An independent luxury spa in Bucks has been named the best in the county.

Spa Illuminata at Danesfield House in Marlow was recently crowned the best day spa in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire in the Muddy Stilettos Awards.

Around 800,000 votes were cast in this year’s celebration of local businesses.

Spa Illuminata’s manager Aileen Montgomery-Miller, who attended the glitzy awards ceremony on July 10 to accept the award with the assistant manager, said she felt “very, very proud” of the hard work the team had put in. 

The spa at the historical Danesfield House offers treatments, spa days, yoga, gym and a pool alongside fitness and therapy sessions such as osteopathy among others.

Currently it employs around 30 people to keep the wellness hub open from 6.30am to 8.30pm and the spa has attracted “quite a lot of regular and members,” Aileen explained.

She said they were different to competition because they are privately owned and because of the unique surroundings.

“So, we are not part of a chain. We are about the individual and we do things in a bespoke way.

“Our viewpoint from the spa overlooks the river. It’s very picturesque and we have lovely grounds.

“Our pool area is beautiful overlooking the lawns and we have a Japanese garden. It’s about tranquillity,” Aileen said.

The cost-of-living crisis “hasn’t had an impact on the spar or the hotel,” while the business tries to look after its staff “as much as possible,” she said.

The Covid pandemic transformed the way people travel, including preference over local holidays over destinations abroad, she said.

“There have been a lot more leisure guests who are doing local and they understand what the benefits and they value wellbeing. People put value on that.”

She praised the Muddy Stilettos team for hosting the "amazing" awards and "giving businesses a platform". 

"They put their heart and soul into it. We are very grateful for being considered."