Tucked away in the heart of the beautiful Scottish Borders, a few miles outside the bustling town of Peebles, is Stobo Castle, Scotland’s only destination spa.
It may be just an hour’s drive from Edinburgh, but from the moment you arrive at the foot of its long and winding driveway, the real and busy world fades away as you step into a world of pure relaxation and luxxy touches.
If serenity is the vibe you’re looking for, you’ll find it here. And for a very reasonable price tag, with an overnight stay, costing from £199 per person, including dinner, breakfast, lunch and use of the spa facilities.
You also never know who you might spot at Stobo. In the past, it’s played host to the likes of Dames Shirley Bassey and Joan Collins.
The imposing castle itself dates back to the early 1800s, and is straight from the pages of a fairytale, with its turrets and grand staircase, and with the modern spa attached, it makes for the perfect combination of historical grandeur and up to date facilities, surrounded by stunning manicured gardens and rolling countryside.
No traffic, no children (Stobo is a strictly kiddy free zone), just birdsong and the odd ‘baa’ from a sheep in the surrounding fields. In other words, good old-fashioned bliss.
What’s on offer?
Stobo welcomes a mixture of male and female day and residential guests, all of whom have access to the spa and its facilities for the duration of their stay.
Win a seven-day cruise around the Mediterranean with Virgin Voyages
You could win a glorious trip to the Med for two with Virgin Voyages.
Our lucky winner will be sailing around the Mediterranean on a superyacht-inspired ship with five-star food whenever you want it, top-drawer entertainment on tap, exercise classes, pool, hot tubs, the works… all thrown in as part of the package.
With two packages to choose between, you can opt for French Daze And Ibiza Nights, where you get to mix stop-offs to the beautiful beaches of the south of France and Ibiza and sample some of the party island’s famous nightlife.
Or you can take it easier on the Irresistible Med cruise, which combines Provençal heritage, the intriguing island of Corsica and the famous countryside of Tuscany.
Ready to set sail? Click here and answer the question to be in with a chance of winning this fabulous prize.
In the meantime, don’t forget to sign up to The Getaway, Metro’s fabulous weekly newsletter, to receive all the latest travel news, advice and inspiration straight to your inbox. Plus you can opt to receive even more fantastic offers and deals.
You have until midnight on August 11 2023 to enter. Good luck!
There’s a strict dress code for all – a complimentary fluffy white robe and slippers, which only adds to the health farm feel, with everyone shuffling around in a zen like state.
There are so many ways to pass the time at Stobo; guests are spoilt for choice deciding between the 25 metre infinity pool with soothing views of the Peeblesshire hills, three outdoor hot tubs, a ladies only crystal steam room, the mixed Swedish sauna and the hydrospa with its two giant water fountains that pummel stiff necks and shoulders.
For the more energetic guests, there’s a state of the art gym plus daily classes including yoga, kettlebells and HIIT. However, be warned that if you’re looking for the latest woo woo health fad, you won’t find it here.
The treatments are spa staples, including reflexology and marine body wraps, with a spell in the mud room being as whacky as it gets. But, that’s part of the appeal, as you know what you’re getting when you come to Stobo – and you know it will do the trick.
And if you need a break from swimming, soaking and sweating your way around the spa? The courtyard lounge with its comfy sofas and cafe/bar, or the Relaxation Suite, are the perfect spots for some respite from intense relaxation… or maybe some more.
Our Stay
We opted for an overnight stay, checking in at 3pm and leaving – reluctantly – at noon the following day.
The hotel’s bedrooms are located both in the original castle and a modern wing, and we were bowled over by ours – the Elliot Room, which was on the ground floor of the castle, a short walk from the spa.
About as far from the typical, bland, generic hotel room as you can possibly get, it was bursting with quaint character and charm, straight out of the pages of a romantic historical novel.
With two double beds, a living area and an enormous bathroom with a double shower and freestanding, deep bath, it was spacious and decorated traditionally in florals and checks, with crisp linens.
Complimentary tea, coffee, shortbread – when in Scotland etc… – were all available, along with Stobo’s own range of products, So Stobo.
After changing into our robes and switching off our phones, Mum and I enjoyed a refreshing tropical fruit mocktail in the spa’s courtyard before some serious spa-ing got underway.
To begin, we both had a Relaxing Water Massage which uses high pressure jets in the place of a therapist’s hands to soothe and unwind the body’s muscles.
It lasts 15 minutes and costs £25, and Mum and I left our treatment rooms practically woozy, we were so relaxed.
After that, we swam, lay on loungers by the pool soaking up the views, then toured the aromatic steam room, sauna and the laconium – a dry sauna – before finishing the afternoon in the outdoor hot tub.
Food is taken very seriously at Stobo and for dinner that evening, which is included in the cost of the overnight package and served in the castle’s very grand dining room, we tucked into shredded duck with pink grapefruit, roast chicken in a pancetta and pea veloute, followed by creme brulee with berry compote. Hearty, traditional and absolutely delicious.
After a restful night’s sleep, and a full Scottish breakfast in our spa robes, residential guests have the use of the spa the morning of their departure.
We did another lap of the facilities, plus a walk around the beautiful Japanese Gardens, set within the castle’s grounds, before a lunch of Hot Smoked Salmon salad and passionfruit panna cotta.
We couldn’t leave without having a nosy at what is said to be the UK’s most luxurious ladies loo, located just off the spa reception.
And it didn’t disappoint, with its opulent decor, hi-tech toilets with a ‘wash and blow-dry’ setting and soft furnishings to chill out on after spending a penny.
Checking out, Mum and I agreed we felt like we’d been ensconced in Stobo’s luxurious and chilled cocoon for far longer than just twenty-one hours.
Time seems to stand still within the castle walls, and making our way back down the driveway to rejoin the real world, we felt rejuvenated and refreshed.
Ladies Day Pamper
Stobo Castle Ladies Day takes place at Musselburgh Racecourse on 11 August, and before a day of fashion, fun and a flutter on the gee-gees, I treated myself to a pamper, choosing Stobo’s Signature Massage (£85), which is exclusive to the spa.
I can only describe the 50 minute treatment as heavenly.
After a warm foot compression, I enjoyed a deep back, neck, shoulder and hand massage, followed by a mini facial. It has the top to toe wow factor and was the perfect prep for a day at the races.
More information on Ladies Day and how to book a visit to Stobo Castle can be found here.
Source: Read Full Article