Douneside House is embarking on a multi-million-pound transformation of its existing Health Club to create Douneside Spa, a new luxury wellness destination bringing together the beauty of its Deeside setting, 17 acres of gardens and the intimate hospitality of a Scottish country house hotel.
Opening in mid-April 2027, the new spa is being designed around a simple ambition: to offer a distinctive sense of escape, where thoughtfully designed interiors, immersive sensory experiences and the surrounding natural landscape combine to create a more personal approach to luxury wellness.
Work begins on Monday 2 November, with the existing Health Club closing during the redevelopment.
Natural materials and calming colours will establish a sense of tranquillity throughout the spa. At its heart will be a dedicated immersive relaxation room incorporating visual, sound and light experiences, creating an environment in which guests can slow down, unwind and disconnect from everyday life.
The existing pool will remain, but the area surrounding it will be completely remodelled to create a dedicated poolside relaxation space. An outdoor relaxation area, sauna, treatment rooms and luxury changing facilities will complete the spa offering, while the gym will be fully remodelled and fitted with brand-new, high-performance fitness equipment.
Douneside’s gardens will be central to the wider experience. Guests will be encouraged to explore the 17-acre grounds before or after their treatments, while the treatments themselves will draw inspiration from the gardens’ floral character and evocative scents, connecting the spa experience with the landscape beyond its doors.
The setting also offers the opportunity to extend a spa visit into a more leisurely day at Douneside. Guests will be able to enjoy lunch in the Conservatory, complementing their spa experience with the relaxed elegance of the country house setting. For those staying overnight, the experience can extend into the evening with The Library’s tasting menu, creating another way to enjoy Douneside’s hospitality.
Douneside Spa will welcome hotel guests and day visitors, alongside a limited number of exclusive memberships. Membership capacity will be deliberately restricted to preserve a sense of privacy and intimacy, supporting an experience that feels considered, unhurried and personal.
The redevelopment has been designed by architects Wilson Paul, with Primero appointed to deliver the project.
The development will create at least three new full-time positions, including a Spa Manager and Spa Therapists, while all existing Health Club staff will be retained throughout the construction period. It will also support Douneside’s wider commitment to training, apprenticeships and career development.
Douneside House is owned and run by Aberdeenshire based charity The MacRobert Trust. Originally the MacRobert family home, the estate was purchased by Sir Alexander MacRobert in 1888. Today, profits from the hotel are either reinvested or gifted to charity.
Douneside House currently holds four AA Red Stars, while The Library holds three AA Rosettes for its evening tasting-menu offering.
Melanie Dalton, General Manager of Douneside House, said: “Our ambition is to create a spa that feels truly connected to Douneside - to the gardens, the landscape, the character of the house and the warmth of our hospitality.
“We want the experience to begin as soon as guests arrive: through the natural materials and calming colours, the immersive relaxation room, the connection with our gardens and the treatments inspired by their floral character and scents. Guests will be able to enjoy the spa in its own right, but also make a day of it, whether that means a walk through the grounds or lunch in the Conservatory. For those staying with us, an evening enjoying the tasting menu in The Library can complete the experience.
“For us, luxury is not simply about facilities. It is about the atmosphere, the attention to detail and the feeling of having found somewhere special. By bringing these elements together and limiting membership numbers, we want Douneside Spa to offer a distinctive and personal experience in one of Scotland’s most beautiful settings.”
Further details of treatments, membership arrangements and day spa experiences will be announced ahead of opening.