The Gleddoch Hotel and Spa Resort, located in Langbank, has just unveiled the opening of its new Imperia Spa – and we were among the first to try it out.
There’s nothing quite as luxurious as a spa day, with its fluffy white robes, cosy slippers and the blissful sensation of time standing still.
Even better is when you don’t have to travel far for a soak in a hot tub or a pampering treatment, and Gleddoch Hotel and Spa Resort offers just that – a hidden sanctuary merely 20 minutes from Glasgow, boasting an awe-inspiring outdoor sauna.
The hotel has recently revealed its new Imperia Spa, which I had the pleasure of visiting during an overnight stay with my husband. For our much-needed escape, we drove to the hotel, nestled in the village of Langbank on the south bank of the River Clyde.
It was surprisingly straightforward and quick to get there by car, particularly handy for a post-work Friday arrival.
The hotel
Even on a gloomy November evening, the hotel left us impressed. A majestic stag statue welcomes you at the elegant exterior, reached by driving past the golf course on either side.
We were fortunate enough to stay in the Royal Suite, featuring a generous sitting area, a kitchenette, and a bathroom with a roll-top bath.
According to the hotel’s website, this is where Her Majesty The Queen would stay during her visits to Gleddoch House. The room exuded opulence – bold wallpaper, lavish gold curtains and a grand bed.
This suite is the top-tier option, starting from £325, while Classic Rooms are available from around £125 for those seeking a more budget-friendly stay.
We opted for the Relax Overnight Spa package, which includes an overnight stay, a three-course dinner, breakfast, spa access from 9:30am to 4:30pm, a 60-minute treatment, a two-course lunch at the Wildflower restaurant, and use of white robes and flip flops.
The food
After luxuriating in a bath big enough to swim in, we made our way to the Vista restaurant for dinner. The dining room boasts views of the golf course greens and I can only imagine how stunning the sunsets must be on a summer’s evening.
Despite it being November and already dark, the atmosphere was still buzzing.
With a wide-ranging cocktail and wine menu, we were spoilt for choice before finally deciding on a white Rioja and a mocktail. For starters, we went for the bread with whipped butter and olives, although the menu offered everything from smoked salmon to arancini.
For our main course, we both selected the grilled monkfish served with scampi and lobster bisque – absolutely scrumptious. Other options included pies, steak and pappardelle.
Pudding was a comforting sticky toffee pudding and a warm chocolate brownie.
Breakfast is served in the Vista restaurant and features a continental selection of pastries, fruit, yoghurt, toast, cereals and muffins. You can also order hot food such as full English breakfasts and eggs Benedict from the hot breakfast menu, which was included in our package, though it costs some guests an additional £19.95.
The spa
The spa was undeniably the star of the show. Gleddoch has recently been treated to a multi-million-pound makeover, and the improvements are palpable.
The facilities boast a hydrotherapy pool, pink Himalayan salt sauna, aroma steam room, ice fountain, cold plunge and heated loungers.
But the pièce de résistance is the magnificent outdoor sauna, thought to be one of the largest in the UK. It’s truly awe-inspiring – offering panoramic views over the Clyde Estuary and the undulating Renfrewshire hills towards Ben Lomond.
This was my personal favourite; I could have spent hours soaking up the countryside. It also wasn’t too crowded when we popped in around 10am on a Saturday.
Post outdoor sauna, you can cool down in either the barrel-drench shower or the cold plunge – which, I confess, I only braved for a few seconds. Then it was straight into the massive outdoor hot tub, which once again offers stunning views of the hills below.
Another highlight was the hydrotherapy pool, which was just the right temperature and genuinely eased any aches and tension in my body.
Other spa features include a bar, where you can order anything from smoothies to a glass of wine while unwinding on a lounger. There’s also a private cabana available for hire – perfect for a group spa day.
My other half and I were also pampered with a 60-minute facial, which included an arm and shoulder massage. These took place in private treatment rooms using ELEMIS products.
It was such a deeply relaxing experience; I was on the brink of sleep the entire time, and it was the first moment in weeks where I felt like I had properly unwound.
Afterwards, we were escorted to the post-treatment room and served a smoothie while we chatted about the experience. You can then head into the relaxation room, which features water beds – yes, I nearly dozed off there too.
Our package also included a two-course lunch at the Wildflower restaurant, which you can attend in your robe and slippers. The menu offered plenty of fresh options, from pasta and salads to chicken dishes.
For starters, we savoured the beetroot and goat’s cheese and a wonderfully creamy burrata, followed by a Moroccan chicken dish for our main course. I also spotted a few tables being served afternoon tea, which looked scrumptious.
It was my husband’s first ever spa experience, and he couldn’t stop raving about how amazing it was – he’s already keen to book our next trip.
My only gripe is that hotel guests who aren’t booked onto a spa package must fork out £25 for a two-hour spa slot, which needs to be reserved well in advance. Compared to other spa hotels I’ve visited, this isn’t usually the case and feels like a steep add-on if you’re already staying overnight.
All in all, I’ll certainly be making a return to the spa, and I’ve already been singing its praises to friends and family.
To book your stay
You can secure rooms and spa packages via the Gleddoch Hotel and Spa website.
