Spa holiday operators

5 April 2012

Erna Low (020 7590 1777), founded 1932, realised two years ago that "wellness was the next big story". It relaunched Body and Soul, a programme of holistic and curative holidays; the 2001 brochure doubled to offer more than 60. Two-night UK breaks are big hits: eg St David's Hotel and Spa, Cardiff, from £335pp full-board with three treatments.

? Founded 12 years ago, Thermalia (020 7483

1898) harnessed a new wave of younger clients with buzz words like "anti-stress" and "pamper me". Last year business grew by 27 per cent across 22 spas worldwide. A favourite is Hotel Vilalara, in Portugal, with its beach location and customised thalassotherapy treatments: seven nights from £1,287pp full-board, including flights and six treatments.

? Upmarket tour operator Abercrombie and Kent (0845 0700 610) introduced a special seahorse symbol in 2001 to flag up spa hotels in its Islands and Retreats brochure. The Anassa in Cyprus is a big seller: seven nights from £1,090pp B&B (sharing a garden suite), including car hire and flights; thalassotherapy treatments extra.

? "If a hotel doesn't have a spa, it's an omission," claims Elegant Resorts (01244 897

777). ER now highlights hotels with good spa facilities in its brochures. Popular for short breaks is the beachfront Marbella Club Hotel with thalasso spa, where seven nights cost £1,065 B&B (sharing), including flights.