A Blissful Pre-Christmas Wellness Break: Why PoB Hotels Are Perfect for a Spa Escape

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Bishopstrow Hotel & Spa – The Perfect Pre-Christmas Wellness Break

Tucked away in a peaceful Wiltshire village, Bishopstrow Hotel & Spa blends Georgian charm with contemporary wellness indulgence. Just a short drive from Bath and the vibrant town of Frome, it offers the perfect countryside retreat for a tranquil pre-Christmas wellness break.

Built in 1817, the honey-coloured country-house hotel can be reached via its winding driveway and is set in lush riverside grounds, which only adds to the rural charm of the hotel. 

Step through the grand wooden doors, framed by elegant columns, and you’re immediately drawn into the hotel’s inviting communal spaces: a cosy library perfect for curling up with a book, a stylish bar for a pre-dinner drink, a drawing room warmed by open fires, and a garden-facing restaurant with terrace seating to enjoy the Wiltshire countryside.

Full of quintessential 19th-century charm, if you are looking for a cosy pre-Christmas wellness break, Bishopstrow Hotel & Spa offers a delightful mix of timeless elegance and modern luxury.

Unwind in the spa, sauna, and indoor pool, or enjoy private moments of bliss in one of the hot tubs and the outdoor sauna which is nestled by the spa centre.

From character-filled Georgian rooms to stylish, modern courtyard suites, there’s a fantastic range of rooms to offer a dose of indulgence.

Staying in the Hot Tub Junior Suite felt like a mini escape from the world. From the balcony hot tub, we soaked up the quiet countryside and indulged in a truly restorative pre-Christmas wellness break.

We’ve tried our fair share of hot tubs, but the two-person balcony tub at Bishopstrow was a true standout — warm, bubbling, and utterly indulgent. It was almost impossible to leave and the convenience of having it within two steps of our suite was a real luxury.

Utterly decadent, the suite boasted a king bed so comfortable it was hard to leave, a roomy living area, and a marble-topped bathroom with underfloor heating, freestanding bath, and walk-in rainforest shower. Adding to the luxury were thoughtful extras including gorgeous Bramley toiletries, a Dyson hairdryer, and plush bathrobes with flip-flops for the spa.

I almost didn’t want to leave the comfort of our suite, but it would have been remiss not to explore the spa facilities seeing as we were on a pre-Christmas wellness break. Whilst the outdoor swimming pool was out of bounds as it was undergoing a renovation, the Bishopstrow Hotel & Spa offers a range of thermal experiences which includes a steam room, sauna, a rainforest experience shower as well as two outdoor hot tubs and an outdoor Swedish-style sauna.

While the indoor pool feels a touch dated, ongoing improvements, including the outdoor pool, show the hotel’s dedication to its spa offering. Treatments at Bishopstrow include massages, facials, pedicures, and even floating sound baths, where warm water and calming sounds create a deeply restorative experience.

At The Garden Grill, Bishopstrow’s restaurant, every meal is a celebration of local flavours. Fresh produce from the No-Dig kitchen garden forms the heart of the menu, complemented by locally sourced ingredients and sustainable practices. 

Dishes are divided into sea, soil, fire, and land, showcasing fish, vegetarian options, Somerset beef, and more. We opted for the Wookey hole cheese fritters with a tangy chilli relish and a small charcuterie board to share from the grazing section of the menu to start, and both opted for a succulent and flavoursome steak from the ‘fire’ section of the menu.

Diners can also choose from dishes such as monkfish, a chicory & pear salad, a twice-baked Godminster cheese souffle, and many other incredible dishes. Guests can also start their day in The Garden Grill, where breakfast arrives as a beautifully presented platter of seasonal fruit, yoghurt, juice, and pastries. 

The gluten-free croissant was a particularly considerate touch, and one I very much appreciated. You can then order from the breakfast menu and choose dishes such as ‘The Bish Bash Bosh breakfast’ which is a fry up but using locally-sourced ingredients such as Wiltshire cured bacon.

For a pre-Christmas wellness break, Bishopstrow Hotel & Spa is hard to beat thanks to its effortless combination of timeless elegance, delicious cuisine, and its impressive approach to wellness.

Whether soaking in the balcony hot tub, enjoying spa treatments, or relaxing in the steam room, it’s an idyllic retreat where you can truly unwind and indulge before the festive rush. With relaxing treatments, sumptuous suites, and thoughtfully sourced cuisine, it’s a haven for recharging both body and mind ahead of the festive season.

Unwind with a Pre-Christmas Wellness Break at Ockenden Manor Hotel & Spa

At Ockenden Manor Hotel & Spa, heritage and modernity coexist beautifully — the Elizabethan manor charms with its traditional rooms, which includes four-posted beds and roaring fires, while a state-of-the-art spa and contemporary suites sit just steps away.

Nestled in the heart of the West Sussex village of Cuckfield, the historic manor, which dates back to 1820, exudes classic country-house chic, with rooms tucked along a labyrinth of winding corridors, uneven floors, and delightfully quirky staircases. Each room is named after a member of the family who originally owned this charming countryside retreat, while those seeking a more contemporary experience can opt for the sleek spa suites.

From the cosy lounges and bar to the refined drawing room, there’s plenty of space to unwind, with a roaring log fire making afternoon tea even more special in the colder months.

We stayed in the ‘Raymond’ room, which felt like stepping onto the set of a period drama. With wood panelling, heavy curtains, antique furniture, and a sumptuous four-poster bed, the room was steeped in historical charm.

The bed was incredibly comfortable, and the windows looked out over the beautifully landscaped grounds. In keeping with Ockenden Manor’s fascinating contrasts, the bathroom was the complete opposite — entirely modern and chic, featuring a freestanding bath and elegant gold accents throughout.

Without a doubt, the spa is the crown jewel of Ockenden Manor Hotel & Spa, effortlessly blending sleek, contemporary design with the calming influence of nature. Nestled within the hotel’s nine acres of landscaped grounds and gardens, it provides a striking contrast to the historic manor while remaining perfectly in harmony. With facilities like these, it’s easy to see why it makes for the ultimate pre-Christmas wellness escape.

Step inside and the indulgence begins. The indoor pool flows straight through to a heated outdoor pool, while a jacuzzi, a serene relaxation area, and a stunning al fresco hot tub offer cosy spots to unwind — utterly blissful on a crisp November day.

The walk-through rainforest shower, fed by Ockenden’s own natural underground spring, is a refreshing, invigorating highlight that leaves you feeling completely renewed and ready for the festive season. Guests can even experience the Isopod saltwater flotation tank, designed for unparalleled relaxation.

After an afternoon at the spa, it was time to head to the Ockenden’s restaurant where we enjoyed well-executed dishes such as whole grilled scallops, a salt & spiced cured loin of pork with sour red cabbage and a caramalised apple sauce which was simply divine!

Combining classic country-house elegance with modern luxury, the Ockenden Manor Hotel & Spa offers roaring fires, wood-panelled rooms, and a spa with expansive views across West Sussex. It makes for a quintessential rural getaway where you can enjoy the incredible spa facilities. It’s the hotel’s spa that ultimately steals the spotlight, providing the ultimate wellness experience that keeps guests coming back again and again.

Want to book your very own wellness escape, head on to PoB Hotels to find the ideal hotel for you!