Alton Towers Spa provided the perfect chill out zone in which to unwind after a thrilling day in the theme park. The lower level was home to the peaceful Aqua Relaxation Rooms, whilst the beautifully designed treatment rooms on the upper level took inspiration from Arabic and Eastern culture, each with their own individual style.
Fact File
- Location: Alton Towers Hotel
- Opening Year: 2003
- Closing Year: 2023 (31st December)
There were a number of entrances into the Spa’s reception area, depending on where you were approaching from. Firstly, the Spa could be accessed internally from the first floor of the Alton Towers Hotel, with a short flight of steps down to the Spa’s entrance. There were also two external doorways on either side of the area at the bottom of these stairs – these provided exterior access from both the side of the Enchanted Village and CBeebies Land Hotel, and then from the gardens of the Alton Towers Hotel.
Upon entering the Spa and checking in, guests would be asked by the spa therapist if they wanted a tour of the Relaxation Rooms – this was certainly beneficial for making the most of the facilities, as you would also be given some useful tips for certain rooms. You would then be guided to the changing rooms, where a robe and slippers was waiting for you.
As the number of people allowed into the spa at any one time was highly limited, guests would often find that they had the Relaxation Rooms or even the pool to themselves. For the duration of your visit, complimentary herbal & fruit teas and fruit juices were available.
Aqua Relaxation Rooms
Alton Towers Spa was home to several Aqua Relaxation Rooms as well as a pool, whirlpool and jacuzzi, all designed to awaken your senses in order to ease tension in a peaceful environment.
Edwardian Sauna
This Edwardian-styled sauna room warmed the body, increasing circulation and aiding in the detoxifying process. It was advisable to shower before, then again half way through your experience and afterwards in very cold water.
Traditional Outdoor Log Sauna
This was a more traditional sauna cabin, located outside and accessed by a door off of the pool area. The sauna warmed the body, increasing circulation and enabling total relaxation. It was advisable to shower before, then again half way through your experience and afterwards in very cold water.
Roman Sauna – Laconium
This was a gentle, purifying and detoxifying heat room, aiding in stimulating circulation. There were hoses inside the sauna with ice cold water, which you could use to refresh yourself enough to extend your visit.
Multi-Sensory Showers
There were four different settings to choose from: ‘Rain’ showered you with large water droplets; ‘Tropic’ was a refreshing, cool and tingly mist of water; ‘Fresh’ was a mist of tepid water and water sprays from the side; and ‘Side’ was the side showers spraying lukewarm water.
Foot Reflexology Baths
These were fully automatic foot baths which were good for relieving pressure on your feet and ankles. Firstly the bath would fill up with water, followed by the underwater jets massaging your feet and ankles. The sensor behind you would detect when you leave, allowing the bath to empty.
Eucalyptus Steam Room
This room was designed to soothe aching muscles and joints whilst improving circulation. The essential oil aroma of eucalyptus was meant to offer well-being, leave you feeling rested and improve your respiratory system.
Pool, Jacuzzi and Whirlpool
Guests could relax in the pool away from the stresses of everyday life. The jacuzzi was found next to the pool – guests could press the button on the wall, climb in, then sit back and relax. The Whirlpool could be found adjoining the main pool – guests would simply press the button on the wall to start the bubbles.
Tepidarium
This impressively designed room was at a temperature of 39°C and contained ceramic-tiled heated couches designed to fully relax you – guests could simply sit back on one of the couches and let it do all the work.
Treatments and Packages
There were a variety of treatments on offer at the Alton Towers Spa, which ranged from quick 15 minute sessions to almost 2 hours of pampering, so there was certainly something to suit everyone.
If the theme park wasn’t for you, then you could always spend your day in the Alton Towers Spa by purchasing one of their packages. There was sure to be something to suit your preferences, whether you were looking to spend the day with your other half or to enjoy lunch at the Resort.
The Alton Towers Spa opened originally as Pirate’s Lagoon in 1996, which was a themed swimming pool for use by Alton Towers Hotel guests, as well as a games room where Pirate Bill’s Kids Club was located.
When the Alton Towers Waterpark, then called Cariba Creek, opened in 2003, Pirate’s Lagoon became redundant and so was closed, with Pirate Bill being moved to perform in the hotel’s Atrium.
Later that year, the complex reopened as the Alton Towers Spa with the addition of several Aqua Relaxation Rooms, as well as an overall refurbishment and refit of the former games room to provide several treatment rooms.
Whilst the spa saw numerous refreshes over its 20 years of operation, its core facilities largely remained unchanged. Although plans for a major extension to the spa were submitted and approved in 2014, these were seemingly shelved in favour of bringing forward the plans for the CBeebies Land Hotel. Nonetheless, the construction of this did bring about some of the most notable changes to the spa, with the removal of its conservatory.
In early January 2024, it was announced that the Alton Towers Spa had permanently closed as of 31st December 2023.
