Overlooking Bournemouth’s famous Blue Flag beaches, the Queens Hotel & Spa offers the perfect setting for a restorative coastal retreat.

In 2025, Switch Management Ltd acquired the hotel out of administration, and invested in a £2million refurbishment programme to bring the seaside property back to life.

Today, we are establishing Queens Hotel & Spa as a premier destination that exceeds guest expectations every time – and wellness is a strong focus of the newly upgraded facilities.

Here, we explore the rising popularity of wellness breaks in the UK, and how Queens Hotel & Spa brings an exciting new proposition to the market.

Travel trends

According to the Global Wellness Institute, the wellness market in the UK is flourishing, boasting the sixth largest spa market and ninth largest wellness tourism market globally.

In an increasingly ‘always on’ world, it can be seen that many holidaymakers are seeking to switch off during their time away – contributing to the growing popularity of spa and wellness breaks, where guests are encouraged to reset and recharge.

The rise of “quietcations”, also known as “hushpitality”, was identified as the leading travel trend for 2026 in this recent BBC report, and is centred on “comfort, silence, and finding a way to escape the compounding stresses of modern life.” The need to disconnect perfectly aligns with the ethos of a wellness break, where relaxation is top of the agenda.

Hilton’s 2026 Trend Report echoes this sentiment, highlighting the rise of the “whycation: a global movement rooted in intentionality, where travel begins not with a destination, but with a motivation.” According to the report, “people are travelling with purpose, whether that’s to reconnect, recharge, (re)discover or just take a breath”.

UK hotels that offer wellness facilities are, consequently, benefiting from strong performance. According to Knight Frank, a greater demand for spa experiences, and sustained interest in wellness and fitness amenities, resulted in an uplift in leisure revenue in UK hotels in 2025 – with a YOY increase of 7.3% per available room, and an impressive 39% rise since 2019.

This increase in intentional travel also coincides with a wider shift towards UK staycations, which have become more prominent in the wake of recent geopolitical events abroad. With disruption in the Middle East impacting fuel and travel prices, and the ongoing cost-of-living meaning purse strings have tightened, holidays closer to home have become a more attractive alternative for many would-be travellers.

According to the BBC, Booking.com and Airbnb are already seeing an increase in demand for domestic bookings, with searches for May half-term UK holidays up 20% on Booking.com compared with last year, and searches for UK stays for the May bank holidays up 15% on Airbnb.

The ultimate vitamin ‘sea’

Combining the serenity of beachfront living with the luxury of a hotel stay, Queens Hotel & Spa is an exciting new addition to a growing collection of wellness destinations in the UK.

Following our acquisition of the hotel in 2025, we embarked on an extensive renovation programme to bring the ‘Switch gold standard’ to every touchpoint. Today, our dedicated team provide the highest standards of service to every guest – so they can switch off from the moment they check in.

Whether it’s solo time to unwind, or a spa break with family and friends, our wellness facilities and expert spa treatments ensure that every visitor leaves feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.

The hotel’s newly-renovated luxury spa offers a variety of treatments delivered by an experienced team of therapists, from soothing body massages to nourishing facials.

Inspired by the restorative powers of the ocean, ishga Organic Seaweed Skincare products are used to complement the spa’s wide range of treatments. Through sustainable hand harvesting, the natural antioxidants of pure Hebridean seaweed are at the heart of this award-winning organic skincare range.

Sustainably sourced from the land and sea, ishga’s harvest, production, and packaging respects the environment, while its natural products are all Soil Association certified organic. This strong commitment to sustainability is in line with Switch’s own values, and we’re proud to work in partnership with ishga to create authentic wellness experiences rooted in nature.

The Switch standard

At Switch, we have built an award-winning portfolio of UK-based hospitality assets, including Birmingham’s only major independent hotel, Park Regis; and the four-star aparthotel Birmingham, which opened in 2023.

With a successful track record in maximising the value of those hospitality sites through our management and consultancy services, Queens Hotel & Spa was our first hotel purchase [JC1] – reflecting the scale of our ambition and sector experience.

With a prime position on Bournemouth’s coastline, we are confident that Queens Hotel & Spa will become the go-to destination for visitors seeking a new spa and wellness experience – one that is rooted in nature, tranquillity, and the beauty of the south coast.

As well as fully upgraded spa facilities, our extensive four-month renovation has also breathed new life into the rest of the site – with a new reception area, refurbished guest bedrooms and function rooms, an updated gym, and improvements to the hotel grounds – ensuring that the seaside property now offers a wellness escape to remember.

John Angus, Managing Director at Switch Management, says:

“At Switch, we’re committed to bringing new and unique propositions to the hospitality market, and Queens Hotel & Spa is designed to meet a growing demand for wellness travel. Our £2million transformation has enabled us to enhance every element of the hotel - from the renovated rooms and grounds to the luxury spa facilities - to create a true seaside sanctuary.

“With a focus on rejuvenating stays that allow guests to fully reset and recharge, we’re proud to offer spa and wellness escapes that combine relaxed coastal charm with the luxury of a hotel. In line with the latest industry and travel trends, we believe that Queens Hotel & Spa will be a leading wellness destination for those seeking the best ‘hushpitality’ experience”.

To find out more about Queens Hotel & Spa, visit www.queenshotelbournemouth.com

For more information about Switch’s hospitality services, click here.