My wife and I have explored the UK countless times, but discovering its incredible spa hotel scene has become our new obsession. Forget flying to exotic tropical destinations when you can find world class wellness retreats right here, from thermal pools in Bath to luxury hideaways in the Scottish Highlands. I’ve swapped stories with massage therapists from Scotland to Cornwall and soaked in more mineral pools than I can count. The entire experience was next level.
The Cotswolds and Bath are easily the best places in the UK for couples seeking serious unwinding time. There’s something magical about floating in warm water while gazing at those iconic rolling hills or historic limestone buildings. Several times I caught myself thinking, “Why do people fly across the world when this exists?” The staff at these places know exactly when to appear with champagne and when to leave you alone. Ready to reconnect with your person without distractions? These 12 spa hotels will make you forget what stress even feels like.
Where to Stay in the UK for a Romantic Break
Diving into the UK’s spa hotels, we find special retreats that cater to every couple’s dream. From serene outdoor pools to cozy winter hideaways, each feature brings its own flavor of romance and relaxation. Here’s a quick overview:
- Best spa hotel in London: The Corinthia
- Best outdoor pool: The Newt in Somerset
- Best in the winter: Heckfield Place
- Best coastal spa: The Scarlet
- Best for luxury: Beaverbrook
Ready to explore these havens of love and relaxation? Let’s dive into what makes each spot uniquely enchanting for those seeking romantic breaks in Britain.
1. Cliveden House
Cliveden House is honestly one of those places that makes you feel like actual royalty for a weekend. Located in Berkshire just 40 minutes from London and 25 minutes from Heathrow, this National Trust property sits on 376 acres of seriously gorgeous grounds overlooking the River Thames. I’ve stayed here twice now, and the spa with its infamous “Profumo” pool (the last remaining listed outdoor pool in England) is pretty magical.
The spa has seven treatment rooms plus that historic outdoor pool that’s heated year-round, so you can actually swim in January if you’re brave enough. There’s also an indoor pool, sauna, steam rooms, and a nail studio tucked behind those gorgeous brick garden walls. What I love most is how they don’t rush you – you can spend hours floating between the pools with champagne. The spa treatments use their own Anna-Maria and Nancy Astor product lines, which smell incredible.
Booking tip: if you’re staying overnight, spa access is included, but day guests can book spa experiences starting around £250. The hotel gets fully booked months ahead for weekends, so I’d recommend booking at least 3-4 months out. The Astor Grill in the old stables is actually open to non-guests too, so you can grab lunch there if you just want to visit for the day.
2. The Scarlet
The Scarlet in Mawgan Porth, Cornwall is hands down the best adults-only retreat I’ve found in the UK. This eco-hotel perched on the clifftops is designed for people who want complete peace – no kids running around the pool, just you and 36 other rooms overlooking the Atlantic. I stayed here last summer and honestly didn’t want to leave.
The natural reed-filtered outdoor pool is way cooler than any chlorinated pool, and those clifftop hot tubs at sunset are pretty spectacular. The spa has that amazing cedar wood sauna with Cornish coast views, plus hanging cocoon pods in the relaxation room that’ll knock you right out. They’ve got this “Rediscover Each Other” package that’s perfect for couples – includes guided meditation, a bathing ritual, and treatments in their couple’s suite.
Current rates start around £240 per night including breakfast, which isn’t cheap but you’re paying for that location and the fact that it’s completely child-free. Book at least 2-3 months ahead for summer dates because they only have 37 rooms. Newquay is 15 minutes away if you want to explore, but honestly, the hotel has everything you need. Pro tip: the restaurant serves some seriously good Cornish seafood, and their wellness classes like yoga and tai chi are included.
3. The Newt in Somerset
The Newt in Somerset near Bruton is basically what happens when someone with unlimited money decides to create the perfect country estate experience. I visited in spring 2024 and was blown away by how they’ve made this working farm feel like luxury without being pretentious. The spa’s unique Hammam experience is unlike anything else in the UK – it’s like a Turkish bath but way more sophisticated.
The spa facilities include a marble steam room, hydrotherapy pool, garden view sauna, and this cool halotherapy room that’s supposed to help with breathing. Their Signature Spa Day includes the Hammam plus access to all facilities from 12pm-5pm for around £300. I did the Wildsmith Time treatment which was completely customized to what my body needed that day.
What makes The Newt special is that it’s a proper working estate with 23 rooms split between the main house and the farmyard. Hotel guests get spa access whenever they want, while day visitors can book spa packages Monday-Friday. The Botanical Rooms restaurant is excellent – everything comes from their own gardens and farm. Book well ahead because they’ve won loads of awards and everyone wants to come here now. It’s about 2.5 hours from London, perfect for a long weekend escape.
4. Babington House
Babington House in Somerset is Soho House‘s original countryside retreat, and I get why it’s still considered their best property. You need to be a member to stay here, but honestly it’s worth joining just for this place. The indoor/outdoor pool that’s heated year-round is Instagram famous for good reason – it’s absolutely stunning with those glass doors that open right up to the Somerset countryside.
The Cowshed Spa in the converted cowshed is where the whole Cowshed brand started, so you’re getting treatments at the source. They’ve got two pools, steam and sauna rooms, a gym, tennis courts, and even a 45-seat cinema for rainy days. I love that you can just wander between the main house and all the different activity areas without feeling rushed.
Membership starts at £133 monthly (less if you’re under 27), and rooms start around £400-500 per night. The Orangery restaurant does brilliant comfort food – I’m obsessed with their mac and cheese. The property is about 2.5 hours from London near Frome, so it’s perfect for proper countryside disconnection. They offer complimentary afternoon tea at 3pm which is a nice touch, though I found the cakes a bit dry last time.
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5. The Gainsborough Bath Spa
The Gainsborough Bath Spa is the only hotel in the UK with actual thermal spa waters piped directly into the building from Bath‘s ancient springs. I stayed here for my anniversary and spending the morning floating in naturally heated thermal pools while looking up through that gorgeous glass atrium was pretty incredible. The water is around 40°C naturally and supposedly has all these healing minerals.
The Bath House has three thermal pools (two smaller ones and one large pool with serious massage jets), plus traditional and infrared saunas, steam room, and an ice alcove. Hotel guests get complimentary access from 8-10am and 7-9pm daily, or you can book day spa packages from £250. The VIP Suite even has private thermal waters in your bathroom, which is completely over the top but amazing.
Located right on Beau Street in central Bath, you’re literally steps from the Roman Baths and Bath Abbey. The hotel has 99 rooms and gets very busy, so book months ahead especially for weekends. They do this amazing Georgian hot chocolate with chili and spices that you help yourself to in the spa – it’s the best hot chocolate I’ve ever had. The only downside is street noise if you get a front-facing room, so definitely request a quieter back room.
6. Lime Wood Hotel
Lime Wood in the New Forest has this amazing Herb House Spa that feels like a proper wellness retreat. The rooftop herb garden where they grow ingredients for treatments is such a clever touch – everything feels connected to nature here. I visited in autumn and loved how the spa’s huge windows look straight out into the forest.
The thermal room is the star – forest-view sauna, steam room, tepidarium, and a jetted pool that’s perfect for working out tension. The outdoor pool with glass doors is gorgeous in summer, and in winter you can warm up in the thermal suite. They use Sarah Chapman, Voya, and Bamford products which are all excellent.
Lime Wood is about 1.5 hours from London in Hampshire, perfect for a weekend escape. The hotel feels like a country house but with seriously modern amenities. I’d recommend booking spa treatments well ahead because they limit numbers to keep it peaceful. The Hartnett Holder & Co restaurant is brilliant too – Angela Hartnett knows what she’s doing. Day spa experiences start around £200, or spa access is included if you’re staying overnight.
7. The Gleneagles Hotel
Gleneagles in Auchterarder, Perthshire is basically the Scottish Highlands luxury experience you’ve been dreaming of. This place takes itself seriously – it’s got three championship golf courses, a falconry school, and now this incredible new spa that opened in 2019. I stayed here on a Scotland road trip and the spa’s hydrotherapy pool with highland views was absolutely stunning.
The spa has separate day spa and resident facilities, so it never feels crowded. The thermal suite and relaxation areas are designed to make you forget the outside world exists. They do Dr. Barbara Sturm facials and Tata Harper massages that guests rave about, plus traditional Scottish wellness treatments. The beauty lodge is perfect for couples who want to get pampered together.
Gleneagles is about 1 hour from Edinburgh and 1.5 hours from Glasgow, so it’s very accessible. The hotel has 232 rooms ranging from classic doubles to massive suites. Book at least 2-3 months ahead especially for summer – this place has been luxury royalty since 1924 and everyone knows it. The dining is incredible too, with multiple restaurants including a Michelin-starred option. Expect to pay £500+ per night but honestly, the level of service justifies it.
8. Gilpin Hotel & Lake House
Gilpin Hotel & Lake House in the Lake District near Lake Windermere offers something really special – private spa lodges with your own sauna and hydrotherapy hot tub. I stayed in one of their garden suites last year and having a private hot tub overlooking the Lake District moors was pretty magical, especially on a crisp autumn evening.
The Lake House spa sits on 100 acres of private land, so you feel completely secluded. Each garden suite has its own hot tub, while the main facilities include treatment rooms and that amazing hydrotherapy setup. You can do everything from fishing and horse riding to just lying around getting spa treatments. The Scandinavian aesthetic in the rooms feels very calming.
Gilpin is family-owned and it shows in the personal service – they really pay attention to what makes each guest happy. Rooms start around £400-500 per night, and the HRiSHi restaurant is excellent for fine dining. Book well ahead because they only have 26 rooms total and it’s become quite popular. It’s about 4 hours from London but totally worth it for a proper Lake District escape with luxury amenities.
9. Thyme
Thyme in the Cotswolds near Lechlade is all about that connection to nature that makes the Cotswolds so special. The Meadow Spa uses their own Bertioli Beauty range made from herbs grown on the estate, which I thought was a really nice touch. Their Botanical Bothy Signature Ritual combines breathwork with herbal baths in this gorgeous natural setting.
The outdoor pool and hot tub blend seamlessly into the landscape – it feels like wild swimming but with luxury amenities. What I love about Thyme is how relaxed it feels compared to some of the more formal spa hotels. You can wander around the estate, help with farm activities, or just chill by the pool.
The Ox Barn restaurant is seriously good – everything comes from Thyme‘s own gardens and reflects whatever’s in season. Rooms start around £300-400 per night, and the whole property feels like staying at a friend’s gorgeous country estate. It’s about 1.5 hours from London, perfect for a Cotswolds weekend. Book ahead especially for spring and summer when the gardens are at their best.
- Read next: Cotswolds Bucket List
10. The Corinthia
The Corinthia in central London has ESPA Life, which is honestly the most impressive spa I’ve experienced in the city. Spanning four floors with 17 treatment rooms, this place is massive but somehow still feels intimate. The couples spa suite with private thermal pools and that rhassoul mud ritual is completely over the top and absolutely worth it.
The thermal floor is the star – vitality pool, amphitheater sauna, steam room, ice fountain, and these marble heated loungers that’ll put you straight to sleep. I did a 2.5-hour ESPA treatment and felt like a completely different person afterward. Day spa passes start at £185 weekdays, £200 weekends, or you can book specific treatment packages.
Located steps from Trafalgar Square, you can easily walk to Covent Garden, the West End, or the Thames. The hotel itself is stunning – proper Victorian grandeur with modern luxury. Rooms start around £500+ per night but you’re paying for that central location and world-class spa access. Tom Kerridge‘s restaurant is excellent if you want Michelin-starred dining without leaving the hotel. Book spa treatments well ahead – this place gets very busy.
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11. Heckfield Place
Heckfield Place in Hampshire opened The Bothy spa in 2023, and it’s honestly unlike any spa experience I’ve had. This place is all about reconnecting with nature – you literally have to put your phone in a locker when you enter. The Waters area uses copper, silver, and gold ionization instead of chlorine, and the Oak Terrace has this amazing outdoor hydrotherapy with views of their organic farm.
The spa treatments use Wildsmith Skin products made specifically for Heckfield, and the Wildsmith Time massage is completely customized to what your body needs. I did forest bathing and wild swimming during my stay – sounds hippie but was actually incredibly relaxing. The Sun Room serves plant-based food by Skye Gyngell that’s way better than typical spa food.
Heckfield is about 1 hour from London and the 52-room hotel sits on 438 acres of countryside. Rooms start around £500+ per night but include spa access, and the level of service is exceptional. The Marle restaurant is farm-to-table perfection. Book months ahead – this place has won every award going and is always fully booked. Perfect for couples who want complete digital detox in a luxury setting.
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12. Beaverbrook
Beaverbrook in Surrey has this gorgeous Coach House Spa with stunning stained-glass art that makes the whole space feel like a cathedral. The spa has six treatment rooms plus a couple’s suite with private garden access, which is perfect for romantic getaways. The thermal area includes whirlpool, steam room, sauna, and ice fountain – all the classics done really well.
What makes Beaverbrook special are the three pools – indoor, outdoor, and that amazing checkerboard-bottomed outdoor pool that looks like something from a David Hockney painting. The Lord Beaverbrook mansion setting feels properly grand, and every room comes with Bamford toiletries and a bottle of Sipsmith sloe gin as a welcome gift.
Located just 30 minutes from central London in Leatherhead, it’s perfect for quick escapes. The spa offers everything from classic treatments to oxygen therapy and IV infusions for the full wellness experience. Rooms start around £400+ per night, and the Japanese restaurant is excellent. The Surrey Hills location gives you proper countryside feels without the long drive from London. Book ahead especially for weekends – this place fills up fast.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Best Spa Resorts for Couples in Britain
Are you looking for more content about where to stay in the UK as a couple? Here are some common questions (and answers) I get asked a lot about the most luxurious spa hotels in the UK for couples.
Where can I go for a romantic weekend in the UK?
For a romantic weekend in the UK, I’d recommend The Lake District. Its breathtaking landscapes, cozy inns, and serene lakes offer the perfect backdrop for romance. Whether you’re taking a boat ride on Lake Windermere or enjoying a scenic hike, it’s an idyllic setting for couples.
Where is the most romantic place in the UK?
The most romantic place in the UK, in my opinion, is Bath. This historic city is not only beautiful but also rich in culture and heritage. Strolling through its Georgian streets, visiting the ancient Roman Baths, and enjoying a relaxing spa day at the Thermae Bath Spa make it a uniquely romantic destination. Additionally, Bath’s unique restaurants offer an exquisite culinary experience that adds to the charm of this enchanting city.
What makes a spa hotel?
A spa hotel is a lodging facility that offers on-site treatments and wellness services beyond the standard amenities of a regular hotel. These services often include massages, facials, hydrotherapy, and access to spa facilities like saunas, steam rooms, and thermal pools. What sets a spa hotel apart is its focus on guests’ relaxation, health, and well-being, often in luxurious settings.
What is a spa town in the UK?
A spa town in the UK is a town known for its natural thermal or mineral waters, historically developed around natural springs. Harrogate in North Yorkshire is a great example. It’s famed for its historic spas, Turkish baths, and beautiful gardens. It’s a popular destination for those seeking relaxation and therapeutic treatments in a charming, historic setting, making it one of the top things to do in Europe.
