The last time I visited the Kimpton Blythswood Square it was to review their ‘Winter Spa Garden’… in the dark depths of January.

So, when I was asked if I wanted to come back to experience their newly completed (indoor) thermal spa complex, I leapt at the chance. My friend and I arrived fresh from
our night at its sister hotel, the Kimpston Charlotte Square Hotel in Edinburgh (just an hour train’s ride away), eager to find out what had been in the making beneath our feet just eight months prior when an outdoor hot tub, steam rooms and saunas were the hotel’s (temporary) wellness offering.

The brand new Kimpton Blythswood Square Spa has undergone a huge seven-figure refurbishment, boasting one of Scotland’s most incredible thermal spa journeys, a glossy reception are which doubles as a relaxation area, and nine treatment rooms overseen by a team of thirty therapists (who, like everyone else we interacted with at the hotel were friendly, helpful and a delight to interact with).

The cosy waiting/relaxation room at the Blythswood Square Hotel Spa

I was relaxed from the moment I stepped in to the treatment room 

The spa treatments – for face and body – use products from Ishga, a local wellness brand who combine the power of Scottish seaweed from the Outer Hebrides and pure water from the Isle of Lewis, and the Blythswood have just started working with OSKIA. Having had an OSKIA signature facials before, I was delighted by the prospect of enjoying another, although this time I opted for an Ishga Bespoke Massage (55 mins, £90).

My friend and I didn’t think we could be any more relaxed – until it was time to finally head even further downstairs into the Thermal Spa, where you can choose one of four wellness journeys designed to leave you feeling relaxed, detoxed, invigorated or recovered.

Swim through the black square and you’ll find a hidden hydrotherapy pool 

The Hydrotherapy pool 

The thermal journey is made up of seven different experiences ranging from freezing cold to extremely hot, and guests get two hours to make their way through them all. Access is free for hotel guests before 10am, with spa day packages starting from then onwards. A weekday Your Thermal Spa pass is £70, or upgrade to an Alga Spa Day and enjoy a 2-course lunch in the hotel’s Iasg restaurant (£115 pp).

At the heart of the spa is the Vitality Pool, which is great for swimming lengths or getting your back pummelled with high powered jets. Hidden away at the end in alcove is a Hydrotherapy Pool with a twinkling fake galaxy ceiling, perfect for lying back and drifting off – with more back and shoulder massaging jets.

This steam room has bricks made from Himalayan salt 

We opened our pores in this steam room 

But, for me, the most impressive of all the rooms in the Thermal Spa journey has to be
the Ice Fountain. Now, it might sound like somewhere to grab some refreshing cold water after all those saunas, but it’s actually a full on snow shower, the first one in Scotland.

There is real snowfall in the spa! 

We couldn’t believe it when we saw real snowflakes falling from the ceiling 

My friend and I were amazed when we saw some tiny, perfect snowflakes begin to drop from the ceiling – joining a very substantial (and cold) pile of snow on the floor below. It reminded us of our original visit – and confirmed that snow and spa treatments are a perfect match.

Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel, rooms start from £174 BOOK NOW