Celebrating spas striving to support anyone with a cancer diagnosis

One of the things that make spas so special is their ability to offer wellbeing for different wants, needs, times of our lives, circumstances, and occasions. Spas are places where there are no 'should dos', simply spaces and opportunities to find what gives you a sense of wellness when you want it.

Spas and the cancer journey

For many years, Spabreaks.com has worked with spa industry leaders to make it possible for anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis to enjoy those spa opportunities just like anyone else. We have helped that process by opening conversations, supporting therapist trainers, and increasing opportunities for spas and their therapists to get the training they need to adapt spa treatments with confidence for all stages of the cancer journey, from diagnosis to treatment and beyond.

Those objectives are embodied in The Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care (SATCC) - a registered charity, dedicated to setting the standard in holistic cancer care by bringing expert training, spa therapists and those who need them, together. Spabreaks.com is proud to be a partner of the charity founded by Sue Harmsworth MBE (best known for founding the global brand ESPA). Our own Founder, Abi Selby, also sits on the Advisory Board of the SATCC.

Sponsoring the Best SATCC-Approved Spa award at The Luxury Spa Edit Awards

With that in mind, it was an enormous pleasure to celebrate some of the spas leading the charge in supporting guests who have had a cancer diagnosis, by sponsoring the inaugural Best SATCC-Approved Spa award at the Luxury Spa Edit Awards 2025.

The Luxury Spa Edit Awards have gained recognition as one of the most prestigious honours in the luxury spa and wellness industry, and this year they introduced a new award category dedicated to SATCC-approved spas that provide touch therapies for clients undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment.

The 2025 event celebrated destinations and brands from around the world, with winners determined by public vote. We are delighted to congratulate the winners of this year's award: in first place was The Devonshire Arms Hotel and Spa in Yorkshire, in second place was The Spa at Carden in Cheshire, and in third place was ESPA Life at Corinthia in London.

The Devonshire Arms Hotel and Spa, North Yorkshire

Located at the entrance to the Yorkshire Dales, this romantic and extremely pretty hotel is cosy and welcoming as well as decadent thanks to its bijoux spa. With its own separate building, the spa is a destination in its own right. It has an indoor spa vitality pool, eucalyptus steam room, sauna, experience shower and a rasul temple which are all part of your spa journey. TEMPLESPA products are used for the luxury treatments – make sure you save time for the relaxation room with views overlooking the countryside.

The Spa at Carden, Cheshire

On a 1000 acre estate in Cheshire, The Spa at Carden Park is an adult-only retreat that’s a beautiful day spa destination as well as being an exceptional part of an overnight break. Celebrated for its luxury details throughout the hotel and grounds, the spa itself is a brand new addition, which allows you to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors all year round. With state of the art facilities ranging from a variety of outdoor hot tubs and saunas to panoramic views from the indoor pool, it also has a dedicated Bollinger Champagne bar and its own restaurant.

ESPA Life at Corinthia, London

An underground haven of spa excellence, ESPA Life offers a holistic approach to wellbeing with a combination of hydrotherapy, alternative therapies, fitness, beauty treatments and a hair salon. The spa team consists of traditional Chinese medicine acupuncturists and herbalists, naturopaths and spa professionals, delivering therapeutic treatments and modalities to suit your needs. Facilities are superb, so save time for a swim, sauna and steam and enjoy a moment to yourself in one of the private sleep pods.