Sure, ostensibly, a spa break is to help you recharge and refresh. You’re there to get your knots eased, your limbs lithe and your woes soothed. But, you know, if said spa just so happened to also have say, floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views, or a hot tub the size of a small principality, or the kind of relaxation area that wouldn’t look out of place in Architectural Digest, then not taking a snap for Instagram seems just plain rude. Behold – and book, pronto – some of the best-looking spas in the nation…
By Daniela Morosini
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1 Alexander House & Hotel Utopia Spa
Best for: poolside posing
If you like your luxury spas with a side of Grecian glamour, look no further. The imposing columns of the tucked-away pool will transport you to a land the land of gods and goddesses – but in fact, you’ll be no further than the Surrey-Sussex border. Get a panorama shot of the beautiful countryside and charming Austen-esque hotel, and Snapchat to your heart’s content in tranquil, glass-panelled relaxation areas. Ahh, bliss.
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2 The Spa at The Four Seasons Hotel Park Lane London
Best for: roof-top mega views
Look, it’s the Four Seasons. Need we say anymore? A sleek, luxury, tenth-floor rooftop retreat with 360 degree views over Hyde Park, this spa will take you dizzying heights – literally. On top of all that, there’s suitably luxurious spa facilities, including private relaxation pods, beautiful plunge pools and a steam room situated with a view right over the Royal Park. Your Snapchat story seriously needs this.
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3 Carden Spa at Carden Park Hotel
Best for: the Instagram addict
The pool at Carden Park is so big we’re pretty sure it can issue it’s own passports and currency. If the thought of a selfie with rolling blue, crystal-clear waters doesn’t tickle your fancy, maybe the lush purple-hued treatment rooms, complete with oodles of fluffy towels will. Or the hydrotherapy pools with giant taps that blissfully pummel you with water and ease all your muscle tightness and tension. If all that relaxation gets a bit tiresome, go and wear yourself out with a brisk stroll around the jaw-dropping grounds, complete with every kind of topiary and foliage you can dream of. Then go back to the spa and flop onto a comfy couch. Dreamy.
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4 ESPA Life at Corinthia
Best for: soz not soz spa bragging
Look, we’d say that the Corinthia is the Rolls-Royce of spas, but that would be something of an understatement. If you’re vying for a spot on the Rich Kids Of Instagram feed, or just want a little #humblebrag to make your colleagues jealous, this is the spot for you. There’s a Daniel Galvin hair studio, a steam room covered in black mosaic, more Tunisian marble than you can shake a soap-on-a-rope at and walls covered in textured leather. The secluded pool is the jewel in the crown of the 3,300 square metre spa, although the whopping chandelier in the reception gives it a run for its money. Fresh flowers festoon every available horizontal surface, and it’s an oasis of calm in the city. A must-see (and snap).
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5 Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel
Best for: al fresco spa selfies
An elegant Georgian manor steeped in history, if you’re a little more Downton Abbey than The Hills, this is the place for you. Breathe in lungfuls of fresh country area, and then marvel at the idyll calm of the outdoor pool, surrounded by snuggly loungers. The piece de resistance? The giant tap that pumps water into the pool in an oddly hypnotic manor. Your Instagram feed needs a photo here, trust us.
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6 Akasha Holistic Centre at Cafe Royal
Best for: a zen interior backdrop
We could tell you about how this central London spa fuses Eastern and Western wellness practices for a truly holistic, revitalising treatment. Or, we could tell you about the private hammam that you can book, or the cleansing hydrotherapy Vichy shower. OR, we could tell you that it’s got London’s only Watsu pool, waters so blue they put the sky on a summer’s day to shame, and more gleaming marble than all the Kardashian-Jenners residences combined.
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7 Moddershall Oaks
Best for: chalet chic #insta #interiors
Set in 72 acres of Staffordshire countryside, this gem of a spa brings a little Alpine cool to the UK. With an awe (and jealousy) inspiring outdoor hot tub surrounded by a roaring open fireplace and piles of chalet-esque timber, it’s the perfect spot for a #blessed squad snap. If you prefer to keep things indoors, the lush hydrotherapy pool won’t disappoint – nor will the tasteful decor. Conde Nast gave them a nod in their Luxury Spa guide, and the food in the restaurant is award-winning – pack a portable phone charger, we say. There’s a lot to snap.
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8 Ockenden Manor Hotel & Spa
Best for: pool with a view
This joint is where old meets new. The hotel oozes Elizabeth splendour with its exposed timber beams and tranquil walled garden, while the spa is straight out of a sci-fi movie. In a good way. Think floor-to-ceiling windows that give you an unrivalled view over the Sussex country, and futuristic fixtures that are just begging to be snapped – #nofilter style. The indoor and outdoor pools are separated only by a window – which is a very sneaky way of fooling your followers into thinking you’re living it up in an infinity pool. Clever.
FAQs
Which spa offers the best panoramic countryside views?
You can experience stunning panoramic countryside views at Alexander House & Hotel Utopia Spa. The pool area features floor-to-ceiling windows and tranquil glass-panelled relaxation spots, all set by the Surrey-Sussex border for maximum scenic beauty.
What spa should you choose for the ultimate rooftop experience in London?
The Spa at The Four Seasons Hotel Park Lane offers an amazing tenth-floor rooftop retreat with 360 degree views over Hyde Park. Enjoy luxury spa facilities, private relaxation pods and a steam room with views over the Royal Park.
Where can you take the most Instagram-worthy spa photos?
Carden Spa at Carden Park Hotel is ideal for those wanting Instagram-worthy backdrops. The vast pool, purple-hued treatment rooms, lush grounds and hydrotherapy pools with giant taps create perfect photo opportunities throughout your visit.
Which spa is perfect for a unique indoor and outdoor pool experience?
Ockenden Manor Hotel & Spa features indoor and outdoor pools separated only by a window, letting you enjoy a futuristic spa while feeling like you’re in an infinity pool. The design combines Elizabethan charm in the hotel with a modern, sci-fi feel in the spa area.
Where can you find London’s only Watsu pool?
The Akasha Holistic Centre at Cafe Royal is home to London’s only Watsu pool. The pool’s brilliant blue water, private hammam, and hydrotherapy Vichy shower make it a unique holistic relaxation space in central London.