Gothic grandeur or Riverside wellness: Studley Castle vs. The Runnymede on Thames

When planning a spa break, the setting is an essential part of the experience - urban escape, country retreat, old world glamour, contemporary calm - there are so many different options to choose from. Amongst those options are two favourites that are both part of the Warner Hotels portfolio, offering distinct environments for unwinding, exploring, and recharging.

Deep in the heart of rural Warwickshire, Studley Castle provides a fairytale backdrop steeped in history, while on the banks of the River Thames in Surrey, The Runnymede on Thames delivers a contemporary, peaceful waterfront retreat. Of course, both adult-only spa hotels feature award-winning spa facilities, superb dining, and curated nightly entertainment, but each has its own charm. Here’s what you need to know…

Studley Castle: A historical countryside fairytale

Nestled in 28 acres of lush lawns and countryside close to Shakespeare’s birthplace, Studley Castle is a Grade II listed property with over 180 years of history. Designed in 1834 by architect Samuel Beazley, the building boasts magnificent Gothic Revival architecture, majestic stonework, and dramatic turrets for a real life fairytale feel. Over the decades, it has served as a grand family home, a women’s agricultural college, and a training camp for the Women's Land Army before being transformed into the country hotel it is today.

The historic and contemporary hotel experience

The hotel blends its rich heritage with modern luxury, complete with more than 200 bedrooms split across different spaces, each with their own character. Choose from:

• Castle rooms: Located within the main castle, these rooms are perfect for a step back in time, balancing contemporary style with original features like ornate ceilings and wall paneling, as well as a hint of heritage in the soft furnishings.
• The Studley Wing: Brand new rooms in the Studley Wing offer contemporary chic and easy access to the restaurants and bars. They’re ideal for total relaxation.
• Lodge rooms: A detached bolthole has just six rooms, the Lodge is cosy and tucked-away - perfect for friends or families holidaying together.

Entertainment and wellness

The estate is a little world of its own with everything you could need to keep you entertained during your stay. For example, there’s a boutique cinema, and regular evening entertainment with best-selling artists and live tribute acts performing. There’s also a wealth of activities, from fitness classes to laser pistol shooting, gin tasting, and more.

The wellness experience is a favourite feature, and while there’s lots of space to roam around the grounds, the heart of pampering is The Stables Spa. The purpose-built space is designed to let natural light flood in while offering beautiful views of the surrounding gardens. The spa features a heated indoor swimming pool, a dedicated bubble pool, a sauna, a steam room, a relaxation room, and dual treatment rooms offering Mediterranean-inspired spa treatments using the TEMPLESPA product line.

Dining, entertainment and activities

For food and drink you can choose between two restaurants, bars and lounges. The Market Kitchen in the Evesham Restaurant is a bustling space for a wide variety of hearty breakfasts and delicious dinners. Brasserie32 is a very special experience that’s all about British heritage recipes from the 1900s, reimagined with a contemporary twist. The Garden Room is an elegant but relaxed environment for tea, cake or a gin and tonic. The Oak Room is perfect for traditional afternoon teas surrounded by wood panelling and leather sofas. Finally, The Hideaway is a seductive space for board games and quiet drinks.

The Runnymede on Thames: Contemporary calm

For those drawn to the water, The Runnymede on Thames offers a quietly glamorous, modern retreat directly on the river bank near Windsor. Located on the Windsor Road in Egham, Surrey, this hotel serves as a peaceful, modern sanctuary that’s also extremely convenient to get to for a last-minute getaway

Waterfront escape

A key feature is the hotel’s waterfront location, and the rooms and suites are intended to capitalise on that tranquil experience, with the best spaces including views of the water. As such, there's a choice of accommodation to choose from:

• Cosy rooms: Small and perfectly formed, these tranquil spaces are all about rest and relaxation, with the choice to opt for riverside rooms for an optimum experience.
• Standard rooms: Slightly larger but no less stylish, these rooms are distinctly restful but have the option for a double bed.
• Deluxe and Superior rooms: Again larger, these rooms offer more generous spaces that are great for couples, and have lounge areas to sit in and enjoy morning coffees or simply while away the afternoon.

Recreation and relaxation

The property boasts beautifully manicured gardens, outdoor tennis courts, a dance studio, a fully-equipped gym, and private boat hire available directly from the hotel's edge. The award-winning spa and leisure facilities leverage the unique location to offer both indoor and outdoor seasonal wellness experiences, featuring an 18-metre heated indoor swimming pool lined with comfortable loungers, a sauna, a steam room, an infrared cabin, a spacious whirlpool, and a popular outdoor swimming pool that opens from May through the summer months.

Tailored dining and entertainment

There's a choice of dining experiences at the hotel. Brasserie32 offers an elegant à la carte menu of British heritage with modern flair, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, alongside views over Bell Weir Lock. The Market Kitchen invites you on a culinary journey, serving dishes from around the world. Completing the experience is The Riverside Lounge - the perfect daytime pitstop for coffee and freshly baked treats.

In the evenings, there’s entertainment with live performances ranging from intimate acoustic sessions to energetic tribute bands. The location is uniquely suited for exploration as well; guests can enjoy a boat trip, stroll down the Thames towpath, or take advantage of a complimentary hotel shuttle bus to visit historic gems like Windsor Castle, Windsor Great Park, Hampton Court Palace, and the celebrated RHS Garden Wisley.

Two paths to relaxation

Whether your ideal spa break involves the romance of a heritage property amidst rolling countryside or watching the boats bob by from a contemporary waterfront balcony, both of these spa hotels ensure a thoroughly restorative escape. Each hotel pairs excellent spa facilities with a sense of place, allowing you to tailor your getaway to the atmosphere you want and the type of spa break you’re in the mood for.