The Headland Hotel Aqua Club: is it worth visiting?
Don't skip my top tips at the end – especially my tip about timings, which made a huge difference to our experience!
The Headland Hotel Spa has been on my Cornwall bucket list for years. It’s one of those iconic places that every local knows, but for some weird reason I’d never even stepped inside the building.
For my birthday, my parents very kindly bought me a two-hour session at the Aqua Club. You can book online, but one thing I hadn’t realised was that there are actually two different spa experiences at The Headland.
The adults-only spa inside the Headland hotel (picture of hotel to right) offers treatments and thermal journeys, whereas the Aqua Club is in its own separate building and is centred around hydrotherapy pools and relaxation. It’s designed for people who simply want to switch off for a couple of hours and enjoy the pools, saunas and steam room.
I recently visited to see whether it was actually worth the money, and here’s exactly what I thought.
(Last visited: May 2026)
The Headland Aqua Club facilities
As soon as you arrive, you are given robes, towels and wristbands for the lockers before heading through to the changing rooms.
There are multiple pools, each with different temperatures and massage jets, so you naturally move between them during your visit.
Other facilities include:
- Outdoor vitality pools
- Indoor hydrotherapy pool
- Splash pool with jellyfish waterfall
- Swimming pool
- Sauna
- Steam room
- Experience showers (whatever that means, best not to ask)
- Relaxation areas
The standout, and possibly the most popular, feature has to be the outdoor hydrotherapy pools overlooking Fistral Beach.
What it’s like during your session
We spent the two hours wandering between the different pools, trying everything out at our own pace.
Between the indoor and outdoor areas there’s a handy little water station, so there’s no need to carry a bottle of water around with you. You’ll definitely appreciate some nice cold water after hopping between the steam room and the outdoor pools!
One thing I really liked was that you can either book a session with a food package, such as spa and breakfast or spa and lunch, or simply book the two-hour Aqua Club session on its own like we did. I actually preferred that because we could just relax without feeling tied to a meal time.
If you fancy a drink while you’re relaxing, you can order directly from your phone using QR codes dotted around the spa. As someone who’s slightly obsessed with finding Cornwall’s best hot chocolate (I’ve written several blogs about it!), I can confirm theirs is well worth ordering.
The changing rooms
The only slight downside for me was the ladies’ changing rooms. There were only three private changing cubicles, so I can imagine they could get a little busy during peak times.
That said, the changing rooms themselves were lovely. I loved the fact that I didn’t need to faff around looking for a £1 coin for the lockers – everything worked with a wristband instead, which was a definite win. They also had lovely toiletries in the showers and one of those whirly spin dryers for your swimsuit, which meant it wasn’t dripping wet when it was time to head home.
Overall though, I genuinely loved it. The facilities were spotless, everything felt luxurious without being pretentious, and the whole experience felt like a proper treat.
What I loved the most
I know this is going to sound weird, but I really liked the indoor hydrotherapy areas, and also, the fact that the floor was heated everywhere you went! I wasn’t expecting that when I took my shoes off.
I also thought there was something quite special about sitting in warm bubbling water while looking out towards the Atlantic Ocean. Lets face it, for most of us, it’s not something you do every day!
How busy is The Headland Aqua Club?
Not going to lie, when we first arrived it was quite busy. That said, because there are so many different pools and areas to explore, everyone spreads out naturally. We were constantly moving between the pools ourselves, so it never actually felt crowded.
One thing I noticed was that lots of people had booked the earlier swim-and-breakfast packages. We’d booked an 11am session without food, so by the end of our visit many people had headed off for lunch while we stayed in the pools.
Towards the end, I actually had the entire outdoor hydrotherapy area to myself for a while. It was bliss!
Obviously, I can’t promise it’ll be like that every time you visit, but booking a slightly later morning session worked really well for us.
Overall, there was always somewhere to relax, and at no point did I feel like I was fighting for space or waiting to use any of the facilities.
Want to see it before you book?
I’ve filmed a full video tour of The Headland Aqua Club so you can see exactly what the facilities are like before you visit. 🎥 Watch my video here:
Final thoughts
If you’re looking for a relaxing spa in Cornwall and enjoy spending time in hydrotherapy pools rather than treatment rooms, I’d definitely recommend giving The Headland Aqua Club a try. I think it’s great value for money for £40 per person.
I’d also love to go back and experience the adults-only thermal spa inside the hotel itself to see how it compares.
Better still… I’d LOVE to stay at The Headland one day. It’s a bit of a bucketlist thing for me, as it is one of Cornwall’s most iconic hotels (and yes, it famously inspired The Witches). I am a bit of a movie buff so its made for me.
If you’re planning a trip to Newquay and fancy a couple of hours to properly unwind, I’d definitely recommend adding it to your list.
My tips for when you visit
📱 Take your phone. You can order drinks using the QR codes around the spa. It feels like a lovely little luxury, and I can definitely recommend the hot chocolate. Just make sure you keep your phone out of the water…unless it’s waterproof of course!
🕚 An 11am session worked brilliantly for us. We found that lots of people booked the breakfast packages or headed off for lunch while we stayed in the pools. Towards the end of our visit, I actually had the outdoor hydrotherapy area to myself for a while. I can’t promise it’ll always be like that, but it worked really well for us.
🛏️ Thinking of staying overnight? Check out the latest prices and availability of the Headland Hotel here
🎥 Still undecided? Watch my full video tour before you book to see exactly what to expect.
FAQ’s
What happens about parking?
When we visited, there was a parking attendant who asked if we had an appointment. We did so we were allowed through and didn’t have to pay anything. I believe it is paid parking if you do not have something pre-planned.
How long do you get at The Headland Aqua Club?
Sessions last two hours, which I found was plenty of time to experience all the pools and facilities without feeling rushed.
Is The Headland Aqua Club adults only?
No, there are areas where kids can go, such as the splash pool, but there are a lot of places they are not allowed, like the hydrotherapy pool (older children may be allowed accompanied with an adult)
Can you order drinks while you’re there?
Yes. Drinks can be ordered using the QR codes around the spa, and you can also book packages that include breakfast or lunch.
Is The Headland Aqua Club worth the money?
Personally, yes. At £40 when I visited, I thought it offered excellent value for the quality of the facilities and the overall experience.
