There is truly nothing better than starting the new year feeling calm and collected. A spa break can give us all that reset we so desperately need start the year as fresh as can be.
The UK is home to some of the most fantastic spas, and they are widespread enough for the whole of the country to enjoy that little bit of tranquility away from the general hustle and bustle of home life.
I have taken a look at the best places to visit for their facilities and treatments, and not forgetting deals you can purchase now for the special women in our lives.
READ MORE: We visited a £10 million refurbished Cheshire spa and felt like we were on holiday
READ MORE: I swapped my office job for wildlife spotting in the heart of the Lake District
From elaborate and ornate interiors to breathtaking luxury spa garden facilities woven into the scenic Cheshire countryside, you will drift between spa experiences that are nothing short of otherworldly
Best Spa for an overnight spa break
For mine and my mum's birthdays and Mother's Day we have always tried to get away to a spa.
Titanic Spa, Huddersfield was just the place for us- with just over an hour to travel to it and some beautiful treatments to choose from, we were sold.
This spa had such a wow factor moment when we arrived.
Although we had both checked out the website for what our trip would entail, we had no idea that the building itself would be such a beautifully, characterful old converted mill, it is absolutely huge.
Once checked in - and for the purposes of wanting to try out as much as we could - we had quite the itinerary.
We got our heads around our schedule and headed straight to throw our costumes on and wow.
This place is worlds apart from many spas I have been previously.
The Suite
With impressive steps to the balcony and a mezzanine above the lounge, this suite really did make us gasp when we walked in.
When wanting to take a loved one somewhere special for a birthday or Mother's Day celebration, you honestly don't get much better than this.
There was also a beautiful, thoughtful birthday card left on arrival for my mum, she was so made up.
The Titanic Spa makes sure there's something for all customers' budgets, with stays costing around £199pp including an overnight break with a 55 min treatment each, one course light lunch and two course evening meal.
Of course, there are plenty of other packages to choose from.
One thing we made sure we had enough time for was to experience one of the many wonderful treatments available at the spa.
The outdoor jacuzzi was a big hit for us
Titanic Spa specialise in treatments using Decleor and Elemis- such luxury for a special occasion (and trust me, for us it was much needed!)
One thing we both said from the beginning of the stay is how spotlessly clean this whole resort is. The spa, restaurant, suite, treatment rooms, everywhere was gleaming and had the gorgeous smell of aromas you would hope to experience at any spa.
I have to say, I was a little taken aback with the breath-taking facilities in the spa.
Best spa for the girls
I recently went on a spa break with my two best friends to Manor House Hotel & Spa, Alsager in the West Cheshire countryside.
This was something that we had been looking to do for months but, getting us all together in one place at any given time has proven more difficult with age. When we arrived, we noticed how decieving the front of house is for how ridiculously tranquil the spa and outdoor facilities are to the rear of the complex. It is a stunning location set in the countryside with plenty of land surrounding you to admire.
Our spa experience started with a lovely coffee in the courtyard near to the spa entrance which is a nice way to unwind and relax before getting ready for a day of just chilled vibes with your favourite people.
If you enjoy the cold & hot experiences of a spa day- the outdoor swim up bar in the lovely heated pool, plunge bath, sauna and jacuzzi are all in the outdoor garden area which we found such a welcomed, contrasting experience.
You can book a number of packages on your visit- with some including B&B, Afternoon Tea and full or half day spa access and you can enjoy a more budget break if need be.
We enjoyed the spa's afternoon tea package which came with gorgeous warm sausage rolls and scones and a wide selection of sandwiches and cakes- they truly were all delicious (we barely left a thing!).
Here are the full details on the Manor House Hotel & Spa website but SpaBreaks.com also offer some unmissable packages which are worth considering.
Prices
Special Offer- Start the Weekend Early, £99.50 (£60 off)
One night bed and breakfast in a King room, afternoon tea served in the Pool House, 4 hours use of the facilities from 1:30pm-5:30pm on the first day and robe, towel and flip flops provided.
Best Spa for a city getaway
This city centre, award winning spa is perfect for any occasion, whether it be a few stolen hours or a whole weekend- it's a great place to come and enjoy city life then delve into the depths of an underground, spa sanctuary.
The team behind the say it is the place to go in Manchester for complete relaxation.
The spa has been awarded a Five bubble rating in The Good Spa Guide 2022-2023- with spa days, breaks and treatments tempting visitors across the UK far and wide, so we headed to the facilities to see if they lived up to the hype.
With numerous relaxation areas, a thermal experience with aromatherapy steam rooms, a Carribbean or Arctic shower and an Alderwood sauna- this spa is somewhere I feel you need to experience for yourself.
I took a friend to The Midland Hotel for an overnight birthday stay and we visited the spa for a pamper day- and what a gorgeous day it was.
Filled with laughter, relaxing moments and the most beautiful afternoon tea to replenish after an afternoon at the spa- The Midland Hotel is a beautiful, city centre spa hotspot to visit.
See the full review here at Manchester Evening News.
Best spa for a couple
There is no doubt in my mind that The Spa at Carden is the perfect place for couples looking for a reset away from everyday life. I have had the opportunity to visit the wonderful grounds of Carden Park a handful of times- and it has alot to offer other than just a spa retreat for the day. Carden Park has a huge facilities list from golfing, rock climbing, it's multi- million spa, afternoon tea and even onsite adrenaline indoor and outdoor activities.
The spa is renowned for it's multi-award winning complex- with just a handful of their prestigious awards including:
- The World Luxury Spa Awards- The World's Best Luxury Countryside Spa 2023
- Good Spa Guide's most prestigious star rating- 5 Bubble Luxury 2022
- AA- Best UK Spa 2023
On a 1000 acre estate in Cheshire, The Spa at Carden is an adult-only retreat that’s a beautiful day spa destination as well as being an exceptional part of an overnight break.
For treatments, those in need of a pamper can also enjoy the spa's 'Beauty Bar Experiences', with a team of beauty specialists to adhere to your every need- from hand & feet treatments, to clinical facials.
My last treatment was with the lovely Emma and I got to experience the Mesoboost Facial.
The Mesoboost Facial is an innovative, non-invasive skincare treatment that produces unrivalled skin regeneration results- I have never seen my skin look this good (especially when arriving to the salon with my skin really suffering).
The Spa at Carden is one of the first venues to offer this groundbreaking clinical skin therapy and the team has undergone extensive training to ensure the best results from your facial. Your skin benefits from improved skin texture from the very first treatment without the use of any needles.
This treatment combines the power of an Electroporation Transdermal Meso-chip System (ETM) with an exclusive Lab Solution mix to deeply absorb the active ingredients into your skin. A scientific method which far surpasses the results achieved from a traditional facial. It maximises the improvement of several skin concerns such as dehydration, uneven skin tone and wrinkles. When heading to the Beauty Bar, I had just recently had a nasty allergic reaction to antibitiocs, so my skin was really dehydrated and flaking- I left with just abit of redness for two days and I honestly could not believe the results by day three.
After just three days, my face is glowing and all the flaking has gone from my allergic reaction prior to treatment- when I say it is a drastic change it is a massive understatement. I can't recommend this treatment enough- and you can book it here as a gift for a loved one.
Prices
A Morning in the Spa Garden, £89pp
Full use of the Spa Garden and Thermal Experiences between 9am-1pm, arrival refreshments from 8.30am and a healthy brunch (served until 11.15am)
Best spa for a nature lover
There are not many spas in the UK I can say took my breath away while sat during breakfast.
Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa is a beautiful Lake District retreat which offers visitors an incredible view of Bassenthwaite Lake, Keswick.
When my mum and I had arrived at the Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa, we were so taken aback by everything about this place- from the decor to our staggeringly large room.
But, one thing in particular that will stay with me forever is sitting having our breakfast in the Lake View Restaurant the morning after our lovely spa day. While sitting watching the world go by on a lovely, crisp morning, three wild deers ran past the window. How beautiful is that?!
This spa & hotel we both agreed is such a ridiculously well priced spa for what you get- Armathwaite Hall has been standing magnificently on the shores of Bassenthwaite Lake in one form or another since the 11th Century. Some key features in the hotel would really tempt us for another stay were It's roaring fire in the lounge, swanky bar area and some pretty impressive (still intact) traditional furnishings- it's a must visit for those who love home comforts with the extra bit of luxury and pisazz.
The current owners, the Graves family, bought the Hall in 1976. A massive development programme has taken place over the years including the purchase of the adjoining Coalbeck Farm which now houses one of the Lake District’s most popular family attractions Lake District Wildlife Park which attracts over 50,000 visitors every year.
You can purchase a spa break and a wildife park visit all in one- here you can find some packages which could be a wonderful gift for those who love the outdoors.
There is something for everyone at Armathwaite Hall. Even if you wanted a quick spa experience before a long day of hiking the surrounding land, the hotel offers a £45 per person early spa access to their luxurious spa facilities, including tea, coffee and pastries on arrival. Available from Monday to Thursday, this package enables entrance to the spa facilities from 7.30am to 10am.
Highlights of our stay included being able to press a bell for drinks while lapping up the outdoor jacuzzi views, being able to enjoy the sauna overlooking the landscape AND once finished in the spa, an evening meal we could not fault from the attentive, pristine staff which served us throughout our stay.
It's a truly delightful place- take a look at how to book here.
For more information on Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa- visit the website here.
Price
1 Night Dinner, Bed and Breakfast Break, £190pp
Overnight accommodation, £50pp allocation towards dinner in the Lake View Restaurant, full Cumbrian breakfast, access to beautiful grounds and gardens, complimentary use of leisure facilities and check in from 3pm - Room departure 11am.
Best deals packages online now
Make the most of SpaBreaks.com offering this incredible saving. There are many Winter Offers to choose from
Save upto 50% off at Spaseekers.com
There are some incredible deals available on the Spaseekers.com pages- locations include Warwickshire, Derbyshire, Chester and London. Also consider some of the more spenny options to get a better deal (some spas offer afternoon tea included for not alot extra).