Our writers find the best pampering places to soothe away your stresses
The Swan Hotel & Spa, Cumbria
Where: Newby Bridge in the Lake District, at the southern tip of Windermere.
The lowdown: This recently redecorated family- friendly hotel prides itself on catering for those who want to plonk down and do (almost) nothing and those who are happy to wander further afield.
Located next to the River Leven, the hotel dates back to the 17th century but has everything you could require for a perfect break. For very young holidaymakers there is a playroom, or they can explore a nature trail that will take them out through fields and into woodlands.
Nearby picnic areas include the stunning Fell Foot park, while few visitors to the area would want to miss out on exploring Beatrix Potter’s delightful farm house, Hill Top. And, of course, there is 11-mile long Windermere itself, where walks are a must. When it comes to food, the hotel offers the River Room restaurant and the Swan Inn pub.
USP: The hotel’s 51 spacious, traditionally decorated bedrooms and suites have some stunning views. But if you don’t want to stay inside the hotel itself, then treat yourself to one of the four “nests”.
We stayed in the Love Nest, a beautiful studio apartment hidden away in the grounds. Custom designed just for two, it contains double showers, a roll-top bath, super king bed, sitting room, kitchen and lounge with its own log burner. It also has a private terrace with awesome views of the countryside and is the ideal place to while away the hours.
Who you’ll see in the steam room: While it’s a perfect getaway for couples of all ages, the spa area caters for the whole family and includes a 10-metre swimming pool. Alongside it, there’s a hot tub, sauna and steam room. A modest-sized gym has all the equipment you need for a full body workout, with running machines and cross trainers, along with free weights. It’s also possible to book sessions with a personal trainer.
Time for one treatment: The extensive spa area offers all the usual treatments, from manicures and pedicures to massages and facials. I chose the ESPA Men’s Intensive Facial Treatment, which uses natural balms and oils to purify, hydrate and revitalise your face. It also includes a shoulder and neck massage that will leave you so relaxed, you won’t want to leave the treatment room. Other popular treatments include deep tissue massages, mud wraps and salt and oil scrubs.
John Marrs
The Swan Hotel & Spa (01539 531681, swanhotel.com) offers four nights b&b in a Love Nest from £1,600. Prices for a Cosy Room in the hotel are from £142 per night. An ESPA Men’s Intensive Facial Treatment costs £60.
The hydro pool at Bedruthan Hotel & Spa
Bedruthan Hotel & Spa, North Cornwall
Where: Overlooking spectacular Mawgan Porth, between Newquay’s sandy beaches and Padstow’s bustling harbour.
The lowdown: You might think your days of spa-ing are behind you once you have a baby or toddler in tow, but Bedruthan goes out of its way to prove this doesn’t have to be the case. With baby listening services, childcare and a soft play room it has everything to keep little ones smiling – but doesn’t compromise on quality when it comes to grown-up guests (in the way many family resorts do).
The interiors combine everything you love about Scandinavian design with the best of Cornwall’s coastal beauty. Sleek designs and mid-century architecture meant our bedroom had floor-to-ceiling windows to make the most of the beach views and a room divider so we didn’t disturb the baby once he had turned in for the night.
The hotel prides itself in providing locally grown and caught dishes with plenty to keep both small customers and those with more sophisticated tastes happy. My baby, Freddie, was being weaned on to solid food when we visited and the kitchen happily pureed the offerings from the children’s menu each day.
If you can, try to time your visit to coincide with one of the Sunset, Fire And Feast nights – tuck into sharing plates created in front of you in an open kitchen while you dine in the coastal dune garden (sea views go without saying), then head to the fire pit for sunset and toasted marshmallows.
When we were child-free, Bedruthan would have been the sort of kiddy-packed hotel my husband and I would have run a mile to avoid. These days, it’s a little taste of heaven.
These never seen before candid snaps from the Edwardian era were taken in various locations around the UK. Unlike many portrait photographs from the period the holiday photos show a more relaxed side to life over 100 years ago.
The photos are on display in a new exhibition at Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery until 29th August
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An Edwardian holiday by the sea
USP: The Spa Garden Experience is an hour-long, seven-step extravaganza designed to detoxify and refresh. Taking its inspiration from the waves crashing just a short walk away, you’ll enjoy an invigorating dry salt scrub, outdoor shower, sea-view cedar wood sauna, cold bucket shower (for the very brave), a hot tub in the herb garden and a wet seaweed and salt scrub in the shower room, before a warm copper footbath and a herbal tea by the fire – skin smooth and pleasingly pink. Blissful.
Who you’ll see in the steam room: Exhausted mums and wide-eyed dads nabbing a little R&R while they can.
Time for one treatment: Choose from one of seven blends of chakra-balancing essential oils for your ila Chakra Wellbeing massage (£130 for 120 minutes), which is dedicated to relaxing tense muscles, de-stressing the nervous system and improving lymphatic drainage.
The treatment also starts with a full-body scrub and concludes with warm oils being poured over your “third eye” (essentially between the eyebrows) – it’s an ancient ritual believed to calm the mind and restore body balance. Whether I believe in the spiritual side of it all didn’t seem to matter, this sleep-deprived new mum was totally blissed out.
Amy Packer
Bedruthan Hotel & Spa (01637 861200, bedruthan.com) offers Toddler Breaks from £478 for two nights, including accommodation, breakfast, two hours of free childcare each day, dinners in The Wild Café and a free evening of toddler-sitting as well as the loan of all terrain buggies and toddler-carrying backpacks.
Brighton Harbour Hotel’s unique underground spa
Brighton Harbour Hotel & Spa
Where: Situated on the famous promenade, Brighton Harbour Hotel is the prime position for those wanting to get the best out of their stay in the seaside resort. It’s within walking distance of the Lanes shopping area, iconic pier and the new British Airways i360 sky-high viewing attraction. Once you manage to tear yourself away from this stylish bolthole, complete with indulgent spa, everything is right on the doorstep.
The lowdown: The elegant white Regency building dates back to 1884 and has been refurbished throughout. The hotel has 79 contemporary rooms over five floors, decorated with delightful seaside prints that echo the coastal vibe, and some rooms have a roll-top bath at the foot of the bed.
Head to the HarBar for a pre-dinner tipple, where the bar staff recreate a few of Tom Cruise’s moves while whipping up a cocktail. The Jetty restaurant is heaven for seafood lovers. The sashimi is incredible, while the lobster is truly decadent.
But it’s the spa where the hotel really comes into its own. An underground haven of relaxation, the air is filled with lemongrass and citrus while subtle lighting, earthy grey tones and wallpaper resembling wood panelling provide the serene backdrop for this small but perfectly formed spa. There are six treatment rooms, including one dedicated to couples, where you can lie horizontal for hours and be pampered from top to toe. There’s also an extensive gym complete with Cybex equipment, and a manicure station.
USP: You have the bright lights of Brighton on your doorstep, but when you’re inside the hotel you’re immediately whisked away from the hustle and bustle of the promenade and gulls circling overhead to discover a touch of calm, serenity and some real R&R.
Who you’ll see in the steam room: Ladies who lunch putting their feet up after a lengthy shopping spree in the Lanes and couples getting away from it all for the weekend.
Time for one treatment: The ESPA Aromatherapy Massage (£87.50 for 70 minutes) is tailored to your individual needs and helps to reduce stress and fatigue. For this deeply relaxing full-body massage, which also gives attention to the scalp, my therapist Olivia used ESPA Fitness Body Oil, a warming sensual mix that quickly drew nourishing moisture deep into my skin, leaving it soft, supple and beautifully fragranced and my body invigorated and tension-free.
Charlotte Civil
Brighton Harbour Hotel & Spa (01273 323221, brighton-harbour-hotel.co.uk) offers a two-night Indulgent Treatment Break from £365 (per couple). It includes sea-view accommodation with breakfast and dinner on the first night in The Jetty restaurant (£27.50pp allowance), use of spa facilities and 70 minutes of treatments each. Offer expires May 31 (excludes Fri and Sat nights).*
