Check out this list of 26 UK spa hotels that have been approved by the UK Safe to Trade Scheme
Whether you’re in Tier 1, 2 or 3 one thing that we’re all still allowed to do is to indulge in some pandemic pampering, with a visit to a spa.
For many a spa day or spa getaway is about switching off and boosting wellness, yet in the current climate visiting a spa can be seen by some as risky and they worry that concerns about safety could hamper their ability to relax and completely switch off. Yet this doesn’t need to be the case.
The UK hospitality industry’s Safe to Trade Scheme has just released a list of the UK’s Safest Spa Hotels in a bid to give those looking to escape the lockdown blues, with a staycation or relaxing spa day within their local area, the peace of mind and reassurance that they can spa safely.
Over the last month spas have gradually been opening more of their facilities as government guidance across all of the Covid-19 tiers has eased. Saunas and steam rooms are now open with clear guidance in place for how they should operate.
The Safe to Trade Approved Spa Hotels List features 26 UK spa hotels, that are putting in the work to ensure the safety of both their staff and guests and implementing Covid-safety measures that go beyond the government’s guidance.
The Safe to Trade Scheme supports UK hospitality businesses in becoming COVID compliant, putting customer and employee safety as its core. It has been launched by top-ranking hospitality safety experts and is underpinned by an industry-led safety charter, which ensures that hotels and their teams are COVID-secure.
According to the Scheme’s expert Environmental Health Practitioners, in order to comply with government guidance, spas need to adhere to the following rules:
- Capacity restricted to 50 per cent
- Two-metre social distancing rules in place helped by marked seating points in each room.
- Guests to book staggered slots for up to two people, and allowed to wander in and out of the facilities during this time.
- As with other hygiene practices enforced in spas, the saunas, steam rooms and any other equipment involved should be cleaned regularly, at the beginning and end of the day, and regular intervals in between.
- Where technically possible, air flow and air changes should be increased to the maximum possible.
The Approved Spa Hotels List features hotels from right across the country, and includes staycation hotspots such as Bath, Surrey, Edinburgh, London and Northamptonshire and includes Rookery Hall in Cheshire, the hotel where David and Victoria Beckham announced their engagement. Depending on which tier your local area falls in you can consult the list ahead of booking a local day spa, a night in a local spa hotel or, if venturing further afield, a night or even weekend away.
The UK’s Safe to Trade Approved Spa Hotels List:
Scotland
Forest Hills Hotel and Spa – The Trossachs, Kinlochard, Aberfoyle, FK8 3TL
Cardrona Hotel and Spa – Macdonald Cardrona Hotel & Golf Course, Peebles, Peebleshire EH45 8NE
Inchyra Hotel and Spa – Grange Rd, Polmont, Falkirk, FK2 0YB
Norton House Hotel & Spa – Ingliston, Edinburgh, EH28 8LX
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Glasgow Westerwood Spa – St. Andrews Drive, Cumbernauld, Glasgow, G68 0EW
South West
Bath Spa Hotel – Sydney Rd, Bath, BA2 6NS
Mercure Exeter Southgate Hotel & Spa – Southernhay East, Exeter, EX1 1QF
Wales
Mercure Cardiff Holland House Hotel & Spa – 24-26 Newport Road, Cardiff, CF24 0DD
Yorkshire
Wood Hall Hotel & Spa – Trip Lane, Linton, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, LS22 4JA
North West
10.Doubletree by Hilton Hotel & Spa Liverpool – 6 Sir Thomas Street, Liverpool, L1 6BR
11. Craxton Wood Hotel and Spa – Parkgate Rd, Ledsham, Chester, CH66 9PB
12.Portal Hotel Golf & Spa – Cobblers Cross Lane, Taporley, Cheshire CW6 0DJ
13. Macdonald Manchester Hotel and Spa – London Rd, Manchester, M1 2PG
14. Rookery Hall Hotel & Spa – Main Road, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 6DQ
15. Mercure Blackburn Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa – Blackburn Road, Blackburn, BB5 5JP
The Midlands
16. New Hall Hotel & Spa – Walmley Rd, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, B76 1QX
17. Mercure Walton Hall Hotel and Spa – Walton, Coventry, CV35 9HU
18. The Telford Golf & Spa Hotel – Great Hay Drive, Telford, TF7 4DT
19. Mercure Daventry Court Hotel & Spa – Sedgemoor Way, Daventry, Northamptonshire, NN11 0SG
20. Fawsley Hall Hotel & Spa – Fawsley, Sevenoaks, Daventry, Northamptonshire, NN11 3BA
South East
21. Botley Park Hotel and Spa – Winchester Rd, Boorley Green, Southampton, SO32 2UA
22. Mercure Sheffield St Pauls Hotel & Spa – 119 Norfolk Street, London, S1 2JE
23. Frimley Hall Hotel and Spa – Lime Ave, Camberley, Surrey, GU15 2BG
24. Nutfield Priory Hotel & Spa – Nutfield Rd, Nutfield, Surrey, RH1 4EL
25. Brandshatch Place Hotel & Spa – Brands Hatch Road, Fawkham, Kent, DA3 8NQ
East
26. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Forest Pines Spa & Golf – Broughton, North Lincolnshire, DN20 0AQ
Every hotel on the Safe to Trade Approved Spa Hotels list has been independently audited by its team of expert Environmental Health Practitioners. To achieve ‘Approved’ status these hotels have had to pass a strict approval process and must adhere to ongoing stringent health and safety guidance.
Once approved as Safe to Trade, every establishment features on a national register that spa-goers and holidaymakers can consult to see if their chosen stay features. This register of members is also made available to local and national safety regulators, to assist with their requirement to risk rate businesses.
Mark Flanagan who chairs the Safe to Trade Scheme governance board comments: “For those customers looking to get a mini-break or UK staycation in before a long winter of potential lockdowns but who want to do so as safely as possible, the Safe to Trade Scheme provides peace of mind. By visiting the Scheme’s website at safetotrade.org.uk, spa-goers can identify which hotels have been approved by the Scheme and do this by either name or by location.”
Following its approval, a hotel’s safety performance is then monitored on an ongoing basis, as the Scheme asks consumers and staff to share honest feedback – both good and bad – via the ‘Ratings and Feedback’ tab on its website.
Flanagan adds: “If a customer sees something concerning at a venue or wants to share a positive experience, then they can simply scan the QR code on the venue’s Safe to Trade window sticker, or visit the Safe to Trade Scheme website, search for the business to feedback anonymously as well as rate the business. This is then fed back to the hotel, and outlet managers and owners are encouraged to adjust and adapt their practices to ensure that their business stays COVID compliant and safe.”
Current travel guidance for those living in tier 1 regions is that there are no restrictions on travel. Tier 1 residents are able to travel to tier 2 (“High Alert”) regions, but should follow local guidelines once there. In tier 2, households can still go on holiday outside of their high alert level areas to hotels and other guest accommodation, but must only do this with people in their household or support bubble. Travelling from a tier 2 “High Alert” area to a tier 1 “Medium Alert” area is permitted.
People in tier 2 are also advised to avoid travelling by car with people outside their household or social bubble, and to not travel to different parts of the UK where their intended activities would be prohibited by legislation passed by the relevant devolved administration. The government is advising against people travelling to a “Very High Alert”, or tier 3, areas**.
The government’s current travel guidance for residents in tier 3 is against nearly all travel, with those from these very high alert level areas advised to avoid overnight stays in another part of the UK. *** However, residents of tier 3 can travel to hotels and guest accommodation within their area, but should only so with people in their household or support bubble.
To find out more about the Safe to Trade Scheme visit: www.safetotrade.org.uk.