A 2026 guide to how city spas fit into busy lives
Here we look at how small changes in how we use our time can have a powerful impact on long-term wellbeing, and why city spas are uniquely placed to support that shift.
Read full postMake the in-between moments matter with spa days and breaks designed to help you make the most of the gappy bit between Christmas and New Year.
Twixmas is always a slightly strange time of the year, when no one is entirely sure what to do with themselves. You've eaten all the mince pies and completed all the family board games, but it's not quite time to ring in the New Year. This year, the way the dates fall means that many people are opting to take a bit more time off than usual, leaving plenty of time to relax and unwind... but how? If you ask us, then a Twixmas spa day or break is the answer, giving you a chance to rest and recover from the festivities, recharging for the next round of celebrations. Want to find out more? Read on.
For a day spa that has Neverland vibes, AIRE Ancient Baths London is a dreamy escape that will make you feel good as new after the indulgence of Christmas. Perfect for time to yourself, with a close friend or a deeply romantic day with your partner, it brings the beauty of ancient spa rituals and practices to the heart of London in an iconic destination just minutes away from Covent Garden.
For a restorative experience, why not try their Winter Argan Nourishing Ritual package, featuring 90 minutes use of the ancient baths and relaxation areas, followed by a 30-minute massage with Argan oil, a ready supply of water and tea, and a robe, towel, and slippers provided. Book a morning, afternoon, or evening slot, and maybe combine it with a little bit of shopping in the London sales.
From £180 per person
Only a short distance from Guildford, but cosseted by 10 acres of countryside, this is a hotel that feels like a retreat from everyday life. Alongside the hotel, the Aqua Spa & Health Club offers a warm welcome and laid back vine, with a gym where you can work up a sweat, as well as a swimming pool for lengths. Meanwhile, the Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room are perfect for pre-treatment relaxation.
Their Relax and Refresh break does what it says on the tin - inviting you to rest and rejuvenate in time for New Year. Spend a night away complete with a delectable breakfast, use of the spa facilities and a 25-minute treatment choosing from a Swedish Massage or an Indian Head Massage.
From £95 per person
A four-star country house hotel surrounded by 38 acres of Buckinghamshire landscapes, Horwood House is an enchanting destination that offers a sense of magic throughout the year. Its charm, location and style make it perfect for romantic escapes, particularly if you need a little time to yourselves between all the family gatherings. The H Spa at Horwood House is the pièce de résistance, drawing inspiration from the gardens, which are a running theme throughout the hotel. A day here is a treat, but two would be even better.
Their Merry and Mindful spa day is full of festive feels, enjoying the best of the season in spa style. Start with a chocolate and orange Babka with marmalade mascarpone and fresh fruit served from 9:30am -10:30am. Then, settle into your robe and slippers (provided), spend time in the spa facilities between 9.30am and 2.30pm, and enjoy a 25-minute choosing from an Express Divine Facial Instant Glow, a Lifting and Firming Eye treatment, a Cranial Relaxation Ritual, or a Back Ritual. Finally, tuck into a festive afternoon tea with a glass of bubbly.
From £112.50 per person
A stylish retreat described as the ‘UK’s sexiest townhouse hotel’, Roseate Reading is chic and stylish, adding a little glamour to those in-between days over the festive season. If you stay the night you will be treated to rooms with Penhaligon toiletries and posh coffee, not to mention a chance to try their inspired cocktails in The Reading Room. A spa day is just as seductive, however, with the Aheli Spa inviting you into a world of opulent details and all-out pampering.
For those with weary shoulders, the Ultimate Massage Experience is the perfect solution, delivering unapologetic time out. Spend the day using the sauna and steam room, wrapped up in a robe and slippers, and luxuriating in a 60-minute massage. Refuel with a healthy snack and drink, and return home to see out the rest of the year feeling like the best version of yourself.
From £124 per person
Amidst the tranquillity of the Sussex countryside, Cottesmore is the kind of cosy escape that Hollywood movies are made of. Stay in elegant rooms or self-catering lodges - perfect for a seasonal celebration with friends and family. Let someone else do the cooking in their convivial restaurant, and relax in with a whole host of leisure facilities as well as a dedicated health and beauty salon.
Their Relax and Revive Spa Break is the ideal antidote to winter fatigue - a one night escape featuring a three-course dinner, bed, breakfast, and use of the facilities. You also get a 25-minute treatment choosing from a Back Massage, Elemis Booster Facial, Express Pedicure, or an Express Manicure.
From £180.50 per person
Only eight miles from Manchester and yet surrounded by landscaped gardens with views of the Pennine Hills, a getaway at this hotel can be whatever you want it to be. Shopping, nightlife and sightseeing is all at your fingertips, but for some real relaxation, head to the hotel spa and enjoy some down time. As well as a gym, swimming pool and thermal suite, the spa has six treatment rooms where you can ease tension with a Mediterranean-inspired TEMPLESPA treatment.
Their Twixmas Break is an opportunity to maximise the time between Christmas and New Year, with a one night stay including dinner, bed and breakfast, use of the facilities after check-in at 3pm, a robe, towel and slippers provided, as well as a two-course dinner with a glass of wine to celebrate the season. From £84.50 per person
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Here we look at how small changes in how we use our time can have a powerful impact on long-term wellbeing, and why city spas are uniquely placed to support that shift.
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