Hellidon Lakes Spa

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Play hard and rest hard at the Hellidon Lakes Spa

Lakes and spas go together like aromatherapy and massages. Maybe it’s the stillness of the water, but there’s something inherently relaxing about a lake – particularly if you’re strolling past it on your way to a luxurious spa treatment.

Hellidon Lakes Spa has not one lake, but eight – all scattered across the Northamptonshire resort’s rolling 220-acre site.

But the view from inside the spa is just as relaxing (if not more so). There are four beautifully decorated private treatment rooms and two double rooms, as well as a swimming pool, a steam room and a Jacuzzi where you can relax between treatments.

The spa uses products and therapies by renowned skincare brand ESPA, and offers a range of highly acclaimed ESPA facials, body treatments and massages. Try the Skin Radiance Facial, which is perfect for revitalising tired skin, or the Re-Hydrator Facial, which leaves skin looking supple and young.

The Men’s Age Rebel Facial is a great option for overworked guys who need to wind down and forget about the pressures of day-to-day life.

After your treatment, top off your day with a posh cocktail on the terrace, as you gaze across the verdant wilds of Northamptonshire and Warwickshire.

But the spa is just one part of the Hellidon Lakes experience. The resort is renowned for its golf course, and it also boasts a four-lane bowling alley and a state-of-the-art health club, handily located right beside the spa.

After all, your deep tissue massage will feel so much better if you have it right after a morning of golf.

TREAT YOURSELF: to the spa’s signature Relaxing Face and Back Ritual with ESPA, which is essentially a mini-facial and massage for your head and shoulders. The perfect way to limber up before a competitive game of bowling!

PERFECT FOR: a fun-packed weekend away

Norton Park Spa

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Take a holiday from reality at this city-side retreat

Some of the UK’s most popular spas are located just outside major cities – and there is a good reason for that. There are times when you need to just get away from it all, without actually, you know, getting away.

As soon as you arrive in Norton Park Spa, you know you can relax. Although it’s situated just outside the city of Winchester, it’s surrounded by 54 acres of pristine (and private) countryside, which make you feel as though you are far from home.

The 500-year-old manor house is full of old fashioned charm, but ever since it was acquired by the QHotels group it has undergone a major modernisation.

The spa boasts under-floor heating, a brand new health club, eight private treatment rooms, an indoor swimming pool, a sauna, a steam room and a dedicated spa lounge, plus an exclusive selection of ESPA facials and body treatments.

ESPA’s famous aromatherapy massages will leave you feeling relaxed and rebalanced, while the spa offers a range of facial treatments for every skincare concern. Try the Lift & Firm Eye Treatment to ward off the first signs of ageing, or the De-Sensitiser Facial, which calms irritated and red skin.

The Men’s Age Rebel Facial includes a brush cleanse and an enzyme peel, to leave you looking like you’ve had a good night sleep, even after a week of sleepless nights.

After your Norton Park spa session, schedule in a couple of hours to wander round the grounds and take in the sights and sounds of the Winchester countryside, before heading back into the city and back to reality.

TREAT YOURSELF: to the Invigorating Foot Treatment. An affordable and effective cure for aching feet, which is best enjoyed after a long walk across the Park grounds.

PERFECT FOR: a half-day holiday after a busy week at work.

The Cambridge Belfry Spa

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Mix business with leisure at The Cambridge Belfry Spa

Business trips can be exhausting, and the long hours can wreak havoc on your skin and your posture. So it’s no surprise that more and more executive hotels have started to offer health club facilities and a limited spa menu to help counter the gruelling effects of a long day of schmoozing.

However, the Cambridge Belfry Spa goes that extra step further. Yes, it is a business-friendly hotel, but it also happens to house a world class spa, complete with seven private treatment rooms (and one double treatment room), a heated indoor swimming pool, a Jacuzzi, a sauna, a steam room and a relaxation room, as well as an impressive treatment menu by ESPA.

Treatments range from the luxurious (eyelash extensions, deluxe manicures and so on) to the functional (the ‘Fit For Business Back Ritual with ESPA’ has been specifically designed to relieve tension from the shoulders, legs and feet, undoing all the hours you have spent on your feet or crouched over a desk), but all are designed to complement a busy lifestyle – most of the spa’s treatments last less than one hour.

Unwind with a hot stone massage or a bespoke ESPA aromatherapy massage, or treat your feet to the signature Invigorating Foot Treatment, which reduces puffiness and gets rid of aches and pains.

Women can choose from a series of anti-ageing and ultra-hydrating facial treatments, while men can book the popular ESPA Men’s Age Rebel Facial, which will dupe your colleagues into thinking you are less tired than you really are!

As every successful executive knows, multi-tasking is everything. So make the most of the location and combine business with leisure.

TREAT YOURSELF: to the Revitalising Ritual with ESPA. One of the spa’s signature treatments, it starts with a full body exfoliation with sea salts and essential oils, and ends with a therapeutic back massage.

PERFECT FOR: Business travellers who need to make the most of their downtime.

Slaley Hall Spa

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One thousand acres of TLC at The Spa at the Slaley Club

What could be more relaxing than a luxury spa in an award-winning hotel? Try a luxury spa in an award-winning hotel set in 1,000 acres of the stunning Northumberland countryside…

Surrounded by ancient trees and rolling moors, Slaley Hall Spa is a world away from the daily grind of city life. As it is located just 20 miles west of Newcastle, you can whisk yourself back to reality at a moment’s notice. Not that you’ll want to.

From the outside, Slaley Hall is your typical Edwardian manor house. But once you get inside, you are welcomed with sheer 21st century luxury.

As a member of the Q group of hotel spas, you know Slaley Hall is going to offer a high level of service, and The Spa at the Slaley Club is no exception. It comes fully equipped with seven spa treatment rooms, a heated pool, a sauna, a steam room, heated loungers and an experience shower, as well as a range of Jessica nail care treatments and ESPA therapies.

ESPA is famous for its uniquely effective anti-ageing facials, and Slaley Hall’s spa menu includes three of the best: the Lift & Firm Facial (which uses Tri-Active ingredients and massage techniques to stimulate collagen production); the Advanced Enzyme Facial (which combines a brush cleanse and an enzyme peel, and finishes with a Rose Quartz Crystal Massage and a calming mask); and the Enzyme Peel Facial (where skin is given a brush cleanse, an Enzyme Peel and a deep exfoliation to reveal a brighter, younger complexion).

ESPA personalised facials are also available for anyone with special skincare needs, and male versions of the brand’s anti-ageing and extra-hydrating facials are well worth a try. For men who aren’t quite sure what to expect from their spa experience, the Men’s Purifying Facial, Shoulder and Scalp Massage is a great entry point.

After your spa treatment, make the most of your new blissed-out state by exploring the vast grounds. Then round off your evening with a brandy by the fire, Edwardian style.

TREAT YOURSELF: to the Slaley Holistic Body Experience – a head to toe treatment that includes body brushing, exfoliation, face and scalp massage and hot stones. You will feel like a new you in just 90 minutes.

PERFECT FOR: hard-working women (and men) who need a total break.

Oulton Hall Spa

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A state-of-the-art spa in an 18th century setting

Oulton Hall near Leeds is one of those rare places which gives you that ‘spa’ feeling as soon as you walk through the doors. The stunning 18th century manor house is all marble columns and blazing fireplaces, surrounded by acres upon acres of perfectly manicured lawns. They even have their own butler to welcome you on arrival.

But for all its old-fashioned charm, The Spa at Oulton Hall is as modern as they come. A heated indoor pool is lit by ever-changing mood lighting, and relaxing music is piped in underwater. Next door, there is a state-of-the-art hydrotherapy pool, complete with massaging jets and a freshwater shower, sauna and steam room waiting for you when you step out.

The Spa also offers a unique range of bespoke Vichy rainshower massages, where a massage therapist uses shower jets along your Chakra points to work away tension and leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed.

An extensive menu of ESPA facials has been designed to cater to every skin type – from the famous ESPA Advanced Enzyme Facial (which leaves mature skin looking plumper and more youthful), to the De-Sensitizer Facial (which reduces redness and hydrates fragile skin).

The ‘ESPA for Men’ range includes an impressive array of deep tissue massages (the ‘Muscle Reviver’ is particularly good for men who suffer from headaches or back pain), and the always-popular Age Rebel Facial.

Waxing, tanning and mani-pedi treatments are also available, but let’s face it – you come here to look and feel good from the inside out. Leave the makeovers to the bridal parties, and take advantage of the unique indulgence that Oulton Hall Spa has to offer.

TREAT YOURSELF: to a few hours in the VIP suite, which comes complete with a private Jacuzzi and stream room. Couples treatments are available on request.

PERFECT FOR: a romantic break for two, or an escapist retreat for one.

The Spa at The Midland

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A brand new spa with A-list appeal

The Midland Hotel is a Manchester icon. Over the past 100+ years, it has welcomed royalty, celebrities and politicians from all over the world, who come to relax, unwind and get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. But amid all that history, there is still room for a little bit of modern glamour: The Spa at The Midland.

After a prolonged period of renovation, The Spa at The Midland re-opened in June 2015. It features a stunning thermal spa area complete with a swan-neck fountain centrepiece, and a series of relaxation zones include hanging pods and sleep chambers, all of which have been designed for maximum privacy.

The spa clearly has an A-list clientele in mind, as the whole place has been designed to allow guests to spend a day in complete (but comfortable) silence, away from the trappings of the outside world It has an enviable list of men’s treatments which are likely to be popular with Manchester’s local athletes. The deep tissue massage is a must-try for men with an active lifestyle, while the Gentleman’s Grooming packages combine essential maintenance with massage and moisturising.

As well as offering the usual range of beauty treatments, The Spa at The Midland boasts a series of exclusive (and effective) ESPA facials and massages, including the bespoke Lifestage Facial (where your therapist targets specific signs of aging); the Radiance Facial (which is combined with a detoxifying body wrap); and an ever-popular range of hot stone massages.

On a rainy Manchester day, there is no better place to be – away from it all, yet still in the very heart of the city.

TREAT YOURSELF: to the 85min ESPA ‘Hero’ treatment – a back, face and scalp massage which is designed to aid long term relaxation and better sleep patterns.

PERFECT FOR: A-listers or anyone who craves privacy and tranquillity.

Charlton House Spa

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Rediscover the classics… then try something new.

The Bannatyne Group knows a thing or two about spas. The health club chain has more than 60 locations across the UK, offering classic treatments and thermal spa facilities alongside alternative therapies, unique packages and bespoke treatments.

Charlton House Spa is no exception. From the exotic Moroccan-themed thermal spa, to the hydrotherapy pools and the extensive treatment list, it’s nothing if not a crowd-pleaser.

An on-site salon offers a full range of beauty treatments, including bespoke manicures and pedicures for men. A massage menu ranges from the indulgent (the Chocolate Indulgent Back, Neck and Shoulder Massage) to the therapeutic (Muscle Melt Full Body Massage), while detoxing body treatments promise to bust cellulite (Elemis Cellutox Aroma Spa Ocean Wrap) and even cleanse out your insides (ask about the ‘Fennel Cleanse’…).

Given the spa’s proximity to Glastonbury, it’s no surprise that it specialises in treatments which are slightly unusual. Try the Hopi Ear Candles or an Indian Head Massage, and imagine you are blissed out at the Stone Circle on a sunny afternoon. Better yet, book one of the spa’s signature dry flotation therapies, which will hopefully leave you feeling practically weightless while a rich blend of organic oils, milks and herbs work to nourish and detox your body.

Charlton House Spa gets very busy at peak times and at the weekends, so it’s best to book in advance if you have your heart set on a particular treatment. The Elemis facials are always in high demand, especially the men’s Skin IQ facial and the Pro-Collagen Quartz Lift for women (a celebrity favourite).

As the spa is open until 9pm Monday-Friday, plan your treatment early and you can spend the rest of the evening lolling about in the thermal spa area and planning your next treatment.

TREAT YOURSELF: to the relaxing and nourishing Exotic Coconut Rub & Milk Ritual Float, one of the spa’s signature ‘dry floatation’ treatments.

PERFECT FOR: a relaxing day out with friends.

Carrick Spa

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Scotland meets modern treatments at this stunning spa

Nestled on the banks of the tranquil Loch Lomond in the heart of rural Scotland, Carrick Spa at Cameron House is a world away from the drudgery of everyday life. Unless, of course your typical daily routine includes a high end spa treatment, a long soak in a thermal pool, an organic meal in a top restaurant and a nip of whisky by the fire.

‘The Bonnie Banks o’ Loch Lomond’ are famed throughout Scotland for their shady glens, still waters, distant hills and wild flora, all of which have been immortalised in a legendary folk song. But you might want to add your own verse after you’ve spent a day or two at Carrick Spa.

As part of the QHotels group, the spa has all the classic treatments you would expect, including exclusive ESPA facials and CARITA body treatments. Body treatments such as the Signature Rainshower Massage, and the Lagoon Hydration, take inspiration from nature, while face treatments such as the Advanced Enzyme Facial and Pro-Lift Booster use up-to-the-minute technology to offer real results.

Most treatments can be customised for men, although the enzyme facial and the deep tissue massages are particularly popular with visiting gentlemen.

This is a small spa which is extremely popular among those in the know, so it is essential to book ahead.

It is also worth pointing out that although the spa is a part of the Cameron House complex, it is actually based 2.5 miles away from the hotel. A concierge service is available to bring guests back and forth whenever they like.

Alternatively, you could ask the hotel’s staff to recommend a walking trail so that you can really make the most of the natural surroundings.

TREAT YOURSELF: to the hour-long Luxury Pedicure (with hot stones). Probably the most relaxing pedicure you’ll ever have – it includes a hot stone leg and foot massage, before your feet are treated to a paraffin wax wrap.

PERFECT FOR: A quiet break with like-minded friends.

Stobo Castle

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Get the royal treatment at this magical castle spa in Scotland – Voted the UK’s Best Destination Spa at the Good Spa Guide Awards 2018

For spa purists only the best will do, and it doesn’t get much better than a luxury spa treatment in the heart of a Scottish castle.

Surrounded by the wilderness of the Scottish Borders, Stobo Castle is spectacularly rural, yet just 30 miles south of Edinburgh’s hustle and bustle. From the outside, it’s all glassy lochs, hilltop turrets and ancient trees. But thanks to a major 2003 refurb, inside it’s a thoroughly modern oasis.

Stobo Castle spa offers a huge range of treatments for ladies and gentlemen, using top brand products by Neom, Darphin and Phytomer. Choose from a gently relaxing back massage with essential oils, or reverse time with an intensive Caudalie Premier Cru Anti-Ageing Facial.

While many of the spa’s treatments are unisex, a male-only Phytomer range has proved particularly popular, with signature treatments including the Marinezest body scrub, the Marinepure facial, and the Marine Handspa.

A team of professionals is also on hand to administer sports massages and fitness related classes to guests keen to take advantage of the hiking and cycling trails around the castle.

Of course, no visit would be complete without at least 15 minutes spent in the spa’s bespoke Relaxing Water Massage treatment, where you are blasted with 2,000 litres of water, yet never get wet. Well it wouldn’t be a real castle experience without a little bit of magic…

TREAT YOURSELF: to the Phytomer City Life Facial – an oxygenating treatment to relieve tired, dull skin from daily pollution.

PERFECT FOR: A romantic and relaxing getaway in Scotland with your better half.

* Additional facilities now available at Stobo Castle: Cocktail Lounge | Tennis Court | Coffee Shop *