The prettiest hotels with private hot tubs in the UK

In the depths of winter, the threat of frost weighing heavy, or the balmy stretches of summer, the siren call of the (not-so) humble hot tub never fails to tempt us into its contained tropical climes. And no setting for a soaking session is more luxurious than the repose of a UK staycation, where the humdrum of daily to-dos feels like a distant mirage.

Of late, though, keen to make the most of our time away and ever in search of an upgrade, Brits up and down the country are taking their tub time one step further, with thousands searching for hotels with private hot tubs. As, though our fair isle is sprinkled with indulgent spas, even the most sociable of travellers will admit that sometimes we just need a little more solitude. So, we’ve selected a clutch of the UK’s most beguiling hotels with private hot tubs where slipping into your swimwear and sinking into your softly bubbling solo spa comes as standard.

Chewton Glen, Hampshire

If you go down to the woods today, you’re in for a pretty luxurious surprise; Chewton Glen’s sumptuous treehouses – probably the worst-kept secret going among discerning travellers – floating some 20 feet above the forest floor, are a far cry from the rustic, cobbled-together version in the garden of your childhood home. Set apart from the 18th-century country house, the wooden structures – adrift in the woodlands – sit in stark contrast to the chocolate box feel of the main hotel, with a decidedly modern feel. Curvy exteriors, creamy interiors and glass-lined walkways linking the two, the piste-de-resistance here must surely be the hot tubs, perched upon the private decks of each of the 14 treetop suites. Here, food is delivered via abundant hampers through secret hatches, protecting a sense of total seclusion, though a short walk – or speedy buggy ride – will re-immerse you in the extensive facilities of the celebrated, five-star property. The thoughtful extras here – all of which can be enjoyed from your treetop tub – extend to a personal hot chocolate station (complete with rich chocolate buttons and marshmallows to top it off), a nutribullet for you to recreate your favourite morning smoothie – the ingredients for which can be ordered at the click of a button – and the direct mobile number to a dedicated treehouse concierge.

Cliveden House Hotel, Berkshire

With the recent royal seal of approval still drawing intrigue (Meghan Markle stayed at the property the night before her Windsor wedding to Prince Harry), Cliveden House’s dalliance with society’s most high and mighty began long before this latest line of royals. In fact, so rich is its aristocratic history – the hotel has been frequented by Queen Victoria, King Charles, and Lord Astor, among others –, that there are few other country estates which hold a candle to it. But our interest in the ornate 17th-century property isn’t just to do with its regal roster, but its modern string of rooms that sit just outside the famous spa, each with their own hot tub – a luxury we’d bet our bonnet that Queen Victoria wasn’t privy to. Located in the Garden Wing, the Club Rooms each lead out onto a private terrace, where your very own wood-fired tub awaits. After a day boating on the Thames, of which a particularly tranquil stretch runs alongside the country pile, and a grand supper in the ballroom, retiring for drinks and bubbles, safely hidden behind the shrubbery of the spa gardens, seems the ordained order of the day.

The Fish, Cotswolds

A name that can often be heard being bandied about among the country’s quirkier circles, The Fish Hotel in Broadway, is a cluster of quirky houses and huts scattered across the hills and hollows of the 400-acre Farncombe Estate. A place where you are as likely to find a low-key celebrity sipping Earl Grey by the roaring fire as you are a Barbour-clad country couple heading out for archery lessons. And in and amongst the various goings on here, several of the hotel’s huts and treehouses offer guests access to their own private hot tub. Boaty McBoatface, for example, one of the hideaway huts in the grounds, has its own wooden tub tucked away beside a private lake, complete with paddle boat. And best of all? You’re able to order and enjoy room service without having to step out of the warmth of the water.

Linthwaite House Hotel, The Lake District

Framed by the rolling fells of one of the UK’s most spellbinding national parks, this historic hotel and its swathe of gardens occupy a prime perch in the midst of the rugged peaks of The Lake District, overlooking Lake Windermere. But you needn’t trek to the shores of the lake itself if you’re in search of an opportunity to submerge yourself, as the entire range of suites here boasts their own private hot tub. Plump for the popular Lake View Suite, with its own enclosed veranda and heated hot tub looking directly out across the lake to the Coniston Fell, or the modernised Fell Suites, which sit in the grounds of the property, each boast their own tub too as well as high vaulted ceilings and large fireplaces. Couple your soak with days meandering around the grounds, dotted with high-end, modern art pieces, a sundowner in the summer house or dine at Henrock, where Simon Rogan’s farm-to-table ethos is coupled with a relaxed atmosphere and plenty of cheer.

Lympstone Manor, Devon

As far as hotels with private hot tubs go, this Exmouth manor house in the middle of the woods is a pretty special way to go. It’s a location that effortlessly lends itself to outdoor living, and the shepherd’s huts here – each with its own private hot tub or bath – lean into this exalting way of living with real style. Wrap yourself in your fluffy robe, stack the board games up high and head outside in the fresh Devon air to enjoy a languishing soak overlooking the Exe estuary and the rugged Jurassic Coast. Here, breakfast is in the shape of a pile of local produce, delivered via a hamper each morning, and the hours that follow look like a wine tasting at the hotel’s own vineyard – on the southwest-facing parkland overlooking the estuary – or a short stroll down to the pool house for an aperitif and some slightly more exuberant swimming.

Galgorm, Northern Ireland

Just 30 minutes from Belfast, the rugged scenery of the North Antrim Coast couldn’t be farther from the hustle and bustle of a city if it tried. Encircled by 450 acres of parkland, sandwiching the River Maine which cascades through the grounds, the suites, cabins, huts and private residences here are all scattered around the woody estate’s own thermal village and spa. In fact, it’s water that seems to tie everything together here, from the flow of the natural waterways to the bubbles of the private hot tubs that come as standard with many of the rooms here. The outdoor tubs offer first-row seats to the syrupy skies that set here, and the compact kitchenettes mean you really can settle in and keep yourselves to yourselves without sacrificing any of the luxury living that one expects from such a property.

Carbis Bay Hotel & Estate, Cornwall

Not many hotels with private hot tubs come with the promise of a private beach and sea views, which makes this Cornish gem all the more special. The privately-owned Carbis Bay Estate manages to enswathe its own extensive spa, 25-acre Blue Flag beach and – outside of the main hotel – a series of beachfront lodges, each with their own private hot tub, beach gardens and direct access to the biscuit-hued sands beyond. If the name sounds familiar it’s likely due to the family-run property having hosted the G7 summit back in 2021, or perhaps a family friend once raving about its sea-facing Bamford spa. In fact, the options for those seeking watery relaxation are endless, with a seafront infinity pool – gazing across the bay (just a few down from St Ives itself) – and an invigorating hydro pool topping off the list.

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