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Choosing where to spend a spa day can be tricky. For example, are you looking for infinity pools with a view of the city? Massage treatments with local techniques and products? You can look for the latest technical wellness equipment or the latest trends. Maybe you just want a quiet nook to sleep in with a magazine as you hop in and out of the thermal suites. There’s a great choice of decadent spa hotels in Scotland, but there’s also a delightful handful in the capital; from Hebridean seaweed treatments to cozy candlelit rooms, there’s something for everyone. Here’s our pick of the best spa hotels in Edinburgh.
This modern hotel has everything you would expect from the brand, with bells ringing. Although primarily aimed at business travellers, its location, range of rooms and services, luxurious spa and renowned restaurant make it the perfect choice for travelers who like to know exactly what they are getting. The wellness offering is superb, making it one of the best spa hotels in Edinburgh, with a 19-metre infinity pool, thermal suite with seven treatment rooms, ESPA treatments, gym, café and a supremely relaxing rooftop hydro pool. It is located on Festival Square on the Lothian Road overlooking the west side of Edinburgh Castle, within walking distance of the city center or 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 over-the-top marble bathrooms, and the Palm Court for afternoon tea with champagne, this is a 21st century version of a grand hotel. The exceptionally large spa offers Rocco Forte Rituals and ESPA treatments, and has a 15-metre pool, sauna, steam room and gym. It is next to Edinburgh’s main Waverley train station, at the eastern end of Princes Street, and a short walk from the National Gallery and shopping areas.
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Driving down the long front lane through 50 immaculately landscaped acres, it’s hard to believe that Edinburgh Airport is only two miles away. It is a comfortable departure point for flights or a quiet alternative to staying in the city. Set in a beautiful sunken glass building in the ancient walled garden, the stunning spa has swim and hydro baths, steam and sauna rooms, treatment rooms (including double treatment rooms for friends/couples) offering a range of treatments, all with Elemis and Ishga (created of Hebridean seaweed) products. The health club features a serious gym and exercise studio, and there’s a bright café-bar and outdoor terrace.
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Charles Dickens – once a guest in Edinburgh’s first purpose-built hotel – would certainly not recognize this latest incarnation. It shows its intent from the moment you enter the dramatically contemporary lobby: light glossy marble floors, deep purple walls and hip lighting. The Yu spa, although a bit compact, has a gym, steam and sauna rooms, an ozone pool and a good choice of Elemis based treatments including a ‘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 off the mark. It’s a mock hipster-meets-mall mash-up, but with better trim. You can sweat, steam, swim, twist and spa before heading to Starbucks, or the bar and grill, then retire to pleasantly simple, comfortable bedrooms. The spa has a 20 meter pool; a huge gym full of shiny equipment; a spinning studio with 40 bikes; studios and classes; and a sauna, steam room and hot tub. There is also waxing, wrapping, tanning and dyeing (must be booked in advance) in the beauty spa.
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The Caledonian is an imposing and historic building in the heart of Edinburgh, with a Galvin restaurant, castle views and a lovely spa complete with gym, swimming pool (it actually overlooks Edinburgh Castle), steam room and sauna, plus pampering massages, facials and beauty treatments by 111SKIN and Ground Wellbeing. The restaurant partnership with the Galvin Brothers in London is one of the hotel’s greatest assets, in addition to its location in one of the city’s best spots – great for shoppers and tourists alike.
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