For luxurious developments, spa facilities are becoming increasingly sought after and this is true across different types of new homes aimed at separate markets.
Whether it be penthouse flats, high-end retirement facilities or bespoke detached residential homes, having an area dedicated to health, vitality and pampering is a feature attractive to many.
The form this takes varies depending upon the type of property. For a luxury single home, a private spa may include a Jacuzzi, sauna and a steam room, and a small pool for some, but for shared living, facilities may stretch to a full leisure complex, with a gym, 25-metre swimming pool, tennis courts and other features.
The benefits of spa living
Apart from the sheer enjoyment of using different spa facilities, whether it be luxuriating in the hot tub or feeling the warmth of a sauna, spas offer many health benefits.
From Roman times, the idea of bathing for health and therapeutic benefits took hold. The Romans named the city of Bath, Aquae Sulis in Latin, which means “water of the gods”. The city is the end point for the waters that run from the Mendip Hills and emerge as a thermal hot spring in the city.
The best spa rooms embrace the concept of hydrotherapy drawing out toxins using a steam room or soaking the body in warm or cool water which applies light pressure in all directions, actually making you feel physically lighter when you are in it. Warm water can help to reduce back pain and relax aching joints and sore muscles.
With your own spa, you can get all of the benefits of a spa break anytime you feel like it. Bigger spas and combined gym and leisure centres catering for sets of flats or retirement villages can include tennis courts, swimming pools and a host of other facilities that improve quality of life, physical health and the social life of residents.
WhatHouse? has bought together four different properties that offer some of the best examples of different types of spa living.
Kings Chase (Aspire Developments)
This bespoke luxury home in Oxshott, which the housebuilder has entered into the WhatHouse? Awards 2016, features its own copper-clad pool room as well as a fully equipped gymnasium, changing facilities and a large steam room with a mosaic tile finish.
These facilities and more are all housed in an extensive leisure complex wing on the ground floor. The gym includes a Watt Bike system, again using a clear glass screen to separate this from the pool area.
The swimming pool room has a 12m x 4m swimming pool and pro-standard swim jet and the room’s folding glass doors can be opened out onto the terrace and gardens to create a combined entertaining area.
The attention to lighting detail helps give the swimming pool area a refined, chic feel. The dark mosaic pool is framed by opulent smoked borosilicate glass pendant wall lights and is covered by a feature coffer ceiling with discreet ambient lighting.
This home is built on the corner of one of the most desirable roads on the Crown Estate. To find out more visit kings-chase.com
Royal Arsenal Riverside Waterside Club spa facility (Berkeley Homes)
This new development of one-, two and three-bedroom apartments is located on the site of what was once Britain’s largest munitions factory.
Residents of the Vantage, Kinetic, Pavilion Square and Waterfront buildings, including the forthcoming Waterfront III, have exclusive access to the Waterside Club, which launched on 30 July 2016 and is one of the biggest spas of its type in London. It is currently under construction and officially launched to consumers in July as part of the Pavilion Square phase, which is currently on sale off-plan.
It features a 20m swimming pool, sauna and steam rooms, a state-of-the-art gym and its own set of treatment rooms. The design uses understated colours to enhance the feeling of calm and a water feature wall helps sooth the senses.
The complex also features a landscaped private courtyard garden, private cinema room and a 24-hour concierge service operating seven days a week.
Properties start at £462,500 for a one-bedroom apartment with a spacious balcony up to £2.1m for a three-bedroom, three-bathroom duplex penthouse.
Find out more about Royal Arsenal Riverside from Berkeley Homes
St George’s Retirement Village, Ditchling (Augustinian)
A retirement option that features a brand new leisure centre and health club has opened in the heart of the East Sussex countryside nestled in the South Downs.
St George’s allows its residents to use the modern facilities at the new Rafael Court including an indoor heated swimming pool, gym, Jacuzzi, sauna, games rooms, therapy rooms, café and hairdressing salon.
One member, resident Norman Watson, officially declared the Rafael Court open at the start of August. He had raised over £1,200 in a sponsored swim to buy additional equipment for the leisure centre.
The development itself is set in over 250 acres of outstanding natural beauty and is created as a visionary facility that attempts to redefine the idea of a “retirement” village.
With that in mind, as well as the gym, pool and other leisure facilities, including tennis and fishing, there are many activities and events organised by the enthusiastic Residents’ Association so residents can enjoy an active retirement.
In total St George’s Park offers 240 stylish apartments. The hub of the village is the central Community Centre and there is also a library, restaurant / café, convenience shop, concierge and a minibus service and pool car allowing residents to get out and about.
A limited number of properties are still available to purchase at St Georges Park. For more information call 01444 259732 or visit www.stgeorgespark.co.uk
Chalfont House, Chalfont Dene (Audley Retirement)
An original take on luxury retirement living that features a stunning swimming pool and spa is Chalfont House.
The design of the house, an entry in the WhatHouse? Awards 2016, is inspired by famous country house designer Edwin Luytens, whose homes often featured in the pages of Country Life magazine.
The spa and swimming pool are located on the left wing of the house and uses visually striking designs that link with the focus of the room – water.
The colours used for the spa are influenced by the chalky Chiltern streams and earthy tones running along its banks. They are mixed with greys and yellows, the colours of the grey wagtail bird often found near the streams.
Interior furnishing features water-loving plants such as the lily and lotus leaf, hand crafted to form metal motifs wall sculptures and woven bamboo lanterns which provide subtle, gentle light to help make the spa area a place for tranquillity and contemplation.
A limited number of properties are still available at Chalfont House. To find out more visit www.audleyretirement.co.uk or call 01494 416033. Check out the spa and swimming pool towards the end of this short video.