PROJECTS » Norton House Hotel Spa
Norton House Hotel Spa
THE BRIEF:
Set in 55 acres of peaceful Scottish countryside just outside Edinburgh, Norton House Hotel Spa is a luxury retreat where guests come to relax and recharge. With award-winning facilities including treatment rooms, a hydrotherapy pool and the calming Amber Lounge, our work has gradually enhanced the guest experience by complementing the sense of calm and comfort delivered by its therapies.
We were first approached to supply planting for one area of the spa. Thanks to the quality of our work, reliable service and the positive response from both staff and visitors, the scope of our work here quickly grew. Today, we provide a wide range of planting solutions, along with regular maintenance and seasonal updates, working closely with the hotel team to keep everything looking its best.
THE SOLUTION:
At the entrance, vibrant hanging baskets create a warm welcome and a splash of colour, refreshed with seasonal displays throughout the year. The stairwell to the spa is brought to life with a series of wall-mounted circular planters that offer a clever, space-efficient way to add visual interest to a transitional area that’s often overlooked.
Floorstanding planters are used throughout the spa to bring a sense of visual consistency. Some are grouped together to define a space, while others stand alone to soften corners or fill quieter spots. In one arrangement, glass plinths are used to elevate planters within the group, adding height and subtle variation. The containers vary in shape and finish, but all share a natural texture and warm, earthy tones, and are topped with moss or Scottish cobbles for a polished look.
Alongside these, large trough planters in the spa café provide flexible, moveable displays that help divide the space and adapt easily to changes in layout or flow.
Framed moss art can be found in the corridors leading to the treatment rooms and pool. These tactile panels blend different moss types and organic materials, in keeping with the spa’s natural surroundings. Made from real, preserved moss, they require no maintenance, making them ideal for low-light, high-traffic areas.
Durable and realistic artificial planting has been used around the swimming pool, where heat, humidity and low light make live plants impractical. Similar displays were recently added to the hydrotherapy area as part of the spa’s ongoing improvements, helping to maintain a calm, natural feel without the need for maintenance. The planting here is presented in tall, off-white, speckled stone-effect containers, carefully chosen without any metal components to avoid corrosion in the chlorinated environment.
In the Amber Lounge, a hand-crafted feature made from locally sourced materials brings scale and softness to the space. Nestled behind two hanging chairs, it creates a calm, cocooned corner for guests to unwind. The freeform structure was built onsite, designed to feel organic and rooted in place.
THE RESULTS:
In a setting where the guest journey is everything, it’s the subtle, seamless touches that make the difference. Planting has become an integral part of that experience.
What began as a small project has grown into a trusted, long-term partnership. By working closely with the team at Norton House and across Hand Picked Hotels, we’ve delivered planting solutions that not only enhance the spa’s visual appeal but contribute meaningfully to how guests feel in the space.
The spa holds prestigious 5 Bubble Spa status, a reflection of its high standards and attention to detail. Our role is to help maintain that level of care through planting that’s thoughtful, well-maintained and always in keeping with the wider experience.
We help spas, treatment centres and wellness centres to transform their approach to their clients through the introduction of living plants into the treatment environment. If you’re interested in learning more about how we can use plants to enhance your facilities, get in touch today.
