When it comes to indulgence, we all crave the best and why shouldn’t we?
In Leeds, we are very fortunate to have one of the world’s top-rated spa hotels on the edge of the city. As we reported last year, Thorpe Park Hotel and Spa, based in Century Way, which is part of the Daniel Thwaites Group, scooped the best luxury hotel and best luxury boutique spa accolades in the prestigious 2022 World Luxury Hotel Awards.
The gongs came following overwhelming approval from the public as the competition was decided by over 300,000 international traveller votes. So, as part of our Explore Yorkshire series, celebrating the very best of our glorious region, we were very eager to pay a visit.
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As the old saying goes, boys who spa together, spa together (I never said it was a particularly catchy phrase). So, eager for a day of relaxation one of my closest friends, Luke, joined me for our trip to Thorpe Park.
The award-winning spa is designed to be a haven of tranquillity with a 13m swimming pool, indoor jacuzzi, Himalayan salt sauna and steam rooms. Walking through the reception, the venue’s huge ceilinged grand lounge area really caught the eye as we settled in for the day.
Once we’d settled in, we were unwinding further thanks to our wonderful morning treatments. Both of us were booked in for a wellness back of body massage.
There are many other treatments to choose from such as facials, manicures and pedicures alongside body massages. For summer 2023, the spa has teamed up with beauty brand Templespa to create an extensive range of treatment options which you can find on the venue’s website.
We both found our massages to be incredibly relaxing, so much so, Luke said he almost fell asleep in his. My masseuse was also very attentive when she asked which areas of my back to target. She was also very persistent getting those troublesome knots out.
After our treatments, there was no feeling of rush with us resting up in yet another lounge on incredibly comfy beds with the widest selection of waters I’d encountered for quite some time. When we did eventually muster up the energy to separate ourselves from the beds we trotted down, in our matching white robes, for some lunch.
On the menu, visitors will find a good range of healthy dishes as well as a few more indulgent options. I opted for the generously portioned halloumi burger although, knowing I was soon to try Thorpe Park’s gym, I resisted the urge to grab a dessert from the cake counter - despite how appealing they looked. This was something I still regret to this day.
I do appreciate a visit to the gym, understandably, might not be top of everybody’s priority list when at a luxury spa. And, that’s perfectly fine but for the purposes of this feature, it felt like we needed to pop our heads in. To give a flavour of everything Thorpe Park has to offer.
Plus, we were eager as earlier this year, the venue’s gym was given a major makeover.
The new boutique gym aims to ‘bring the outdoors in’ and was put together by Leeds interior designer Rachel Wootton. Certainly one of the more boujee gyms I’ve visited, it is filled with modern state-of-the-art equipment, greenery and ample space to work out at your own pace. For those after a more high-end gym experience you can sign up to a monthly membership to use the newly-renovated facilities.
Thorpe Park’s gym is definitely a good spot to push yourself to the limit but that wasn’t the purpose of mine and Luke’s visit. So, after an hour or so of burning off some calories, a fair effort I'm sure you'll agree, we headed for the pool area, via doing an ‘hilarious’ photoshoot, in the venue’s outdoor green area. Out there, visitors will find loungers and even a little sedate area with a wooden hut-like structure.
Once we’d got what we needed for Insta, we rounded off our day at Thorpe Park Hotel and Spa with a couple of hours kicking back at its pool and sauna. Sure, a couple of lengths were done but, at that stage of the festivities, we mostly enjoyed a good old natter in the jacuzzi.
Undoubtedly, Thorpe Park Hotel and Spa is worthy of the praise and acclaim it received as part of the World Luxury Hotel Awards. You’d struggle to find a more tranquil and relaxing day - it is certainly one of the very best spas I've visited. I’d love to return at some point to de-stress and perhaps even enjoy an evening’s stay.
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How to book
If you’d like to visit Thorpe Park Hotel and Spa then breaks start from £84 per person and spa days are available from £55 per person. You can find out more by visiting their website.
Thorpe Park Hotel and Spa, Century Way, Thorpe Park, Leeds LS15 8ZB
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