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Five spas by the sea
There's nothing quite like a dose of bracing sea air to help reinvigorate you. Whether you take advantage of the summer sun, or go in the blustery off-season when you can have the beach to yourself, you'll find the location a tonic.
The quality of Britain's beaches has improved enormously in recent years, with over 2,500 Blue Flag awards now sprinkled around the whole country, denoting clean bathing water and plenty of amenities. With a spa to look forward to as well, you can't lose.
Fairmont St Andrews, Fife
The Scottish coastline is breathtaking, and this spa is too! Hovering imposingly over the Celtic coastline, Fairmont St Andrews affords its guests the opportunity to relax in opulent luxury.
Stylish and elegant, the spa itself is a tranquil escape from the real world. The spa at Fairmont St Andrews creates Celtic-inspired therapies using local and natural ingredients including pine, juniper, lavender and wild nettle. You can experience rustic therapeutic treatments in a truly magnificent location, and then choose from five dining options including a two AA rosette restaurant.
Perfect for: Taking your breath away.
We loved: The Celtic Harmony signature treatment - we nominated it for a 2011 Good Spa Award!
Find out more about Fairmont St Andrews
Slieve Donard, County Down
Set in 6 acres, this impressive red-brick building is situated magnificently with miles of golden coastline to the front, and the backdrop of imposing Irish mountains behind. Before you even get through the door, you know you are somewhere very special.
The two-floor spa complex is elegantly designed, spacious and contemporary affording all who frequent it sensational views of the coast and beyond, courtesy of the floor-to-ceiling windows. With an impressive gym, amethyst steam room, rock sauna and drench showers you can while away your time enjoying the thermal experiences, or partake of the signature hot spa therapies and Ayurvedic treatments.
Perfect for: Pure bliss steeped in Irish charm.
We loved: The hotel's own private gate onto the beach.
Find out more about Slieve Donard
Spa Sirène, Jersey
In a superb coastal location in smart St Helier, the Royal Yacht dates back to the early years of the 19th century, but has been given a stunning contemporary makeover. Spa Sirène is in the basement, and is equipped with a circular mosaic steam room with twinkling lights, a comfortingly hot sauna, an indoor pool, experience showers and a gym.
Treatments aim to be both fun and effective, and use seaweed-based Phytomer products that come from near the French seaport of St-Malo. The encouragingly named "Me Me Me" ritual includes a facial and a back massage in bubbly sea mud. Don't miss the stylish modern cooking on offer in the Sirocco restaurant, with its seductive ocean views.
Perfect for: A restorative weekend break in the balmy Channel Islands.
We loved: The customer service. Spa Sirène were nominated for "Customer service without batting an eyelid" in our 2011 Good Spa Awards.
Find out more about Spa Sirène
Scarlet Spa, Cornwall
When it comes to holistic eco-spas, they simply don't come any finer than The Scarlet Spa. Nestled on a hillside just a few miles from Newquay airport, The Scarlet's positioning affords it truly stunning panoramic costal views from every window.
Experience the luxury of swimming in the open-air freshwater pool, filtered by reeds, lull yourself to sleep in a hanging relaxation pod and look out to sea from the warmth of the clifftop wood-fired hot tub. That's why The Scarlet won "Best Spa for Sipping Champagne in a Hot Tub" at the Good Spa Awards 2010.
Perfect for: A romantic weekend of indulgence without losing your green credentials.
We loved: The rugged Cornish setting.
Find out more about Scarlet Spa
Bailiffscourt, West Sussex
Bailiffscourt is curiously eccentric and delightful. This South Coast gem has a manor-house hotel and an unpretentious, modern barn-style spa within the grounds. It's surrounded by 30 acres of well-tended garden, and Climping beach is just moments away.
Combining old and new is quite an art, and it is achieved to perfection at Bailiffscourt. Featuring a good range of thermal experiences, including a Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, outdoor pool and hot tubs, you can while away the day enjoying the views and even the passing peacocks!
Perfect for: A spa break that combines country classics with the British seaside.
We loved: The subtly lit outdoor pool with its silhouetted tree.
Find out more about Bailiffscourt
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