Southampton: A friendly port city full of history, green spaces and home to a flippin’ fantastic shopping centre.
A place I’ve enjoyed getting to know, having previously set out on a city walk and chased down a drove of brightly coloured hares.
What I didn’t know until recently was that Southampton is also home to a luxury waterside spa. A tranquil place to escape to that seems to be a bit under the radar.
Could this be the city’s best kept secret?
Southampton Harbour Hotel & Spa
Located on the Ocean Village Marina and housed in a building itself designed to look like a ‘super yacht’, the Southampton Harbour Hotel is the city’s only five star hotel and spa.
If you’re seeking a spa-in-the-city experience with a touch of luxury, this is the place for you.
Having booked a Spa Afternoon, we arrived slightly early in order to enjoy drinks in HarBar on the 6th, the sixth floor roof top bar. It’s the perfect place to relax into a hotel stay or spa experience, with its stylish interior and relaxed atmosphere. The terrace gives gorgeous views over the marina below and across the Solent.
Walk ins are welcome, service second to none. Mr THL and I enjoyed drinks in the sun whilst admiring the yachts below. I’ve decided I might like sailing and thought we could pick out our next investment. Mr THL wisely pointed out we should finish the campervan we’re building first. More on that coming soon.
The spa itself is a waterside gem. Tucked away in the lower levels of the hotel the facilities include a swimming pool, bubble pool, sauna and steam room. Having soaked, steamed and sauna-ed into a state of bliss, it’s time for a blast under the rainfall showers.
The showers include a good ice cold setting. Perfect if you’re into the benefits of cold water exposure, especially post sauna. I am and I did, and felt all the better for it.
Slippers, robes and endless fluffy towels are provided, allowing you to soak, swim and then wrap and relax as much as you want to. You’ll want to a lot, this is the sort of place it’s hard to drag yourself out of.
A whole range of lovely, lovely treatments are available, find details here.
There’s also a well-being juice bar & café, relaxation area and an outdoor terrace with loungers and views across the marina. This is our second experience of a Harbour Hotel, having previously enjoyed a weekend in Richmond.
On both visits, we have been welcomed like old friends and the whole experience has felt like a massive cuddle. Couldn’t ask for more, really. If you’re in the South of England, I really do recommend checking them out. Details of all locations here.
Helen x
I’ve never been to a spa – never quite fancied it. You could possibly change my mind!
Give it a go Margaret, plenty of great options in North Yorkshire. Must admit though it’s always the husband that books these things. Suspect he loves it more than me!
Good on him!
This is handy as I’m going to Southampton next month
Oh fabulous, hope you enjoy your time there. It really is a fabulous city!
It looks like you had a great experience at the spa. Pics are great. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for dropping by Maryanne, Harbour Southampton is a great venue and I really enjoyed my time with them.
This looks amazing!
Thanks Kirsten, it was a lot of fun.
Sounds like a wonderful treat and o learnt something new .. a drove of hares 😊
It was a fabulous change of pace! I had to look up the name for a collection of hares last year and it stuck in my mind. Handy for this post and possibly future pub quizzes!
Yes that’s what I was thinking!
*I* 😂
Looks a lovely treat. 🙂
It was that, I did enjoy my time there.
Sounds lovely. I think I might need a holiday in Southampton 😁
It’s a city worth seeing, surrounding area lovely too!
I’m echoing Margaret. I suspect it shows our age as most youngsters seem to do it these days. I’d probably be quite happy in the bar if the prices aren’t too steep 🤣🍹🩷
Bar prices came with a slight premium, worth it for the views and seat on the sunny terrace though. You’d never go thirsty in Southampton though, bars at every turn!
🤣🤣🍹❤️
It looks lively Helen and I don’t realise until reading your post that it had a sister hotel in Richmond as that’s another place I enjoy visiting.
This looks like an excellent choice when in Southampton, Helen. You’ve reminded me that I have never been to Southampton, so I guess that’s yet another place ‘on the list’ the next time we are back in England. Reckon I’d swallow the prices for a few drinks at HarBar.
It looks lovely! I’ve never actually been to a spa but this has me tempted!