A spa break is the ultimate pamper experience. Whether you go for an afternoon of bliss or a whole weekend getaway, they’re the perfect way to indulge and relax.
And that’s where The Good Spa Guide comes in. In its annual awards, it has ranked the best UK spas rated by customers, so you can make sure your next break is everything you hoped it’d be.
Caitlin Dalton, editor of The Good Spa Guide, said this year’s winners include some new and refurbished spas and facilities. “The results are the latest word in luxury for an audience that is increasingly seeking relaxation and an escape from everyday life,” she added.
From hydrotherapy pools, reflexology and deep tissue massages to cancer-care trained experts and pore-refining facials, the spas offer plenty of treatments to bring you some much-needed TLC.
The winners, listed below, were split into nine categories, ranging from the best for customer service to the best place for wellness.
Best Country Retreat Spa - Champneys Forest Mere, Hampshire
Best Day Spa - The Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall Village, Lancashire
Best Boutique Spa - Stanley House Hotel and Spa, Lancashire
Best Destination Spa - Aqua Sana Sherwood Forest, Derbyshire
Best Spa for Customer Service - Serenity Spa at Seaham Hall, Co Durham
Best Spa for Wellness - Rockliffe Hall, Co Durham
Best Urban Spa - The Spa at The Midland, Manchester
Best Health Club Spa - The Mere Golf Resort & Spa, Cheshire
Best New Spa - The Spa at South Lodge, West Sussex
Of course, it goes without saying that spas can be expensive – luxury doesn’t come cheap, after all. But there are still discounts and savings to be had.
Here are a few tips on how to get the best deal for your next relaxing getaway.
Go midweek
Abi Wright, founder of Spabreaks.com, says her biggest tip is to book your stay midweek – and during term-time. “Not only are the spas lovely and peaceful, you will get much better service and more space as well as getting the treatment times you want at a much more affordable price,” she adds.
Opt for the quieter months
“Visiting during the quieter months, particularly January, is when better packages are available,” says Wright, who adds that the biggest discounts are usually on offer at the start of the year. Summer is also a quiet time for spas, she says, as most people go on holiday or plan to spend time outdoors, rather than at an indoor spa.
Shop around for the best discount
If you’ve found a spa you like, don’t book directly. Instead, visit sites that have all the best deals under one roof. Groupon, for example, has breaks with up to 70% off overnight stays and individual treatments. Wowcher also offers discounted packages, which often include afternoon tea alongside your spa stay. And Spabreaks offers savings of up to 50% off.
Go on, treat yourself.
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