Southampton and Winchester spa hotels for a well-deserved weekend break

Settle into your sumptuous suite on arrival at the Winchester Hotel, where plush textiles in jewel-like colours and striking oversized headboards create a regal aesthetic. Pick the Platinum Suite, with its gilded mirrors, elegant dressing table and lounge area, to recline in luxury. Snack on fresh fruit – perhaps accompanied by a coffee from the Nespresso machine – on your super-king bed before exploring the rest of this hotel’s standout facilities.

Access to the spa is complimentary with a hotel booking, so you can make the most of a light-filled pool lined with loungers during your getaway. Follow up a swimming session with a stint in the heat of the Swedish sauna, scented steam room or Jacuzzi, then select from a range of treatments. There are manicures by Jessica Nails, facials by ESPA and make-up by Mii to decide between. Whether you opt for full body care such as a lava shell massage or simply want a wax, manicure and pedicure, staff at the Winchester spa take a tailored approach to therapies.

Order traditional afternoon tea to have outdoors at the elegant glass tables on the shrub-lined terrace. The patio heaters here will keep you pleasantly warm while you nibble on hot scones slathered in jam and silken clotted cream. Enhance the experience by swapping your steaming herbal tea for a glass of champagne. When evening falls, opt for a meal at the Brasserie, where you’ll dine on modern European fare under contemporary chandeliers. Browse the seasonal menu for dishes such as risotto made from New Forest mushrooms complemented by a frozen gin and tonic.

With its park-and-sail service, Macdonald Botley Park is a convenient spot to check in for the night before setting off on a cruise from Southampton or Portsmouth, though its excellent facilities mean it’s worth staying a little while longer. The hotel has a heated indoor swimming pool and fully equipped gym, as well as a selection of treatments designed to give you a true sense of escapism. Soothe your skin with nourishing facials, massages and wraps using high-end Elemis products, then opt for a relaxing reflexology therapy to release any lingering tension. Ahead of an evening in the hotel bar or exploring the city, treat yourself further with finishing touches including manicures, pedicures and make-up sessions.

Once fully pampered, you can retire to your room to flop into bed. Pared-back country chic epitomises the décor here, with plaid blankets layered over snow-white bedding, floral print curtains and pleasantly overstuffed velvet chairs. Book into a Feature Suite to be greeted on arrival by a selection of wine, chocolates and fresh flowers, as well as the finest views at the hotel.

A filling breakfast awaits you after your night’s sleep – think British classics made with local, seasonal produce – before you head out for a stroll along the Southampton town walls or a spot of boutique shopping at Bedford Place. On your return, head to the Winchester Restaurant for a delectable afternoon tea. Traditional three-tiered stands contain a selection of delicate finger sandwiches and sweet confections like flaky pastries, cakes and the all-important freshly baked scones with jam and clotted cream.

With convenient access to Winchester and Southampton, Norton Park is the ideal base to discover both cities. It’s also surrounded by 54 acres of land, so you don’t even need to leave the hotel grounds to find a little adventure. After viewing the enchanting 16th-century exterior from the outside, you can head in to one of 13 rooms located in the main building, eight of which sit in the eaves on the second floor. Choose a Feature Double Room, with botanical names inspired by the grounds, for individual features in keeping with the hotel’s heritage. Alternatively, choose a VIQ room in the hotel’s modern wing for sumptuous feather and down bedding and an extensive drinks selection.

Wander down from your room to Norton Park’s full-service spa and health club, which has a spa lounge and a relaxation room. Facilities include a sauna, steam room and experience shower, as well as a pool to cool down in after basking in the heat. Pick from intensive therapies to enjoy in one of eight treatment rooms, from the spa’s signature rituals to manicures, facials and scrubs. A volcanic hot stone massage using scented aromatherapy oils is your go-to for tension-relieving relaxation. Waxing treatments, pedicures and spray tanning provide those finishing touches.

Sate your hunger in the onsite Scene Restaurant. Decorated in warm autumnal tones, with colourful art lining the walls, this eatery’s interior is bright and bold. Pick from experimental delights such as walnut and pumpernickel salad topped with tangy blue cheese or red snapper cooked in a spicy masala sauce. Celebrating? Private dining is available – although booking in advance is recommended.

When your travel partner is dreaming of a peaceful round of golf but pure R&R is firmly on your agenda, Hilton at the Ageas Bowl offers the ideal compromise. Not only does this Southampton-based hotel have an 18-hole USGA-approved course and a refined spa, but a large proportion of its rooms also look out over the Ageas Bowl cricket ground. Make yourself at home in your minimalist suite, which features floor-to-ceiling windows with vistas of the pitch. You’ll also have access to an Executive Lounge where you can watch the action while eating a complimentary breakfast.

Whether you dedicate your trip to sports or serenity, you can work up an appetite for a meal at in-house restaurant BEEFYS. In keeping with the hotel’s theme, this eatery is owned by ex-cricketer Sir Ian Botham. Seasonal food inspired by the countryside is on the menu here: think braised beef cheek and lamb rump expertly paired with rich red wines hand selected by the former England captain himself. Refined wood panelling is offset by red and black furniture and contemporary lighting, matching classic sophistication with modern flair.

If you don’t plan to move far from the spa all weekend, there’s a dedicated kitchen in its vicinity. Opt for a healthy sharing board made up of ingredients such as poached salmon, lemon-infused lentils and ponzu dressing washed down with one of the hotel’s signature smoothies. Make your way through the thermal circuit afterwards – salt grotto, steam room, sauna, ice fountain and hydrotherapy pool included – then choose your treatment. Revive your senses with a ginger and lime salt scrub, or go for a skin-brightening facial. Body wraps and massages are also on the menu.

A slice of Thailand just a short drive from either Winchester or Southampton, this hotel has an award-winning spa inspired by the country’s spiritual practices. Water features heavily in this tranquil oasis, with a full range of aqua-based facilities on offer. Go from herbal sauna to crystal steam room, via the tepidarium and laconium, before finishing off with an experience shower and cooling down in the ice room. A soak in the bubbles of the hydrotherapy pool or a dip in the ozone-treated swimming pool afterwards feels simply heavenly. There’s also a temple studio and hammam room for unwinding in, or you could try a Rhassoul mud experience from Morocco’s Atlas Mountain.

Treatment options, which include massages and facials, as well as hand, foot and body care, are extensive at Carey’s Manor. Recline on hand-crafted Thai silks in softly lit spaces while therapists soften your skin with a Himalayan salt rub. Continue the Eastern theme with a wholesome meal at Asian-influenced Zen Garden spa eatery or go for a contemporary British concept at the New Forest-inspired Cambium. Its light and airy interior features natural materials from this stretch of woodland, including tree bark and springy moss. The menu champions local ingredients, with vegetables hand-picked from the hotel garden and seafood landed at nearby Lymington.

A king-size or super king-size bed with luxury duck feather pillows awaits when it’s time to turn in. Rooms at Careys Manor are infused traditional British countryside chic, especially those housed in the 18th-century manor itself. Book into a suite with an intricately carved four-poster bed and your very own rooftop terrace. Travelling with friends or family? The Pittefaux Cottage offers additional space and privacy thanks to its secluded location within the hotel’s grounds.