WIND BACK THE YEARS WITH THE HELP OF
THE BEST SPA HOTELS IN SCOTLAND
Written by Linda Jackson
Feel the need to escape for a winter pick-me-up? Here are a few ideas to work on your mind, body and soul in blissful luxurious surroundings
The festive season has long been forgotten, spring has not yet sprung, and summer seems a lifetime away. Before spring bursts into life days can seem long, be pretty dull and be very short... so what better time than now for a winter luxury escape - the perfect time to give mind and soul a good service, and the body a good workout, in early preparation for the long summer days to come.
What better time to lift spirits than now; to search out the best spa hotels in Scotland, a country blessed with vast skies, huge panoramas and wonderful walking terrain - ever constant Scottish attractions whatever the weather. So here are a few ideas for a luxury winter break in Scotland, an opportunity to escape to a top Scottish spa hotel for a wellbeing weekend and pampering toe-curling spa treatments in some of the best hotels in Scotland.
Cocoon yourself in One Spa at the Sheraton Edinburgh Hotel in the heart of historical Edinburgh. You’ll find this contemporary light, airy and tranquil Spa an absolute delight where you can soak up the winter sun in the shimmering rooftop Hydropool and swimming pool, or surrender to a tantalising choice of relaxing therapies.
EDINBURGH SHERATON - ONE SPA
One Spa |
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Head for the Serail Mud Chamber, it’s a One Spa Signature treatment. This is fun to take with friends, and up to three friends can enjoy the muddy experience with you.
You might resemble a terracotta warrior after you’ve applied earth, chalk and mud over your body and face, but you’ll find it a surprisingly rejuvenating yet relaxing experience in the herb-infused warm room.
Not to be missed is a studio class at One Spa. You’ll find everything from yoga and Pilates to high intensity circuit training taking place in a trendy studio where ambient lighting changes the mood according to activity - from calm relaxation to up-tempo energy.
MORE DETAILS >> www.onespa.com |
THE SCOTSMAN HOTEL & SPA
Also in central Edinburgh at the Scotsman Hotel is the Scotsman Spa & Health Club with top marine spa brand Thalgo at its helm.
Marine active ingredients are used here to create highly effective treatments - great for detox, slimming, firming and anti-ageing treatments.
You can sign up for a range of Bootcamp programmes too... the Body Bootcamp Challenge, Bootcamp for Butts, Bootcamp for Tummies, and Bootcamp for Boobs.
Personal trainers are on hand at the gym to keep you motivated, there are studio classes to work on mind, body and soul, and a comprehensive gym with cardio, muscle strengthening and core-conditioning equipment.
MORE DETAILS >> www.scotsmanspa.com |
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Scotsman Spa & Health Club |
CAMERON HOUSE HOTEL
Carrick Spa |
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In a spectacular setting on the world-renowned bonnie banks of Loch Lomond you will discover two rather special Pure Lochside Highland Journeys.
These Scottish ‘journeys’ are offered by the award-winning Carrick Spa at Cameron House Loch Lomond where the gorgeous rooftop terrace infinity pool is blessed with magnificent views over Loch Lomond.
If you ‘Take the High Road’ your treatment begins with a head massage with a blend of locally grown Scots Pine to induce calm and clarity, but ‘Take the Low Road’ and your feet will get all the pampering. With a plethora of spa treatments and fitness classes, Pilates, Tai Chi, Aqua Aerobics and Yoga, plus mountain bikes to keep all the family fit, you’ll be spoiled for choice at this luxury Scottish hideaway.
MORE DETAILS >> www.cameronhouse.co.uk |
TURNBERRY RESORT
The Spa at Turnberry |
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Sitting in an elevated position on the rugged Ayrshire coast in southwest Scotland, Turnberry Resort not only offers spectacular views over the Irish Sea, to the island of Arran, the Mull of Kintyre, and of Ailsa Craig (a huge volcanic plug sitting nine miles offshore), but also an award-winning Spa.
Although the resort is renowned for being a playground for lovers of the outdoor life, no-one can fail to love the indoor life offered by the Spa at Turnberry - at the centre of which is a 65ft indoor swimming pool with floor to ceiling windows offering breathtaking ocean views. This is a spa haven where you can unwind with a mind and body ritual, a hot stone massage, an intensive facial; an ultimate body wrap, plus lots more. For fitness fanatics there’s also a choice of three Lifestyle Programmes: a personal fitness evaluation (60mts); a personalised training session (60mts); and a body toner programme (2hrs25mts).
MORE DETAILS >> www.turnberryresort.co.uk/spa |
OLD COURSE HOTEL & SPA
Discover a selection of spa experiences from a ‘Highland Fling’ water treatment to an ‘Intensive Pro-Lift Firming Facial’ at the Old Course Hotel at St Andrews.
Whether you go alone, with the girls, or with the love of your life, you’ll enjoy the therapeutic benefits of water at Kohler Waters Spa, one of Europe’s most advanced concepts in total wellbeing.
It’s pretty impressive: there’s a 20m swimming pool with a cascading waterfall, personal trainers and wellbeing consultants, a fabulous rooftop hot tub, and a signature Thermal Suite - a water sanctuary for men and women offering three distinct water experiences.
MORE DETAILS >> www.oldcoursehotel.co.uk/spa |
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Kohler Waters Spa |
THE MARCLIFFE HOTEL & SPA
The Marcliffe Spa |
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Set in beautiful wooded grounds on the western fringe of Aberdeen, The Marcliffe Hotel & Spa is a small privately-owned boutique hotel with a big spa menu.
At this elegant retreat there’s a surprising choice of pampering treatments, ranging from Balneotherapy Baths; Lip Blooming; and Heavenly Honey Body Scrubs, to Tranquillity Ritual Treatments; CoffeeBerry® Lunchtime Yoga Facials; and a 4-hour Ultimate Tranquillity Package including a Champagne Spa Light Lunch.
MORE DETAILS >> www.marcliffe.com |
GLENEAGLES
The Spa at Gleneagles |
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Sitting in 850 acres of Perthshire countryside, just one hour’s drive from Glasgow and Edinburgh, The Gleneagles Hotel boasts one of the most luxurious destination spas in the world - The Spa by ESPA, offering a huge range of treatments for both men and women.
There are Advanced Signature treatments, Ayurvedic inspired treatments, super-active facials, body massages, ultimate body wraps, body specific treatments, special treatments for men; the Oriental Influence, and plenty of finishing touches.
This serene multi award-winning Spa is the ultimate indulgent experience.
MORE DETAILS >> www.gleneagles.com/spa |
CRINAN HOTEL, HOTEL DU VIN GLASGOW & BOATH HOUSE
Not all Luxury Scotland properties are blessed with spa facilities comparable to the likes of The Gleneagles Hotel but a beautician can be arranged, if required, at the Crinan Hotel in Argyll and at the Hotel du Vin in Glasgow; while Boath House, a luxury hotel near Inverness, does offer Aveda treatments in its small spa.
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STOBO CASTLE
Stobo Castle |
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Everything your senses could desire is waiting for you at Stobo Castle Health Spa in Peeblesshire where you’ll be faced with a range of over 80 different face and body treatments to choose from.
Nestling in the beautiful countryside of Scotland’s Borders, Stobo Castle Health Spa really means business.
If 80 treatments can’t tempt you to a spa break at this vibrant luxury hotel, then maybe the 25m ozone pool, the unusual Crystal Steam Room, or the giant hydrospa will.
MORE DETAILS >> www.stobocastle.co.uk/spa_treatments |
BODYCAMPS - from the 'QUEEN OF THE DETOX SCENE'
For a spa break with a difference, how about signing up for one of TV health expert and nutritionist Amanda Hamilton’s Bodycamps?
Called the “Queen of the Detox Scene” by The Sunday Times, Amanda Hamilton has had incredible success with her retreat programmes and TV series.
She will be holding a number of ‘Detox and Weight Loss Retreats’ (a fun week of Detox, luxury treatments, activities, seminars and relaxation) and her new ‘Inshape Bodycamps’ (a fitness and wellbeing break guaranteed to get fast results) at Stobo Castle Health Spa during 2011.
MORE DETAILS >> www.stobocastle.co.uk/Tariffs/amanda_hamilton |
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Amanda Hamilton Bodycamps |
Hopefully these spa suggestions and wellbeing holiday ideas will make you burst into life before spring does...
and that you allow mind, body and soul to enjoy the luxury spa break in Scotland they justly deserve.
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