The Best Spas in and Around Edinburgh

‘I don’t want to go to a state-of-the-art spa in a Scottish castle surrounded by Japanese water gardens’, says no one ever! The don of spa locations in and around Edinburgh, Stobo Castle is the kind of place akin to dreams. There’s no expense spared. The signature hot stone massage, glass-fronted Swedish sauna, steam room, 25-metre ozone-treated pool complete with cinematic, landscaped garden views, hydro spa with massages from air loungers, exquisite dining and gorgeous rooms are just a few of the highlights.

Stobo Castle, Stobo, Peebles, Scotland, +44 172 172 5300

Once upon a time, just a stone’s throw away from Edinburgh, in a land they call East Lothian, sat a scintillating haven of relaxation called Fletcher’s Cottage Spa. Verging on indescribable, this utopia is the perfect fusion of rustic and luxurious – it’s all in the details. The exposed wood and brickwork, lounge-worthy sofas and log fire create a home-away-from-home feel. Every care will diminish after the endless bespoke treatments, which include Sisley products. Oh, and the pièce de résistance is the private candlelit bath. Then again, the views over the enchanting, walled herb garden could be worse. Bliss.

Fletcher’s Cottage, Archerfield House, Dirleton, North Berwick, Scotland, +44 162 089 7580

Trust the ‘Cale’ to work wonders in the spa game. Grand and historic, this Edinburgh institution is home to the first and only Guerlain spa in the UK. The beauty treatments include the most impeccable products, along with the accompanying patented techniques, methods and protocols, some of which date back to 1939. The whirlpool, steam room, sauna, five cabins, VIP dual suite, nail bar and makeover stations are second to none.

Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh, Princes St, Edinburgh, Scotland, +44 131 222 8888

Effortlessly chic and unwavering in charm, not only is The Roxburghe Hotel placed on the desirable location that is Charlotte Square, but it happens to hold the key to one of the greatest little spas in the city. From facials and manicures, to massages and deluxe packages, Balance Spa plays host to world-class skin and beauty treatments. Refined and splendid accents adorn every space, evoking a strong sense of relaxation from the get-go. Ideal for understated opulence and real serenity.

The Roxburghe Hotel, 38 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh, Scotland, +44 131 240 5500

Once the baronial headquarters of The Scotsman newspaper, The Scotsman Hotel is a five-star spot overflowing with flair and an exciting past. This luxury boutique hotel, perfectly placed smack-bang in the thick of all the fun, may have its own private cinema and fancy eats but that doesn’t mean the spa and health club should lose out on all the attention. Stocked to the brim with Aveda products, there are over 30 treatments to experience. The futuristic-looking pool, jacuzzi, and arctic and tropical showers are an added bonus.

The Scotsman, 20 North Bridge, Edinburgh, Scotland, +44 131 556 5565

A complete dreamland, the Rocco Forte Spa at The Balmoral is pure bliss. After all, it does have multiple awards to its name. Five treatment rooms, the relaxation suite, Finnish sauna and steam room make the perfect precursor to the star act – the rejuvenating treatments. Whether the Rose Indulgence Wrap, Detox Body Treatment, Soul Sensation or Jessica Nail Treatment, feeling on top of the world is the only possible outcome.

The Balmoral, 1 Princes St, Edinburgh, Scotland, +44 131 556 2414