The Club at Cottonmill

First Impressions

Sopwell House is a sprawling, whitewashed Georgian manor set in 12 acres of Hertfordshire countryside near the historic city of St Albans. The stylish hotel has two restaurants, a cocktail bar (Octagon), several meeting rooms and a comprehensive spa.

This is really two spas in one: Cottonmill and The Club at Cottonmill. Cottonmill offers a good value day spa, with a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, an outdoor terrace, pre- and post-treatment relaxation space, a restaurant and a gym. The Club at Cottonmill (which this review covers) is a modern glass extension exclusive to members, hotel guests and spa day guests who are willing to pay extra. Each level of The Club has views over the hotel grounds.

What's on offer?

Reception is bright with neutral browns, vivid turquoise furnishings, and Crittall style doors and windows. One wall is lined with tempting products to try - and buy. The Salon has two pedicure chairs and three manicure desks. Bright wall art lifts the space.

The receptionist greeted us warmly and led us to The Sitting Room for a welcome fruit drink. Wood-lined walls are balanced out by large windows; a feature wall displays enormous cotton-reels, hinting at the history of the area.

We were booked for a spa-day at The Club at Cottonmill, so received a map (it’s a large spa) and wristbands to access the area, as well as operate the lockers. The dressing rooms can be found down a flight of stairs (there’s a disabled lift, too) and are Art Deco in style, with emerald-green walls, dark wooden lockers and brass accents. You’ll find your robe and two towels inside your locker.

Four vanity areas have Dyson hairdryers and a stash of products including cleanser, day-cream, deodorant and hair products. There’s a private changing room, loos and large showers with shampoo, conditioner and shower gel.

Head back up to The Garden Room for The Club spa facilities. Make a beeline for the indoor/outdoor hydro pool which has air benches, seats and standing stations. At the press of a button, a glass door will slide open to allow access to the Japanese-style gardens. Here you’ll find covered cabanas overlooking a waterway, large loungers, huge plants, sofas in front of open fires and three square, sunken hot tubs. A feature wall of cascading water reminds you that you are at a spa.

Back inside, the super-hot organic sauna (90 degrees) has sleek, curved wooden benches and an open oven to tip coals onto (carefully). The salt steam room has a button by each seat to give a burst of steam to the individual space. Both would seat eight people comfortably. Cool off in the experience shower which varies waterpower, light and scent on a two-minute pattern.

Relax between heat treatments on a range of loungers or attractive hanging seats. Enjoy table service - both here and outside - using the QR code.

Upstairs is The Whisper Room with even more thermal experiences to try. The large traditional wooden sauna has a dual aspect view overlooking the grounds, heated to a relatively mild 65 degrees. The botanical steam room has a backdrop of intricate veined marble; its trickling water fountain adds a freshness. There’s another experience shower, four infra-red stone beds and, again, comfortable loungers aplenty.

At the far end you’ll find a dark Deep Relaxation room with six colour-changing pods: lay back and watch the colours rotate. The tops of the beds are soft to the touch and gently pulse with calming music.

Each floor has toilets, towels and a drinks station with water and herbal teas. Those on a Cottonmill spa day can also enjoy the original spa facilities: a 14.5-metre swimming pool with two hot tubs which jut out over the Roman steps. A row of loungers line one side, with views onto the outdoor terrace. There’s also a sauna and steam room and an experience shower.

If that wasn’t enough, Cottonmill offers up to six classes per day including Barre Fitness and Disco Rhythm, as well as Yoga and Group Cycling classes. Personal Trainers can be booked for tuition. The world-class gym is equipped with Technogym cardio strength and training machines.

Tell us about the treatments

We tried a Cottonmill Signature Massage (60 minutes, from £130).

My therapist, Claire, collected me from the elegant sitting room near reception and took me to the treatment room. Here, she checked my health questionnaire, asked about my concerns and explained the treatment.

I then selected my choice of oil by scent-test; Clare offered me two oils to try on the principle that my body would tell me which was needed. The first was frangipani-based and smelt warm and comforting; the second - Elemis Cellutox Oil - citrussy and bright with lime and orange scents. I opted for the latter; uplifting citrussy scents are always my go-to.

After lying face down on the treatment bed, Claire cleansed my feet with a hot cloth and then walked her hands down my back and legs with firm holds, immediately settling me into the treatment. A back massage followed, starting with sweeping strokes before focussing on each of the muscle groups. Claire worked her hands deep into the knotted areas of my persistently tight shoulders with enthusiasm. Once finished, she applied a heated pad over the area (yes, please) while she massaged the back of my legs. Turning onto my back, Claire continued the massage on the the front of my legs, arms and décolleté.

As the treatment came to an end, Claire presented me with a tissue with some of the lime-scented oil on it so that I could keep it in my robe pocket and remind myself of the lovely massage throughout the day. A nice touch.

Claire then led me to the Rose Relax room, with its padded beds separated by gauze curtains and low lighting to encourage relaxation and maybe even a nap. Claire tucked me up under a blanket and handed me a cup of herbal tea. I settled down next to my spa partner to hear all about his massage with Lily, his therapist. We agreed that the heat pad on the shoulders was a lovely addition. The Club at Cottonmill offers a good variety of massages, facials, body treatments and manicures/ pedicures. There are treatments for men and mums-to-be, too.

Food Facts

Spa guests can lunch in their robes at The Pantry, linked to the elegant open-plan Brasserie restaurant. The three-course menu is topped and tailed with a buffet for starters and desserts, and plates to order for mains.

To start, we selected some hummus and edamame beans with triangles of pitta bead. Our main course of grilled sea bream with seared broccoli and a warm tartare sauce was freshly cooked and very tasty. Our spa partner stopped at the salads; with so much choice of cold meats, smoked salmon, salads, breads and soup, he felt he didn’t need anything else. Despite a very tempting selection of puddings and cakes, we both finished with a delightfully fresh fruit salad.

That evening we enjoyed dinner at Omboo, Sopwell’s restaurant. Bank seating, rich floral wallpaper, huge plants and hanging pendant lights give it a cosy feel. The menu is inspired by spices of Asia and the Far East with sharing platters replacing starters and mains, and a menu divided into headers: Snacks, Sushi, Field, Ocean and Farm. Set menus are designed for two to share and dishes come to the table as they are ready, rather than in any set order.

We chose five dishes to share which was ample: delicious seafood fried rice, carefully trimmed grilled lamb chops (which were very tasty) and moist and tender slow-roasted duck breast in pepper sauce. The grilled jumbo prawn with a chilli mint sauce hit the spot for our spa partner; we also adored the cauliflower dish with tender florets in a coriander sweet chilli sauce. The flavours of each dish were fresh and carefully balanced.

We loved / we didn't love

We loved

The Whisper Room: for peace and quiet, retreat to the top floor of the spa where you are at eye level with the treetops. Settle down on a padded recliner and watch the birds fly past.

The Spa Garden: the glass walls bring the outside in, making it light and bright; the hydro-pool tempts you straight out into the garden.

The spa area in the mews cottages: enter though the gate to find another spa garden with its own hydro-pool and outdoor seating. Our cottage even had a roaring flame fire and a roll top bath in the room.

We didn’t love

There is no cold plunge or ice fountain for those who like to mix up hot and cold experiences.

Who do you think would like it?

Pals: the spa is large enough to meet up with a friend or two; share a hot tub (there are three in the garden to choose from) or catch up on the gossip over lunch in your robe.

Townies: a quick jaunt from London and you are in a real countryside spa, surrounded by woodland.

Anyone with something to celebrate: the facilities impress; the service is excellent so you can just relax and enjoy time with your significant other.

What bubble rating did you give this spa?

Once again, we awarded The Club at Cottonmill the highest Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of Five Bubble Luxury for its beautiful spa garden, ample heat facilities both inside and outside, great customer service and noteworthy food.

Sybaritic Spy visited in October 2025 and awarded it 5 Bubble Luxury.