BERKSHIRE

Monkey Island Estate, Bray

Shhh! The Floating Spa (yep, you heard that right) at five star Monkey Island Estate is Berkshire’s best kept secret. Guest or not, this little slice of paradise is open to absolutely everyone. On board the quirky bijou barge boat, you can enjoy a bespoke menu of 60 minute treatments, from massages to facials as you idly float on the Thames. I’ve given it a whirl myself, and let me tell you, it’s glorious. Listen to the natural soundtrack of birds tweeting and water gently lapping against the boat. Let the recharge begin.

Muddy treatment: The Floating Massage is heaven sent. The treatment takes place on a specially designed aqua-cushion that cradles and supports you while you lay face up throughout. It’s a full body experience (legs, arms, back, neck, and stomach) and SO relaxing. £130 for 60 minutes.

Retreat at Elcot Park, Newbury

retreat at elcot spa in berkshire near me

When stress strikes, or you fancy a play away with your besties, make your way to eye-candy The Retreat at Elcot. Their Signet Spa is a mecca for pamper days with the girls, complete with hydrotherapy pool, Himalayan salt sauna, aroma steam room, salt floatation tank, and a stunning outdoor infinity pool. Opt for one of their spa packages (morning, afternoon, or night) and let the crack team of talented therapists do the rest.

Muddy treatment: It’s got to be the Boosted Signet Facial (£105 for 60 mins). Step into serenity. This luxury facial rejuvenates, hydrates, relaxes, exfoliates, and restores. Not much more you need from a facial really.

Thames Lido, Reading

Award-winning Thames Lido is as quirky as it is unique. Sandwiched between Reading train station and the River Thames, it’s an oasis of escapism in a town centre location. Built in Edwardian times as a women’s-only swimming bath, the pool was fed by water from the river (er, gross). But it’s now a cool, stylish urban retreat with Scandi vibes at its core. There’s a simplicity to Thames Lido. The pool is lusciously low in chlorine, the food is to die for, and there’s an outdoor hot tub, saunas, and treatment rooms for a massage, facial, or exfoliation.

Muddy treatment: The classic massage is a must. You can choose a relaxing rub down or a more concentrated massage for problematic aches and pains. All I can tell you is they are the best. Swim and massage costs £95pp.

Nirvana Spa, Wokingham

nirvana spa wokingham best spa days in berkshire

Last year’s Muddy Award winner, Nirvana Spa is the biggest day spa in Berkshire offering endless facilities. Take a load off in the Colosseum Suite with its pool surrounded by loungers, take the plunge into the indoor and outdoor pools or sample the health benefits of the thermal suite, floatation, and crystal treatment room. There’s more treatment rooms, state of the art gym and more. Yes, there’s a lot going on, but you can do as little or as much as you want. Sublime.

Muddy treatment: Extreme summer holiday stress calls for an extreme treatment. The Warming, Anti-Stress Face and Body Ritual (95 mins, £146) is a facial and body, scalp and hot stone massage in one. New you incoming.

Fairmont Windsor Park, Old Windsor

A spa day in Berkshire, you say? Five star and totally fabulous, Fairmont Windsor Park’s super-luxe two storey spa is the ultimate indulgence. What can you expect? It’s a Generation Game conveyor belt of relaxation. Indoor lap pool, outdoor vitality pool, treatment rooms, Himalayan salt room, thermal suite, Cryotherapy, dry flotation Hammam, Japanese foot spa, hair and nail salons, Facebible skin clinic, indoor and outdoor gym, plus tennis and Padel courts. Phewww.

Muddy treatment: Unadulterated luxury that slaps you in the face – the 23 carat Liquid Gold, Rose Quartz and Caviar Facial is the Godfather of pampering. It features the highly acclaimed ‘Liquid Gold’ Argan oil gold (not actual gold) plus caviar and pearl that leaves your skin smooth and glowy (from £180).

Coworth Park, Ascot

Coworth Park‘s award-winning sustainable spa in Sunningdale. If you’re looking for a spa day that’s indulgent and makes you feel like a new woman, Coworth ticks all the boxes. There are a number of spa packages to choose from to suit your time and budget. Morning, afternoon, and evening spa days, plus overnighters.

Muddy treatment: Plump for the Personalised Spa Day (£295pp). There are five 90min treatments to choose from. Our fave? The Hebridean Salt Scrub and Seaweed Body Wrap by ishga Organic which eliminate toxins, reduces cellulite and improves skin tone.

BREAK FOR THE BORDER

Cowshed Spa, Soho Farmhouse, Great Tew, Oxon

The members-only Cowshed Spa at Soho Farmhouse offers a range of natural, wildcrafted treatments in the 13 treatment rooms. The grounds are part of the experience too. There’s daybeds overlooking the lake, and hidden amongst the wildflowers, a steam room, sauna, restorative ice shed and hot tub infused with mineral salts. It’s even got its own phone for ordering cocktails. It would be rude not to! Head over to the Farmhouse Parlour for an updo or blow dry afterwards. If you’re not a member, book an overnighter or find a mate and suggest an away day as their plus one.

Muddy treatment: Release your tension and opt for the classic Deep Tissue Massage. Choose from an express 30-minute massage all the way through to an indulgent 90-minute session, elevated with the scent of a relaxing blend of essential oils.

Beaverbrook Hotel & Spa, Leatherhead, Surrey

The Coach House Spa Beaverbrook Hotel Leatherhead Surrey

An opulent hideaway just outside Leatherhead, The Coach House Spa at Beaverbrook is one of Surrey’s best-kept secrets. Designed by glass architect Brian Clarke, it’s a calming space that reflects its beautiful surroundings. There are six treatment suites and a relaxation room, alongside the Thermal Spa which includes a steam room, sauna, and and English bath house. There are also indoor and outdoor pools, as well and a gym and a fitness studio for anyone suffering from spa guilt (no, me either). After your pampering, go for a snack in the Deli Café. The hotel also has a Japanese restaurant run by an ex-Nobu chef.

Muddy treatment: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) – a super-cool techy treatment that repairs cells, feeds your brain, calms your nerves, and boosts the body’s defences against viruses (£75 for 45mins). Sign us up!

Sopwell House, St Albans, Herts

Cottonmill Spa Sopwell House Herts cabanas in garden

Say hello to Sopwell House‘s Cottonmill Spa! Three storeys of R&R? Yup, it’s about as plush as they come. There’s state-of-the-art fitness facilities, 14m indoor pool, organic sauna, award-winning designer garden and a list of signature treatments harnessing the healing powers of sand and water. Check out their spectacular signature treatment list. Or gain access to the inner sanctum. The Club at Cottonmill has tranquil Deep Relaxation and Whisper Rooms. Membership, spa days and spa breaks are available for both.

Muddy treatment: The Cottonmill Signature Vichy (£140 for 60mins) uses hydrotherapy to improve blood circulation, hydrate the skin and bring the body back in balance. Enjoy a full body exfoliation, soothing back and legs massage whilst the hydrotherapy works on each area.

Herb House Spa at Lime Wood, Lyndhurst, Hants

Lime Wood is known for laid-back luxe which combines beautifully with the nature-immersed, indoor-outdoor vibe throughout the Herb House spa kitted out with sauna, bubbling indoor lap pool and outdoor hot pool, Mud House 10 treatment rooms, Hands and Feet room and gym. Merging beautifully with the leafy New Forest setting, the floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the woods, connecting you with nature as you mindfully loaf.

Muddy treatment: The 60-minute Restorative Ritual is good for those of us who spend too much time at a laptop. This treatment relieves stress, tension and problems like eyestrain, migraines and headaches using rhythmical pressures, gua sha stones, lymphatic drainage and aromatherapy oils.

LONDON

AIRE Ancient Baths, Covent Garden

A subterranean spa gem in the heart of Covent Garden. The blue plaque (and first edition of Peter Pan in reception) say JM Barrie’s former home. But we’re going underground to AIRE Ancient Baths. It’s not your traditional spa day but this candle-lit watery underworld is unique. The water chambers vary in temperature from an icy 10°C to steamy, and there’s a Floatarium for a vigorous self-applied salt rub. Don’t panic spa devotees, there are treatments.

The Treatments: Who can resist the health benefits of cava? AIRE’s signature Orange Garden Experience will start with a body massage, the you’ll soak in thermal baths before enjoying a soothing cranial massage and a glass of cava. £225pp.

Bulgari Hotel Spa, Knightsbridge

The jewel in Knightsbridge’s crown, the Bulgari Hotel spa is an underground luxury spa offering world-class facial and body treatments. London’s most serene indoor pool, saunas and steam rooms, and a relaxation space feel a million miles away from the busy shopping streets above. There are 11 treatment rooms, one of which is the fancy Onyx Spa Suite featuring two side-by-side treatment beds and large hydro massage tub.

Muddy treatment: Indulge in the ‘Ojas’ Surrender and Revive Ritual by Mauli Rituals (£370). It’s a mind-calming massage that will erase all memory of your kids’ bad behaviour. Because, yes, it’s that good.

Press reset! 12 best luxury spas near you

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