5 Best Spa Hotels In North East England

The North East of England boasts a generous collection of luxury spa hotels, and each has it’s own merits.

I’ve done the painful job of sampling as many of the best spa days and breaks across the region, in order to bring you this list of the top spa break options for couples in the North East, as well as for friends, sisters and mums and daughters/grannies/aunties, and ladies who lunch.

During my very serious research, I also sampled each hotel’s other amenities, and have rated them based on not only their spa facilities and treatments; but also their restaurants, hotel rooms, grounds and anything else I would want to know if I was booking a spa getaway in NE England.

Top six hotels for spa breaks in the North East

Whether you’re researching the best spa days in the North East for a fizz-fuelled getaway with your gal pals or thinking about whisking your love away for a romantic spa break, these hotels will spirit you away to a world of relaxation.

Best spa hotel restaurant in the North East: Matfen Hall

Northumberland

The bedrooms at Matfen Hall are massive, the spa does amazing facials that genuinely improve your skin’s condition and the grounds are gorgeous; but Matfen Hall’s Library Restaurant makes it the best spa hotel for food, in my opinion. Their twice baked cheddar cheese soufflé is a thing of beauty and the chips are incredible.

It’s the perfect place for a quiet meal after your day at the spa. Guests can use the Aqua Vitae Spa until 4pm on check-out day, which means more spa time for your money.

Read my review of Matfen Hall hotel

Check Matfen Hall hotel rates and availability 

Best spa hotel in the North East with an outdoor hot tub: Wynyard Hall

Tees Valley

This spa hotel has a lot going for it. The hotel suites are huge and it almost feels like you’re sleeping in a stately home, and the grounds are almost as impressive as the interiors at Wynyard Hall, but its real USP is the two outdoor hot tubs overlooking the lake.

They limit the number of people who can use the spa at once, meaning you’ll never have to rub shoulders with strangers as you soak. 

Also, their Wellington restaurant is my runner-up as best hotel restaurant in the North East because their Sunday roasts and regular a la carte menu are absolutely exquisite.

Read my review of Wynyard Hall

Check Wynyard Hall rates and availability 

Best location for a spa hotel in the North East: Malmaison Newcastle

Newcastle Upon Tyne

With an enviable spot on Newcastle’s cool quayside, Malmaison Newcastle is the best spa hotel if you’re looking for a city centre location.

The Toon’s best and busiest nightlife is right on your doorstep, and you can always walk across the bridge to the Baltic if you’re feeling culture-hungry.

I highly recommend booking through the Malmaison website, because they always have spa deals that include an overnight stay and two-course meal.

Chez Mal is fabulous – both at dinnertime and breakfast. In fact, this Malmaison also gets my vote for best hotel breakfast in the North East.

Read my review of Malmaison Newcastle

Check Malmaison Newcastle rates and availability

Best spa hotel for couples in the North East: Slaley Hall

Hexham, Northumberland

Slaley Hall competes for best spa hotel in the North East for lovebirds because of its double treatment room, which isn’t just perfect for couples; but for mum and daughters, sisters or best friends.

My love and I enjoyed a side-by-side couples’ massage and a facial, which we chose from the spa’s vast menu of treatments. T

he spa uses ESPA products and there’s lots of variety and flexibility with the treatment list offered to spa-goers. You can select either one longer treatment, like a full body massage, or two shorter options.

Their relaxation room is also super plush!

Read my review of Slaley Hall hotel

Check Slaley Hall rates and availability

Best spa in the North East for group spa days: Rockliffe Hall

Darlington

If you’re planning a group spa break in the North East, Rockliffe Hall has the best spa for girl gangs. It’s one of the larger spas and the thermal suite is fun to challenge each other with. The ice room is bound to have you all in fits of laughter.

The Spa Garden is an outdoor oasis with an infinity pool overlooking beautifully tended gardens, huge Bali beds that are perfect for group pics, and heated loungers.

Rockliffe Hall also has large rooms perfect for girly sleepovers and The Orangery is the perfect place for a special occasion dinner.

Read my review of Rockliffe Hall

Best Overall Spa Hotel in the North East: Seaham Hall

County Durham

I’d go as far as to say that Seaham Hall offer one of the best spa breaks in the UK.

It’s an excellent hotel all-round: the rooms are supremely comfortable and wonderfully unique, with flamboyant decor that oozes personality, there’s a little beach set up in the grounds, and the spa’s dedicated Ozone restaurant serves mouthwatering Asian cuisine.

The Thai-themed spa is both luxurious and authentic, and they also have an outdoor hot tub, along with a relaxation balcony.

Read my review of a Seaham Hall hotel stay

Read my review of the Seaham Hall Hotel spa day experience 

Check Seaham Hall rates and availability

Check out these top things to do in Durham

I still have a few North East spas to sample, but this is my pick of the best I’ve experienced so far. Do you have any to share? Let me know in the comments!

Read next: the ultimate England itinerary

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I experienced some of the spa hotels mentioned in this guide as a guest of the hotel. Views are my own.

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