One of the questions we get asked most frequently is which are the best spa hotels with an outdoor hot tub or spa pool.
Many spas and luxury hotels have upped their game in the spa pool and hot tub department in recent years, creating beautiful spa gardens offering bubbly al fresco relaxation. Here’s our handpicked roundup of the best spas with an outdoor hot tub for 2024:
The Scarlet Hotel and Spa has two perfectly positioned cliff top hot tubs overlooking pretty Mawgan Porth beach in Cornwall. It also has a lovely indoor pool with a sea view, and a natural reed-filtered outdoor pool. The Scarlet prides itself on its eco credentials and is a great choice for a coastal boutique hotel retreat.
The Nici, a new and multi award-winning hotel in Bournemouth is another great choice, with stylish Garden Suites that have their own private hot tubs. There are also inviting indoor and outdoor pools and the seafront hotel has its own cinema too. Plus, you can just head down the zig zag path at the bottom of the garden to a lovely sandy beach.
Lime Wood Hotel in the New Forest is one of our favourite all rounders, offering stylish surroundings, fabulous food and its lovely nature-embracing spa, Herb House. The toasty outdoor spa pool has year-round appeal and hotel’s large roof garden comes into its own during the summer months.
Rudding Park in beautiful Harrogate has a particularly lovely spa garden with a rooftop spa where you can survey the gardens while you immerse yourself in the warm bubbly water. Then, retreat to the hotel’s private cinema or enjoy a meal at its popular fine dining restaurant, Horto.
Carbis Bay Hotel and Spa near St. Ives is fabulously located above sandy Carbis Bay beach near St. Ives. Some of the luxury accommodation comes with a private hot tub, or you can head to the spa pool above the outdoor swimming pool and see if you can spot any dolphins in the bay while you relax.
Calcot and Spa in the Cotswolds has one of our all-time favourites. Slip into the bubbly waters of the beautiful fireside spa pool and lose yourself in the wood-fired flames. Then explore the pretty grounds and enjoy spotting some of the wildlife that’s thriving thanks to its rewilding programme.
For something a little different, Chewton Glen in the New Forest offers tubs among the trees in their luxury tree house accommodation so you can enjoy a spot of nature bathing while you soak.
Club Cottonmill at Sopwell House in St. Albans is another of the newer luxury spas, with several outdoor hot tubs and a designer spa garden where you can kick back in your own cabana while you’re soothed by the sounds of water features.
Book a stay at Cliveden and you can relax in the hot tub next to the iconic ‘Profumo’ pool or opt for a private terrace tub by booking one of the Deluxe Rooms overlooking the spa garden. Historic luxury and modern pampering in equal measure.
Borringdon Hall in Plymouth is another historic hotel with a lovely modern spa and fabulous restaurant with a Michelin star. Stay in one of the new spa suites or choose one of the manor house rooms with its own private hot tub.
For fans of a lake vista, it doesn’t come much better than the hot tub at The Samling in the Lake District where you can relax with a glass of fizz overlooking Windermere. Ok, so there’s no spa here, but it firmly ticks other wellbeing boxes with its stunning views and Michelin starred fine dining.
The luxurious Spa Lodges at The Gilpin Hotel in the Lake District come with their own private spa area, including outdoor hot tub. There’s a Michelin starred restaurant here too and acres of gorgeous grounds to explore.
Art’otel in the new Battersea Power Station development offers guests a rooftop pool and adjoining spa pool with killer views of London. The hotel has two good restaurants too and makes a lovely design-forward base from which to explore the city.
