Two-thirds of spa hotel customers pay full price despite possible savings of up to 75 per cent, new Which? research has revealed.
The consumer group surveyed 2,502 spa stays across the UK in the past two years to rank brands based on the average price per night and customer score.
According to Which? the majority of the 1,700 spa hotel customers asked (66 per cent) paid full price direct, unaware that hundreds of pounds in savings were available elsewhere.
In London, it found the cost of a two-night getaway for two at Raffles London at The OWO would set customers back £2,480 if you book directly.
A deal on Luxury Escapes for the same nights cost £1,629, saving £851 and including breakfast, an afternoon-tea experience and champagne on arrival.
Read more: The best spa hotels in the UK, from city boltholes to countryside wellness retreats
At the top of the ranking of the best and worst UK spa hotel chains for 2026, the Brend Collection, a Which? recommended provider earned a customer satisfaction score of 79 per cent.
Guests praised Brend hotel locations, which offer easy access to the beach and “fantastic views”, along with comfortable, tastefully decorated rooms.
Hilton (79 per cent) and Bespoke Hotels (78 per cent) followed closely behind.
Guests of Bespoke described their stays as “luxury at the right price” and “better value for money than other spa hotels I have visited”, with discounts up to 25 per cent on the brand’s own website.
Further down the rankings, with a customer score of 75 per cent, Which? found that customers of luxury health spa Champneys could get 75 per cent off one- to three-day breaks if they are also Vitality Insurance customers, with savings of £268.12 available in December.
However, Which? warns to be cautious of deal sites and advises skipping Wowcher and Groupon due to a lack of transparency around unpredictable surcharges.
Travellers are also told to check if spa access is included in the overall price of a stay – 36 per cent of spa hotel visitors told Which? that they were charged extra.
Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel said: “A luxury spa break may seem like an expensive treat, but a little pampering doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. From fluffy white dressing gowns to indulgent facials, a relaxing festive escape could be more affordable than you think.
“We found that you could save hundreds of pounds by checking deal sites instead of booking directly, but check the t&cs to make sure the facilities you want to use are included in the price. For the best value, book off-season and look for Sunday or midweek stays when rates are often lower.”
