Whether it's some regular TLC, a quick one-off pampering session or a total beauty overhaul, you can't beat a day at a spa.
But you don't have to travel for hours to indulge yourself. We've rounded up the best day spas across the country, to keep you looking and feeling fantastic on a budget and on your doorstep!
The UK's Best Day Spas
1. Bliss spa, London
If you're not a fan of whale music and essential oils, Bliss Spa (www.blisslondon.co.uk) is the perfect urban stop-off. With a great soundtrack and brownies on offer, the spa's treatments are a hit with celebs for getting you looking gorgeous without any fuss and more than a hint of New York style.
Try the signature Triple Oxygen Treatment, £145, the spa's 'breath of fresh air for your face', with an intensive cleansing, exfoliating fruit acid wash, oxygen wrap, calming oxygen milk mask, hydrating enzyme pack, and vitaminized oxygen spray.
2. Dove Spa, nationwide
If you think spas are too much of a special occasion luxury, Dove Spa (www.dovespa.com) is determined to change that attitude. Their philosophy is to make women feel more beautiful every day by inspiring them to take great care of themselves, and while they might not do spa lunches or saunas, they do have fantastically priced tailored treatments.
There's bespoke facials, including a thorough skin diagnostic and treatments can include a host of extras such as free eyebrow shape or nourishing face mask. Best of all are the Limited Edition seasonal treatments for £39 – summer's special is a one-hour blitz called Bottoms Up, to target cellulite and stretch marks, but there's something new regularly during the year. Available at around 25 locations across the country.
3. Malvern Spa, Worcestershire
With a hydrotherapy pool fed by the famous Malvern spring waters, it's hard to beat the spa's (www.themalvernspa.com) natural benefits. And for more active spa goers, the gym has picked up awards if you are looking to shape up.
There are seasonal offers as well as the day packages – the Malvern Spa Relax Day is currently priced £55, including lunch and access to all the facilities or the Discovery Day, £93, has a selection of the spa's most popular facial and body express treatments. Alternatively you can opt for the mix of ESPA and Ren treatments and build your own bespoke day.
4. So Spa at Sofitel London St James
Opened in July 2009, So Spa (www.sofitelstjames.com/sospa/sospa.shtm) is perfect if you are looking for out and out luxury – there's marble walls, a spa butler and a French-inspired treatment menu, with products from Cinq Mondes and Carita.
The spa's treatments are broken down into starters, mains or desserts, including exclusive facials and massages – or the 'martini and manicure' is one of the most fun ways to get your nails done. There's also a traditional Turkish Hammam, Astorina hydro bath, and Dornbracht aromatherapy-infused rain sky showers.
Prices start from £30.
5. Grayshott Spa, Surrey
If you want to live like a lady, this is the place to do it. Grayshott Spa (www.grayshottspa.com) was once the home of Alfred, Lord Tennyson, and is set in 47 acres of landscaped gardens, next to 700 acres of National Trust Land. One of the country's last remaining privately owned health retreats, there's a focus on natural therapies as well as award-winning spa treatments.
There are five types of spa day to choose from, all including use of the spa facilities and a three course lunch. Try the Deluxe Day package, £175, including facial and massage.
6. The Porchester Spa, London
The refurbished 1929 Art Deco spa (The Porchester Spa) has welcomed thousands of visitors during its history, all drawn by its peaceful atmosphere in the centre of London. The winner of the Sunday Times Travel Magazine award for 'Britain's Best Value Spa', it's £23 per visit with two relaxation Russian stream rooms, three Turkish hot rooms and a newly installed Finnish sauna cabin, as well as additional treatments available, including coffee-inspired options.
Even better, for shy spa-goers, there are women-only days – as well as men-only and mixed opening - if you'd rather not share your experience. The signature treatment, the shmeise, is a jasmine oil massage using a raffia brush in the traditional steam room, perfect to cleanse and de-stress.
7. Blythswood Square Hotel, Glasgow
Glasgow's first luxury spa is opening at the Blythswood Square Hotel (www.blythswoodsquare.com) in September 2010, with the emphasis on five star glamour as well as local treatments. Designed in conjunction with luxury organic skincare house, Ila, treatments use
Scottish ingredients and products, such as organic milk thistle extract, sea lavender and seaweed.
The Spa is home to Scotland's first Seaweed Bath complete with organic seaweed sourced direct from the Hebrides and the Dark Pool where guests can relax in warm water, as well as face, body and holistic treatments from Ila and Anne Semonin.
Blythswood Square spa packages start from £125 for a half day spa visit.
8. Malmaison Petit Spas
Great for quick fix treatments or all-day packages for both men and women, Malmaison's (www.malmaison.com) day spas are ideal urban retreats, at their hotels in Newcastle, Birmingham, Manchester and the newest Petit Spa at Aberdeen.
With Espa and Jessica products, there's packages like the Half-Day Holistic, £120, with Luxury Back Treatment, Aromatherapy Facial, Oriental Scalp Massage, Manicure or Pedicure, Lunch. And if you can't bear to drag yourself away, you could opt for the Girlie Friday Nights In, £99 per person, including a Polish & Tan or Salt Scrub and Back Massage, plus room, breakfast, munchies, bottle of wine and a chick flick.
9 The Sanctuary Spa, London
The kind of day spa where you'd really like a week to enjoy it, The Sanctuary (www.thesanctuary.co.uk) has packages for pregnant women, friends, quick evening getaways or long pampering sessions.
As well as treatments including their own brand products, you can relax in the famous koi carp lounge, or swim (naked if you want) in their pool, or try the Sleep Retreat, with Sound Wave Therapy Beds to revitalise. Even better, there are two more destinations planned for Cambridge and Bristol. Evening entrance starts from £45.
10. Bodysgallen Hall & Spa, Llandudno, North Wales
The National Trust Historic House Hotel is thought to date as far back as the 13th century, and with views of Snowdonia and Conwy Castle, plus 200 acres of parkland and 17th century garden, Bodysgallen Hall would be a gem without its spa (Bodysgallen Hall & Spa, Llandudno).
Offering Anne Semonin, Decleor and Caci treatments, the spa is in a converted stone farm, within the grounds - where you can stay in cottages or the hall itself if a day isn't enough. As well as exclusive 'Celtic' treatments created by Anne Semonin, there's a whopping 20 pages of treatment, so there's sure to be something to suit you. Half day packages start from around £60.