Overview: UK Pool & Spa Awards — the Industry “Oscars”
The UK Pool and Spa Awards 2025 — often described as the “Oscars” of the pool and spa world — took place on Thursday, 11 December 2025 in Birmingham. The event celebrates excellence in water-leisure design and execution, from world-class public venues to stunning hospitality spa experiences. (The Independent)
Judges selected winners from around 250 entries, and 36 awards were presented across spa, pool and wellness categories. Three UK hotels stood out among the winners thanks to exceptional design, guest experience and innovation. (The Independent)
1. The Old Inn (Northern Ireland) — Sunken/Semi-Sunken Hot Tub Project of the Year
What was awarded:
The Treetop Spa at The Old Inn — an outdoor hot tub experience — won in the sunken or semi-sunken hot tub project category. (inkl)
Why it won:
- Designed by One Pool & Spa, the installation is nestled within wooden decking, offering a unique nature-immersive experience.
- Sweeping views of surrounding woodland elevate the relaxation vibe. (inkl)
Commentary:
This award highlights how well-integrated outdoor spa design can elevate a rural hotel’s appeal: guests increasingly seek spa retreats that blend luxury with nature-infused wellness. Country wellness getaways benefit from such standout features that enhance both wellbeing and the “Instagram-able” guest experience.
2. Manor House Hotel (Cheshire) — Sunken/Top-Table Hydrotherapy Tub Project
What was awarded:
Also recognized in the sunken hydrotherapy tub category, the Manor House Hotel’s installation — again by One Pool & Spa — was praised for its hydrotherapy design and guest usability. (inkl)
Key features:
- Heated tub at 36 °C with lavender beds for relaxation.
- Includes day beds, a swim-up bar, a heated outdoor vitality pool and a salt steam chamber. (inkl)
Commentary:
The Manor House success illustrates how wellness-as-experience is now a core expectation of upscale UK hotel spas — from heat therapy to social spa spaces. Winning this category underscores the hotel’s strength in creating uplifting health-focused spaces rather than purely traditional hotel pools.
3. Homewood Hotel (Bath) — Health & Wellness Project of the Year + Best Hospitality Swimming Pool
Dual Awards:
The Homewood Hotel in Bath stood out by winning both:
- Health & Wellness Project of the Year, and
- Best Swimming Pool in a Hospitality Setting. (inkl)
Facility highlights:
Designed by Buckingham Pools, the hotel’s wellness spaces include:
- Indoor hydrotherapy pool
- Heated outdoor vitality pool
- Heated outdoor swimming pool
- Indoor and outdoor steam rooms
- Comprehensive treatments (facials, massages, etc.) (inkl)
Commentary:
This double success spotlights how well-designed wellness ecosystems, combining hydrotherapy with traditional spa treatments, set benchmarks in UK hospitality. Bath’s rich wellness heritage (linked to its Roman baths legacy) dovetails with this kind of modern spa excellence.
What These Wins Mean for the UK Hotel & Wellness Sector
Industry & Guest-Experience Trends
Guest expectations are shifting: modern guests look for holistic wellness experiences, not just rooms with pool access. Hotels that treat spa and pool spaces as destination features reap awards and customer interest alike.
Design matters: immersive spaces — like forest-framed spas or social vitality pools — can elevate a hotel’s reputation on a national scale.
Competitive differentiation: winning at events like these helps hotels stand out in a crowded UK market where traditional and boutique properties compete intensively for wellness-focused travellers.
Expert & Community Reactions
Travel editors and wellness critics have increasingly pointed to the importance of spa narrative and context:
- Properties that embed pools and spa experiences into a broader lifestyle story (e.g., countryside immersion, historic city wellness, vitamin therapy classes) tend to attract more repeat bookings.
Guests on social platforms often share that their spa experience (especially outdoor features or unique hydrotherapy setups) was the deciding factor in choosing a hotel — underlining the commercial importance of investment in this category.
Summary of Winners & Categories
| Hotel | Award Category | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| The Old Inn (NI) | Sunken/Semi-Sunken Hot Tub Project | Nature-immersive outdoor spa excellence |
| Manor House Hotel (Cheshire) | Sunken Hydrotherapy Tub Project | Social and therapeutic pool design |
| Homewood Hotel (Bath) | Health & Wellness Project & Best Hospitality Pool | Best holistic wellness facility + top hotel pool |
These victories at the 2025 UK Pool & Spa Awards — the industry’s premier recognitions for water leisure design and execution — reflect how UK hotels are reinventing spa and pool spaces as transformative wellness destinations, not just amenities. (The Independent)
Here’s a case‑study‑focused and commentary‑rich look at how three UK hotels won top honours at the pool and spa industry’s “Oscars” — the UK Pool & Spa Awards 2025 — including what they won, why it matters, and expert/industry perspective: (inkl)
What Are the UK Pool & Spa Awards?
Often described as the “Oscars” of the pool and spa industry, the UK Pool & Spa Awards celebrate excellence in design, innovation, guest experience and technical execution across the water‑leisure and wellness sector — from public pools to hotel spas and leisure retreats. The awards are highly competitive and draw entries from across the UK hospitality and leisure industry. (inkl)
Case Study 1: The Old Inn (Northern Ireland)
Award: Sunken/Semi‑Sunken Hot Tub Project of the Year
Project Highlights: The Old Inn’s Treetop Spa features a distinctive outdoor hot tub crafted into wooden decking — offering immersive nature views and a uniquely atmospheric relaxation experience. (inkl)
Why This Win Matters
- Guest appeal: Outdoor and nature‑integrated spa features are increasingly sought by wellness travellers.
- Design innovation: Treetop Spa shows how rural retreats can differentiate themselves not just with luxury, but experience‑oriented design.
- Industry signal: Winning in this category highlights how smaller or boutique properties are redefining spa engagement beyond traditional indoor pools.
Comment: Hotels that innovate with outdoor facilities tap into rising demand for “wellness escapes” where connection to landscape is central to guest satisfaction.
Case Study 2: Manor House Hotel (Cheshire)
➡ Award: Sunken Hydrotherapy Tub Project
Facility Details: This installation — again in partnership with One Pool & Spa — combines a sunken hydrotherapy tub heated to ~36 °C, lavender beds, a swim‑up bar, heated outdoor vitality pool and a salt steam chamber. (inkl)
Why This Win Matters
- Wellness integration: Hydrotherapy is a core trend in spa offerings because of its health benefits (circulation, relaxation, muscle therapy).
- Social spa design: Swim‑up bars and communal spaces are now part of modern spa architecture, blending leisure with therapeutic wellness.
Comment: Manor House’s award shows how spa design now focuses on multi‑sensory experiences, not just functional pools — appealing to guests seeking both therapeutic value and social leisure.
Case Study 3: The Homewood Hotel (Bath)
Awards:
Health & Wellness Project of the Year
Best Hospitality Swimming Pool
Facility Highlights: Designed by Buckingham Pools, the Homewood’s wellness suite includes:
Indoor hydrotherapy pool
Outdoor vitality pool• Heated outdoor swimming pool
•Additional therapeutic spaces and treatments (inkl)
Why This Win Matters
- Dual wins: Earning two top honours signals wide excellence — both in overall wellness design and in traditional pool conception.Holistic appeal: Combining indoor and outdoor water spaces demonstrates year‑round useability, critical in the UK’s seasonal climate.
Comment: This is a landmark acknowledgment — it places The Homewood Hotel as a national benchmark for how hospitality properties can integrate premier wellness facilities seamlessly into guest offerings.
Industry & Expert Commentary
Trend: Wellness Is Now a Core Differentiator
Winning at the Pool & Spa Awards means more than trophies — it signals that wellness and spa offerings have become pivotal in hotel competitiveness and guest satisfaction. Today’s travellers increasingly book not just for rooms or location, but for the experience and restorative benefits delivered by spa design and programming. (inkl)
Design Innovation Over Traditional Amenities
The winning projects — from outdoor hot tubs and hydrotherapy areas to integrated indoor‑outdoor pool ecosystems — reflect an industry shift: wellness architecture isn’t an add‑on, it’s central. Properties that innovate connect guests more deeply with relaxation, health, and memory‑making experiences. (inkl)
Commercial Impact
• Increased booking rates for wellness breaks
• Greater off‑season occupancy due to indoor/outdoor facilities
• Stronger brand reputation and social media visibility (thanks to photogenic and experiential spa features)
Comment: Awards like these don’t just reward design excellence — they drive market perception and elevate a property’s profile among both domestic and international travellers.
Summary: UK Hospitality Spa Award Winners
| Hotel | Award Category | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| The Old Inn (Northern Ireland) | Sunken/Semi‑Sunken Hot Tub Project of the Year | Innovative outdoor spa experience with nature integration. |
| Manor House Hotel (Cheshire) | Sunken Hydrotherapy Tub Project | Combines therapeutic features with social spa design. |
| Homewood Hotel (Bath) | Health & Wellness Project of the Year & Best Hospitality Pool | Holistic wellness leadership and year‑round pool excellence. |
Bottom Line: These wins reflect how UK hotels are pushing the boundaries of spa and pool design — from therapeutic hydrotherapy to immersive outdoor retreats — and setting new benchmarks for guest experience in the hospitality sector. (inkl)