Hertfordshire has long been a destination for the good and the great looking for a short retreat from the buzz of city life. The Grove for example, now a luxurious and contemporary country house hotel, was once the house party destination of Queen Victoria. Today it is the ideal destination for couples looking for a romantic spa break. It is surrounded by gardens that are peppered with contemporary art. It also has a subterranean spa with a real knack for making you feel indulged.

Equally, Sopwell House in St Albans has a reputation for luxury. On the edge of the medieval town that’s brimming with history and boutique shops, the hotel is a wedding destination hot spot. It does a superb afternoon tea as well as offering beautiful leisure facilities to unwind in - all a short train ride from central London.

For those looking for a real health retreat in Hertfordshire, Champneys Tring is one of the UK’s most exquisite experiences. Offering a true health experience, it has beautiful grounds as well as all the credentials for a head to toe wellbeing. Luxury spa treatments are perfectly offset by healthy food, but you still get a true sense of pampering while you’re here, which is perhaps why couples, friends, and mother/daughter spa days are all popular in equal measure.

Proving that spas in Hertfordshire really do have something for everyone however, there are also family friendly spa hotels that mean everyone gets a chance to relax. Take, for example, Marriott Hanbury Manor. It is a warm and welcoming hotel with a beautiful, large swimming pool and swimming times that the whole family can enjoy.