The Good Hotel Guide is the leading independent guide to hotels in Great Britain & Ireland, and also covers parts of Continental Europe. The Guide was first published in 1978. It is written for the reader seeking impartial advice on finding a good place to stay. Hotels cannot buy their way into the Guide. The editors and inspectors do not accept free hospitality on their anonymous visits to hotels. All hotels in the Guide receive a free basic listing. A fee is charged for a full web entry.
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Hotels for Christmas with spa
Featured Hotels with Special Offers
Homewood
Bath, Somerset
'Three Nights for the Price of Two' Special Offer
The yellow submarine in the grounds and a hedge sculpture of a giraffe set the scene at this playful, quirky hotel, in a traditional honey-stone building that is both family and dog friendly.
Bishopstrow
Warminster, Wiltshire
'Stay Longer, Save More' Special Offer
This blissful country house hotel is even more beautiful at Christmas, when the whole family can gather for an unforgettable celebration. Sprinkled with tradition, it includes all the bells and whistles plus a little bit extra. They offer a three-night break including chef-hosted dinners, extravagant Christmas day breakfast and Champagne trolleys all around. Start with festive treats on arrival as well as Champagne, canapés, live music and a three-course dinner on Christmas Eve. On Christmas morning enjoy Mimosas with breakfast before preparing for a four-course lunch, with coffee and petit fours. In the evening there's a festive feast with a tipsy tipple. Then on Boxing Day enjoy a leisurely breakfast, a festive cream tea in the lounges and a chef's kitchen garden feast followed by a hosted quiz. On the morning of 27th enjoy a superb breakfast before taking a refreshing a dip in the pool and saying your merry goodbyes.
The Devonshire Arms
Skipton, Yorkshire
'Summer Escape on the Estate' Special Offer
A former 17th-century inn, which is part of the Duke of Devonshire's 30,000-acre estate at Bolton Abbey, is today an impressive country-house hotel, with fine dining and a spa.
Bedruthan Hotel and Spa
Mawgan Porth, Cornwall
Winter Escape Special Offer
On show through walls of windows, the sea is a huge presence at this family-run hotel on the cliffs above a surfers' beach, which offers craft sessions as well as a spa and kids club.
Hartwell House
Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
'The Great Summer Offer' Special Offer
This historic house has many a compelling reason to visit during the festive season. It has a history as the periodic home of royalty and its palatial style continues to this day.
The Nare
Veryan-In-Roseland, Cornwall
'Get Away From It All' Special Offer
At this seaside hotel, Christmas is all about home-made mince pies, crackling fires and black-tie dining.
The Scarlet
Mawgan Porth, Cornwall
'Two Night Spend Time Together' Special Offer
A contemplative, adults-only space, this Ayurvedic-inspired spa has an inside- outside feel, with cliff-top hot tubs, an indoor pool with sea views, a reed-filtered outdoor pool. Herbs and heat, salt and seaweed are all deployed for your well- being.
Middlethorpe Hall & Spa
York, Yorkshire
'Autumn and Winter Break' Special Offer
This magnificent property is the stuff that Christmas cards are made of, and over the festive season they turn everything from their spa to their afternoon tea into a festive treat.
Cary Arms & Spa
Babbacombe, Devon
'Wildlife Sea Kayaking Safari Stay' Special Offer
On a cliff-side above a secluded south Devon cove, this stylish hotel is just the place for seaside de-stressing. A sun terrace at the spa looks over Babbacombe Bay; inside, there's an aromatherapy shower, a hydrotherapy pool, a sauna and steam rooms. Algae-based beauty and well-being treatments are available for face and body – and a duo massage room means double the repose.
The Eastbury Hotel & Spa
Sherborne, Dorset
'Seasonal Getaway' Special Offer
Fun, food and relaxation await at The Eastbury on a Christmas festive break.
Congham Hall
King's Lynn, Norfolk
'January Sale' Special Offer
Fragrant herbs and flowers from the renowned herb garden infuse signature treatments in the Secret Garden Spa at this Georgian mansion. There's a pool with floor-to-ceiling windows, a thermal suite, an outdoor hot tub.
The Atlantic Hotel
St Brelade, Jersey
Atlantic 'Winter Retreat' Special Offer
Glamorous ocean vistas draw the eye beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows of this hotel, on a headland above St Ouen's Bay, beside Le Moye Golf Club. Designed to recall 1930s marine architecture, it has a pool in landscaped grounds and an ambience of holiday fun and leisure, with gourmet picnics on offer for a day's surfing or wildlife spotting.
No. 1 Pery Square
Limerick, Co. Limerick
'Wine and Dine' One Night Special Offer
Boutique chic has replaced backpackers' basics at this former youth hostel, which is now a popular city hotel, with a handy car park and particularly good rates for single travellers.
Mallory Court
Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
'Ultimate Tasting Experience' Special Offer
In the grounds of an Arts and Crafts country house, the Elan Spa has a fitness room with static bikes, treadmills and exercise pool – or facials and massage for those who simply want to unwind. Perhaps a hot stone massage, or a chakra well-being ritual.
The Fell Hotel
Skipton, North Yorkshire
'Three Nights for Two' Special Offer
A more affordable sister to the Devonshire Arms – though no poor relation – this hotel began life as a Victorian gentleman’s club.
More Hotels for Christmas with spa
Burgh Island Hotel
Bigbury-On-Sea, Devon
Whether cosy or casual or stylish and sophisticated is your preference, it's all superbly chic at Burgh Island, where Christmas is experienced with sea views and a celebratory fashion.
Heckfield Place
Hook, Hampshire
Life is attuned to nature at this country-house hotel in a Georgian mansion on a working estate. with walled garden, biodynamic farm, luxury spa, and two restaurants that celebrate seasonality and provenance.
Polurrian on the Lizard
Mullion, Cornwall
'Hotel settings don't get much more spectacular than the Polurrian's, on the cliff edge overlooking its own beach,' writes a guide insider. The relaxed family and dog-friendly hotel makes the most of the coastal views.
The Alfriston
Alfriston, Sussex
If Christmas is a time for eating and drinking then Deans Place is definitely the place to be. From party nights to relaxing in front of a roaring fire, this is a sumptuous escape for the whole family.
Summer Lodge
Evershot, Dorset
Country-house luxury abounds at this child-friendly, dog-friendly hotel, a Georgian mansion in ‘well-maintained gardens a huge joy to visit’.
Soar Mill Cove Hotel
Salcombe, Devon
You'll find everything you need for a holiday at this family-run, child-friendly, dog-friendly hotel tucked away in a valley, with a path to a secluded sandy beach.
Douneside House
Tarland, Aberdeenshire
Eligible military guests receive a discount at this Edwardian gem of a Scottish revival country house in beautifully maintained gardens, owned by a charitable trust and filled with family mementoes, where bedrooms blend classic and contemporary style and tasting menus feature produce from the walled kitchen garden.
Another Place
Ullswater, Cumbria
Bring the dog, bring the kids, revel in the gorgeous scenery and the great outdoors at this ‘lifestyle hotel’ with private shorefront on Ullswater and plenty of activities on offer. It's the old, staid Rampsbeck Hotel reinvented (out with the chintz and swags, on with the wetsuits or hiking boots!)
Watersmeet
Woolacombe, Devon
'An exceptional seaside hotel', with views from the rooms and terrace to secluded Combesgate beach below, this family-friendly hotel is a former Edwardian gentleman's retreat.
The Harper
Holt, Norfolk
You don't have to blow a fortune to stay at this relaxed yet refined hotel in some converted barns, the former home of Langham Glass, and featuring many charming nods to its heritage.
Gilpin Hotel and Lake House
Windermere, Cumbria
Perched in the tree canopy, the Swedish- style Jetty Spa offers treatments for Lake House guests. Or stay in a Spa Lodge with steam room, outdoor sauna and hydrotherapy tub, and book in-room treatments. Gilpin guests have use of nearby Choices Health Club.
Bodysgallen Hall and Spa
Llandudno, Conwy
This dreamy Elizabethan mansion-turned-hotel-and-spa with views of Snowdonia, comes to life at Christmas time as you can imagine - it's the perfect combination of tradition and modern luxury.
Chewton Glen
New Milton, Hampshire
From the ozone-treated pool and outdoor hot tubs, to crystal steam rooms and aromatherapy saunas, this spa sets the standard. There are top-to-toe beauty treatments, yoga and Tai Chi, all in a lovely New Forest setting.
The Middleton Lodge Estate
Richmond, Yorkshire
Leave the fuss and fret of the AI(M) at Scotch Corner to reconnect with the land at this idyllic hotel, centred on a Georgian coach house amid gardens, parkland and woodland.
The Swan Hotel & Spa
Newby Bridge, Cumbria
A 'sprawling, traditional building in a beautiful setting' at the tip of Windermere, this family and dog-friendly hotel has easy access to lake-based activities as well as a spa.
Feversham Arms Hotel & Verbena Spa
Helmsley, Yorkshire
There is a clever mix of the traditional and modern at this Victorian coaching inn with contemporary main-house, poolside and spa suites, inventive cooking in the restaurant, and an all-year heated outdoor pool.
Fistral Beach Hotel
Cornwall
Overlooking an iconic surfers' beach, this adults-only spa hotel has a wide choice of rooms from very affordable to luxurious with sea-view balcony.
Swinton Park
Masham, Yorkshire
A neo-Gothic fantasy castle in glorious pleasure grounds and parkland, the Cunliffe-Lister family's hotel offers a taste of country-house living, with opulent interiors, spacious bedrooms and suites, estate-to-plate dining and a spa.
Sopwell House Hotel
St Albans, Hertfordshire
A favourite hangout of the England football team, the former home of Lord Louis Mountbatten has contemporary bedrooms, cosseting suites, a good choice of eating and drinking spaces, and a magnificent spa.
Ilsington Country House Hotel & Spa
Newton Abbot, Devon
This Dartmoor country house hotel's spa draws inspiration from Tibet, with soothing sounds, scents and music. There's a hydrotherapy pool, steam room, sauna, and poolside 'kubel dusche' – a bucket of ice water to tip over yourself.
The New Inn
Tresco, Isles Of Scilly
The only pub on this family-owned, car-free island, the New Inn has smart contemporary interiors alongside plenty of innate charm.
Boringdon Hall
Plymouth, Devon
Steeped in romance, this Elizabethan manor-house hotel is a place of contrasts, blending history with modern amenities, from the Great Hall lounge and Heritage rooms with four-poster beds, to Scandi-style wellness rooms with outdoor hot tub, a state-of-the art spa, a Michelin-starred restaurant and more informal brasserie.
Cliveden House
Taplow, Berkshire
Surely one of Britain's most beautiful spas lies within old brick walls in the gardens of this Italianate mansion. Facilities include an indoor and (notorious) outdoor pool, a gym, hot tubs – an easy drive from London.
The Fife Arms
Braemar, Aberdeenshire
Contemporary artwork alongside taxidermy and objets d'arts, The Fife Arms has an air of excitement at all times of the year, but at Christmas it's inspired by Victorian style.
Twr y Felin Hotel
St Davids, Pembrokeshire
From mulled wine and homemade mince pies, to live festive reading and invigorating rambles, each year Twr Y Felin offers something unique alongside the traditional for a magical festive season.
No.15 by GuestHouse
Bath, Somerset
This boutique hotel does Christmas in opulent style, whether it's an exclusive party or a relaxing festive getaway.
Talbooth House & Spa
Dedham, Essex
With quirky, stylish bedrooms, spa, tennis court and outdoor pool, the Milsom family's country house in the heart of Constable country is a perfect place to relax and recharge. Guests have a choice of brasserie-style menus at nearby sister hotel Milsoms, and fine dining at the legendary Talbooth Restaurant, in a Tudor building right by the River Stour.
The Pig in the Forest
Brockenhurst, Hampshire
Pigs have foraged in the New Forest since the Norman Conquest, but a different breed arrived in 2011, when Robin Hutson took on a Georgian hunting lodge and reinvented the English country-house hotel, with a shabby-chic style mixing designer wallpapers and boot-sale finds in characterful house rooms and hideaway suites. Seasonal menus feature produce from the bountiful kitchen garden.
Fowey Hall
Fowey, Cornwall
A Baroque Victorian mansion in five-acre grounds above the Fowey estuary is home to this relaxed but stylish hotel, offering fun for all the family (not forgetting the dog), flexible dining, and comfortable, contemporary bedrooms.
Moonfleet Manor
Fleet, Dorset
A dog and child-friendly hotel above Chesil Beach, this Georgian manor house is dedicated to family leisure and pleasure, with plenty to keep tots and teens amused, while the restaurant serves light bites by day, bistro-style dishes at dinner.
If there's any time of year when a little pampering is in order, it has to be Christmas. You might be spending your time thinking about all the presents you want to buy your loved ones, but don't forget a little self-care as well. Then again, you might be looking to give someone you love a little wellbeing and time to themselves. With all that in mind, what could be better than a spa hotel for Christmas celebrations? Whether you fancy a historic country house that exudes grandeur, or a cosy pub with rooms that knows just how to get rid of those knots. Maybe you prefer a total wellbeing escape at an eco spa complete with a thermal suite, or a luxurious hotel where the kids are welcome to splash in the pool while mum and dad enjoy a little rest and relaxation all of their own. From coast to countryside or city escapes, what could make Christmas more special than a spa treatment to top it all off.
