The Spa at Potters Resorts Five Lakes

Like to crunch before brunch? The fitness facilities on offer at The Spa at Potters Resorts Five Lakes make being active feel like a breeze.

The fully-equipped, state-of-the-art gym will see you sculpting and toning like never before. Sweat it out on the Technogym resistance and cardiovascular machines, or lift free weights and make up your own routine. Just remember that, however hard you work out, the sauna, steam room and pool are ready and waiting to boost your recovery.

Bring your trainers for a run, stroll or power-walk around the grounds while you spot the wildlife, from swans to squirrels. Or, pack your clubs in the car and play a round on the stunning 6,267-yard, 18-hole Lakes Course. But if you’re here on an all-inclusive break at Potters Resorts Five Lakes, you’ll find more inventive ways to keep fit than jogging or golf.

Each day a packed itinerary brings a variety of fun ways to break a sweat, from a morning stretch in the dance studio to welly-wanging and table tennis tournaments in the afternoon. Outside there’s disc golf, tennis or archery, or you can take a rowing boat out for a spin.

Adventurous types will love to try their hands at something new, like pickleball or laser clays. Who knows? You could leave Five Lakes with a brand new hobby, feeling fitter than ever before. 

Here on a spa break? Many pamper packages to The Spa at Potters Resorts Five Lakes include a scrummy afternoon tea or light morning refreshments such as pastries and fruit. These can all be eaten without leaving the comfort of your plush robe and slippers - just watch out for crumbs!

But for those lucky enough to be staying at Five Lakes for an adults-only short break, incredible eating and drinking opportunities abound. The resort wins raves reviews for its all-inclusive food and drink offering, with many praising its incredible value for money - and saying that it has exactly the same feel as a luxurious holiday abroad.

From huge cooked breakfasts to a tasty midnight snack, guests can eat up to four meals a day, including two three-course meals. And, in addition to the plentiful amounts of food, drinks are unlimited with as many teas, coffees, hot chocolates, soft drinks you like, plus brand-name beers, wines, spirits, and liqueurs included in the price.

The Eden restaurant is huge, but because it’s split into three areas, it retains a cosy intimacy. Tables are allocated so you always sit in the same place, and many boast stunning views over the gardens or golf course. Meal times are set and dinner finishes at 8pm to allow you to party the night away at the evening entertainment.

There is, so don’t forget to pack your cossie. You’ll dive into luxury at this 15m indoor pool, plus there’s a sauna, steam room and spa bath to relax in afterwards. Perfect for an early morning or twilight dip, the swimming pool at Five Lakes opens from 7:45am to 7:30pm every day except for Mondays and Fridays, when it opens at 9am.

Of course! And after a day being pampered, there’s no better feeling than your head hitting a comfy pillow. Luckily, Potters Resorts Five Lakes has doubles, twins and suites that blend contemporary comfort with life’s little luxuries, and many come with beautiful views. 

Choose from hotel rooms in the resort itself to be near all the action, or go for peace and quiet with Village rooms set slightly further away in the grounds. Upgrading to a Village Deluxe room means you get your own balcony, offering you stunning views, and additional space for extra comfort.

For overnight stays, you can arrive from 12 noon, but the all-inclusive offer begins at 3pm and it’s at this time you can collect your keys. When your break ends, you’ll need to vacate your room by 10am and leave the resort by 12 noon on your day of departure. 

For spa days, arrival times are usually 9am, while spa afternoons begin at 1pm, but please do check your booking confirmation for full details.

Nestled amidst the tranquil Essex countryside, The Spa at Five Lakes is set on the doorstep of the Blackwater Estuary National Nature Reserve and just a short drive from Colchester and Chelmsford.

It’s still owned by the Potter family, and headed up by John Potter. Potters Resorts started out in 1920 in Hemsby in Norfolk after solicitors' clerk Herbert Potter won £500 in a newspaper competition. In 1924 Potters moved to Hopton-on-Sea where it remains to this day. The Hopton site is the sister site to Five Lakes and it’s where you’ll find Potters HQ. In 2021, Potters Resorts acquired Five Lakes and in 2023, it was recognised by VisitEngland as a Five-Star Holiday Village.

Sorry. Spa packages at The Spa at Five Lakes are only for those aged 16 and over. The Five Lakes resort itself is adults only, and its fabulous all-inclusive short breaks only available for those over the age of 18 only.

Yes it is. The hotel has lifts, ramps, disabled parking and accessible rooms with walk-in showers and shower trays. If mobility is an issue for you, ask for rooms in the hotel rather than in the Village as these are a five minute walk from all the main facilities.

Sorry, it isn’t. No pets allowed, except for registered assistance dogs.

It does! The 18-hole course is one of the finest in Essex, being designed by European Tour legend Neil Coles and having hosted the prestigious Nick Faldo Challenge, as well as regional PGA events over the years. The gentle undulation of the course makes walking easy and it features lakes and well-placed bunkers along with mature and new trees, with hedgerows.

A round of golf is not included in the all-inclusive offer, and prices vary according to the date and time you wish to tee off.