Spa Days
Find A Spa Day That Suits You
You don't need to book a hotel room to have a proper escape. A spa day can give you several hours away from normal life, with time to use the pool and spa facilities, enjoy a treatment and, depending on the package, stop for lunch or afternoon tea as well.
The important thing is to compare what each spa day actually includes. One package might give you a full day in a large thermal spa, while another includes a shorter session but adds a massage or facial. Neither is necessarily better; it depends whether you want plenty of spa time, treatments, food or simply somewhere quiet to switch off.
Use this guide to compare the different types of UK spa days, understand what you're paying for and work out which sort of package is right for you.
Choose Your Spa Day
What Is A Spa Day?
A spa day lets you use a spa without staying overnight. Depending on the venue and package, you might have access to facilities such as a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, hydrotherapy pool or thermal suite for anything from a few hours to most of the day.
Treatments and food may be included as well. Some packages are built around one massage or facial, while others focus much more on the facilities. That's why it's worth looking beyond the words "spa day" and checking exactly what your time and money are buying.
What's Usually Included?
At a minimum, we'd expect a spa-day package to give you a defined amount of time using the facilities. Many venues also provide a robe and towel, although slippers or flip-flops aren't always included.
Depending on the package, you could also get a treatment, lunch, afternoon tea, a drink or credit towards food or spa products. Don't assume these extras are included just because another package at the same hotel has them.
Full Day Spa Packages
A full spa day is the option to look at if the facilities themselves are the main attraction. You'll normally have much more time to use the pool, sauna, steam room and relaxation areas rather than feeling that you need to rush between treatments.
Arrival and departure times vary between venues, so check exactly how long "full day" means before booking. Lunch or another meal may also be included, particularly on higher-priced packages.
Popular UK Spa Day Destinations
Choosing The Right Spa Day
The best package isn't necessarily the one that includes the longest list of extras. Start by deciding what you actually want to get from the day. If you mainly want to swim, use a thermal suite and relax with a book, prioritise facilities and generous access times. If you really want a massage or facial, treatment length should move much higher up the list.
Check The Spa Facilities
Spas vary enormously. One venue may have several pools, saunas, steam rooms, experience showers and relaxation spaces, while another might be a hotel leisure club with a swimming pool and a couple of treatment rooms.
That doesn't make the smaller spa a bad choice, particularly if you're paying less or mainly want a treatment. It just means you should know what to expect before you arrive.
Check How Long You Can Stay
Don't assume a spa day automatically gives you access from morning until evening. Some packages use timed sessions, and half-day offers may give you only a few hours in the facilities.
If you have a treatment booked in the middle of that time, think about how much actual spa time remains on either side of it.
Compare Treatments Properly
Treatments can account for a significant part of the package price. Look at the duration and the choices available rather than simply comparing the total price.
If one package includes a 50-minute massage and another includes a 20-minute treatment, they aren't really equivalent deals even if the headline prices are close.
Spa Days For Two
Spa days work particularly well for couples, friends and family because you can spend most of the day together without needing to plan very much. You can relax in the facilities, stop for something to eat and add treatments if you want them.
If you're both having treatments, check whether appointments can be arranged at the same time. Some spas have dual treatment rooms for couples, while others will book each person separately.
Luxury Spa Day Or Better Value Package?
More expensive doesn't always mean better for you. A luxury destination spa may have far more facilities, but if your priority is a long massage and lunch, a smaller venue with the right package might give you better value.
We'd compare the facilities, treatment time, food and amount of spa access before looking at the hotel's star rating.
What To Take On A Spa Day
Swimwear is the main thing you'll need. Most spas provide towels and many provide robes, but it's worth checking before you go. Some venues also supply slippers or flip-flops while others ask guests to bring suitable footwear.
Take comfortable clothes to travel in and anything you need for after swimming, such as toiletries and a change of underwear. If your package includes lunch or afternoon tea in a hotel restaurant, check whether there is a dress code.
If you're having a treatment, the spa may ask you to complete a consultation form and arrive a little before the appointment. Let the venue know about relevant allergies, injuries, pregnancy or medical considerations when booking so they can advise which treatments are suitable.
Spas Worth A Look
Spa Day Or Spa Break?
Choose a spa day if you mainly want treatments and facilities and don't need somewhere to stay. Without the cost of a hotel room, your budget can go further towards a better treatment, lunch or a more luxurious spa.
If getting away overnight is part of the appeal, have a look at our spa breaks guide instead. Our UK spa breaks page is also useful if you already know you want a hotel stay.
How To Find Better Value Spa Days
Flexibility helps here too. Weekday packages can sometimes give you more choice than busy Saturdays, and shorter morning or twilight sessions may cost less than a full day.
But don't judge value only by the price. A cheaper package isn't much use if it gives you very little time in the spa or doesn't include the treatment you really wanted.
Spa Day FAQs
Spa-day packages normally include a set amount of access to the spa or leisure facilities. Depending on the package, you may also get one or more treatments, lunch, afternoon tea, a drink or other extras. Always check the individual package before booking.
It varies. A full spa day may give you access for much of the day, while morning, afternoon and twilight packages may last only a few hours. The venue should state the arrival and departure times for the package.
Comfortable clothes are ideal for arriving and leaving, while you'll normally wear swimwear and a robe around the spa. Check whether the venue provides robes, towels and slippers and whether any restaurant included in your package has a separate dress code.
Some do and some don't. Packages can range from spa access only to experiences with one or several treatments included. Where a treatment is included, check both what it is and how long it lasts.
Yes. Spa days for two are widely available for couples, friends and family members. If you both want treatments, check whether appointments can be booked together or at similar times.
They can be. Some packages include lunch or afternoon tea, while others may include a drink or restaurant credit. Food isn't automatically included with every spa day, so check the package details.
Yes. Many venues offer morning, afternoon or evening spa sessions. These can be useful if you don't want to spend the entire day at the spa or are looking for a lower-priced package.
A twilight spa is an evening spa experience. It normally starts later in the day and gives you use of the facilities for a few hours. Some twilight packages also include dinner, a drink or a treatment.
Yes, if treatments are important to you. Popular appointment times can fill up, particularly at weekends. Where a package includes a treatment, check whether you need to contact the spa separately to confirm the appointment.
It often can be because you aren't paying for overnight accommodation. That can leave more of your budget for spa facilities, treatments and food. A spa break may offer better value if you specifically want an overnight getaway.