Calcot and Spa
A luxury spa hotel in the Cotswolds that offers something for everyone you say? serving you Champagne in the outdoor hot tub, delicious food in the on-site inn and comfy, stylish accommodation? Why, we have just the place: Calcot and Spa in pretty, rural cotswolds
The lowdown
Calcot and Spa is one of the UK’s original luxury spa hotels, and the team’s experience shows in the slick spa offering, service and knowing exactly what floats the boat of today’s exacting wellness-seeking guest.
The country spa hotel has an understated confidence and offers comfortable luxury. Calcot and Spa has been at the top of the luxury spa hotel game since Calcot Manor, as it was then known, opened its spa in 2003. The hotel and its facilities are regularly updated, and added to, to ensure that loyal guests return year after year to its unique style of restorative retreat.
The hotel is spread over a collection of beautifully renovated old stone buildings, which date back to as early as 1300 AD. Many of the quietly luxurious rooms have original features, like rustic oak beams, which add to the character of the place. Beds are comfortable and dressed in luxury linen, mini bars stocked with thoughtful snacks and refreshments, and there are beautiful botanical products by local brand 100 Acres in the showers. The hotel is surrounded by over 200 acres of meadows and woodland which is being actively rewilded, offering plenty of opportunities for pretty walks, bike rides and nature-spotting on the doorstep. There’s even a ‘trim trail’ for those looking for a retro-titled wander. The hotel’s two restaurants capably cater to every drinking and dining need; we particularly rated our meals at the newly refurbished Brasserie (or ‘Braz’ as we heard a couple of regulars fondly calling it).
The hotel and spa offer great all-round facilities for all ages. As of 2023, it has a seriously impressive new fitness centre in the Grain Store, and stylish new Scandi-style relaxation areas both here and in the spa building.
Spavellous for
Spa days, solo spa breaks, small groups, celebration spa stay, restorative retreat, multigenerational groups, families, dog-friendly spa breaks, tennis players, nature lovers.
Spa info
The freshly renovated stand-alone spa is just a minute from the main hotel, and is home to the 16m indoor pool, seven treatment rooms, heat experiences and several relaxation areas. Outside in the spa garden the iconic hot tub bubbles in front of the open wood fire. Calcot’s original fireside hot tub is still the hottest seat in town, in all senses of the word, and it’s hard to beat the feeling of sinking into its toasty waters with a glass of something while watching the flames.
Back inside, recent spa additions include the beautifully calming relaxation and social areas. There’s a large hygge-vibed spa lounge with natural wood, cushion-clad sofas and wellness-oriented reading material. And a deep relaxation room that’s straight out of a Scandi interiors feature, with inviting day beds, wool blankets and low lighting (plus probably, a blissfully zoned-out guest having a cheeky snooze in the corner).
The indoor pool is large enough for length swimming and is flooded with natural light, with a small paddling pool to one side. Most of the time the spa’s a child-free zone, but it’s worth noting the dedicated children’s swimming times between 3.45pm until 5.15pm every afternoon and from 8.45am until 10.15am at weekends. It’s probably best to avoid swimming at these times if it’s peace you’re after.
Upstairs the spa fun continues with a sauna and steam room, plus a monsoon shower which can provide a cold blast for anyone wanting to enjoy some ‘contrast therapy’. There’s another relaxation room here too, with inviting loungers with a verdant vista looking out through the trees. This is also where you’ll find Calcot Spa’s treatment rooms and waiting area.
A nature-inspired décor and calming colour palette runs throughout the spa, adding to the sense of relaxation, with poolside birch trees, vases of fresh flowers, and a subtle smell of wood smoke from the hot tub fire.
Back downstairs, changing areas are stylish and spacious, with good-sized lockers and preening products provided, including Aromatherapy Associates body lotion. There’s also an accessible shower room and changing facilities for disabled guests.
For sustenance, guests can enjoy lunch in the spa lounge or Brasserie, depending on whether they’ve booked a morning, afternoon or full day spa package. Full day spa guests are invited to dine in the spa lounge, where pastries, coffees and a selection of healthy smoothies are also available. And there’s no need to change out of your spa robe here.
Spa access is included for all guests staying at the Hotel. Spa days and spa breaks are also available, ranging from the Mini Evening Spa to full spa days to spa retreat packages.
Guests are spoilt for choice on the exercise front too, with a huge state-of-the-art gym in the new Grain Store building.
The Grain Store is the latest addition to Calcot’s wellness offering. This repurposed 17th century barn was once – you guessed it – used for grain storage. Now it’s home to the hotel’s new fitness and co-working space; a place for members and hotel guests to work-out, hang-out and chill-out. Or work in its café-style co-working space.
Bursting with shiny new fitness kit by Technogym and British-made Exigo, the gym covers all the cardio and strength-training bases. There are two studios too, offering everything from HIIT and Zumba to Pilates and sound baths. Plus, a separate hi-tech ‘Spin Shed’ and an outdoor gym area for al fresco workouts.
The gym floor is also home to a new Proverb ‘Stretch Pod’, where gym meets spa,
with specially trained Personal Trainers delivering effective post-workout stretching treatments to promote flexibility and recovery.
The Grain Store is open to both club members and hotel guests. Gym access is complimentary to hotel guests, but there’s a small charge to book classes.
Tucked round the side of the building there’s also a heated outdoor swimming pool, for the exclusive use of hotel guests. It’s perfect for families looking for some pool fun and, when the sun’s out, ice creams and refreshments are served from the poolside hut.
Tennis players are also catered for with a couple of courts hidden away by the spa, bikes are available, and there’s disc golf for active types with a good frisbee action.
The Spa is fully accessible for guests with disabilities. There are dedicated changing facilities, a pool hoist, a lift to the first floor, and accessible treatment rooms. The same goes for the Grain Store which has lifts for upper floor access, a separate side access and disabled changing facilities.
Treatment highlights
Calcot and Spa offers a good range of treatments by Comfort Zone, Aromatherapy Associates and CACI. Proverb treatments are also offered in the spa to complement their assisted stretching treatment in the gym.
The spa has recently introduced Comfort Zone, a great choice if you’re looking for a results-driven treatment that doesn’t compromise on luxury. Bestsellers include the Hydraglow Facial and the Tailored Massage with Facial. The brand’s sustainable products are also used in Calcot’s signature rituals, including the soothing Himalayan Salt Ritual and the Tailored for Pregnancy Massage with Facial.
For something more holistic, the Aromatherapy Associates Forest Therapy treatment is a great fit with Calcot’s nature-nurturing approach and can be enhanced with a mindful meadow walk. Or go for the Relax and Sleep treatment, again lending itself perfectly to the Calcot environment with its peaceful, sleep-promoting beds.
Dedicated men’s treatments are also available, including pedicures and massage.
I booked in for the Aromatherapy Associates Forest Therapy treatment, a 55-minute treatment which seemed like the perfect relaxing choice for this idyllic country setting.
I made my way to the restful treatment waiting area and spent a few minutes sipping iced lemon water before a smartly dressed therapist came to collect me and show me to one of the spa’s tranquil treatment rooms.
The treatment rooms have a calming nature inspired décor, and I liked that the room had a window and natural light, something I know is appreciated by therapists too – happy therapist; happy customer.
Once my therapist had gone through the medical questionnaire with me, and checked my preference for firmness of massage, she talked me through the treatment. She also gave me the choice of having the ‘standard’ Forest Therapy treatment, a medium pressure massage which includes working on pressure points, or an adapted ‘bespoke’ version where she could freestyle to focus on my areas of choice. I opted for the classic version, and she left the room while I de-robed and made myself comfy face down on the massage table.
The Forest Therapy treatment was apparently created in response to people’s craving for the natural world following lockdown restrictions. The mood-boosting aromatic oil contains pink pepper and cypress oil and has an earthy aroma which promotes a sense of grounding as well as mental and physical relaxation.
The treatment began face down, with a guided inhalation – an immediate immersion into the grounding scent of the Forest Therapy oil – followed by a refreshing foot cleanse.
Then, the therapist started to massage my back and shoulders, lingering to target pressure points and particular areas of tension. This was followed by a soothing arm and hand massage before she moved on to my legs, removing the towel covering from one side at a time. She worked on each with medium firm strokes, using the side of her hand for welcome additional pressure. The massage was soothing and tension-relieving, and the uplifting scent added to the experience.
Once the back of my body was smoothed and released, I turned over on to my back for the second part of the massage. The fronts of my legs were treated to the same muscle-melting magic, followed by my shoulders and décolletage, with a foot cleanse to bookend the treatment. Keen to extend the massage-induced zen calm, I headed along the corridor to spend some time in the relaxation room before returning to reality and the comfort of my room.
Rooms
Rooms are cosy, comfortable and luxurious in all the right ways. Each has its own character, rocking a Cotswolds chic style, with botanical textiles and luxury linens. Showers are powerful, waffle robes soft, and 100 Acres bathroom products evoke ensuite spa vibes.
The 35 bedrooms, spread between the main manor house and around the grounds, range from single storey spaces with exposed original beams, to luxury family suites with gardens, which cleverly manage to hit the spot for adults as much as they excite younger guests who arrive to a personalised fridge magnet welcome.
There are also four luxury family suites, including The Cottage which sleeps four and offers maximum luxury plus the perk of its own private garden.
Families are particularly well catered for at Calcot with parent pleasing features like the Ofsted-registered crèche, and the does-what-it-says-on-the-tin Playbarn which keep younger guests happy for the duration of the four hours of free childcare and beyond. The Mez has an array of consoles, computers and a 12-seater cinema to ensure that it’s a hit with even the most reluctant of older kids too. Baby listening services are also available.
Wining and Dining
There are two dining options at Calcot and Spa: the recently renovated Brasserie, a light-filled elegant but relaxed restaurant overlooking the terrace. And the Hive that offers more casual dining and cocktails and hosts the kids’ afternoon tea. Both are good options, depending on what you’re looking for, and the top-notch food is an important part Calcot’s all-round feel-great experience.
The Brasserie’s menu offers a good choice, focusing on classics with a modern Calcot twist. The emphasis is on fresh and seasonal food, championing ingredients from in and around Gloucestershire. Open for breakfast, through lunch, to afternoon tea and dinner. Spa guests can choose to enjoy food from the spa menu here (though we had to ask for this menu having spotted diners on the table next to us with a tasty looking salad) and it’s worth noting that The Brasserie’s a robe-free zone.
We enjoyed a hot smoked salmon and avocado salad from the spa menu at lunchtime, then returned to try the legendary Westcombe Cheddar Soufflé for dinner, which I’m pleased to say lived up to the hype (there’s a reason it’s been on the menu for over ten years!). The apple and blackberry frangipani tart was as delicious as it was instagrammable, and the perfect way to round off the meal before heading to one of the lounges for a digestif.
The Hive offers all day dining, and cocktails from midday, plus pizzas from its outdoor pizza oven during the summer months. Other crowd pleasers include sharing plates and a selection of sweet treats. The kids’ tea is served between five and six pm in a screened off part of the restaurant, and parents can choose to dine with their little ones, ordering from the main menu. Another nice touch.
why so spavellous?
Calcot and Spa is the perfect place for a relaxing, restorative retreat. It’s easy to see why guests return year after year to enjoy its easy understated luxury, great spa and fabulous food. It has year-round appeal, with summer spa breaks having the bonus of daisy-filled meadows, and open fires adding cosy cheer to a winter wellness break.
The new fitness facilities in the Grain Store takes Calcot and Spa from a luxury spa hotel to a holistic wellness destination that takes guests from HIIT class to hot tub with plenty of attractive mindful spaces in between.
The natural environment and meadowland walks are another draw, as is the excellent everyday-special-occasion food.
Families are in their element too, but not at the expense of the sophisticated adult feel (kids’ swimming times and children’s afternoon tea aside). It’s one of the few luxury spa hotels in the UK that manages to pull off the tough task of pleasing all ages. And, if you have little ones in tow, you’re unlikely to find a boutique spa hotel that hits the spot better than Calcot and Spa.
spavellous tips
Don’t forget to check out the outdoor pool if you’re staying at the hotel – it’s tucked away near the Grain Store and is particularly lovely when the sun’s out.
If you’re after a serene spa visit it’s worth noting the children’s swimming times and maybe booking a treatment for that time.
Check out events at nearby Westonbirt Arboretum which hosts everything from concerts to chair-making, a perfect add-on to a celebration and stay at Calcot.
Have a look at the holistic spa treatments. We loved the Forest Therapy treatment and how it added to the nature-loving vibes.
Spa Goers say...
‘We’ve been coming here for over 20 years, and it just gets better and better.’
‘I feel relaxed as soon as I turn into the driveway. The food’s amazing…it’s our happy place.’
‘I love the new deep relax room – could stay there for hours.’
‘…the highlight for me was the amazing afternoon tea on the terrace.’