Few places are quite as beautiful as Devon – the dramatic moors, the picturesque beaches and the rolling landscapes. So as you consider where to go first when coming out of lockdown, make sure a spa break at the luxurious Boringdon Hall is top of your list…

This luxury hotel and spa is a combination of contemporary wellbeing and historic hotel accommodation. Very much an adult escape, the hotel is achingly romantic, while the modern spa is an experience that’s perfect for sharing with friends, partners or for keeping all to yourself.

Historic architecture with a story 

The historic hotel is in a building that was once home to Lady Jane Grey – the ill fated medieval queen of nine days, but its royal connections date back to 956. Now a five star hotel, it’s superbly romantic with its historic features such as secret archways and stone towers peppered around the estate.

Dramatic Dartmoor location

Whether you enjoy the countryside views from the hydrotherapy pool with outdoor swim-through, as you tuck into afternoon tea or on a hike across dramatic Dartmoor, the location of the hotel and spa adds to its sense of wonder. On grey days it’s moody and mystical, on sunny days it’s ethereal and enchanting.

A contemporary spa break

The addition of the spa was a tipping point that earned the hotel it its five star status, and is one of the many reasons the hotel and spa are part of Spabreaks.com’s luxury Elysium Collection. Purposely designed, it’s the perfect combination of holistic and modern wellbeing where they have really thought about the details. Set over three floors, there’s a swimming pool, hydro pool, an outdoor hot tub and little huts outside for shelter on extra sunny days. Inside there are floor to ceiling windows so you can see out into the grounds as you use the two saunas, two steam rooms, two poolside heated beds and two luxury loungers. Meanwhile, the spa’s interior and exterior encompass natural materials including wood, stone and glass for natural light in order to bring the outdoors in.

A dedicated ‘Spatisserie’

The spa is a destination in its own right, where you can happily spend the whole day. That’s in part because it has its own Spatisserie spa restaurant, where you can go for Prosecco, brunch or afternoon tea, wearing your robe and slippers throughout the day. It’s an elegant and light environment with areas where you can corner yourself off with sheer curtains – perfect for a group of friends or intimate conversation.

Their own signature spa brand 

In addition to using the ESPA product line in spa treatments, Gaia Spa has its own natural product range. Inspired, like the rest of the spa, by the Greek goddess Gaia, they use plant actives and essential oils. Ingredients are natural and organic, and no Gaia products are tested on animals. The Gaia skincare range features three collections made with Gaia’s Awakening, Balancing and Calming blends, all of which are reflected in their signature rituals. Each Gaia product shares a secret ingredient – the Gaia Elixir.

The crystal elixir links back to ancient wellness traditions where citrine is used to treat the solar plexus chakra. Created with a bespoke blend of macerated and infused oils, combined with the vibrational and healing benefits of a citrine crystal, the intention being to aid emotional balance on your spa break. The products are available to buy, and they come in bamboo jars are made from 100% natural bamboo and are biodegradable with the minimal plastic inner being recyclable.