The Headland Spa

First Impressions

The Headland Hotel is an imposing red-brick Victorian mansion set high on a cliff top with far-reaching views over Fistral Beach. The bay is a world-class surfer’s paradise; even if you don’t fancy catching a wave, it’s mesmerising to watch. The five-star hotel has the RenMor restaurant, a stylish spa and a £10 million wellness complex - The Aqua Club - with no less than six pools and Atlantic views to die for.

Guests can park right outside the hotel and enter through the revolving door into the elegant reception area. Head down the staircase - or press -1 in the lift - to reach the spa.

What's on offer?

Spa reception has stylish sofas to sit on while completing consultation forms. This space doubles as a pre-treatment area and spa lounge to have lunch. It's light and airy, thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows, white furniture and large pieces of silver birch.

If the sun is shining, head out onto the terrace where grey rattan chairs and sofas are perfectly positioned for catching the rays. Pick up your robe, spa slippers and towel from here.

From reception, a door leads to the changing rooms; five individual changing spaces on the female side have their own shower; a vanity area with hairdryer, mirror, and Elemis and Natural Spa Factory products; and vibrant pink leather pouffes to sit on. The male side has more muted brown leather seats and three changing rooms. You’ll find more changing rooms beyond the pool area.

Begin your spa journey with a dip in the sleek 12-metre indoor pool – handsomely decked in turquoise mosaic tiles – with its central fountain and corner bubble seats which rotate on a timer. At the far end of the pool, you’ll find two showers behind glass screens.

To the right of the pool, you’ll find the Cornish Salt Steam Room, a spacious sauna (heated to a toasty 90.C on our visit) with two tiers of wooden benches (accommodating 12) and a feature wall of thin circular tree stumps and two central tepidarium heated loungers to rest on. Cool down between heat experiences in one of two experience showers choosing from Caribbean storm, tropical rain or cold rain.

Beyond the spa reception there’s a mani & pedi room; a low-lit corridor leads from here to the treatment rooms and, at the very end, a cosy relaxion room. Help yourself to tea, fruit and a good selection of magazines. Lie-back loungers and comfortable armchairs line the perimeter; fluffy pillows, blankets and heated pillows come as standard. Members and residents' have exclusive access to the the gym - with its free weights, weighted machines, cardio equipment and Peloton bikes. 

The Aqua Club is The Headland’s £10m all-singing-and-dancing wellbeing complex located in a separate building a short walk from the hotel. If it isn’t too windy (this is the Cornish headland after all), you can nip across in your robe. With its sweeping curves, pale wood, rugged Cornish stonework and incredible ocean views, it’s an architectural dream. The calm and sleek interior – in crisp white, cool blues and greens - pays homage to Cornwall’s lush landscape.

Collect a locker wristband from reception and head to the white glossy changing rooms where you’ll find three private changing spaces, four shower cubicles and two WCs. There’s a mirrored vanity area with three countertop sinks, two hairdryers and Molton Brown hand & body wash and lotion. The changing rooms lead past a row of rainforest showers to the main area.

A dip in the impressive 25-metre lap pool – with its Mermaid-tail tiles and light-green Cornish stone – is a must. Relax poolside on curved woven loungers with side tables; spa waiters will take care of your hydration needs; order refreshments by scanning the barcode. 

The indoor hydrotherapy pool has hydro beds and jet stations; bring your kids to the dedicated children’s shallow splash pool in the centre. We loved the huge central shower which drenches down in a mushroom shape large enough to stand under. You'll also find an indoor sauna here. 

A little bridge leads you to from the changing rooms to the centre of the club, where you’ll find the Deck Bar: a curved building with log burner at the centre, and plenty of woven chairs and tables to chill out post spa-ing.

There’s more outside to admire, too: a Vitality Pool with tall granite centrepiece – a nod to Cornwall’s Celtic history - chill under the open sky on a jet bed or soothe the shoulders under a swan neck. Much life-pondering is sure to happen in the Edge pool with its curved floor-to-ceiling glass and un-obstructive view of the blue expanse, while the hot and toasty Sunset pool (we told you there were six) will have you wishing you could move in.

It's worth noting that the Aqua Club is free to hotel and cottage guests but is booking essential. Spa-goers on a half or full spa day get full access to both facilities; all other visitors can pay for a three-hour session (adults: £45-£55; children: £20-£25). The Aqua Club is adults only from 8am-9am and from 8pm to 9pm; children can use it during other times.

Tell us about the treatments

We tried the Headland’s Wave Signature treatment (85 mins, from £160).

My therapist, Abi, collected me from the spa lounge and settled me into one of the six treatment rooms before explaining the steps of the treatment – a welcome foot ritual, body brush, Wave stones massage (hand-carved white jade curved to fit around the contours of the muscles), scalp massage and mini facial.

Abi then left the room so I could get comfortable on the treatment bed, lying face up. The treatment began with three deep breaths followed by a delightful pressure point foot massage which settled me straight away.

Next up: body brushing on the front of my arms and legs to remove dead skin cells. Asking me to turn over, Abi repeated the process on my back and the backs of my arms and legs.

The massage that followed was wonderfully soothing and personalised – the rosemary-scented Elemis Musclease Active Body Oil, warm wave stones and Abi’s hands proving to be a magic combination. Turning again, Abi began the facial with a double cleanse, tone and an Elemis Gentle Rose exfoliator which tingled on my skin. A mask, cooling eye masks, some moisturiser and a blissful scalp massage completed this epic treatment.

Abi handed me a refreshing glass of cranberry juice (a nice touch) then led me to the low-lit Relaxation Room, where I met my spa partner who had nothing but good things to say about his identical treatment. We both concluded it was one of the best treatments we’d had – high praise indeed.

Food Facts

If you’re on a spa day, lunch or afternoon is served in the stylish spa lounge next to the spa reception. Feast in your robe or, if the weather is nice, head out onto the terrace to get even closer to Fistral Beach.

We enjoyed a Classic Cornish crab sandwich with a side of French fries; our spa partner: the Prawn Marie Rose.

That evening we dined at RenMor, which translates to Restaurant by the Sea. Perched fifty feet up on Newquay’s Headland, the 12-foot windows stretch the length of the restaurant offering mesmerising views of the ocean. Head Chef Gavin Edney promises sustainable Cornish produce from land and sea.

For starters, we chose the Monkfish scampi with lemon mayo salad for two, followed by a fillet steak served with Café de Paris butter and a ripe tomato salad with peach and basil. A glass of Primitivo was the perfect accompaniment. Our spa partner devoured the Southcoast seafood tagliatelle - with more of that tasty monkfish and prawns – which he said was light, creamy and delicious. For dessert, the Cornish strawberries with elderflower parfait and wild strawberry fool hit the sweet spot.

Cocktail fans will love the Swizzle Menu; we finished the night in style with a fiery Mango & Chilli Margarita and a Headland Rum Punch.

We loved / we didn't love

We loved

Those ocean views: be it stunning sunsets or wild storms, you just can’t beat this soul-stirring headland setting.

The Aqua Club: with it sweeping curves, rugged Cornish stonework and incredible sea views is an architectural delight.

The staff: everyone we encountered across the whole hotel and spa – from Sarah on concierge to Abi in the spa – was down-to-earth and friendly; expect age-old charm without the stuffiness.

We didn't love

Our one-night fleeting visit left us sad to leave; The Headland is a special place, book a few nights if you can.

Who do you think would like it?

Romantics: The Headland has the romantic break in the bag: bubble together in the Sunset Pool, book a self-indulgent treatment (or two) and feast at RenMor, all with those wild ocean views at every turn.

Treatment afficionados: will love the all-in-one Headland Wave Signature treatment; the therapists here are outstanding.

Families: book one of the Headland’s coastal cottages and take advantage of the free two-hour wave riding session with Surf Sanctuary on one of the wooden Dick Pearce Bellyboards.

What bubble rating did you give this spa?

We awarded the Headland Spa and Aqua Club a Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of 5 Bubble Luxury for those soul-stirring views, friendly staff, delicious Cornish fayre, impressive architecture, multiplicity of pools and top-notch treatments and therapists.

Scarlet visited in October 2025 and awarded it 5 Bubble Luxury.