There is a lot to be said for doing nothing. In fact, doing nothing is sometimes exactly the one thing that you need to do – sit back, relax, stop worrying and clear your mind. By the time you return back to the real world, you’ll feel like a new person. Although it’s not always as easy as all that. Life keeps us busy with lots to do all day, every single day, which leaves very little time for restorative me-time. 

This is why a spa day, or even a spa break if you can spare the time is such a wonderful treat. It’s enjoyable – amazingly so – for one thing, and for another it will recharge your empty batteries, put a spring in your step and prepare you to tackle life head on. We all need a break from time to time. Across Kent there are dozens of excellent spas offering all kinds of blissful, beneficial treatments. Here are some of the very best for you to choose from.

Yarrow Hotel // www.yarrowhotel.co.uk // Broadstairs

The wellness centre at Broadstairs’ Yarrow Hotel is certainly something special, offering a variety of different treatments including facials and luxury pedicures. There is also a spa area that includes a wonderful sauna and Jacuzzi.

AquaManda // www.aquamanda.co.uk // Sittingbourne

Located in the stunning Hempstead House Hotel in Bapchild near Sittingbourne, the AquaManda Day Spa has everything you need for the most relaxing me-time you could think of. You can really indulge and have a proper pamper with treatments including Pevonia body wraps and ‘special eyes’, as well as enjoying some exclusive mum-to-be packages.

Brandshatch Place // www.handpickedhotels.co.uk/brandshatchplace // Fawkham

Set in 12 acres of parkland and gardens, enjoy a treatment, spa day or break at Brandshatch Place Hotel and Spa, Fawkham; the perfect setting for guests to relax and unwind. Slip into neutral, take a deep breath and relax. Do as much or as little as you please at Brandshatch Place Spa Hotel. Whether you choose a spa day or a spa break, the Elemis Deeper than Deep hot stone massage, Elemis pro-collagen age-defy facial, or the luxury manicure with thermal mittens are just some examples of what is on offer.

Beyond Beauty Retreat // www.beyondbeautyashford.co.uk // Ashford

Beyond Beauty is a peaceful beauty retreat situated in the rural countryside of Ruckinge. They offer a wide range of beauty treatments including pamper days, hen parties, girls’ parties, advanced facial treatments and more. There are three luxurious treatment rooms, a dedicated manicure room, tanning room and a relaxing lounge. From pamper days to amazing massages, traditional beauty treatments to advance treatments, your experience at Beyond Beauty will be a truly tranquil day to remember.

Green Farm Spa and Retreat // www.greenfarmkent.co.uk // Shadoxhurst

Green Farm Spa and Retreat is indeed a top spa offering a variety of ESPA products and treatments, but the most important thing about it is that it is not just a spa. It is a true, all round wellness and wellbeing retreat. It is the setting that makes this an entirely unique prospect; it is a farm surrounded by ancient woodlands and traditional pastures and there are a number of walks and lots of wildlife to enjoy.

This is not a quick pitstop – visitors are encouraged to stay for as long as they want to and make use of as many of the classes (yoga, Pilates and more) and treatments as they feel the need to. Not only is there a boutique spa and treatments for both day and longer term visitors, but there is also a 12-person self-catering luxury holiday barn, and many wellbeing retreats available focusing on art, yoga, spa and healthy eating to name just a few.

TOR Spa Retreat // www.torsparetreat.com // Ickham

Close to Canterbury, but far enough away to feel really very much out in the countryside, TOR Spa Retreat is the ultimate getaway, whether it’s for an hour, a day, or overnight. Set within stunning gardens, TOR prides itself on offering something a little different to other spas.

If all you want to do is go somewhere to unwind, you can do that – help yourself to a variety of hot and cold drinks, read a book, or snooze in peace accompanied by gentle background music.

Or you can book a pamper package. The spa works on the principles of Ayurveda, meaning that the ‘doshas’ of the body need to be in equilibrium in order for you to feel relaxed and happy. So, it is this equilibrium that needs to be reset when you’re feeling out of sorts, and TOR is where you can do it.

Sabai Spa // www.jsabaispa.co.uk // Maidstone

Sabai (sa-bye) is a verb which means to be relaxed, happy or content, and a spa is a place devoted to enhancing overall wellbeing through a variety of professional services that encourage the renewal of mind, body and spirit  Together these words mean ‘relaxed place’, which is at the heart of everything Sabai does. They want their clients to leave the spa with a sense of inner wellbeing and treatments include massage such as traditional Thai massage or special aromatherapy massage, body scrubs, manicures and facials.

The Holistic Home // https://theholistichome.co.uk // New Romney

The Holistic Home boutique spa is situated in a medieval Grade II retreat that was formerly a monks’ priory lending itself perfectly to their health, beauty and wellbeing therapies. A characterful place where you can escape into the relaxing tranquilly of wellbeing while experiencing various bespoke wellness treatments and therapies. Relax, rejuvenate and repair at the retreat with mindfulness music and mood-enhancing light diffusers releasing therapeutic essential oils and aromas, or step into one of three therapy rooms for organic, holistic and even vegan treatments for ladies and gentlemen using award-winning Neal’s Yard Remedies organic skincare products and Spa Find dead sea mineralising salts.

Reynolds Retreat // www.reynoldsgroup.co.uk/retreat // Borough Green

At Reynolds Retreat, the day really is all about you. The staff are there to ensure you have the most relaxing, restful time, and that you leave feeling like a new you. By the time you’re finished after an enjoyable spa day at Reynolds Retreat, you should be completely refreshed.

From everyday pick-me-ups like manicures, pedicures and spray tanning, to real pampering products and treatments like massages, facials and body wraps, you can indulge in whatever takes your fancy. As well as the treatments, you will be able to use any of the gym equipment at the retreat for the duration of your stay and you might even want to join in with some of the classes.

Rowhill Grange // www.alexanderhotels.co.uk/rowhill-grange/spa // Wilmington

The Utopia Spa at beautiful Rowhill Grange is inspired by Roman interiors and this theme is carried on throughout. There is a lovely relaxation lounge, 19 individual treatment rooms (and two couples’ treatment rooms), monsoon showers and two amazing floors of pools. As well as this, there is a hydrotherapy pool and a Jacuzzi to round off the day perfectly.

Cryojuvenate // www.cryojuvenate.com // Sevenoaks

Cryojuvenate is a multi-award-winning clinic offering a range of health and wellness services in the heart of Sevenoaks. The specialist treatments have been carefully selected and have been known to help with psoriasis and arthritis, along with injuries and pain associated with sports activities. You can burn between 500-800 calories in a day using the whole body cryotherapy in the leading-edge cryotherapy chamber; a useful addition to your weight loss regime.

Knowle Grange Health Spa // www.knowlegrange.co.uk // Tunbridge Wells

Established back in 1998, the Knowle Grange Health Spa exists to take you away from the stresses of normal life and take you someone magical. When you’re done here, you’ll feel good inside and out. Being an independent spa, the owners are able to offer a truly bespoke service, taking the time to ascertain exactly what it is you need to feel better.

Zen-Sation // www.zen-sation.co.uk // Broadstairs

Zen-Sation says that it can offer an escape from your daily stresses and it certainly seems as though this must be the case when you think about all the wonderful treatments that it has to offer. From massage and aromatherapy to hopi ear candling and ombre nails, Zen-Sation bring a bit of bliss to Broadstairs.

Tudor Park Spa // www.marriottspas.co.uk/spa/19/tudor-park-spa // Bearsted

Set in acres of beautiful Kent countryside, the leisure club at Tudor Park is the perfect place to relax and rejuvenate, or work out and get fit. Spend time by the indoor pool reading or catching up with friends, or simply de-stress in the sauna. Enjoy the tranquil environment of the treatment rooms and indulge in a pampering experience that will leave you refreshed and revitalised. There are lots of different spa packages to choose from, each one ideal for losing yourself in.

Brooklyn Greenspa // www.brooklyngreenspa.co.uk // Deal

Not only does the fabulous Brooklyn Greenspa offer a variety of different massages, facials, manicures and pedicures, but you can also attend fascinating talks about wellbeing, personal care and beauty so that you can continue the good work started at the spa at home. The concept behind this spa is eco-friendliness, so all treatments are offered with the planet in mind, as well as your own wellbeing and relaxation.

Eastwell Manor // www.eastwellmanor.co.uk // Ashford

Eastwell Manor is home to a Champneys Spa and the very name gives you an immediate feeling of opulence and luxury. The facilities are second to none, up to date and modern with a sleek, contemporary feeling and staff who can’t do enough for you. Treatments on offer are marvellous and include such delights as a detoxifying seaweed wrap, a contour shaper, a spa heaven cocoon and a pick-me-up facial.

The 20-metre heated indoor pool is certainly a star and where many of those who are at Eastwell Manor to soak up the relaxing ambience head to. It is a stunning place to indulge in some true alone time, especially since it is flanked by comfortable bed with privacy curtains.

The London Beach // www.londonbeach.com/spa // Tenterden

The pool within the spa at the London Beach is something rather special – it is, in fact, a luxury hydrotherapy pool with built in loungers that rest underneath the surface of the water. Powerful water jets massage you thoroughly and you can while away many an hour in there. Although if you do want to try some of the other facilities that London Beach has to offer there is a superb infinity pool, saunas, steam rooms and a Jacuzzi.

Interested in more than swimming? Want to be pampered? Your wish is the London Beach’s command as there are many different spa days to choose from. You could go for the detoxifying experience, or the mothers-to-be spa day. Perhaps the energising experience or the chill out spa day sounds good to you. Choose what makes you happy and enjoy.

Hythe Imperial // www.hytheimperial.co.uk // Hythe

Of course, a spa day can mean different things to different people. There are some who are passionate about going to the gym and can think of no better way to relax than to hit the treadmill. Others love the water and find that it both relaxes and refreshes in its various forms of pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room. Still more find that a spa day has to be about the treatments like the different kinds of massages and body scrubs.

To all of those people we say, try the spa at the Hythe Imperial – it includes all of the above features and then some; they all sound amazing – the Hythe Imperial ritual, the hot stone massage, or the aroma indulgence have all got to be tried.

Bridgewood Manor // www.bridgewoodmanorhotel.com // Chatham

Whether it’s a one off treatment or a longer spa break, Bridgewood Manor could be the ideal choice for you. It’s luxurious and the ideal place to take some time to yourself and recharge, no matter which of the many ESPA treatments you want to indulge in.

Speak to the experts and find out what they would recommend; this kind of tailored spa day is a great way to try out new rejuvenating experiences that you might not have considered before. They will know what you need when you tell them how you’re feeling, and this way you really will get the most out of your stay. Before and after treatments, guests can continue their tranquil experience by enjoying a relaxing swim in the heated swimming pool or sit back and relax in the sauna and steam room.

Whether you are visiting them on business and need to unwind after a long day, or have chosen Bridgewood as your ultimate relaxation break, or perhaps a romantic getaway, this spa is fitting for all occasions. The most popular spa package is the ‘Experience for two’, which includes a 50-minute ESPA signature ritual per person, a two-course light lunch, snuggly robe, towel and slipper hire, and full day use of our spa and leisure facilities.