Question 1

Planning a spa break in Berkshire this spring?

Accepted Answer

Macdonald Berystede Hotel and Spa has been revealed as Berkshire's most-booked spa. The findings have been revealed by experts in wellness and the UK's leading spa experience and booking agency Spabreaks.com following insights from their 2023 consumer booking data. The spa totalled 38.45% of all bookings in Berkshire in 2023. The second with the most bookings is Donnington Valley followed closely by Crowne Plaza Reading East and Doubletree by Hilton - St Anne's Manor. The fifth is Fredericks Hotel and Spa. •Macdonald Bersytede Hotel and Spa Located close to Ascot Racecourse and the Legoland theme park, this property is perfectly placed for a relaxing and fun-filled getaway. The spa and thermal suite offer everything needed to indulge in some pamper time. Using luxurious Elemis products, book an indulgent massage or facial, and leave time to enjoy the external hydrotherapy pool positioned to admire views of the beautiful Berkshire countryside. •Donnington Valley With leisure and relaxation at its core, Donnington Valley is an ideal getaway for a weekend or overnight stay where the emphasis is on laid-back leisure. An 18- hole golf course set in rolling countryside presides, but for non-golfers, the health club is a great place to chill out or work up in a sweat in the gym. Take some time out in the pool or unwind in the tranquil spa. There are seven treatment rooms including a duo, where facials massages and scrubs offer the ultimate in time out. •Crowne Plaza Reading East Based along the River Thames, there are ample opportunities for scenic walks from this hotel. For pampering and relaxation, Revive Spa provides a peaceful environment with multiple treatment rooms offering an Elemis facial or body ritual, as well as finishing touches from Jessica and St Tropez. Don't miss the pool – surrounded by palm trees, it's a fantastic chill-out zone. •Doubletree by Hilton - St Anne's Manor This country house hotel with a contemporary twist is close to many key attractions including Windsor Castle. The spa perfectly complements the hotel experience, by offering a range of relaxing features, such as a fitness room and pool for working out and a menu of decadent beauty treatments for the face and body for some much deserved pampering. •Fredericks Hotel and Spa In this delightful boutique hotel, there are private and imaginative spaces to be found throughout in which to enjoy precious and relaxing time with a loved one. Cosy corners, warm fires and hideaway gardens in the hotel are complemented by a Sanctuary lounge, therapy sauna and outdoor spa garden with a sun terrace in the spa. The treatment offers Comfort Zone and Aromatherapy Associates therapies, alongside which a rasul mud suite can be enjoyed.

Question 2

We've just started planning our honeymoon, what advice can you share to help the process?

Accepted Answer

Your honeymoon is your time to kick back and focus on the two of you, while thoughts of seating charts, wedding favours and centrepieces become a distant memory. With a world of dreamy destinations to choose from, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. At Tailored Retreats, we find that it helps to consider some fundamental questions, starting with those centred around you as a couple. What do you enjoy doing together and are there destinations or experiences you both have on your bucket lists? Weddings often reflect the happy couple and the perfect honeymoon should follow! Next, think about whether you have set travel dates and departure points or if you have flexibility. Many hotels offer honeymoon benefits for couples travelling within a year of their wedding and flexibility can mean cost savings, as well as a greater choice of destinations, hotels and flights. Finally, agree on your budget. Without an idea of what you want to spend, planning a honeymoon can be tricky. From the answers to these initial questions, a good travel agent will be able to narrow down destinations before working with you to design a tailor-made itinerary for your dream honeymoon.

Question 3

We're planning our honeymoon and need some inspiration – which far-flung island destinations are looking popular for this year and next?

Accepted Answer

There's something wonderfully romantic about palm-fringed islands and untouched beaches. The magical images conjured at the thought of escaping the hustle and bustle of everyday life, that invigorating sense of remoteness, of being anchored away from the mainland – these feelings alone are enough to inspire our honeymooning couples to go in search of their very own desert island. Popular destinations for newlyweds include the Maldives, Saint Lucia, Antigua, Seychelles, The Islands of Tahiti and the Greek islands. Turquoise Holidays can offer first-hand advice and a friendly helping hand when planning your perfect island honeymoon in 2023 and 2024.

FAQs and expert advice about honeymoon