10 Lake District Spa Hotels That Feel Straight Out of a Dream

by Jen
Best Spa Hotels in the Lake District
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I’ve tried spa hotels all over the world…mineral baths in Iceland, jungle retreats in Bali, rooftop hammams in Marrakech, but there’s something about the Lake District that lingers with me. Maybe it’s the contrast: the wild, windblown fells outside and the warmth of a steam room waiting after. I’ll never forget easing into an outdoor hot tub near Windermere as the hills turned pink at sunset, or stepping straight from a muddy trail above Ullswater into a spa that felt like a sanctuary.

The Lake District isn’t flashy in the way alpine resorts or tropical spas are, and that’s exactly why I love it. The wellness here feels rooted in the land itself…quiet lakes, mossy forests, air so fresh it almost feels medicinal. If you’re after places where nature and comfort collide, few regions in the UK do it better.

Luxury Hotels with Spas in the Lake District at a Glance

Planning a wellness escape to the Lake District? Here’s a quick-hit list of the dreamiest spa stays…whether you’re after rooftop hot tubs with fell views, lakeside infinity pools, or private spa lodges. Tap any hotel below to jump straight to its section in the guide.

If you’re after a blend of outdoor adventure and spa indulgence, the Lakes do it better than anywhere else in the UK. I’d base a trip around Windermere or Ullswater, sprinkle in a few hikes, then end each day soaking in a hot tub or steam room. Keep reading…I’ve mapped out all the best spa hotels where nature and luxury collide.

The top spa hotels in the Lake District right now

1. Brimstone Hotel & Spa

  • 📍 Location: Langdale Valley, near Ambleside
  • 💰 Prices From: $480/night
  • Top Amenities: Rooftop spa pool, salt steam room, private balconies, wood-burning stoves
  • 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Perfect For: Couples, wellness getaways, luxury hikers

Brimstone doesn’t feel like your typical hotel. It’s more like a hidden retreat built right into the hills. Tucked deep in the Langdale Valley, surrounded by quiet woods and dramatic fells, it’s the kind of place where you check in and immediately exhale. The slate-and-timber exterior blends into the landscape, but inside, it’s all modern comfort with warm lighting, oversized armchairs, and fireplaces that make rainy days feel like a gift.

What I love most is how effortlessly it brings the outdoors in. You can hike one of the nearby trails, rinse off the day in a walk-in shower, then sink into the rooftop spa pool with the sound of wind in the trees all around you. The heat experiences are beautifully done, like the lava saunas, salt steam, and calming spaces you’ll want to linger in.

With Ambleside just a short drive away and Scafell Pike within hiking reach, Brimstone Hotel & Spa is a dream base for anyone who wants to explore the Lakes by day and fully unwind by night.

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Brimstone Hotel & Spa is one of the best spa hotels in the Lake District.
Discover Brimstone Hotel & Spa where luxury and nature intertwined with moonlit rooftop pool swims.

2. Gilpin Hotel & Lake House

  • 📍 Location: Near Windermere, in the South Lakes
  • 💰 Prices From: $520/night
  • Top Amenities: Private spa lodges, in-room wellness suites, Michelin-star dining, hot tubs
  • 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Perfect For: Couples, foodies, private spa escapes

Gilpin Hotel & Lake House is one of those rare places where you don’t have to choose between total privacy and five-star luxury, because here you’ll get both. This paradise is made for travelers who want all the beauty of the Lake District, but with a little more peace and a lot more pampering. Some suites come with their own spa setup, including saunas, steam rooms, and even massage chairs right in the room. I’m not exaggerating when I say you may never want to leave.

If you do step out, the on-site spa is all warm tones, nature-inspired design, and therapists who seem to read your mind. The vibe is slow, unhurried, and deeply indulgent. Gilpin’s Michelin-starred restaurant is worth the trip on its own – every dish feels like an art piece. Being just minutes from Bowness and Windermere, Gilpin makes it easy to dip into the Lakes without giving up that tucked-away feeling.

Gilpin Hotel & Lake House offers luxury spa suites for ultimate relaxation.
Gilpin Hotel & Lake House offers luxury spa suites in the tranquil Lake District for ultimate relaxation.

3. Another Place, The Lake

  • 📍 Location: Ullswater, North Lake District
  • 💰 Prices From: $390/night
  • Top Amenities: Swim Club spa, lakeside hot tub, paddleboarding, glass-fronted indoor pool
  • 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Perfect For: Active travelers, families, nature lovers

Another Place is where I send friends who want the Lake District but with a fresh, youthful twist. Set on the shores of Ullswater, this Georgian-meets-modern hotel blends relaxed luxury with that breezy “just go jump in the lake” spirit. It’s the kind of place where you can spend the morning wild swimming and the afternoon in a sauna watching the mist roll over the hills.

The Swim Club spa is a standout. There’s a hot tub facing the lake, a sleek indoor pool lined with floor-to-ceiling glass, and treatment rooms that feel as calm as they look. You’ll also find a gym, a relaxed café, and a real focus on outdoor play. We’re talking paddleboards, kayaking, and lakeside fire pits.

Nearby, you’ve got scenic trails leading right from the property, or you can take a drive to Aira Force for waterfall hikes. For travelers who want both movement and deep rest, Another Place gets it just right.

Another Place offers a stylish blend of Georgian charm and modern, sporty vibes, inspired by Watergate Bay.
Another Place offers a stylish blend of Georgian charm and modern, sporty vibes, inspired by Watergate Bay.

4. The Daffodil Hotel & Spa

  • 📍 Location: Lakeshore of Grasmere
  • 💰 Prices From: $310/night
  • ✨ Top Amenities: Lake-view spa, Germaine de Capuccini treatments, afternoon tea, mud therapy
  • 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Perfect For: Scenic escapes, spa days with a view, romantic weekends

The Daffodil Hotel & Spa feels like it was made for daydreamers. Sitting right on the edge of Grasmere, this contemporary hotel is wrapped in some of the most postcard-perfect views in the Lakes. When the morning mist hangs over the water and the hills glow green, you’ll understand why so many poets fell in love with this place. I could honestly sit by the restaurant windows for hours, watching the lake shift with the light.

Inside, the spa is a true sanctuary being warm, quiet, and subtly luxurious. Treatments feature Germaine de Capuccini products, but with seasonal twists like ginger-infused wraps in winter and chocolate-orange facials during the holidays. For something fun, try the couples’ mud therapy. It’s messy, but it’s also relaxing, and surprisingly romantic.

Grasmere village is a short stroll away, perfect for lazy afternoons browsing shops or walking Wordsworth’s old haunts. The Daffodil offers comfort and calm in a landscape that already feels like therapy.

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The Daffodil Hotel & Spa offers a scenic retreat amidst stunning greenery with exquisite lake-edge dining.
The Daffodil Hotel & Spa offers a scenic retreat amidst stunning greenery with exquisite lake-edge dining.

5. Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa

  • 📍 Location: Windermere waterfront, near Ambleside
  • 💰 Prices From: $330/night
  • Top Amenities: Outdoor thermal spa, indoor pool, ESPA treatments, lakeview dining
  • 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Perfect For: Lakeside stays, spa days with friends, active travelers

Low Wood Bay is where spa time meets lake life in the best way. Located along the shores of Windermere, the views hit you from the moment you arrive – calm water, wooded hills, and sailboats drifting past. The atmosphere is upbeat but easygoing, and everything from check-in to spa check-out feels smooth and relaxed.

I think the best part here is how the spa plays with the natural setting. The outdoor thermal pool is pure bliss on a crisp day, and the “thermal journey” walks you through saunas, rainfall showers, and heated loungers with lake views front and center. ESPA facials here feel extra nourishing after a windy lakeside walk or a dip in the indoor pool.

When you’re ready to eat, there are lines of restaurants nearby that bring bold flavors and warm vibes. With Ambleside just up the road and boat cruises departing nearby, Low Wood makes it easy to balance spa time with classic Lake District exploring.

Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa is a prime base for exploring the region.
Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa is a prime base for exploring the Lakes.

6. Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa

  • 📍 Location: Near Bassenthwaite Lake, North Lakes
  • 💰 Prices From: $340/night
  • Top Amenities: Infinity pool, forest-view hot tub, Tranquillity Terrace, wildlife experiences
  • 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Perfect For: Nature lovers, romantic retreats, spa-and-adventure getaways

Armathwaite Hall feels like a stately escape wrapped in forest and fells. It’s within the private grounds near Bassenthwaite Lake, the kind of place where red squirrels scurry past the window while you sip coffee in your robe. The house itself has that Downton Abbey charm, but the spa is modern, airy, and totally serene.

The highlight here is definitely the infinity pool and the hot tub overlooking the woodland. It’s peaceful, slightly misty in the mornings, and feels like a scene out of a storybook. The spa here stretches across two levels, with ten treatment rooms and plenty of cozy nooks to unwind. If you’re curious, forest bathing and wildlife walks are offered right on the property.

Skiddaw’s trails are close by, and the Lakes Distillery is just down the road for those who want to pair pampering with a bit of local flavor. Armathwaite is ideal for recharging without losing your connection to the landscape.

Armathwaite Hall offers outdoor activities in a serene setting.
Armathwaite Hall near Bassenthwaite Lake and Skiddaw Mountain offers outdoor activities in a serene setting.

7. Lakeside Hotel & Spa

  • 📍 Location: Southern tip of Windermere
  • 💰 Prices From: $320/night
  • Top Amenities: Aveda spa, lake-facing terrace, fire pit lounge, classic British dining
  • 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Perfect For: Scenic stays, boat arrivals, peaceful lakefront getaways

There’s something quietly magical about arriving at a hotel by boat, and that’s exactly how Lakeside Hotel sets the tone. It feels like a well-kept secret framed by still water, lush gardens, and a pace that gently nudges you to slow down. From the lakeside terrace, you can even watch the steamers glide past while wrapped in a blanket with a warm drink in hand.

The spa here keeps things calm and thoughtful. Aveda treatments focus on aromatherapy and touch, with the signature combination session easing you into total stillness. There’s a small thermal area and indoor pool, but it’s the setting (with the lake just outside) that does most of the work.

It’s easy to spend a day without leaving. But if you do, nearby trails offer peaceful walks, and the Lake District’s quieter southern reaches are just beyond the garden gate. This is where you come when you want Windermere without the rush.

Lakeside Hotel & Spa offers a dreamy spa getaway accessible by boat, with stunning gardens and British dining.
Lakeside Hotel & Spa offers a dreamy spa getaway accessible by boat, with stunning gardens and British dining.

8. Langdale Hotel & Spa

  • 📍 Location: Langdale Estate, near Elterwater
  • 💰 Prices From: $350/night
  • Top Amenities: Shared Brimstone Spa, beckside balconies, woodland setting, Scandi-style rooms
  • 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Perfect For: Nature-focused spa stays, couples, design lovers

Langdale Hotel feels like a retreat built right into the landscape. Surrounded by streams, mossy trees, and stone paths, the hotel’s low-slung slate buildings seem to rise naturally from the ground. There’s actually this quiet hum to the estate. You’re close to Ambleside and Elterwater, but the vibe here is slow, tucked between the fells and the forest.

Rooms range from modern Scandi-style hideouts to ones with velvet seating and deep soaking tubs. If you get one of the rooms overlooking the stream, you might find yourself sleeping to the sound of flowing water. Meanwhile, the Brimstone Spa, shared with the neighboring hotel, is beautifully designed with a rooftop pool, salt steam, lava sauna, and cozy fireside lounges make it easy to stay for hours.

If you’re up for exploring, some of the Lake District’s best walks start right from the doorstep. But honestly, Langdale is just as rewarding if you never wander far.

The Langdale Hotel stands out among 5-star spa hotels for its seamless integration into the natural landscape.
The Langdale Hotel stands out among 5-star spa hotels for its seamless integration into the natural landscape.

9. Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa

  • 📍 Location: Borrowdale Valley, overlooking Derwentwater
  • 💰 Prices From: $380/night
  • Top Amenities: Thermal suite, lakeside spa pool, rasul chamber, Elemis & Ishga treatments
  • 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Perfect For: Spa-first travelers, romantic weekends, mountain views with a soak

This one’s a showstopper. Lodore Falls combines the drama of Borrowdale’s peaks with a full-scale spa experience that’s easily one of the best in the region. The building itself has been welcoming guests for over 200 years, but step inside the spa wing and you’re suddenly in a sleek, contemporary world where thermal suites and herbal saunas take center stage.

The pool is one of the highlights here. It’s long, open, and positioned so you can watch the light shift over Derwentwater while soaking in. Treatments range from seaweed scrubs to superfood facials, using Elemis and Ishga products that feel both luxe and rooted in nature.

For a splurge, book a spa suite right inside the wellness wing. You can go from breakfast to massage to steam room without ever stepping outside. It’s also a great base for walking Catbells or exploring Keswick, just a short drive away.

Lodore Falls Hotel seamlessly merges historic charm with a cutting-edge spa that's the talk of the town.
Lodore Falls Hotel seamlessly merges historic charm with a cutting-edge spa that’s the talk of the town.

10. The Swan Hotel & Spa

  • 📍 Location: Newby Bridge, near the River Leven
  • 💰 Prices From: $310/night
  • Top Amenities: Thermal suite, riverside terrace, Gua Sha facials, upgraded garden spa
  • 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Perfect For: Design-savvy travelers, weekend recharge, riverside wellness

The Swan Hotel has this way of mixing playful design with proper wellness. Sitting right along the River Leven in Newby Bridge, it feels lively yet restful, a place where you can sip wine by the water one minute and be wrapped in a volcanic body scrub the next. The new spa space, opened in 2022, brought a serious glow-up to the property without losing its charm.

Treatments include everything from hydrating facials to Gua Sha scalp work, and the thermal suite is better than many five-star resorts. Think Finnish sauna, drench showers, spa pools, and a vitality circuit that’s equal parts relaxing and energizing.

What makes The Swan stand out is how easy it is to unwind without trying too hard. You’ve got nature walks nearby, a terrace perfect for lazy afternoons, and interiors that feel more like a stylish countryside home than a hotel. It’s one of my go-to picks when friends ask where to unwind without going off-grid.

The Swan Hotel & Spa now offers an upgraded spa experience with a variety of rejuvenating treatments.
The Swan Hotel & Spa now offers an upgraded spa experience with a variety of rejuvenating treatments.

FAQs about the Best Spa Hotels in the Lake District

Are you looking for more vacation ideas for the Lake District? Here are some common questions I get asked about 5-star spa hotels in the Lake District.

When’s the best time to visit the Lake District for a spa break?

Personally, I love autumn and spring. In autumn, the fells glow gold and red, and there’s nothing better than slipping into a hot tub after a crisp hike. Spring brings wildflowers and longer days, which makes it ideal for combining spa time with lakeside walks. That said, winter is also magical if you want cozy fires, steaming saunas, and fewer crowds.

Do I need to book spa treatments in advance?

Yes! Especially on weekends or during peak summer. I always recommend booking at least a week or two ahead to make sure you snag the treatments you want. Some hotels even let you book treatments when you reserve your room, which is the best way to go.

Which Lake District spa is best for couples?

If you’re planning a romantic retreat, I’d say Gilpin Hotel & Lake House or The Daffodil are top picks. Gilpin’s private spa lodges are next-level, while The Daffodil has dreamy lakeside views and cozy couples’ mud treatments.

Buttermere, Cockermouth, UK
Buttermere, Cockermouth, UK

Are there family-friendly spa hotels in the Lake District?

Definitely! Another Place, The Lake is my go-to recommendation for families because it blends fun activities like paddleboarding and kayaking with proper spa indulgence. Some resorts like Low Wood Bay also work well if you want a mix of adventure and relaxation.

Can I enjoy the Lake District spas without staying overnight?

Yes! Many hotels, like Low Wood Bay and The Daffodil, offer spa day passes. It’s a great option if you’re staying elsewhere but still want to soak up the spa experience.

Is it easy to combine spa time with exploring the Lake District?

Absolutely – that’s one of the best parts. Most spa hotels are right on the lakes or close to great trails. I often spend half the day outdoors (think waterfall walks, lake cruises, or summit hikes) and the other half in the spa. It’s the perfect balance.

The top spa hotels in the Lake District for all types of travelers
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Jon Miksis

About Jon Miksis

Award-winning Travel Writer • Founder of Global Viewpoint • 70+ countries visited • 10 Million+ readers

Since 2017, I’ve traveled 3–6 months a year, sharing detailed guides that have helped over 10 million readers travel smarter, deeper, and better. My work blends firsthand experiences — from U.S. road trips and cold-plunge cabins to Michelin-starred dining and business-class flights — with honest, independent reviews.

I’ve been hired by leading tourism boards in 7 countries across Europe, North America, and South America, as well as international travel brands. My travel tips and insights have been featured in Forbes, HuffPost, Yahoo Travel, and The Boston Globe. I’ve personally reviewed 500+ hotels, retreats, and flight experiences — and I never recommend a place I wouldn’t return to myself.

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When I’m not road-tripping across the Northeast or writing guides for Global Viewpoint, you’ll find me cold plunging in local lakes, sipping espresso in quiet cafes in Vienna, or chasing fall foliage across New England. I split my time between exploring the world and soaking up life in Boston, my lifelong home base. Some of my favorite places I keep going back to? Switzerland, Spain, Iceland, Italy, Greece, the Faroe Islands, Guatemala, California, Montana, Vermont, and coastal Maine in autumn.

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