Sometimes you need a break to recharge your batteries. Save the humiliation of queueing at passport control while they snigger at your photo and book yourself in for a bit of pampering at a spa closer to home…
Stobo Castle
Nestling in the Tweed Valley, Stobo bills itself as Scotland’s only destination spa. Combining treatments, good food and some amazing accommodation, Stobo is a temple to personal health and wellbeing. If it’s a very special occasion, the Cashmere Suite is probably the most opulent room in Scotland, featuring cashmere clad walls in the bedroom and lounge and a melodramatic bathroom complete with carved limestone bath.
The castle’s luxurious spa boasts around 80 treatment options, including intriguing holistic therapies and popular face and body treatments from Neom, Phytomer and Themae. Try the invigorating Sugar Glow, mess about in the Serailbad Mud Room or book a special offer package.
Personal training, yoga instruction or Pilates coaching is available for one or two, and there’s a full schedule of daily fitness classes ranging from chi-ball and outdoor hikes to line-dancing and burlesque! You could come home with a whole new career. www.stobocastle.co.uk
Gleneagles
A long-term Trend favourite, the Espa Life Spa at Gleneagles is so good, it’s easy to forget that some people go to Gleneagles to play golf on the championship courses.
The spa team have won more awards than could be reasonably displayed without looking like showing off, and this is reflected in the sheer professionalism of the therapists.
As you’d expect, there’s a full menu of body treatments, including reflexology, and Ayurvedic or Oriental inspired massages, as well as exfoliation scrubs, body wraps, contouring treatments and stress-releasing options. Where Gleneagles comes into its own is the Espa life consultation and treatment plans. After a thorough consultation, Espa’s naturopath, physiotherapist and Chinese medicine specialist will design a programme of treatments to enhance your wellbeing and improve health.
This can include anything from a hydrocolonic to pulse analysis, weight loss, improved fitness, or acupuncture to herbal remedies and healthy eating advice. Probably best to ignore the latter until you get home, given the presence of the Michelin starred Andrew Fairlie’s restaurant and the monumental breakfasts in the Strathearn. http://www.gleneagles.com
Portavadie
Very much the promising newcomer, Portavadie’s spectacular coastal setting means if it’s not quite in the middle of nowhere, it’s certainly on the edge! Deep in rural Argyll, a few miles from Tighnabruaich, Portavadie has been popular with the yachting fraternity for its marina, superb range of accommodation, and outstanding restaurants.
You’ll find everything from fabulous luxury designer apartments with floor to ceiling windows, mile-wide beds and deep cream leather sofas that can seat eight, to a romantic hidden hideaway for two and pristine dog-friendly self-catering cottages.
In addition to an indoor leisure pool, fitness suite, hot tubs and Scotland’s largest heated outdoor infinity pool, Portavadie is also home to Scotland’s newest luxury spa. The exclusive spa building offers incredible views out over Loch Fyne, especially at sunset. It’s an oasis of tranquillity and serenity perfect for getting away from everyday stress and rediscovering yourself. With just fourteen spa passes available, the hydrotherapy pool, loungers, steam room and sauna are never crowded and the staff have ample time to deliver a wonderful selection of treatments from Decleor and Ishga, from an incredible Indian head massage to facials which will restore your inner glow.
There’s plenty places for a wander, or you can take the ferry over to Tarbet. Don’t miss Polphail, an abandoned village now filled with graffiti art, which is just a ten minute stroll away. http://www.portavadie.com