouse is a down-to-earth, soothing sanctuary. Eco-luxury products by Pinks Boutique – which have been accredited by the Soil Association – are blended in the UK, with a focus on stunning results alongside pure, vegan, organic, sustainable, and ethically-sourced ingredients. Couples should try The Copper Room , featuring a round copper bath with organic magnesium-rich salts to detoxify muscles and soothe aches and pains. Wellness never felt so naturally effective – then, head to the bar for a delicious afternoon tea. guesthousehotels.co.uk

Homewood Bath

Best For: Countryside day spa escape

Eclectic, luxurious and slightly eccentric, this grand Georgian country house sits in 20 acres of magnificent gardens and grounds just outside of Bath, filled with creative artworks and ultra-modern indulgences. Harnessing the spirit of the Roman’s love of a good spa, Homewood has created a pampering haven for guests, offering some wonderful treatments, an indoor hydrotherapy pool, sauna and steam room as well as a heated outdoor pool and hot tub with views across the valley. Plenty of treatments and packages are available, suited to all spa day desires, from wellness-focussed sessions to relaxation and refreshment, to their evening ‘Twlight Spa Experience’, an indulgent, star and champagne-accompanied wind down. homewoodbath.co.uk

The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa

Best For: Georgian luxury

Bath is almost as well-known for its Royal Crescent as it is for its baths. For an extra luxury dimension, head to The Royal Crescent, an uber-luxe hotel on the iconic curved row of Georgian houses. With rejuvenating treatments, a tranquil Relaxation Pool, and a Taittinger Spa Garden to sip champagne in, you’ll feel like a movie star – and not just because it was a Bridgerton filming location. royalcrescent.co.uk

L’Occitane Garden Spa at The Bath Priory

Best For: Country house wind-down

At the edge of Bath’s city centre, this typical country house hotel has spacious rooms, a luxuriant garden, indoor and outdoor heated pools, and the UK’s only L’Occitane Garden Spa. With ingredients drawn from the hundreds of essential oils and natural ingredients in the L’Occitane grand herbarium, the Garden Spa’s relaxation begins with scent: fragrances transport guests to Provence, and a ‘Welcome Ritual’ foot bath greets your arrival. Book one of the indulgent treatments, and wind down in the pool, sauna, and aroma steam room. thebathpriory.co.uk

Featured Image: The Roman Baths in Bath (via Getty)

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