8 gorgeous beach spa locations to visit this year

Cornwall beach spa hotel: Fistral Beach Hotel and Spa, Newquay

Smell the sea air from the moment you wake up in the morning at this clifftop hotel and spa. Enjoy spectacular views across Fistral Bay, and stroll down to the beach below for a quick surf before breakfast. Sporting coastal chic interiors, the elegant hotel is relaxed and exceptionally good value for money. It's an open invitation to explore the best of the area, from dining on local seafood in the award-winning Dune Restaurant, to revelling in spa treatments and post-beach relaxation in the adult-only spa. A space featuring two floors of wellbeing, it includes a swimming pool with underwater music, and therapies from the natural GAIA Skincare brand.

About Fistral Beach

Cornwall is well known for its beautiful beaches and dramatic coastline - a surfer's paradise for good reason, but also prime territory for summer days spent building sandcastles, or bracing walks along the clifftops. Fistral Beach, which sits right below the hotel, is amongst the best, located on Cornwall's north coast. Not far from the popular seaside town of Newquay, the sandy beach looks out towards the Atlantic, backed by dunes, and framed by high cliffs and dramatic headlands. The west-facing orientation of the beach exposes it to the Atlantic swell and winds, and as such it has become synonymous with British surfing, whether you're learning, a pro, or a spectator.

Cornwall beach spa hotel: St Ives Harbour Hotel and Spa, St Ives

A modern, luxurious hotel, St Ives Harbour Hotel and Spa is part of the Harbour Hotels group, and is located in the pretty town of St Ives, known for its Barbara Hepworth sculptures as well as its coastal views. Amongst its great assets, the hotel has direct access onto the award-winning Porthminster Beach, and is blessed with unbeatable views throughout - of St Ives Harbour on one side and Godrevy Lighthouse on the other. The stylish hotel is a popular retreat for romantic stays or getaways with friends. The Harbour Restaurant offers a feast of locally sourced fare and are masters of their signature Long Island Harbour cocktail. The spa meanwhile, is a contemporary space with a hydrotherapy pool, sauna, crystal steam room, a fitness suite, not to mention treatments from the beautiful ESPA brand.

About Porthminster Beach

Porthminster Beach is a picture perfect half a mile crescent of powder-fine sand, nestled beneath the steep slopes of Porthminster Point. Flanked by palm trees, in the summer months you could be forgiven for thinking you're on a tropical island. The Blue Flag beach is known for environmental and quality standards, and it's also a short walk from the centre of St Ives with its cafes, shops, art galleries, and restaurants.

South Wales beach spa hotel: Lamphey Court Hotel and Spa, Pembrokeshire

This Georgian mansion dates back to 1823 and is surrounded by Pembrokeshire National Park. A boutique retreat, it's understated and welcoming, with just 38 rooms and suites, all offering modern hospitality in a style that's sympathetic to the property's heritage. A follower of the Slow Food Movement, the restaurant is popular for locally-sourced fare, while the spa is a haven in its own right. Alongside the 14-metre pool, gym, sauna, steam room, and spa bath, the family-friendly hotel has a dedicated children’s pool. Meanwhile, treatments use Elemis products for luxurious feel-good-factor.

About Broad Haven South Beach and Barafundle Bay

There's a number of secluded beaches close to the hotel, inviting you to explore nature from Broad Haven South Beach to Barafundle Bay. Reach Broad Haven South from the The National Trust owned Bosherston Lakes, to enjoy a sandy haven backed by dunes, or head to Barafundle Bay, surrounded by pine trees and accessible only via a half-mile walk before you reach the crystal waters.

West Sussex beach spa hotel: Bailiffscourt Hotel & Spa, West Sussex

A luxurious fusion of historic architecture and contemporary wellbeing, Bailiffscourt Hotel & Spa sits in 30 acres of private parkland leading to Climping Beach. The enchanting, luxury hotel, sits in a medieval house surrounded by a series of outbuildings, all overlooking the old moat and the fields beyond. Mullioned windows and medieval-style details pepper the interiors, and guests dine in an exquisite dining room or a rose-covered courtyard. The spa sits in a contrastingly modern, barn-style building, with an awe-inspiring pool under green oak beams. The TEMPLESPA treatments, drawing on scents from the Mediterranean are the perfect finishing touch.

About Climping Beach

A quiet rural beach located about halfway Littlehampton and Bognor, Climping Beach stretches along the coast and teaming with wildlife. So much so, that the eastern half is designated a Local Nature Reserve called West Beach. Guests at the hotel delight in a walk or jog along the water’s edge to add to their wellbeing escape.

Dorset beach spa hotel: The NICI, Bournemouth

A spectacular hotel perched on Bournemouth’s West Cliff, The NICI brings Miami vibes to the UK. Stylish and joyful, stay in chic rooms and suites and dine in the fabulous South Beach Restaurant & Bar where they serve superb cocktails as well as local seafood. The NICI Spa is a state-of-the-art sanctuary with a world of facilities, the jewel of which is the 30-metre outdoor pool surrounded by loungers, pretty gardens and sea views. Don't forget to try one of their OTO CBD or OSKIA treatments.

About Westcliff Beach

The hotel is within easy reach of a number of popular beaches, including Alum Chine, Westcliff, and Eastcliff. The closest is Westcliff Beach, which is one of the main beaches in Bournemouth, occupying the area West of Bournemouth Pier. It's 1.5 miles long, and offers lots of facilities, making it an ideal family-friendly beach, complete with cafes, places to stop for ice cream, deck chairs, and patrolled by R.N.L.I lifeguards.

Devon beach spa hotel: The Harbour Beach Club, Salcombe

Just outside the supremely popular seaside town of Salcombe, The Harbour Beach Club Hotel and Spa is a contemporary hotel where the vast glass frontage offers the best views you could possibly ask for. Ideal for celebrations or simply a relaxing beachside getaway, it's part of the luxurious Harbour Hotels group and as such offers all the charms of the popular brand. The hotel is pristine, with ultra modern rooms and suites. The Beach Club Bar + Restaurant serves stylish fare in relaxed style, and the spa is a haven of rest and relaxation. Enjoy the pool, hydrotherapy pool, lounger on the terrace, and TEMPLESPA treatments after a day exploring the surrounding area.

About South Sands

Immediately over the road from South Sands beach, you can practically fall out of the hotel and into the water for your morning dip - or on the unique South Sands Ferry for a boat ride into town. The sandy beach is a treat for families building sandcastles or those who wish to try their hand at paddle boarding, sailing, and other water sports.

Hampshire beach spa hotel: Chewton Glen, New Forest

A five-star country house hotel surrounded by 130 acres of Hampshire countryside on the edge of the New Forest National Park, Chewton Glen is a dreamy destination. It's hard to imagine anywhere more beautiful, from the immaculate hotel (you can even stay in modern treehouses), to the restaurant which is a Three-Star Sustainability Champion. That's all before you get to the spa, which is a world of its own, where each changing room boasts a 10-seater sauna and an amethyst crystal steam room, there's a pool hall, and there are 12 treatment rooms.

About Highcliffe Beach

There are several beaches close to Chewton Glen, including Highcliffe, which is walking distance from the hotel. The expansive shingle and sand is ideal for bodyboarding, with cliffside paths alongside it for bracing strolls in the fresh air.

Scotland beach spa hotel: Lodge on Loch Lomond, Argyll

In a spectacularly beautiful location, the Lodge on Loch Lomond is a charming hotel overlooking a unique beachfront. Just 30-minutes from Glasgow, it feels like a world away from everything, offering warm interiors, and a superb restaurant serving regional classics. The AmberRose Spa sits on the first floor of their Munro Lodge, with a charming thermal suite, and two treatment rooms offering Germaine de Capuccini treatments, as well as a dedicated manicure and pedicure stations. The two-person rasul mud chamber is especially popular.

About Luss Beach

On Loch Lomond, the hotel looks out across Luss Beach, famously beautiful and perfect for exploring surrounding walking trails or taking to the water for views from a different angle. Swim, sail, kayak, and take in the vistas towards Ben Lomond, it's enchanting at every turn.