Travel
4 of the best countryside spa hotels to escape to
Escape to views of rolling hills, serene lakes and tranquil woodland. We reveal our pick of the best countryside spa hotels for your next break.
The best countryside spa hotels
Isle of Eriska Hotel, Spa and Island
Get away from it all (quite literally) with a break to the Isle of Eriska Hotel, Spa and Island, near Oban, Scotland. Located on its own private island, this spa hotel has stunning views over Loch Linnhe, with the Morvern peaks providing a dramatic backdrop.
One of the highlights of this spa is the natural products it uses for its treatments. One of our favourite brands, ishga, is a staple in the massages, facials and body treatments. Containing ingredients that hail from the Hebridean islands, ishga harnesses the wellbeing power of Scottish seaweed to transform and protect the skin. Opt for an ishga seaweed body wrap, or enjoy total relaxation with an ishga hot stones massage. Your skin will reap the benefits long after the treatment has come to an end.
When you’re not relaxing, the Isle of Eriska is also a haven for keen explorers, with a number of easily accessible walks. Take a pair of binoculars and keep an eye out for red squirrels, cormorants and maybe even an otter or seal. Hike from the heronry up to the cairn for a longer walk. Just be sure to return to the hotel’s oak-panelled hall, with its roaring fire, in time for tea and fresh scones.
Rooms from £400 a night.
Book your stay at Isle of Eriska Hotel, Spa and Island
Horwood House Hotel and Spa
Nestled in the heart of the Buckinghamshire countryside is the red-brick Horwood House. This country escape is just a short car journey from the centre of Milton Keynes, making it easy to access, even if you’re coming from the capital. Having recently been refurbished, there’s a sense of grandeur from the moment you arrive – from the sweeping driveway and expansive rural views, to the Grade II-listed manor house at the centre of the hotel.
After a friendly welcome at reception, head to your room where you’ll find an array of thoughtful details – from local gin to fluffy bathrobes and slippers. Feel like splashing out? Opt for an executive suite with a terrace and enjoy your own relaxing outdoor space. You can even request a dog-friendly room and bring along a four-legged friend.
The new spa is well worth a visit. This intimate retreat has a sauna, steam room and swimming pool. You can also indulge your senses with one of the many treatments on offer. I plumped for the Resveratrol Lift facial firming, lifting and anti-wrinkle treatment, a 50-minute facial designed to help tone, lift and contour the skin with stimulating massage. It left me feeling relaxed and my skin looking youthful and glowing. Bliss!
And, while you’re here, you must try the spa’s afternoon tea. Heavenly bites of cake – including colourful macarons and tempting scones – follow deliciously delicate finger sandwiches. Wash down with a glass of fizz or elderflower tonic to make the afternoon feel truly opulent.
Rooms from £92 a night.
Book at stay at Horwood House Hotel and Spa
Beaverbrook
Tucked away in the Surrey Hills you’ll find Beaverbook – a quintessentially English country house estate with 400 acres of grounds. A short journey from the capital, it’s a sublime place to rest, recharge and get away from urban life.
The rooms ooze splendour and character. You can stay in one of the 18 rooms in the main house, or opt for something more private in the garden. Expect traditional décor that exudes old English charm – from four-poster beds to private terraces overlooking the estate. The natural surroundings of the estate weave their way through various aspects of the hotel, including its spa. Natural light pools through glass ceilings and expansive windows, while botanicallyinspired art adorns the walls.
The spa prides itself on its holistic approach to wellbeing. A visit to the resident naturopath, Camilla dos Santos, is well-recommended during your stay. After an in-depth consultation to discuss your physical and emotional wellbeing, Camilla will devise a personal treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Inside the spa, you’ll find both indoor and outdoor pools, along with a Jacuzzi, steam room, sauna and ice fountain. There’s also a relaxation area with private pods – perfect for unwinding in complete privacy. What’s more, there are a whole raft of treatments to enjoy, including vitamin and mineral intravenous infusions.
Plus, don’t miss the Coach House Deli. Its cold-pressed juices, superfood salads and array of delicious flatbreads are just the thing for a poolside snack.
Rooms from £670 a night,
Lake Vyrnwy Hotel & Spa
Enjoy the peace and tranquillity of a lakeside escape with a stay at Lake Vyrnwy Hotel & Spa, on the edge of Snowdonia. Its location in the hills of the Berwyn Mountains, overlooking the shimmering Lake Efyrnwy (really a reservoir), couldn’t be more splendid. You don’t want to miss sunset here.
Nature takes centre stage at this hotel. Venture out on a walk through protected woodland and stumble across tumbling waterfalls, peaceful forest views and wildlife in abundance. Alternatively, enjoy time on the lake. Canoeing, kayaking, sailing and paddle-boarding are all on offer.
On rainy days, retreat to the spa, where you’ll find a luxurious thermal suite. Soak up the healing properties of salt in the steam room, or sweat it out in the sauna with its fabulous lake views. There are also a number of experience showers offering a multi-sensory soak, while an ice fountain is a welcome full-body invigoration for anyone brave enough to brace the cold. The Jacuzzi spa pool is well worth a dip too, again offering spectacular views of the lake and its surrounding scenery.
Rooms from £120.
Book at stay at Lake Vyrnwy Hotel and Spa
