What makes a holiday in Dorset? Maybe it’s fish and chips at the seaside, or hiking to the highest point on England’s south coast before rewarding yourself with a pint of local beer. Or visits to nude hill figures or an iconic limestone arch might take your fancy. This jewel of the West Country has things to do in spades – eating, drinking, active or laidback – plus plenty of on-trend hotels in which to lay your head. If Dorset’s much-extolled salted sea air and bucolic tranquillity isn’t enough to bring you utter relaxation, you’re in luck. Among the county’s hills and on its rugged coast are hotels that have getting guests to unwind baked into their being. Think warmed underground pools, blissful treatments ranging from traditional through modern, and space to just… be. There’s more to Dorset than just apple cake and Thomas Hardy. If you want a UK getaway – and to give your wellbeing a holistic boost – these are the best spa hotels in Dorset to book. The best spa hotels in Dorset are: Best for style by the sea: The Nici Best for the traditional approach: Summer Lodge Country House Hotel Best for a hidden escape: The Eastbury Best for a foodie getaway: Christchurch Harbour Hotel & Spa Best for coastal cool: The Pig on the Beach Best for style by the sea: The Nici Location: Bournemouth The hotel that Bournemouth – overstocked with dowdy, dated seaside accommodation – has been crying out for. Inside, spaces are filled with art, tropical prints and a hint of Art Deco; outside, the star is a 30m heated pool, very much a nod to Miami’s South Beach, and the town’s long stetch of sand can be reached by a short zig-zag path. If you can wrench yourself from a cabana, The Nici’s swish spa beckons, all soft lighting and gentle music (a change from the pumping soundtrack poolside). Treatments incorporate products from British “nutri-cosmeceutical” beauty brand Oskia, as well as CBD pioneers OTO. The latter’s Nici signature massage is a joy, where CBD-infused oils soothing tired muscles and dislodge long-held knots; afterwards, curl up in the relaxation space and pop open a can of OTO’s CBD seltzer, before making use of the steam room, sauna and indoor pool (or the gym, if you feel suitably energised post-treatment). Best for the traditional approach: Summer Lodge Country House Hotel Location: Evershot Summer Lodge remains Dorset’s countryside grande dame (and the county’s only five-star hotel). The quintessential rural pad, it has beautifully restored rooms with high ceilings, watercolours, and chandeliers. The four-acre estate is set in Evershot, a village little changed since it featured in local author Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the d’Urbervilles (and while there, prop up the bar or sit beside the fire at the trad-yet-cool Acorn Inn). The spa is a major highlight of Summer Lodge, packed with Elemis treatments, from deep-cleansing facials through to rejuvenating wraps, plus a hefty list of massages and manicures. Bespoke spa packages can be arranged depending on the occasion, and if you’re on a family break there are special “junior” treatments for younger guests. Wellbeing extends to a gym, sauna and heated indoor pool, and there are quiet corners of the fragrant gardens in which to unwind in private. Best for a hidden escape: The Eastbury Location: Sherborne This is perhaps the prettiest little spa in the West Country, hidden at the bottom of The Eastbury’s walled garden and reminiscent of a Hobbit hole. Only the occasional ringing of bells from the abbey reminds you that you’re in the historic market town of Sherborne. There are two treatment rooms, where massage therapy mollifies any pesky aches, as well as a hydrotherapy tub, sauna and relaxation areas which you have all to yourself (you book the space by the hour). The hotel dates from the 18th century, built as gentleman’s townhouse, so expect plenty of traditional style as well as modern touches brought in during a 2018 refurb. Since the start of 2023, they no longer have a restaurant (a shame, as chef Matthew Street’s tasting menus were impressive) but instead offers breakfast, light lunches and afternoon tea. Best for a foodie getaway: Christchurch Harbour Hotel & Spa Location: Christchurch Christchurch’s natural harbour is wonderful sweep of the Dorset coast, and the best ways to soak up its views – over to Mudeford Spit and its expensive beach huts, and beyond to the Channel – is by staying at its namesake hotel. The 1930s property has a blended palette of muted and vibrant tones inside, and right on the water is its headline restaurant, The Jetty. It’s seafood-heavy menu comes from Alex Aitkin, who held a Michelin star at Le Poussin; for a reliable, fresh taste of local waters, plump for the catch of the day. The HarSpa is found below-ground – they describe it as “subterranean” – and is lit by coloured spotlights around a heated pool and whirlpool tub. While away a day on one of the sun loungers (indoor and outdoor), an activity you can break up with Espa beauty treatments or full-body massages. The spa menu also features offerings designed specifically for men and pregnant women. Best for coastal cool: The Pig on the Beach Location: Studland The litter of Pig hotels has one of its very finest locations in east Dorset, at the edge of land overlooking the Old Harry Rocks chalk formation. There’s whimsy in the turrets and sloping roofs that make up the 16th-century manor, and – in classic Pig aesthetic – there’s a surrealism in the luxe Victoriana-meets-countryside décor. The restaurant makes use of the county’s incredible larder, only sourcing produce within a 25-mile radius, and its menu favours unfussy, well-paired flavours. Don’t forget to visit the pigs and sheep in their pens, which you can hear as you knock back cocktails (try the rum-drenched Jungle Pig 2.0) on the lawn. Beyond the garden, which guests can discover down a path, are two adorable shepherd’s huts. These comprise the spa, simple and understated. They’re very Mr McGregor’s garden (of The Tale of Peter Rabbit fame) in style, in keeping with the kitchen garden ethos of the restaurant. The six treatments, each 60 minutes and costing £115, use products from the County Sligo seaweed brand VOYA. thepighotel.com Read more on the best Dorset hotels

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Spend time in Guernsey, the second-largest of the Channel Islands, and you’ll soon find yourself slowing down. Quite literally, because the maximum speed limit on the narrow country lanes is just 35mph (and when I say narrow, I mean it’s perfectly normal practice to mount the pavement to pass a car coming in the opposite direction). But there’s still plenty of opportunity to get your heart-pumping – perhaps with coastal hikes along granite cliffs, kayaking in secluded coves or a surf lesson or two. The island is one of the few places in the world without major fast-food chains, which is what makes people feel they are stepping back in time. It encourages you to enjoy crab sandwiches from beachside cafes, or leisurely lunches on sunny restaurant terraces. At just 24 square miles, the island’s size means you’re never far from anywhere, so you can choose your Channel Island accommodation freely. Whether you want to splash out on a grand five-star hotel in the picturesque capital Saint Peter Port, or opt for a budget room in a country pub, you’ll be able to explore the whole of Guernsey from your chosen base. Here are some of the best places to stay. The best hotels in Guernsey 2023 are: Best spa hotel: St Pierre Park Hotel and Spa Best luxury hotel: Old Government House Best boutique hotel: La Fregate Hotel Best budget hotel: Pandora Hotel Best beach hotel: The Imperial Best family-friendly hotel: Fermain Valley Hotel Best romantic hotel for couples: The Farmhouse Best hotel for walkers: The Barbarie Best spa hotel: St Pierre Park Hotel and Spa Neighbourhood: St Peter Port St Pierre Park is the closest Guernsey gets to a resort hotel. Its spa is the best on the island, with an outdoor hot tub to enjoy on sunny days along with an indoor pool with thermal suite and top-notch Elemis treatments. Just beware, it can get busy on weekends with celebrations. Choose a room with a terrace for a private sunbathing spot. If you’re into golf, you’ll find the island’s largest driving range within walking distance of the hotel. Best luxury hotel: Old Government House Neighbourhood: St Peter Port The OGH sits at the top of Guernsey’s accommodation list, and is pretty elevated in its physical position, too, situated high on a hill in St Peter Port, with views over the harbour. This is Guernsey’s answer to a grand-luxe hotel, with a choice of dining experiences (a French brasserie and fine-dining Indian restaurant), a superb breakfast with all the latest options (there’s kale and avocado and green juice along with the traditional eggs Benedict and full English, to be washed down by a glass of champagne). Bedrooms are extravagantly decorated with fabric wall coverings and antiques. If it’s too chilly to use the outdoor pool, you’ll find an indoor spa, thermal suite and gym. Best boutique hotel: La Fregate Hotel Neighbourhood: St Peter Port With just 22 rooms, this old granite townhouse is an intimate place to stay if you want to position yourself in the heart of Guernsey’s capital. Known for its fine dining, you can expect a top-notch meal in the smart restaurant with views over the harbour and out to the islands of Herm and Sark. Most rooms have sea-facing terraces or balconies on which to enjoy your morning coffee. Ask for a room in the old wing, and you might find a characterful sloped ceiling or an antique bed. Best budget hotel: Pandora Hotel Neighbourhood: St Peter Port A simple two-star right next to Victor Hugo’s house in Hauteville, St Peter Port. From here you are in a good position to explore not only this fascinating museum (Victor Hugo spent 15 years in exile in Guernsey and wrote some of Les Miserables from his house here), but also the rest of Guernsey’s capital and beyond, as the bus terminal is just a 10-minute walk away. Rooms are simple and comfortable with views over Castle Cornet and you can enjoy lunch on the sunny terrace overlooking the walled garden. Best beach hotel: The Imperial Neighbourhood: St Saviour You have two beaches to choose from if you stay at this friendly Georgian Inn, which straddles the small fishing harbour of Portelet and the golden sand beach, Rocquaine Bay. Choose a room with a sea view so you can open your windows and breathe in the salty air. They have a jaunty seaside feel, with blue painted walls and themed artwork. The tables of the downstairs pub spill out onto a wide terrace, which is a great place to catch the last of the rays while tucking into a seafood platter. Best family-friendly hotel: Fermain Valley Hotel Neighbourhood: Saint Martin There’s a palpable buzz about this cliff-side hotel, which sits above sandy Fermain Bay. At weekends, locals flock to the four restaurants, including a Mexican, steakhouse, terrace and tea room. Each of the four eateries has a dedicated children’s menu, and breakfasts include waffles and pancakes. Kids will also like the warm indoor pool to splash about in and the extensive grounds lend themselves to games of hide and seek. Rooms are attractively furnished with freshly upholstered period furniture and you can choose between family rooms or adjoining rooms. The walk to the beach is down a winding road flanked by wild flowers, and the hotel provides a shuttle if you are too tired to face the uphill walk back. Best romantic hotel for couples: The Farmhouse Neighbourhood: St Saviour Just moments from the airport, this is a great place to stay if you have an early departure or late arrival. Couples will love the romantic rooms, which include free-standing in-room bath tubs, curtained beds, Sky TV and a complimentary decanter of port. In summer, you can swim in the heated pool and have private dinners or drinks in one of the wooden gazebos. In winter, you can dine in front of a roaring fire and choose dishes from a menu of global cuisine – perhaps some teriyaki salmon or a classic coquilles Saint Jacques. Best hotel for walkers: La Barbarie Neighbourhood: St Martin This smart four-star hotel is within a few minute’s walk of the cliff path, which you can pick up from the top of Saint’s Bay (one of the prettiest beaches on the island). The path takes you along the dramatic south coast and runs all the way into the capital, St Peter Port. The popular restaurant serves plenty of Guernsey produce, including island cheeses, and you can try a local Rocquette cider on the sunny poolside terrace. Choose one of the superior rooms to get a balcony or terrace to enjoy the evening sun. Read more of our Europe hotel reviews: Best Channel Islands hotels Best family-friendly Europe hotels The best UK hotels with pools Read more about Europe travel: Best hotels in the Channel Islands Jersey travel tips Best hotels in Cornwall Read More Best hotels in Monmouthshire 2023: Where to stay for Michelin-starred Welsh cuisine and rural charm 8 best river cruises in Europe, from the Douro to the Danube World’s best hotels with swimming pools 2023: Where to stay for healing swims, soaks and wildlife spotting 9 best Portugal holiday destinations – and when to travel to each one France travel guide: Everything you need to know before you go 8 of the best things to do on the Isles of Scilly

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