Chic spa hotels in Cheshire for an indulgent weekend of pampering

Alternate between putting and putting your feet up with a stay at the Macdonald Portal Hotel. Take on one of the hotel’s three golf courses amid this serene countryside setting that offers expansive views of the rolling Chesire hills. Warm up on the nine-hole Ardene course before showing off your skills on the 18-hole Championship or Premier courses. Forgotten your kit? There’s a pro shop and golf academy on site, too.

For a romantic dinner with your other half, the AA rosette-awarded Scottish Steakhouse awaits. Take a seat by the floor-to-ceiling window for panoramic views across the grounds. The menu offers organic produce, from seasonal vegetables to fresh salads alongside finest 21-day-aged Scottish steak. Order a full-bodied Argentinian Malbec to match. Then, head up to your room, where tartan furnishings mingle with dark wood furniture, hinting at the hotel’s Scottish heritage. Slip into your fluffy robe and sip a Nespresso brewed fresh from your machine.

For some indoor R&R, head down to the spa for a dip in the 18 metre pool or ease your muscles in the thermal suite and rock sauna. Alternatively, keep up your workout regime with a visit to the state-of-the-art technogym. Partnered with luxury skincare specialist Elemis, the spa offers treatments including soothing facials and massages. Try the Deeper than Deep hot-stone massage to release any knots or opt for cleansing wraps and scrubs as well as waxing, nails and makeup.

Spend a cosy weekend away with your partner at Carden Park Hotel. Turn on the fireplace in your luxurious Courtyard Suite’s lounge area while your partner utilises the in-room tea and coffee making facilities to prepare two cups of Earl Grey. Once you’re all snuggled up on the sofa, you can start planning your weekend.

If rest and relaxation are on the cards, head to the on-site Carden Spa. Walk down the candlelit corridor to your specialised spa treatment–would a hot stones massage or invigoration facial massage tickle your fancy? A new £10m spa investment opens this winter, so it will be hard to resist a bit of me-time.

Once you’ve had your well-deserved dose of pampering, spend the rest of your afternoon practising your golf swing. The hotel boasts two golf courses and both offer stunning views of the Welsh Hills. Don’t get too distracted or you might just score a triple bogey.

The 19th-century Rookery Hall sits peacefully within acres of wooded parkland and manicured gardens. As you enter the sweeping drive, the yellow sandstone building is the very picture of grandeur, thanks to its French chateau-style turret. Explore the grounds or sip a glass of cava on the wisteria-covered terrace – an idyllic start to an anniversary break or laid-back interlude with friends.

Settle in for a weekend of indulgence with a trip to the spa, situated in the former stable block. Breathe in the scents of rose and camelina with a Garden of England Rose Restore massage that works to leave the skin feeling and looking renewed. Facials, wraps and scrubs are also offered in the seven treatment rooms. Afterwards, explore the poolside heat experiences – sit back in the sauna or crystal steam room, luxuriate in the hydrotherapy pool and experience shower, then take some downtime in the relaxation room. Nail treatments and makeup sessions are also on the menu.

Guest rooms enhance your experience with premium cashmere mattresses – upgraded suites have four-poster beds – while soft colour schemes promote a tranquil stay with sumptuous satin throws and cushions in soft lilac tones. Curl up in an armchair by your window to survey the serene gardens. Later, head down to dinner at the 2 AA rosette-awarded restaurant. Try dishes like pan-seared sea trout with smoked mash and English asparagus alongside a crisp Sauvignon Blanc, then retire to a sofa by the fire for a cosy nightcap in the wood panelled Drawing Room.

Surprise a mum-to-be with a wonderful weekend of pampering at the Grosvenor Pulford. The hotel’s Spa by Kasia offers treatments to relax and refresh – book the Peaceful Pregnancy massage as a special treat. For those not expecting, the menu includes wraps, massages, facials, makeup and nail treatments. Polish your skin with an invigorating salt scrub that uses lime and ginger to recharge the senses. The Roman-style pool is a relaxing spot to unwind and catch up – or choose a spot in the steam room or sauna. Found your zen? Enhance the feeling with a wander through the Asian sensory garden, complete with Japanese-style bridge and floating lotus flowers.

The chic interior decor of the hotel contrasts with its traditional redbrick facade, with an eclectic mix of floral wallpapers and tartan armchairs bringing a modern touch to the lobby. Step into your guest room and sink your feet into the plush carpet before snuggling down for the night among soft throws and scatter cushions. Upgraded rooms further the luxurious experience with velvet slipper sofas, where you can rest with a book.

Dinner is served in the recently renovated Palm Court Lounge. Fringed by palms (of course) and lit by a glass roof, it brings the light and greenery of the outdoors in, while plush armchairs create a cosy yet elegant feel. Dine on tempting dishes such as Goosnargh duck alongside a vintage brut chosen from the extensive wine list – non-drinkers can indulge in a zingy mocktail mojito.

Prep for an event at Chester Racecourse with a stay at Doubletree by Hilton, just a 10 minute drive away. Check in and head straight to the spa to stand beneath the cascading waterfall in the indoor pool or take a dip in the therapy and Watsu pools. The thermal circuit can help relieve tension before you relax in the rasul mud chamber, steam room or aroma room. For silky soft skin, treat yourself to a bamboo massage. Tanning, waxing and nail treatments offer the chance to prepare for a Ladies’ Day while you sip a glass of bubbly.

This Austen-esque, 18th-century manor house sits within 12 acres of manicured grounds. Take a walk around the ornamental pond with its tranquil fountain or stroll through the wildflower meadow before settling down for afternoon tea of scones and lashings of fresh cream in the glass conservatory. For a special dinner with the girls or your partner, book a table at the Marco Pierre White Steakhouse and Grill. Black velvet chairs and mirrors create a cool, elegant ambience as you dine on classics such as French onion soup and hickory baby back ribs.

Upstairs, guest rooms are sleek and modern with invitingly thick carpets and dark wood furniture. Toiletries by Crabtree and Evelyn add a luxurious flourish. You’ll also spot black-and-white shots of hot air balloons that hark back to the hotel’s former days as the home of a balloonist. The quirky theme runs throughout the building, with murals and curios celebrating this rather unusual sport.

Luxury and relaxation are a match made in heaven, especially at the four-star Rowton Hall hotel. While you might be minutes away from Chester city centre, you will feel a world away amongst the hotel’s secluded and historic grounds.

Make the most of your spa break to Cheshire with an Elemis Thousand Flower Detox Wrap that uses green tea balm to nourish the skin and encourage detoxification. The men in your life can also feel good as new with treatment specifically aimed to de-stress, de-age and de-fatigue the male complexion. Once you’re all relaxed, take a dip in the indoor swimming pool or continue with detoxifying your skin with a quick hop in the sauna or steam room.

Originally built in 1779, the 37 individually-designed rooms boast all the modern conveniences but still showcase the building’s history with much of its original features restored, including an Inglenook fireplace.

A romantic dinner at the Chester Grosvenor’s Michelin-starred restaurant, Simon Radley at the Chester Grosvenor, is one way to impress a loved one. Sample dishes such as melt-in-the-mouth Pyrenean Mountain lamb or Iberico pork with a Cabernet Sauvignon selected from the extensive wine cellar – one of the largest in England with more than 700 bins. Afterwards, settle back in a leather booth in the Arkle Bar and Lounge and choose a gin from across the globe – the impressive list includes names like Bling Tiger and Tanqueray No. 10.

Rooms here are traditionally elegant. Marble bathrooms, striped wallpapers and Bose docking stations lend an element of luxury, while lush sofas and scatter cushions add a pop of colour. Fancy exploring further afield? Thanks to this hotel’s setting within the city’s Roman walls, historic Chester is right on your doorstep. Take a 2 minute stroll to the famous cathedral and marvel at the medieval architecture.

Head back to your hotel for a spot of rest and relaxation in the dedicated spa. The treatment menu includes rejuvenating rituals like facials and massages using luxury Elemis products. Reinvigorate your skin with a salt scrub or a body wrap, or prepare for an evening out in Chester with a manicure or pedicure. There’s an expansive thermal suite with herb sauna, ice fountain, crystal steam room and salt grotto to help you find your sense of calm.

Bring the girls together or indulge in a little mother-daughter time in the Cheshire countryside at the Park Royal hotel. Spend a laidback afternoon wandering through lush gardens or spotting rare species like tiny spider monkeys at Chester Zoo just a 23 minute drive away. After losing yourself in the wonders of nature, return to your hotel for some pampering.

Fragrant ESPA products, made using fine natural ingredients like beeswax and seaweed extracts, enhance your spa experience. Let tensions ebb away with an aromatherapy massage using your chosen oils or luxuriate in a glow-boosting scrub, wrap or facial. There’s a whirlpool, steam room and experience shower to try, plus beauty treatments like waxing, manicures, pedicures and eyelash and eyebrow tints. Fully pampered, you can retire to the relaxation room to bask in your newfound serenity together.

The hotel’s Topiary in the Park restaurant is a tranquil setting for dinner, with windows looking out onto the verdant grounds. Dishes like succulent Bavette steak or pan-seared gurnard with cauliflower fondant and Parmentier potatoes reflect the upmarket gastropub fare that awaits you. Top off a heavenly day with divine desserts like salted caramel chocolate tart and peanut butter parfait with poached pear. When sleep calls, head up to your room, which is decorated in rich tones of plum and gold. Plush fabrics and oversized headboards lend each space a sense of grandeur, while photographs of famous landmarks, like the nearby National Waterways Museum, hint at adventures still to come.

Take a seat on the terrace within the gardens at De Vere Cranage and let the strings of festive lights set the mood for a fairytale weekend. Designed by famed architect Lewis Wyatt, this Elizabethan manor house charms at first sight. Survey the 20 acres of manicured grounds as you dine al-fresco – with the comfort of patio heaters – and choose from local meats such as Chesire Hollies Farm sausage from the show-kitchen grill. Alternatively, the Tempus restaurant offers seclusion indoors with low lighting and snug booths. Pair your meal made from local, seasonal foods with a wine from across the globe like a New Zealand Pino Noir.

Based within the Cheshire countryside, this hotel’s location means you’ll find plenty of walking trails to try nearby. Explore the Knutsford Rail Trail, a simple circular walk that takes you through historic Knutsford. Then, rest up in your plush guest room, where traditional dark wood furniture meets brown leather for a luxe feel. On a romantic occasion, upgrade to a suite and slip into your own whirlpool tub to ease your muscles (perhaps with a glass of celebratory bubbles).

The Essence Beauty and Relaxation spa is on hand with a range of pampering treatments. Refresh your skin with a scrub or wrap that uses luxury Clarins products or a facial that incorporates Australian tea tree. Massages are also available to help undo knots, as well as reiki and reflexology treatments if you prefer a holistic approach. Prepare for a special meal with final flourishes like hair styling, makeup, manicures and pedicures.