I’ve visited over 25 UK spas over the last decade, with some disappointing and some blowing my expectations. I’ve also visited many hotels, so I know a good one when I see one. One which blew my expectations, and one where I came away entirely relaxed, was Ragdale Hall Spa.

Family-run Ragdale Hall Spa has been welcoming visitors since 1990, with its country estate spanning across 13 acres. It’s around eight miles from Melton Mowbray and 10 miles from central Loughborough, and its countryside location is nothing short of spectacular. From spa days to spa breaks, Ragdale Hall Spa has something for everyone.

Amenities

The main attraction to the hotel is, of course, the spa, and with six pools to choose from, you’re not short on facilities to explore. There’s a main pool as well as an exercise pool, which is used for a range of exercise classes and sessions.

At the waterfall pool, you can explore massage jets, steam and mist rising from the surface. Not only that, it spans both inside and out, giving you the chance to feel refreshed, which was incredibly impressive.

But my favourite pool and area was the candle pool, heated and surrounded by candlelight; it was truly relaxing and a great place to switch off from the outside world.

In the summer months, the outdoor pool is a great place to relax, but in the winter, you can still make use of the rooftop infinity pool, which looks out onto the rolling hills. It comes complete with massage jets, and I could’ve spent hours in here.

I was also incredibly blown away by the other facilities, including Ragdale’s Thermal Spa experience, consisting of the Thought Zone, Scented Room, Volcanic Salt Bath and a range of saunas. I particularly enjoyed the Herbal Sauna, Garden Sauna, and Colourful Cave. I could have easily spent a week enjoying these incredible spa facilities, and they were definitely some of the best I’ve ever seen and had the pleasure of enjoying.

There’s also an extensive list of treatments to pick from, all run by Ragdale’s 130 therapists. From body massages to hands and feet to face and eyes, there’s something for everyone, and at a great price, too.

I opted for a hand treatment which began with a soothing soak and gentle exfoliation, followed by nail filing, cuticle care and a warm stone massage. The 40 minutes flew by, and my nails looked better than ever.

If you’re into fitness and would like to participate in classes, Ragdale offers a diverse lineup of fitness classes daily, along with a gym.

I was also pleasantly surprised to see three shops within the hotel, too, with Ragdale Hall Spa being a gift that kept on giving every corner I turned. Whether it’s browning beauty ranges in The Beauty Shop, picking up a new outfit from The Boutique or taking a gift home from The Gift Shop, the hotel really has everything you need.

Rooms

There’s an array of rooms to choose from at Ragdale Hall Spa, including Simple Rooms, Classic Rooms, Classic Plus Rooms, Luxury Rooms, Luxury Plus Rooms, Lodge Rooms and more. 

Simple rooms are a great option if you’re mainly focused on the spa experience, while a classic room has a good balance of space and value. 

Classic Plus Rooms are slightly larger in size, while Luxury Rooms feature a separate sitting area. However you pick, you’re still guaranteed a restful and peaceful stay.

They all come complete with an en suite and include complimentary toiletries. There’s also a TV, hairdryer, and tea and coffee facilities in all rooms.

My room was spacious and peaceful, with a super comfy bed that made it hard to get up in the morning. The bathroom also featured a shower and a bath, allowing me to choose exactly how I wanted to relax. 

I had beautiful countryside views to wake up to, and our room was conveniently located, making it feel effortless and completely restful. There’s plenty of storage in the rooms, with a spacious wardrobe and drawers that make it easy to unpack and settle in, especially if you’re staying for a few days or a week.

Fluffy robes and spa flip-flops were already provided, which added an extra touch of convenience and comfort. Every detail of the room, from the furniture to the finishing touches, was tastefully decorated, giving the space a calm, elegant and inviting feel.

Dining and drinking

At Ragdale Hall itself, you’ll find several quality dining and drinking spaces designed to complement your spa experience.

The Dining Room is the main restaurant where you’ll find delicious three-course meals at lunch and dinner. The dishes were delicious at lunch, and I opted for a warming soup, turkey, which melted in the mouth, along with a variety of small cakes. I wasn’t short on options, and there were both healthy and indulgent choices. 

For dinner, we were served a delicious bread roll and butter to start, followed by a chicken liver and brandy parfait. I opted for a fillet of British beef along with Koffman chips for dinner, at a £16 surcharge, and it was succulent and cooked to perfection.

Other options for main included pan-fried cod with roasted chorizo and new potatoes, as well as oven-baked shakshuka with feta cheese, duck egg and sourdough.

The Garden Room was another favourite area for me with its light and bright setting, serving beverages including teas, coffees and soft drinks. I spent quite a bit of time in the Garden Room, as its convenient location ensured I wasn’t far away from anything.

Over in the Verandah Bar, you’ll find light bistro-style meals, ensuring your palate is catered for. One of my favourite features was that I was able to enjoy a continental-style breakfast delivered to my room at my chosen time. This was really relaxing, but you can also choose to enjoy it in the Verandah Bar.

After a day of pampering and enjoying good food, the Twilight Bar was the perfect space to enjoy some delicious cocktails, with other offerings including wine, gin, mocktails and soft drinks. The swish cocktail lounge was sociable, cosy and ideal for unwinding. I was pleasantly surprised to find my favourite, a piña colada, on the menu, and it was absolutely delicious. Some people were in their dressing gowns, others were suited and booted for dinner, and it just felt like a judgement-free, relaxing zone.

Location

The hotel’s location was perfect, as I didn’t want to do anything other than explore and visit, so I didn’t need to be near anything. However, it’s not far from Melton Mowbray, which has lots to explore, and of course, is the birthplace of the famous pork pie. It took around two and a half hours to drive by car from London, but I’d say it was totally worth the drive, even just for the night.

The closest stations are Loughborough and Leicester, with taxi connections recommended from there. Alternatively, if you drive, a large on-site car park is available.

The spa is surrounded by lush, rural landscapes, perfect for walks, gentle hikes, or bike rides when you want some fresh air. The surroundings were peaceful, tranquil, and I loved enjoying them from the rooftop pool.

I’d love to visit for much longer next time, perhaps in the summer, to explore the grounds and outdoor pool. I found the hotel to be extremely affordable, with reasonable drink prices. When I checked online, the treatments were also much more affordable than I’m used to in London. Overall, this spa was incredible, and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. I’ve never felt more relaxed, and I’d regard it as one of the UK’s best.

You can opt for a variety of different stays, whether for a night, two or more. Click here to find out more. Prices for a stay vary depending on whether you just opt for a spa day or a night’s stay, as well as the time of year.