The right spa depends less on the thread count of the robe than on what you want from the day. A couple marking an anniversary, a group of friends who want to do something active, and someone who needs two hours away from a desk are not looking for the same thing. Here are five Surrey spas, matched to the day they suit. Prices are the 'from' prices listed by each operator and move with the day of the week and the season, so check before you book.
For a big occasion or a couples' day: Pennyhill Park, Bagshot
Pennyhill Park Hotel & Spa in Bagshot runs its spa days with full access from 9am to 9pm, which is a proper long day rather than a rushed half. The Radiance Spa Day (from £285) includes a 60-minute facial, £40 to spend in Themis or the Pool View Bar, and a Comfort Zone gift to take home. The Tranquility Spa Day (from £305) swaps the facial for a 60-minute massage and is available Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays. The spa is for those aged 16 and over.
For two, the cabana is the draw: a private covered deck with two loungers, a fridge and a copper spa bath. A Spring Awakening Cabana Life Spa Day with body scrub is listed from £800 for two and runs in April, May and June. On a smaller budget, Spabreaks lists a Lazy Afternoon day (facilities from 2pm to 8pm) from £224.
One reviewer on TripAdvisor notes that heavy spa-day demand makes treatments hard to get unless you book well ahead, so do not leave it to the week before. Details are on the Pennyhill Park page.
For a design-led, wellness-minded day: Beaverbrook, Leatherhead
The Coach House Spa at Beaverbrook, on Reigate Road in Leatherhead, was designed by the artist Brian Clarke, with stained-glass ceilings, ceramic-tiled walls and views across the Surrey Hills. There is a pool you can recline beside, plus a sauna and steam area that Square Mile describes as couples-friendly. The same review says the indoor pool tends to attract paddling families, so it is more convivial than hushed.
The Seasonal Treatment Spa Day is from £325 and includes a 90-minute seasonal treatment, a light deli lunch and use of the facilities. The Health Reset Spa Day with the resident naturopath is £350. The Time Together Spa Day for Two is £640 Monday to Thursday and £730 Friday to Sunday. This is the most expensive day on the list, and it suits people who want the setting as much as the treatment. See the Beaverbrook spa day page.
For an active or sociable group: Foxhills, Ottershaw
Foxhills Health Spa sits on a 400-acre estate in Ottershaw, with seven thermal areas and a DIY Hammam. It has the most varied menu of days in the county, which makes it the one to pick when a group wants different things.
Where You Belong (£150, Tuesday to Thursday): a fitness class, a wellbeing class, spa access and a £20 lunch allowance.
Simply Sunrise (£185, Monday to Friday, 10am to 2.30pm): a 35-minute massage or facial plus the hammam.
Essentially Spa (£260, Monday to Friday from 9am): an 80-minute Foxhills Spa Ritual, the hammam and afternoon tea. This is the one to order.
Quintessentially Spa (£425, any day from 9am): a 120-minute treatment, manicure, pedicure and afternoon tea.
Artfully Spa (£250, groups of four to six): includes a private art class.
Most of these are weekday days, so it suits a planned catch-up rather than a spontaneous Saturday. Prices are on the Foxhills spa days page.
For a quick, no-car visit: Guildford Harbour Hotel, Guildford
HarSPA at the Guildford Harbour Hotel is in the town centre, a minute's walk from the cobbled High Street, which makes it the easy choice for a lunchtime or after-work visit. Visit Surrey, the county's official tourism body, lists it first among Surrey spa hotels.
The weekday menu starts low: Blissful Brunch from £50, Swim, Sauna & Lunch from £69, and an evening Swim & Dine at HarBAR from £55. The Afternoon Spa Retreat is from £139 on weekdays, starts at 2pm and includes two 30-minute Temple Spa treatments. The Sensory Wellness Spa Day is from £190. There is also an outdoor pool, which Spaseekers describes as a champagne pool. See the HarSPA day listings.
For a first spa day on a budget: voco Lythe Hill, Haslemere
voco Lythe Hill Hotel & Spa is on Petworth Road, Haslemere, about 1.2 miles from the town centre according to Kayak, in the south-west corner of the county. The hotel lists a 16-metre indoor pool. The entry prices, as listed by Spabreaks per person, are the lowest here for a hotel spa of this kind:
Spa Access Pass: £30 for four hours of facilities.
Leisure Spa Day: £62, with lunch or afternoon tea.
Revive Spa Day: £105, with a 25-minute treatment and a £20 food allowance.
Tranquil Spa Day: £135, with a 55-minute treatment.
It is the sensible place to try a spa day for the first time, or to treat a friend without a big bill. Start with the access pass, or Revive if you want a treatment. Listings are on the Spabreaks page for Lythe Hill.
Choosing quickly
Anniversary or couples' day: Pennyhill Park, Bagshot, or Beaverbrook, Leatherhead.
Surrey Hills views and design: Beaverbrook.
Group with a thermal circuit: Foxhills, Ottershaw.
After work or lunchtime, no car: Guildford Harbour Hotel, Guildford.
Cheapest way in: voco Lythe Hill, Haslemere.
Whichever you choose, confirm current prices and availability with the spa directly, and book treatments early for weekends.
