by The Lake District is not about vigorous outdoor activities on the fells or water. It can also be a place to kick back and let yourself be pampered in a spa. Even better, some of the best hotels in the area combine treatment and relaxation centers with stunning views, whether of lakes and hilltops or peaceful woodland. Some spas offer custom-blended products, others have well-known luxury brands; some are near big popular places, such as Grasmere and Lake Windermere, others are tucked away on private estates. So whether you want to slip into a hot tub after a long walk or simply visit for the scenery, here’s our pick of the best spa hotels in the Lake District.
How we review
Each hotel on this curated list has been visited by one of our expert reviewers, and is usually hosted on a free basis. They stay for at least one night, test at least one meal and try other experiences the hotel may have.
At a glance, the best spa hotels in the Lake District
Not many hotels can put an end to a relaxing spa treatment and an hour’s float in a heated rooftop pool at night surrounded by the humming of stones, the calls of owls and the moon above. But Brimstone is not like many other hotels; this modern, luxurious and very impressive place is part of the picturesque Langdale Estate. From candlelit massages and a range of body treatments to the beautifully designed Spa network of foot baths, ice showers, steam relaxation rooms and saunas, it is a true haven for those looking for escape and pampering. And nothing beats the indoor/outdoor rooftop pool in the evening, especially when there’s a fresh cocktail waiting for your dress – making it one of the best spa hotels in the Lake District.
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Also part of the Langdale Estate, the Langdale Hotel shares the spa at Brimstone (see above). The hilly terrain, and the way the separate, low-level slate buildings are set amongst the trees, along with a series of small streams, makes it feel natural rather than intrusive. In contrast, the interior is bright and snazzy – think leather banquettes and velvet-covered seats, designer lighting, clubby-style bedrooms and cool shades of teal, dove gray and moss green. The exceptions are the upper-class rooms: either remote, Scandi-style rooms with balconies over the bay or sex-restricted affairs that might include double slipper baths and seven-foot-wide beds.
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Armathwaite Hall, which has stood on this site in one form or another since the 11th century, is set within 400 acres of gardens, a deer park and private woodland, and enjoys views of Loch Bassenthwaite. The spa area is excellent, with an indoor pool, hot tub and thermal room, while the outdoor infinity pool overlooks manicured gardens and really emphasizes the feeling of indifference: you are welcome to relax there with a glass of champagne. The beauty treatments are divine and use locally sourced bespoke products, after which guests are tucked under blankets in the relaxation room for as long as they wish. Outside, there are woodland walks, a croquet lawn, a helipad and a tennis court.
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Perched over Derwentwater and the fells of Skiddaw and Catbells, this landmark dog-friendly hotel has moved into the 21st century with a swanky spa and an Asian dining option without the glamor of its rooms, lounges and a more traditional restaurant. lose. The Victorian slate building, with its central tower and high gables, has been greatly extended, and the spa and new rooms are in a striking accommodation-like building. It’s certainly impressive, with its thermal suite, champagne bar and outdoor hydrotherapy pool overlooking the lake, but remember that two-hour access will cost you £30 every Monday to Friday (or £35 Friday-Sunday) if you are not staying there. a Spa Suite.
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Elsewhere takes its inspiration from its popular Cornish sister hotel, Watergate Bay, and its epithet, ‘ski resort on the beach’, which is mainly aimed at families and younger adults. The easy-to-live-with yet stylish and attractive decor, featuring good local wall art, as well as plenty of sofas, armchairs and large tables for dining or board games, captures the building’s Georgian origins perfectly and is attractive. your youth. , sports customers. Facilities include a superb 20 meter glass fronted indoor swimming pool, hot tub, sauna, gymnasium and a couple of spa treatment rooms, while the water sports available are stand up boarding, sailing (from the sailing school across the lake), kayaking. and wild swimming.
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Lake Windermere Hotel which has now expanded into a modern resort with water sports and a spa. As a ‘holiday hotel’, it caters to guests whether they want to be idle, active or have family fun. The snazzy spa, with a thermal experience, overlooks the lake (although additional access depends on the room you’ve booked, unless you’re on a separate spa package) and the leisure center (free in free) gym, unlimited indoor and outdoor. pools, and outdoor sauna. For relaxation, there are several lounge areas. Rooms are spread between the original inn, a courtyard block at the rear, the leisure center complex and a slate and glass building on the slopes at the rear.
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After a hard day’s walking on the walls, welcome to the slinky, modern Spa of the Clumchinn. It’s minimal in style, with lots of sleek edges, brushed concrete, abstract art and monochrome tiles, and makes the most of mood lighting to set the soothing tone, from candle lanterns to fiber optics. The centerpiece is a bubbly thermal pool which is great for soothing any aches and pains, but there’s also a sauna, steam room and tepidarium (which is a bit like a sauna, but warm instead of hot). There are plenty of treatments available, including Mud Rasul – a Middle Eastern therapy that combines a mud pack, sauna and shower – and posh cleaning products courtesy of Germaine de Capuccini.
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Life at the Gilpin is all about kicking back – especially at the Lake House – and with private hot tubs and saunas, Michelin-starred food and legions of staff, the property is firmly in the indulgent break category. In the Swedish-style Jetty Spa at Lake House, therapists offer aromatherapy treatments from a log cabin overlooking the water (try a hot stone ritual in the early evening, as the mists roll in) as well as many massages, facials, manicures and pedicures. For something more private, the individual glass and wood spa lodges have their own spa facilities, and are definitely worth checking out. Elsewhere, fishing, horse riding, mountain biking, paintball and treasure hunting can be organised.
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The Spa at The Swan on the first floor was a small but beautiful affair, however in April 2022 a new ground floor space was launched offering much more than the original. Treatments range from restorative scalp massage rituals and Gua Sha techniques to hydrating facials and volcanic stone body scrubs. Afterwards, guests can relax in the super-stylish relaxation room or go on a thermal journey to enjoy the vitality pool, steam room, Finnish sauna, experience showers, drench buckets and spa pools (access two hour on the thermal room plus). Spa Garden £20 per guest). You could spend all day pottering about here; when you’re not enjoying the spa, there are plenty of local walks and those looking to relax while watching the action in the nearby marina can enjoy a drink on the riverside terrace overlooking on him.
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This is a place that lives up to old fashioned hotel standards and is well geared towards a weekend break, especially with its leisure centre, spa and treatment rooms. At the heart of the spa is an indoor swimming pool with glorious views over the lake, as well as a whirlpool, steam room and sauna. Treatments at the Aveda Spa range from Swedish massages and exfoliating ‘Aqua therapy polish’ to traditional facials and a 30-minute foot treatment designed to put the spring back in your step. There are many corners where the papers can be marked, although most guests retreat to the lakeside conservatory and terrace. Elsewhere, rooms are generous in size, with a choice of formal or more relaxed dining available.
