It’s a question our spa team hears regularly: “What do I actually need to bring?”

The honest answer is: less than you think. A luxury spa day is supposed to feel effortless, and at Pendley Manor we’ve designed it that way – robes, towels and flip flops are all waiting for you when you arrive. But there are a few things worth tucking into your bag that will make the day feel even smoother, and a few extras to remember if you’re staying the night.

Here’s everything you need to know before your spa day or spa weekend in Hertfordshire.

For a spa day at Pendley Manor, all you really need is a swimsuit, a hairbrush, and any toiletries or skincare you like to use afterwards. We provide robes, towels and flip flops, and our changing rooms have showers and hairdryers. For a spa weekend, add your overnight essentials, something comfortable for dinner, and a layer for a walk through our 35 acres of parkland. That’s it. Everything else on this list is a nice-to-have.

What to pack for a spa day

Your swimwear
The one essential. You’ll want it for the indoor pool, the sauna and the steam room, so pop it in your bag first – it’s the item people most often forget. If you’d rather not travel home with a damp costume, a small waterproof bag or even a simple zip-lock bag is a quiet stroke of genius.

What we’ve already sorted for you
When you arrive at the spa, you’ll be given a robe, towels and flip flops, so there’s no need to bring your own. Between treatments, most guests spend the day happily padding between the pool, the sauna and the relaxation areas in their robe – it’s all part of the ritual.

A hairbrush and hair ties
The steam room and pool will undo even the most determined blow-dry, so bring a brush and a hair tie or clip. Our changing rooms have hairdryers, so you can put yourself back together before lunch or afternoon tea.

Skincare and toiletries
Our treatments use ESPA products, so your skin will already be beautifully looked after, and its advised to leave your face bare after a facial to let the products keep working. But if you like to reapply your own moisturiser, contact lens solution or a touch of make-up before heading home, bring your usual small bag of essentials.

One tip from our therapists: arrive with minimal or no make-up if you’re booked in for a facial. It saves time and lets your therapist get straight to the good part.

Something to read (or not)
A book or magazine is lovely for the relaxation lounge, though plenty of guests find that between the treatments, the pool and watching our resident peacocks wander the gardens, they never open it. Both outcomes count as a successful spa day.

What to add for a spa weekend or overnight spa break

If you’re joining us for one of our Relaxing Spa Escape packages, you’ll want a few extras beyond the day-guest list:

Something comfortable but lovely for dinner. Dining at Pendley Manor – whether in our restaurant or over afternoon tea in the lounge – is smart-casual and relaxed. Think of it as “elevated comfortable”: you’ve just spent the day being pampered, so wear something that keeps the feeling going.

Layers and comfortable shoes for the grounds. Pendley Manor sits in 35 acres of Hertfordshire parkland on the edge of the Chiltern Hills, and a slow morning walk through the gardens is one of the best parts of an overnight stay. A light jacket and comfortable shoes are all you need – and yes, the peacocks will probably join you.

Gym kit, if the mood strikes. Our leisure facilities include a fully equipped gym, so pack trainers and workout clothes if a morning session appeals. Absolutely no judgement if it doesn’t.

Your usual overnight things. Our rooms come with toiletries, a hairdryer, and tea and coffee facilities, so you can pack lighter than you would for most hotels. Chargers, medication and anything you can’t sleep without – that’s really all that’s left.

A swimsuit spare. If you’re planning to use the pool on both days, a second swimsuit means you’re never wriggling into a cold, damp one. Small luxury, big difference.

What not to bring

Part of the joy of a spa break is what you can leave at home:

  • Towels, robes and flip flops – provided.
  • Valuables and jewellery – you’ll take them off for treatments anyway, so travel light and use the facilities provided to keep essentials safe.
  • Your laptop. We say this with love. The emails will still be there tomorrow.
  • A packed schedule. Beyond your treatment times, the day is yours. Some of our happiest guests do remarkably little, remarkably well.

A few insider tips from the Pendley spa team

Arrive a little early. Giving yourself time to change, settle in and have a swim before your first treatment means you go in already relaxed, and relaxed muscles make for a better massage.

Tell your therapist everything. Preferences, pressure, problem areas, pregnancy, allergies – the more we know, the better we can tailor your treatment.

Book treatments in advance. Our treatment rooms are intimate by design, and slots go quickly, especially around Mother’s Day, birthdays and the festive season.

Plan a slow exit. If you can, don’t rush off the moment your spa session ends. Lunch, afternoon tea, or simply a quiet half hour in the grounds lets the calm settle in properly before you head back to real life.

Frequently Asked Questions

No – robes, towels and flip flops are provided for all spa guests.

Arrive in whatever’s comfortable. Once you’re here, you’ll change into your swimwear and robe, and that’s your outfit for the day. For spa days that include lunch or afternoon tea, most guests dine in their robes or change into something casual.

It’s best to arrive with little or no make-up, especially for facials. Your therapist will cleanse your skin anyway, and you’ll leave with that lovely post-facial glow instead.

Yes – spa day packages include use of our leisure facilities, including the indoor pool, sauna and steam room, within your allocated session.

Yes, our changing facilities are available for all spa guests, with showers and hairdryers so you can get ready before you leave.

We’re in Tring, Hertfordshire, set in 35 acres of parkland near the Chiltern Hills – around 40 minutes from London by train to Tring station, with free parking on site if you’re driving.

Whether it’s a single blissful afternoon or a full spa weekend away, the packing list is refreshingly short – because we’ve taken care of the rest. Explore our Indulgent Spa Day if you’re ready to enjoy a relaxing day of treatments and leisure facilities.