Nurture your body and mind at Cottonmill Spa at Sopwell House, a truly immersive, wellbeing experience…

Whoever invented the concept of the spa garden was a genius by all accounts. In my opinion, it makes perfect sense to nurture body and mind by immersing yourself in flora and fauna. Forest bathers have already discovered the benefits of being at one in the woodland, as connecting with nature has been said to reduce stress and anxiety. So what better than escaping to a recently refurbished home counties spa, with a verdant English garden that encourages guests to relax and reset in alfresco luxury? Located in Sopwell House, St Albans,Cottonmill Spa gardens have been designed by award-winning designer Ann-Marie Powell, who wanted to ensure that all the elements of the spa, the garden and the existing environment worked together to enrich the soul in total harmony. Cottonmill Spa at Sopwell House is a wellbeing destination you’ll find hard to rival.

Features of Cottonmill Spa at Sopwell House include three secluded hot tubs (one of which can be reserved), cabanas, an outdoor shower, a firepit and a thermal infinity pool that emerges from within the spa. Inside, things are equally impressive – assisted by a £14 million investment project, the designers at Sparcstudio have created a calming yet state-of-the-art space that fuses innovative experiences and treatments, diverse relaxation zones and modern dining.

Being the UK’s first private member’s spa, you’ll need to dip into your bank account if you want to take a dip in the thermal hydrotherapy pool as there are two tiers of membership and access: Cottonmill, and The Club at Cottonmill. The former gives you access to a number of facilities, while the latter unlocks access to all the facilities in this three-storey wellness nirvana.

Hotel guests have complimentary access to the Cottonmill Spa at Sopwell House, which includes the indoor pool, sauna, starlit steam room, Rose Relaxation Room and state-of-the-art gym. They can also pay to upgrade to The Club, alongside Cottonmill members and day guests. The Club is accessible only to a select group of members and a limited number of guests or residents on Club packages, so there’s a real air of exclusivity in this inner sanctum. Some of the highlights for Club members and guests include the inside/outside hydrotherapy pool, spa garden, the first floor Whisper Room, Deep Relaxation Room, infrared loungers, experience showers, Panoramic Sauna and Botanical Steam Room.

Partnering with Elemis, ESPA and Aromatherapy Associates, treatments are also pushing the boundaries. Cottonmill Sound & Sand involves lying on a tilting and vibrating quartz bed filled with warm sand which cocoons your body. Cottonmill is the only UK spa to offer this, along with the House of Elemis day spa in London.

The chiming sound from the singing bowls is intensely relaxing, and you feel as though you’re going to slide off the bed when it tilts during the treatment (you aren’t really, it’s just a strange floating sensation). The accompanying aromatherapy back, neck, shoulder and scalp massage is total heaven, and you get to relax and/or sleep it off afterwards in the Rose Relaxation Room or my favourite Deep Relaxation Room with its softly vibrating, colour-changing loungers.

For those spending the day in the Cottonmill Spa at Sopwell House, the Sitting Room is the perfect place in which to enjoy a superfood pot, fresh juice or even a glass of Cottonmill’s own Prosecco. Lunch can be taken in the Pantry which serves an excellent hot and cold buffet, with no need to change out of your robe.

The luxury environment also extends to the spacious Club changing rooms, which feature Tom Dixon marble wall lights, heated flooring, Dyson supersonic hairdryers, premium toiletries and lockers which open with your wristband.

I love the Cottonmill Spa at Sopwell House so much, I’m seriously considering moving closer so I can become a member. Yes, it’s really that impressive.

Cottonmill Spa at Sopwell House
Sopwell House
Cottonmill Lane
St Albans
AL1 2HQ