Located in St Albans, just 35 minutes train ride from London Bridge, Sopwell House is a luxury spa hotel set within 12 acres of parkland and woodland, just 10 minutes drive from St Albans station.
Set within a former Georgian house, the spa features two restaurants along with a spa and exclusive Cottonmill Club, featuring a plethora of saunas, experience rooms and a heated outdoor pool.
Sopwell House is a luxury spa hotel set within 12 acres of parkland and woodland.(Image: Emily Davison)
One of the best things about visiting Sopwell House is that it offers a unique spa experience that you can use even in the colder months, with its heated outdoor pool, spa gardens with a fire pit and multiple hot tubs.
This part of the spa is accessible for Cottonmill Club members, which is an add-on for anyone looking to use the facilities in this part of the spa, with comfy beds to relax in, relaxation rooms and the option to order drinks to your bed whilst you relax.
As far as spas go, Sopwell House definitely delivers on the five stars, with a lot of attention to detail in the spa, including heated towel stations and drinks stations to grab a drink.
Sopwell House offers 128 rooms and suites, including 16 individually designed Mews Suites accessed via private gates.
Room options range from the stylish Plush and Chic Rooms to the more spacious Corner Suites and luxurious Mews Suites, some featuring private courtyards with sunken spa baths.
Prices for a one-night stay for two adults start from £300, though rates may vary based on room type and booking date.
Our room was spacious and comfortable with a large TV, a balcony with outdoor heater and padded chairs and a seating area, as well as a spacious bathroom with roll top bath and shower.
The room is supplied with tea, coffee, soft drinks and alcoholic drinks in the mini bar, with everything bar the alcoholic drinks being complimentary.
But you can order from the room service if you don’t fancy going down to the restaurant.
The spa itself is divided into two sections, with the Cottonmill Spa which features a pool, two hot tubs and a sauna and steam room, as well as The Club at Cottonmill which is spaced across two levels with multiple experience saunas and rooms to try out.
The Club offers exclusive amenities such as a hydrotherapy pool with massaging jets, organic and panoramic saunas, a botanical steam room, salt steam room, and experience showers.
Guests can unwind in the Whisper Room, Deep Relaxation Room or the Spa Garden, which features loungers, cabanas, fire pits and hot tubs.
Some of my favourites would be the panoramic saunas with views of the garden as well as the botanical sauna on the second floor.
The spa’s hydrotherapy pool has both an indoor and outdoor area, with the areas separated by a button to activate the door.
Despite being outdoors and during the windy weather, the pool was heated and the hydrotherapy massage jets made it very cosy to use, especially during the morning before the spa got too busy.
On weekdays The Cottonmill Spa is open from 6:30am to 10pm and the Club at Cottonmill is open between 8am and 10pm, with slightly shorter opening hours on weekends and bank holidays.
Alongside the spa itself, you can also have an array of treatments at Cottonmill Spa.
Guests can enjoy a variety of massages, including signature relaxation and intensive muscle release options, as well as facials from brands like ELEMIS and Aromatherapy Associates.
The spa also offers body treatments such as full-body scrubs and back, neck and shoulder massages, advanced skin therapies using ultrasonic peels and LED light masks, and indulgent experiences like the Cottonmill Signature Vichy Hammam.
Treatments are designed to promote relaxation and rejuvenation, with options to suit every preference and duration.
When it comes to food, the location houses two restaurants – The Brasserie, serving up British classics, and Omboo, an elegant and striking restaurant serving up Asian sharing plates from sushi to wagyu and curry dishes.
Some of my personal favourite dishes had to be the California Rolls, the Truffle Spring Rolls and the Corn-Fed Chicken Breast with a rich curry milk cream.
For £58 a person, you can enjoy the Silk menu with vegan dishes like crispy shimeji mushrooms and Omboo fried rice.
The Classic menu costs £78 and features yellowtail salad, fried chicken, miso-glazed black cod and stir-fried ramen.
For £98, the Omboo menu offers crispy duck salad, soft shell crab, seared Wagyu A5 beef, seafood fried rice and a dessert platter.
When it comes to breakfast buffets, I think Sopwell House has to have one of the best on offer in the UK that I’ve ever tried, with a full indulgent spread of fruits, yoghurts and cereals along with a cooked breakfast bar and a broad range of pastries and continental options.
Sopwell House also offers a range of spa and break packages to suit every preference.
You can enjoy half-day or full-day spa experiences, with treatments, access to The Club at Cottonmill, and afternoon tea or lunch, with prices starting from £105.
For a more indulgent escape, overnight spa breaks include treatments, dinner and full use of the spa facilities, with packages starting around £345.
Whether you’re looking for a few hours of relaxation or a luxurious overnight retreat, there’s something to suit every guest.
