Let’s face it – sometimes your spa break is less about detoxing and more about relaxing with your significant other in the most decadent of settings. We’re talking side-by-side aromatherapy massages, private infinity pools, poolside champagne, rural privacy and the sort of unparalleled luxury that is better when it’s shared with that special someone.
We’ve scoured the UK and beyond to find the perfect romantic spas to suit any couple.
– Location: Maldives
The Maldives are high on any couple’s bucket list, and the stunning islands are home to some of the most luxurious spa resorts in the world. Huvafen Fushi is one of the most exclusive. Set on its own tropical island, it is also home to the world-class Lime Spa, which offers a stunning array of massages, facials and body wraps, plus a series of ‘relaxation pods’ which are kitted out with fresh fruit and water.
+ Best for… A once-in-a-lifetime getaway
+ Most romantic feature: The underwater treatment rooms, where you can watch the tropical reef fish swim by as you are treated to a three-hour couple’s massage using organic oils and sea minerals.
– Location: The Cotswolds, UK
It’s hard to believe the verdant Cotswolds are just an hour outside of the hustle and bustle of London. The Barnsley House resort is surprisingly accessible, yet it feels like you have been transported to another time. The old manor house is full of history, with a few modern flourishes: relax in side-by-side roll-top bathtubs in the privacy of your room, while drinking vintage champagne and listening to your favourite tunes from the in-room iPod docking station.
The spa uses products by Aromatherapy Associates, and specialises in relaxing holistic treatments that can be tailor made for each person.
+ Best for… A break from the city.
+ Most romantic feature: The 30-seat cinema set in the grounds of the resort can be rented out for a private viewing of your partner’s favourite film.
– Location: County Durham, UK
Rockliffe Hall is reassuringly remote, but not in the slightest bit rustic. Situated in the heart of the lush Durham countryside, it is the perfect place to escape city life without travelling a thousand miles.
The hotel is surrounded by a vast, perfectly manicured golf course that offers unparalleled privacy. Inside, couples can indulge themselves in state of the art spa facilities including a hydrotherapy pool, which is manned by butlers serving champagne and fresh juice.
+ Best for… Busy couples in need of a catch up.
+ Most romantic feature: The Rasul Mud Ritual – book a private steam room for two, and have fun slathering on the mineral-enriched mud before enjoying a sensual hot oil massage for two.
– Location: St. Lucia
This tiny two-room spa is the ultimate couples retreat. Perfectly private and stunningly scenic, the Kai en Ciel Spa looks out over the white sandy beaches and azure waters of St Lucia.
To access the spa, you must be a guest at the Jade Mountain resort, where every suite comes with its own heated infinity pool.
Unsurprisingly, the resort specialises in romance, and it is a favourite with wedding parties, honeymooners, and loved up couples looking for a break. Try the unbelievably romantic ‘Alchemy of Two’ treatment to really see what this spa is capable of. Or simply relax in your infinity pool with a glass of champagne and take in your surroundings.
+ Best for… Honeymooners.
+ Most romantic feature: The in-house ‘Romance Concierge’ (actual job title) who will help you to pull off the perfect proposal, organise a beach-side wedding or simply curate a series of romantic experiences for you and your partner.
– Location: Buckinghamshire, UK
You may recognise Stoke Park from movies such as Goldfinger, Bridget Jones’ Diary and Layer Cake. The iconic manor house was one of the first country clubs in England and has hosted a number of luminaries over the years.
It is famous for its golf course (where James Bond played against Goldfinger) and its golf academy, but active couples can choose from a huge range of fitness facilities at the hotel spa. Indoor and outdoor tennis courts, hydrotherapy pools, a state of the art gym and a dance studio are all at your fingertips – if you manage to tear yourself away from the five star spa, of course.
+ Best for… Movie fans and active couples.
+ Most romantic feature: The famous four-poster bed in which Bridget and Daniel cavorted – the views from the balcony are also exceptional.
Stobo Castle
Rockliffe Hall Spa
Nirvana Spa
