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Choosing where to spend a spa day can be difficult. Do you, for example, look for infinity pools with a view of the city? Massage treatment using local techniques and products? You could be looking for the latest technical fitness equipment, or the latest trends. Maybe you just need a quiet corner to curl up with a magazine while you pop in and out of the thermal rooms. Scotland has a great selection of decadent spa hotels, but there are also a handful of delightful ones right in the capital; from Inse Ghall seaweed treatments to candlelit snugs, there’s something to suit everyone. Here’s our pick of the best spa hotels in Edinburgh.
This modern hotel has everything you’d expect from the brand, with bells running. Although it is mainly aimed at business travellers, its location, range of rooms and services, luxurious spa and restaurant make it a great choice for travelers who want to know exactly what they are getting. they are highly regarded. The wellness offer is brilliant, making it one of the best spa hotels in Edinburgh, with a 19 meter infinity pool, a thermal room with seven treatment areas, ESPA treatments, a gym, a café and a hydro pool a peaceful roof. It is situated on Festival Square on Lothian Road overlooking the west side of Edinburgh Castle, an easy walk from the city center or the Old Town.
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This neo-Renaissance building with its massive clock tower has been an Edinburgh landmark for over a century. With elegant bedrooms and superb marble bathrooms, and the Palm Court for champagne afternoon tea, this is a 21st century version of a grand hotel. The very large Spa offers Rocco Forte Rituals and ESPA treatments, and has a 15-metre lap pool, sauna, steam room and gym. It is close to Edinburgh’s mainline Waverley railway station, at the east end of Princes Street, and a short walk from the National Gallery and shopping areas.
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Driving down the long front avenue through 50-odd impeccably landscaped acres, it’s hard to believe that Edinburgh airport is only two miles away. It is a comfortable starting point for flights or a peaceful alternative to staying in the city. Housed in a stunning sunken glass building in the old walled garden, there are swimming pools and hydro pools, steam and sauna rooms, treatment rooms (including double treatment rooms for friends/couples) offering a range of treatments, all by Elemis and Ishga (made from Inse Gall seaweed) products. The health club has a serious gym and fitness studio, as well as a bright cafe and outdoor terrace.
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Charles Dickens – who was a guest at Edinburgh’s first purpose-built hotel – would certainly not recognize this latest incarnation. It shows its intent from the moment you enter the ultra-contemporary lobby: gleaming marble floors, deep purple walls and snazzy lighting. Spa Yu has a gym, steam and sauna rooms, an ozone pool and a good selection of Elemis-based treatments, including ‘Frangipani Body Nourish’ and ‘Lime and Ginger Salt Glow’.
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Imagine a health club with rooms and you won’t be far wrong. It’s a faux-hipster-meets-shopping-mall mash-up, but with better upholstery. You can sweat, steam, swim, spin and spa before hitting Starbucks, or the bar and grill, then retire to pleasant, simple, comfortable bedrooms. The spa includes a 20-metre swimming pool; a huge gym full of shiny equipment; spinning studio with 40 bikes; studios and classes; and sauna, steam room and whirlpool spa. The Beauty Spa also offers waxing, wrapping, tanning and coloring (must be booked in advance).
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The Caledonian is an impressive historic building in the heart of Edinburgh, with Galvin restaurant, views of the castle and a beautiful spa, which includes a gym, swimming pool (overlooking Edinburgh castle), steam room and sauna, as well with a wonderfully destructive massage. , facials and beauty treatments at 111SKIN and Ground Wellbeing. The restaurant collaboration with London’s Galvin brothers is one of the hotel’s greatest strengths alongside its location in one of the city’s prime spots – great for shoppers and sightseers alike.
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