Rena Spa at The Midland brings calm to the heart of Manchester

In the middle of Manchester's busiest streets, The Midland hotel has long been a landmark. Beneath its grand facade, the hotel's spa offers something the city centre often lacks: a genuine chance to slow down.

The spa was created in 2015, when QHotels announced a £1.5m investment in a new spa brand at the hotel. The former health club was replaced with a full thermal spa, a split-level gym, eight treatment rooms, a relaxation pool and a dedicated spa café.

Today the facility trades as Rena Spa at The Midland, and its thermal experience remains the centrepiece. Current listings describe a relaxation pool with a swan neck fountain, a steam room, sauna, experience showers, sleep chambers and quiet relaxation areas, designed to be enjoyed at an unhurried pace.

Treatments are built around ESPA products and protocols. Beauty Bible, which featured the spa in its Treatments We Love series, noted that the spa uses ESPA exclusively, and highlighted the hotel's signature treatment, Serene Sleep, which ESPA devised especially for The Midland.

The review described Serene Sleep as a ritual combining body oil, hot stones, facial massage and a scalp treatment, an approach aimed at helping guests unwind deeply and rest well. It is a fitting idea for a city centre hotel where many guests arrive after long journeys or busy days.

The spa has also earned recognition from the Good Spa Guide, which named it Best Urban Spa in 2019 and shortlisted it as a finalist for Hotel Spa of the Year in 2023, according to the hotel.

Hotel guests can use the relaxation pool and thermal areas for an additional charge, and booking a treatment of 50 minutes or more guarantees access to the spa facilities. Day visitors can enjoy spa breaks and thermal experiences too, making it a popular choice for celebrations and treat days with friends.

Spa days, thermal experiences and the full treatment menu can be explored and booked on The Midland's website, where seasonal packages are also listed.