From thermal floats in a dark pool to spa treatments with authentic Scottish ingredients, Lisa Perkovic discovers the three best hotels for wellness in Scotland.
I’m alone in dark water, buffeted by waves, the only light from stars twinkling above my head. I’m not scared though. Instead, my senses settle down. Stress is carried away by waves, and my busy mind is drowned out by the thumping of spa jets. That’s right. Spa jets. Tucked away in the ‘dark pool’ of the Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel & Spa’s thermal experience, the only risk I face is missing my massage start time.
I’ve discovered the Scots love to spa. They also love the great outdoors, and spas often bring nature in, or take the self-care outside. Here’s three top spots for wellness in Scotland.
Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel & Spa
Thermal pools in five-star hotels aren’t unusual, but this Glasgow hotel’s Thermal Journey is something special. Steam room, salt room, tepidarium with heated loungers, a ‘press for snow’ button in the snow shower room, big and small saunas, plus three thermal pools – this is a little like Disneyland for spa lovers. Above the largest pool, Flodaigh, looping videos of Scottish coastlines are projected onto the wall. Floating and looking up to see a dramatic, stormy Scottish sky is a great taster of wellness in Scotland which is earthy and connected to nature. Here, spa treatments take place in rooms off a living moss corridor. Rooms are darkly lit, almost cave-like. Treatments use Scottish seaweed-based products from local brand Ishga. Updates to the treatment spaces are coming this summer, but I hope the soft, squishy moss stays.
Cromlix
When international tennis star Andy Murray buys, renovates and relaunches a luxury hotel, the expectation is there’s tennis on the menu. Along with overhauling the interior of the Cromlix hotel (Andy’s wife Kim favours a highly styled, botanical-influenced aesthetic), tennis and pickleball courts were added to the estate. The famous Scot grew up in the village of Dunblane just down the road, and we’ve heard he sometimes pops in for a hit.
We settle for the serves of professional coach Mark, who is available for private coaching sessions. A world-class coach to boost your confidence, a little bit of Scottish sunshine, and the world feels right again. Guests can take racquets out themselves, but plenty settle instead to watch the action from The Glasshouse restaurant, where breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea is served.
Don’t head inside yet though. The hotel’s Foraging Walk and Make Workshops are a chance to taste the local produce beyond the kitchen garden. A local foraging expert is on hand to uncover the likes of local mushrooms, herbs and berries. Add on a session blending your own ‘foragers hand cream’ or bath salts for luxurious wellness in Scotland.
After the great outdoors, it might be time for a spa treatment. Currently these take place in-room, but there are grand plans in the coming year for a dedicated spa space. The wellness cottage will sit on the woodlands around the estate and will help the hotel expand their offering.
Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort
When it comes to wellness in Scotland and the Scottish art of spa days, keep an eye on the offerings at Mar Hall. The paint is still drying on a major multi-million-dollar renovation of this grand estate, just 10 minutes from Glasgow airport. From what we’ve seen, and what’s coming soon, self-care is high on the agenda.
You’ll notice the golf course as you drive in – the rolling greens sit right up against the sprawling River Clyde, with 180-degree views at almost every tee. There are plans to update the club house, doubling the size of the restaurant.
The hotel spa sits behind the golf course, in a separate wing to the hotel. There’s an indoor pool, state-of-the-art-gym and brand-new saunas. Still being readied, the outdoor Jacuzzi and heated loungers in the Spa Garden sound extra special. Treatments showcase Scottish ingredients like Outer Hebrides islands seaweed – Ishga’s intense marine cream is now my new favourite. There are also plans for an outdoor pool, fire pits and extensive gourmet garden – we can see the construction happening off the side of the hotel and it has us itching to come back. We happily stroll the grounds and swim a few laps in the pool before a soak in the freestanding bathtub inside our palatial suite.
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