Best UK and Ireland spa hotels – Kingfisher Visitor Guides

Whether you need to seriously de-stress or just fancy some 'me time' there are plenty of spa hotels across the UK and Ireland on hand to offer you just that.

Here’s our insider’s guide to the best weekend spa breaks, including the top places for state-of-the-art treatments from mindful massages to reflexology, as well as swimming pools, hot tubs, saunas and couple’s spa breaks, in locations including Hampshire, County Durham, York, Somerset, Gloucestershire and Northern Ireland. To help you make your choice, we’ve drawn up here a list of 10 venues in the UK and Ireland area, where you can unwind.

Slieve Donard Resort & Spa, Northern Ireland

Tucked away within six acres of private grounds, this 180-room hotel offers everything from cosy bedrooms to opulent suites, many of which boast panoramic views of the stunning coastline. The spa offers direct views of Irish Beach, as well as the rugged coastline and mountains that make for a stunning backdrop. Take a dip in the gold-flecked mosaic pool, indulge with a luxe treatment or tuck into a light lunch at the spa cafe. It also offers a new ESPA Sleep Ritual spa treatment, the ultimate ‘unwind’, allowing your body time to relax and renew. You leave the spa in a blissful state, calmed by the aroma of the ESPA essential oils and soothed by the warming effect of the hot stones.

Ramside Hall Hotel, County Durham

Enjoy one of the largest hydrotherapy pools in the UK at Ramside Hall

County Durham’s Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa boasts 127 luxury bedrooms, stunning views of the 350 acres of private land around the venue, first-class service and The Rib Room Steakhouse and Grill. Those looking to truly relax during their stay can make the most of the award-winning Spa at Ramside, with a sophisticated thermal suite, five pools – including an outdoor infinity pool and one of the largest hydrotherapy pools in the UK – and a state-of-the-art gym.

Chewton Glen, Hampshire

Head to the spa, which has an indoor swimming pool with pretty murals on the walls, a crystal steam room, jet pools and a range of holistic therapies from the likes of Ila and Ren, which will truly get you breathing slower and sleeping deeper. Personal trainers are on hand in the shiny gym, or you can walk for 15 minutes for a dip in the bracing English Channel by following a little stream through a magical forest where wild ponies wander.

Read more about Hampshire and the Isle of Wight

Seaham Hall, County Durham

: Seaham Hall offers unique spa packages

: Relax at this five-star boutique hotel

Seaham Hall is a five-star boutique hotel overlooking Durham’s glorious heritage coast. The Garden Suites feature outdoor hot tubs, while the Penthouse offers stunning views and the Ada Lovelace Suite is the grandest suite, featuring a chic mirrored boudoir plus a split-level mezzanine overlooking a bathing deck and two slipper baths which sit in front of the stunning Georgian windows overlooking the Seaham grounds and the sea beyond. It is the only spa in the North to be classified as ‘Five Bubble Luxury’ by the Good Spa Guide. The Serenity Spa features a 20-metre pool, outdoor hot tubs, thermal rooms, salt sauna, fitness suite, 18 treatment rooms, plus a Pan-Asian restaurant The Ozone.

Read more about Durham & the Tees Valley

Babington House, Somerset

Serene and secluded with green grassy fields that stretch far and wide for 18 acres, Babington House is the ideal escape from the city. Part of the Soho House group the Grade 2-listed hotel also boasts a selection of standalone rooms inside a walled garden – each comes complete with its own steam room and private hot tub.

Fishmore Hall, Shropshire

Enjoy superb countryside views at Fishmore Hall

Soak up the countryside as you soak in the outdoor hot tub at this lovely country house hotel in the Clee Hills outside Ludlow. The spa offers guests the highest standard of spa and wellbeing treatments by Elemis. The spa boasts four treatment rooms, which combine to create two couples rooms, a steam room and sauna, as well as an outdoor Cedar wellness hot tub and oversized hammock on the decking, both overlooking the fields and the Shropshire hills.

The Grand York

Set in the hotel’s atmospheric former vaults where the North Eastern Railway company once stowed its millions, The Spa at The Grand York is a secluded and tranquil escape in the centre of York. The skilled therapists offer an abundance of indulgent treatments to work away every knot, tension, and flaw including facials, soothing body wraps and holistic massages, in addition to a selection of beauty treatments including manicures and pedicures. The spa packages are perfect for those looking to stay or dine at The Grand, as well as pre-wedding pamper options for bridal parties and groomsmen. The hotel also offers treatments suitable for those in pregnancy, men and under 16s.

Calcot & Spa, Gloucestershire

: Calcot & Spa is surrounded by the beautiful Cotswolds countryside

: The hotel offers a variety of luscious room, sublime spa treatments and hearty dining

The real highlight is the spa: one of the most consistently excellent in the country. Top treatments include the Aromatherapy Associates Rose Facial and the essential back, neck, shoulder and scalp massage: great for stiff computer shoulders. There’s also a great little gym, punchy studio classes (including everything from yoga to hula-hooping), an indoor heated pool with views of Laurie Lee fields, and 220 acres of countryside to explore with a dedicated trim trail. Visitors can borrow bicycles for all ages, including tow-alongs for toddlers. Guest can tire themselves out before a lazy wallow in the outdoor hot tub, warmed by a nearby blazing fire, with a protein shake, fresh juice or glass of bubbly in hand – like life before children.

Rockliffe Hall, Darlington

Rockliffe Hall’s luxurious spa is one of the largest in the country, and its Good Spa Guide ‘5 Bubble Spa’ status heralds it the best in the North of England for Spa days and Spa breaks. The spa garden has two outdoor hot pools – including an infinity edge hydrotherapy pool, which is says is perfect for keeping guests warm even on a chilly winter evening, with massage features and a Jacuzzi. The spa treatment menu combines holistic spa rituals with spa treatments for the perfect balance of science and nature. Afterwards, guests can drift away on the sound wave therapy beds or take their spa experience home with a beautiful gift from the spa boutique. There’s also a glass-fronted sauna offering views of the grounds.

Read more about Durham & the Tees Valley

Wynyard Hall, Cleveland

The country house in Tees Valley has a lakeside spa with an outdoor hot tub, a herbal sauna, salt inhalation room and conservatory – perfect for afternoon tea, drinks or a bite to eat. It is also nominated in the Good Spa Guide Awards’ Best for Customer Service category.

Read more about Durham & the Tees Valley

All bookings can be made through the Spabreaks website spabreaks.com