Review: Soak, Sip, and Spa

I’m a sucker for a good spa day. A fluffy robe, a bit of steam, someone else bringing me herbal tea or a glass of wine… bliss. Recently, I made it my personal mission (purely in the name of research, of course) to try three Berkshire spas – Donnington Valley, The Vineyard, and Retreat at Elcot Park. Here’s the lowdown.

Donnington Valley: Heavenly Treatments

Donnington Valley is one of those places where you arrive a bit stressed and leave wondering if you’ve accidentally aged backwards. Start with a languid swim in the 18-metre pool, sweat off stress in the sauna or steam room.

Then melt into one of their phenomenal TEMPLESPA or Germaine de Capuccini rituals. Or go next-level with the Aqua Sun treatment – Dead Sea salts, gentle jets, and a sun canopy that somehow can make winter feel like a beach day.

The real star here is the treatments and therapists. They’re not just good; are absolute pros, and post-treatment lounging on that terrace was basically meditation.

Ending the day (weather permitting) with a sharer board on the outdoor 'Hangout' terrace, a dinner at WinePress or a drink by the open fire, wraps up the spa day escape perfectly.

If it’s expert treatments and that little bit of sunshine in a room feeling you’re after, Donnington Valley is your pick. The facilities are nice, but for me, it was the treatment rooms and therapists that make it unforgettable.

The Vineyard: Spa Glow-Up

Tucked away in picturesque Stockcross, just outside Newbury, this spa is nothing short of dreamy. The Vineyard nails the whole spa experience thing. Imagine stepping into a domed oasis – sun streaming through glass, plants all around, and a circular pool that beckons you to just… float. a seamless flow from steam room and sauna to jacuzzi, and blissful treatment rooms, and you've got the complete pampering package.

But what sets The Vineyard apart? Their wine-inspired treatments – from red-grape body wraps to luxurious Irene Forte skincare rituals grown on a Sicilian organic farm. It's spa indulgence with a conscious twist. And because they clearly understand the assignment – a fabulous lunch that makes you feel you’re in a fine dining restaurant rather than just grabbing a post-swim sandwich.

Beyond the spa, the hotel itself is a feast: wine vaults brimming with over 15,000 bottles, fine dining in The Tasting Room, and art-lined corridors waiting to be admired.

If you’re after indulgence, The Vineyard will corkscrew its way straight into your heart. It's the kind of place where you can happily spend the entire day without once glancing at your watch.

Elcot Park: Countryside Chill

If your soul needs a countryside reset, Elcot Park is calling. The outdoor pool and hot tubs are the real heroes here, with countryside views that feel straight out of a magazine spread.

Picture this... sinking into a wood-fired hot tub and gaze over rolling fields while sipping a crisp glass of Whispering Angel, and remember that life exists beyond email notifications. You can take a dip in the heated pool with your lounge chair just steps away. Inside, there’s a Himalayan salt sauna, hydrotherapy pool, aroma-steam room. And yes, even a salt-floatation tank that lets you drift into suspended peace.

Treatments by GAIA are just as dreamy with bespoke massages, hot-stone rituals, jade facials, and a floatation escape designed to leave you feeling utterly weightless. Then there’s the quirky countryside charm: welly-boot lockers, a self-serve snack pantry, live-music courtyard, garden allotment and two delicious restaurants to round off the day.

The Retreat at Elcot Park brings countryside bliss and spa self-care together in total harmony. It's fresh air, fresh water, and fresh perspective all rolled into one.

Three Spas. Three Vibes. Which one’s calling your name?

If I had to sum it up... Donnington Valley is where you go for hands-down the best treatments. The Vineyard is for the complete luxury spa day. Elcot Park is for outdoor bliss with countryside charm.

The real winner depends on whether your heart’s craving expert massage hands, gourmet spa days, or countryside hot tub sunsets.