Inside luxury Scottish hotel's epic new spa, which includes the country's largest outdoor sauna
The glamorous multi-million-pound addition has been inspired by the hotel's history, as it was the former home, built in 1926, of shipbuilding magnate Baron Lithgow.
This has translated into bling interiors that are inspired by the golden age of travel, with luxury materials including black marble and crystal.
They even have a swimming pool that's finished in shades of antique gold and obsidian black. It's flanked by sun loungers, with golden tables that look like they've been designed for the deck of a cruise ship.
The pool may be impressive, but the piece de resistance at this new attraction, which is open to hotel residents or guests, must be their Scandinavian dream of an outdoor sauna. It's the biggest in Scotland and, they say, probably the largest in the UK. It sits 18 people, so you could probably get a rugby team in there, without it turning into a game of sweaty sardines.
While you toast in here, you can take in the soothing green views down to Ben Lomond. And, whenever you're ready to cool down, there's a cold plunge pool nearby, as well as an al-fresco Jacuzzi.
In addition, guests can benefit from other immersive thermal experiences inside the spa. Highlights include the aroma steam room and sinus-clearing salt steam room alongside a pink Himalayan salt sauna. On the terrace, the heated loungers, on a checkered tile floor, offer views across the estate to the estuary.
Their other new attractions include a plush and flatteringly low-lit changing rooms, an ice fountain, sensory showers and a boutique-y wellbeing studio, which offers various classes including Pilates and yoga, plus a gym with Peloton bike and free weights, among other things.
In the seven treatment rooms, you can experience therapies from beauty brands Natura Bissé, Elemis, Temple Spa, and Ayurvedic specialists, Tri-Dosha. These range from a Natura Bissé Quiro Golf Massage (£120) to the Samvahana Synchronised Four-Hand Ayurvedic Massage (£185), which involves a pair of therapists working their magic.
Gleddoch Spa's current entry level packages include a Twilight Spa Experience, from 7-9pm daily. It incorporates use of their new facilities, plus a one-course dinner, for £75. Or the top-of-the-range Signature Spa Day is £299 and includes two 60 minute treatments, a two-course lunch and use of the facilities all day from 9.30am until 4.30pm.
You can also experience the new Palm Room orangery, which is filled with the eponymous plant, and The Veranda lounge, where Chopin plays and the air is scented with Persian jasmine.
Both are inspired by the destinations that were visited by Lithgow's ships.
As spa resort general manager, James Anderson, says
'Every detail of Imperia has been designed to surprise and delight, creating an escape unlike anything else in Scotland. This is not just a spa; it's an experience where indulgence, heritage, and contemporary wellness meet'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Happy couples flock to ‘Las Vegas of Europe' to get married but locals aren't happy
One hotspot is seeing a rise in the number of non-resident couples getting married but locals aren't necessarily happy about the influx of newlyweds Confronted with tangled red tape back home in Poland, Magdalena Kujawińska and her Colombian partner Heinner Valenzuela made the journey to Copenhagen to tie the knot. "We realised that it's not that easy to get married in Poland," the 30 year old Kujawińska explained whilst the pair awaited their 10-minute ceremony at the Danish capital's 19th-century City Hall. "You need a certificate that you are not married. We tried to get it from Colombia, but it's only valid for three months, and it couldn't get to Poland from Colombia in three months. It was just impossible for us," she explained. The pair, who reside in Krakow, had been betrothed for over three years when Kujawińska learnt about Denmark's comparatively straightforward marriage regulations from a work colleague. Collaborating with an online wedding coordinator, the duo organised the required paperwork. They spoke of their big day after couples in the UK revealed their dream honeymoon destination. "And in four days, we had the decision that the marriage could be done here," a beaming Kujawińska revealed. Couples who aren't Danish residents, including both mixed- and same-sex partnerships, are flocking to the Scandinavian nation in growing numbers to wed - leading some to brand Copenhagen the "Las Vegas of Europe." Anita Okkels Birk Thomsen, who heads the marriage department at Copenhagen City Hall, revealed that approximately 8,000 wedding ceremonies took place there last year. Among these, roughly 5,400 involved couples where neither person was a Danish resident. "That's almost double what we saw five years ago," she noted. "They come from all over the world." But the city recognises a drawback to this popularity: demand for ceremonies at City Hall now vastly outstrips the number of available appointments. Mia Nyegaard, the Copenhagen official overseeing culture and leisure, told The Associated Press that the "significant rise" in foreign couples tying the knot in the capital "poses challenges for Copenhagen-based couples wishing to get married." Local officials are planning intervention measures. Nyegaard revealed that roughly 40% of wedding appointments at City Hall will be set aside for Copenhagen residents from late October onwards. Whilst securing an appointment there remains the most straightforward route to marriage in the city, couples can alternatively organise ceremonies through private registrars, which won't face restrictions. Copenhagen councillors will examine additional measures after the summer recess to ease the overall strain on the city's wedding capacity. Denmark's matrimonial legislation is progressive in numerous respects. In 1989, the nation pioneered global recognition of same-sex civil partnerships. Full same-sex marriage rights were established in 2012. For all types of unions, Denmark - unlike numerous other European nations - doesn't demand birth certificates or evidence of single status to secure documentation permitting marriage within Denmark over a four-month period. Authorities may occasionally request civil status certificates when divorce documentation fails to clearly demonstrate finalised proceedings. Tying the knot in Denmark has become a breeze for international lovebirds, with the country's family law agency processing applications at a snappy pace and a fee of 2,100 kroner ($326), delivering a marriage certificate within five working days, provided couples meet the criteria. For those not residing in Denmark, a simple passport and, if necessary, a tourist visa are all that's needed to get hitched in the Scandinavian haven. "We get that thing like, 'Are you sure we do not need a birth certificate?' And we go, 'Yes,'" shares Rasmus Clarck Sørensen, the brains behind Getting Married in Denmark. Clarck Sørensen, a native Dane, launched the matrimonial service with his British partner in 2014, recognising the growing trend of international romances. "In the last 20, 30 years, people just meet more across borders," he observes. "Marriage rules are often made for two people of the same country getting married." He points out how outdated regulations can ensnare couples: "They kind of piled on patches onto marriage law, and a lot of people get trapped in those patches." His firm offers a "Complete Service" package for 875 euros ($1,014), which covers document collection, application processing, and ceremony scheduling. Last year alone, the company assisted over 2,600 duos in saying 'I do'. Copenhagen, Denmark's largest city and transport hub, tops the list as the most sought-after wedding locale, currently the only city feeling the pinch from high demand. However, any potential tweaks to Copenhagen's policies won't affect the blissful Kujawińska and Valenzuela, who have turned their attention to party planning in Poland with their nearest and dearest. "It means a lot for us because we've been waiting a lot for this," Kujawińska said. "We're really happy."
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Daily Record
I tried posh £21 fish and chips that David Beckham ordered – 3 words sum it up
I was dispatched to see if a luxury order of fish and chips was worth the hefty price tag What's the most you'd be willing to fork out for fish and chips? For me, it's not about the money but the time spent journeying to the east coast where two chip shops serve up fare so delightful it's downright soul-stirring. In St Andrews, Tailend and Cromar are where you'll find succulent haddock in a batter that's been fried to a masterful standard I've not seen elsewhere - an astonishingly light, supremely crunchy coating with frilly, jagged edges that audibly snap into fragments. This culinary masterpiece is nestled atop a pile of chips that aren't too chunky, boasting a crispness, fluffiness, and creaminess that could sway even a staunch advocate of skinny fries like myself. These chippies set the bar by which I judge all other fish and chips. Having once been a local, I now stay in Glasgow, regrettably a 90-minute drive from chippy heaven. However, I've recently been given the mission to determine whether a posh serving of fish and chips justifies its price tag, reports the Express. Inspired by a review of £18 fish and chips, my quest led me to Crabshakk, the fashionable seafood eatery, which opened its doors in Finnieston well before it became the Glasgow's foodie epicentre. The restaurant has drawn in celebrities like David Beckham and Sam Heughan. Although the Outlander star kept mum about his meal, Becks excitedly shared his dining experience on Instagram, praising the scallops "cooked to perfection", rollmops reminiscent of his grandmother's, and, of course, the fish and chips. Their latest venture, Crabshakk Botanics off Byres Road, exudes sleek and chic with industrial black fittings, trailing greenery, timber-clad walls and floor-to-ceiling windows — an ambience my fellow diner described as "very New York". We agree it's the type of swishy restaurant to bring friends visiting from out of town. When I'm off on a weekday, as someone with inflexible working hours, I like to wonder what other people who are out and about do for a living. I don't have to think too hard – at noon on a Wednesday, the clientele at this upmarket seafood restaurant consists of three tables populated by well-groomed, silver-haired guests. Before a father and daughter arrive, we are the youngest diners by decades - a journalist enjoying a day off in lieu with a friend on the backshift. One look at the menu and you know it's for seafood lovers. Lobster, crab, scallops, langoustine, squid, Arbroath smokies — whatever you fancy, they've got it. Non-seafood mains are few, featuring one meat option (steak frites) and four vegan dishes. My companion opts for the complimentary fizzy water, whilst despite being off duty, my afternoon plans rule out alcohol. I spring for the Spicy Rita (£8), a coral mocktail blending citrus, sweetness and savoury elements that pleasantly evoked tomato flavours. Rather than the traditional salted rim, black Himalayan salt adorns one edge of the glass, not unlike a sandy bum on the beach. The service here is courteous and prompt. It's a quiet lunch service and our hefty plates of fried seafood and chips soon arrive. So, my verdict on £21 fish and chips — not worth it. Giving credit where it's due, it's a good meal overall and they certainly don't scrimp on portion size. The chips are creamy and delicious, but it's the fish that falls flat. While I wasn't anticipating it to be the best I've ever had, the fried coating is thicker, darker and oilier than it should be. A look at TripAdvisor reviews reveals I'm not alone in this observation. The creamy tartare sauce is good but one glaring omission are peas, mushy or otherwise. Meanwhile, my friend happily tucks into her breaded monkfish cheeks accompanied by skinny fries, salad and a tangy and moreish housemade ketchup (£27). To share, we can't pass on the tomato and watermelon salad with salsa verde (£9) garnished with what appear to be edible succulent leaves that provide pops of salty juiciness. The restaurant didn't invite me for a review nor were they aware I was conducting one. Having footed the bill, I winced at the cost but I'm not overly put out. I'm not against the idea of posh fish and chips. But I'd suggest holding off on the craving until you can make your way to the East Neuk of Fife.
The Independent
25-07-2025
- The Independent
Nepal is a tea-loving country. Coffee could change that
For a nation where tea is deeply woven into the fabric of daily life, coffee has historically faced an uphill battle in Nepal. The Himalayan country, a major producer and consumer of tea, sees the beverage as more than just a drink; it's a cultural cornerstone. The morning greeting, "have you had your tea?", underscores its pervasive presence. Typically served as a sweet, milky concoction in a piping hot glass tumbler, tea is as integral to Nepali homes, meetings, and social gatherings as rice itself. Yet, a growing number of Nepalis are now embracing coffee, evidenced by the proliferation of trendy cafes appearing on street corners across cities and towns nationwide. One cafe in the capital, Kathmandu, is widely seen as the pioneer. Gagan Pradhan began Himalayan Java as a single cafe in an alley, and it's grown to a chain with 84 locations the country. Pradhan estimates there around 7,000 cafes across the country, although so far international brands like Starbucks aren't in Nepal. 'There are lot of tea shops throughout the nation, but the kind of set up they have is still kind of old fashioned,' Pradhan said. 'I think with investors and people like us, when it comes to coffee shop we are more serious not only with machines, we are serious with everything like the lighting, the set up, the furnishings, the location.' Pradhan said tea shops usually offer just black tea or tea with milk, whereas a typical coffee menu has 10-15 hot beverages and about 10-15 cold beverages, he said. Pradhan said it's an appealing business because the initial investment to open a cafe is very low, they're clean and simple enough for a single to family to run, and customers are willing to pay more for coffee. Several of eastern Nepal's tea plantations in the mountains of east Nepal, famous for the tea, are joined by coffee plantations now. Nepal is part of a regional trend. Coffee consumption has soared across traditionally tea-drinking countries in Asia as members of growing middle classes seek out novel flavors and adopt international trends. Coffee is a premium drink in Nepal: it costs about $2 at Himalayan Java, which is enough to buy a meal at a local cafe in Kathmandu, or five cups of tea. Still, cafes bustle with officers workers on breaks and students looking for places to study. 'I think the idea of drinking coffee (in Nepal) was first triggered with people thinking it would elevate their standard of living, but then once they tasted coffee many people just liked it and continued to drink it,' said Deep Singh Bandari, a social worker who is a regular visitor to the coffee cafes. Most of the coffee drunk in Nepal is imported, but in the country's famous eastern tea-growing regions coffee plantations are springing up. According to Nepal's National Tea and Coffee Development Board, about 400 tons of coffee was produced in fiscal year 2021-22, the most recent for which data is available. That's a drop in the percolator compared to the 26,000 tons of tea produced the same year, but the board predicts rapid growth. 'Both young and old people in Nepal just love coffee, and the number of coffee drinkers is growing every day. This trend is just going to grow,' said Pradhan.
