POPSUGAR UK

Need Some Pre-Wedding Pampering? These Luxe Spas Are Perfect For Brides and Bridal Parties

28/04/2020 - 03:40 PM

There's no better time than before your wedding to de-stress [1] with a relaxing spa day. A study from bridal company Zola [2] revealed that 96 percent of people find wedding planning stressful. You've got to pick the perfect venue, whittle down the guest list, make all the catering decisions, all while sticking to a strict budget and continuing to deal with your everyday life. It's no wonder that the majority of the 500 engaged and newlywed couples surveyed said the whole process was taxing.

That's why — if you have the means — it's a great idea to set aside some time for a spot of pampering and a spot of calm at a luxurious spa ahead of the big day. Whether it's with your maids, your friends, your mum, or even just by yourself (perhaps to escape your mum), we've rounded up the most indulgent and beautiful spas across the country — from subterranean oases in London to picturesque escapes in the countryside — that are sure to bring you some much-needed pre-wedding zen. And if the bottle service in Barcelona sounds like your nightmare scenario, then perhaps the idea of a spa retreat for your hen party is the chiller option you've been looking for.

So whether you like facials of fancy manicures, want to head to London or stay outside of the city, we've got a spa option for every bride-to-be to indulge themselves with before they walk down the aisle.

Urban Retreat Spa in London

Consider this your one-stop shop for all things beauty, housed over four floors and set in the heart of Knightsbridge. Start your day with facialist Clare-Marie Peters [3], who offers bespoke facials utilising a combination of techy skincare devices and luxurious creams and serums.

Follow this with the Fresh Seaweed Body Treatment [4] (£150 for 75 minutes), which involves a head-to-toe scrub down using dried seaweed powder, followed by being wrapped in rehydrated fresh seaweed, which promises to hydrate your limbs, eliminate water and fluid retention, and potentially soothe skin conditions (like psoriasis or acne). Finish the day off with a wash and blow-dry, or book a bridal hair and/or makeup trial [5] if you're still on the beauty hunt for the big day.

ESPA Life at the Corinthia in London

The Corinthia Spa includes 17 treatment rooms, a private spa suite, an indoor swimming pool, a vitality pool, a sauna, an ice fountain, marble heated loungers, and private sleep pods. It's also the only spot in London where you can get a Dr Barbara Sturm facial [6]. These are like regular facials that incorporate Dr Sturm's products, which are incredibly pricey and loved by celebrities and beauty editors alike (no really, we would do anything for a lifetime supply of her Glow Drops).

The Dr Barbara Sturm Instant Glow Facial [7] (£195) not only offers fast results with no downtime, but "it's also the ideal treatment for brides-to-be," Dr Sturm explained. "It is unique and was created around my skin-care philosophy: to deliver hydration, boost skin barrier function, soothe signs of irritation, and improve the overall skin health and skin matrix." The express treatment incorporates cleansing, exfoliating, intense hydrating, a firming face massage, and if you're getting it done several weeks before your wedding, you can add on a microneedling session, which will tack on 15 minutes and cost £285.

The Spa at Blythswood Square in Glasgow

The exquisite Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel is only a 15-minute walk from the Glasgow High Street, making it ideal for a quick weekend escape or a chilled out hen party. Not only that, the hotel spa [8] is truly something to behold.

Take a dip in the either of the two relaxation pools, treat yourself to to reiki or a hot-stone massage [9], or enjoy afternoon tea with a spot of bubbles in the lounge cafe area. Or, if you're like us and love a good facial, then you're in good hands. Murad recently launched into the spa, offering heavenly bespoke treatments — including The Murad Method Facial, which costs £138 for 80 minutes and £89 for 55 minutes. The facial begins with an in-depth analysis of the skin so that you and the aesthetician can create a completely customised facial to target your exact skin concerns. But the treatment doesn't stop when you peel your body off the bed. The therapist will also provide nutrition and stress management advice, in addition to recommending an at-home skincare regime.

Dryby in London

Situated in the heart of London's West End, Dryby [10] — with its gorgeous, Insta-worthy decor and impeccable service — is the go-to nail salon for beauty editors. It's also great spot to check out if you're a bride-to-be, as the salon caters to large groups thanks to its wide benches, making it the ideal place for booking appointments with your maids.

And the best bit? Every year they have a dedicated bridal menu with designs for the brides, maids, mother of the brides, and even guests. Think milky whites, pearly pinks, and lots of shiny gold-foil accents.

The Royal Crescent Spa & Bath House in Bath

The Royal Crescent [11] hotel overlooks lawns on one end of Royal Victoria Park, Bath's main green lung, which means you're surrounded by green space. And while the hotel and surrounding area are both breathtaking, the Spa & Bath House is truly something to write home about, with its gorgeous facilities — completely renovated in 2016, including the epic 12-metre heated relaxation pool — and extensive treatment menu.

The hero treatment that all brides need to try here is the Elemental Herbology Five-Element Facial [12] (£100 for 60 minutes), which focuses on the back, the face, and the scalp. You'll instantly feel the stress of "wedmin" slipping away.

The Spa at Carden in Chester

Want to check into calms-ville? Carden Park [13] is 13 miles southwest of Chester, and the hotel sits On 1,000 acres of lush countryside, with a mile-long drive winding up through the golf course.

The jewel in the Carden crown is its new £10 million spa, which is out to compete with the best in the country. The feel throughout is lavish and luxurious, with high-spec finishes, lashings of white orchids, and supercomfy treatment beds. You can book one of the many "spa experiences," or choose from the vast array of individual treatments [14], like facials from Elemental Herbology or Oskia, manicures and pedicures using Margaret Dabbs products, as well as massages and body scrubs.

Indoors, there's a pool, thermal experiences, a glamorous beauty lounge, three relaxation rooms, and a restaurant. Outside, the impressive spa garden comes with assorted hot tubs, heated seating pods, a fire pit, sauna, and a Bollinger bar.

The Rena Spa at The Midland in Manchester

This spa is award winning, and deservedly so. From the moment you enter the underground haven, you'll be transported into a world of peace and calm. There are a number of impressive experiences to enjoy, such as the alder-wood sauna featuring a Himalayan salt block wall, aromatherapy steam rooms, and hot and cool shower experiences.

But the pièce de résistance has to be the relaxation areas. Here, you can choose from hiding out in a hanging pod cocoon, snoozing away in an ergonomic sleep chamber, or chilling out in a sound-cancelling egg chair — after you've gotten a blissful Caudalie deep-tissue massage [15], that is.

The Cowshed Spa at Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire

You've seen it all over your Instagram feed. Spread across 100 acres of Oxfordshire countryside, the Soho Farmhouse is the spot for stylish weekend getaways with friends or your significant other. It's also a great option for a low-key hen do full of bike riding, pampering, and bubbles.

When you're there, you need to visit The Cowshed Farmhouse Spa [16], which has thirteen treatment rooms and six cocooning mani-pedi chairs, making it the perfect place to switch off and relax. Make sure to nab yourself a day bed and take a stroll over the footbridge to discover the hidden island. There, you'll find a steam room, sauna, ice shed, and two hot tubs complete with a handy telephone (so you can still dial for cocktails, of course).

Our favourite treatment offered at The Cowshed Spa, however, has to be the CBD Massage. The treatment uses MariPharm essential oil, which features CBD blended into 10ml of hemp seed oil, as well as heated Thai compressors to help to calm and ease tense muscles.

Ned's Club Spa in London

Best known for its bars, restaurants, and the incredible rooftop, the real showstopper at The Ned [17] is the sparkling subterranean spa, featuring a tranquil 20-metre indoor pool and traditional Moroccan-inspired hammam [18].

In addition to the hammam (which is a great body treatment to get pre-wedding day to ensure silky-smooth limbs), the menu and choices are extensive. You can get a Cowshed [19] mani/pedi, choose from a very long list of facial treatments and massages, as well as LED light-therapy treatment, or stop into the salon for a haircut or blow dry.

If you want to get the groomsmen involved, Club Ned also has a dedicated area for male grooming known as the Barber Shop [20], offering haircuts, wet shaves, and facials. Once you've finished your treatments of choice, hang out by the pool and take a dip — then venture up to the rooftop for a sundowner.


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