SPA TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
Maia Oliver’s much-travelled swimwear lesson still holds: choose a suit that fits well, suits the facilities and can cope with chlorine, heat, minerals and repeated rinsing.
Archive note
This first-person feature was published in 2016. The original Charmline and Lidea review, destinations and prices are retained as historical reporting; products, prices and availability may have changed.
“The best tip I was ever given before embarking on a spa break was simple: invest in a decent swimsuit.”
Maia Oliver
The one item every spa trip needs
When you are packing for a spa break in Scotland or a spa retreat in the foothills of the Himalayas, one item is essential: a swimsuit. It might be a one-piece, bikini, tankini or swim shorts, but it needs to be comfortable and suitable for the pools, hot tubs, hammams and thermal areas you plan to use.
I learned this the expensive way after trying to cut corners with a cheap high-street costume for a spa holiday in Cyprus. It began the week well-fitting, its rainbow stripe glistening in the sun. By the end of daily use, it had faded, a clasp had broken, the cups had lost their shape and the ties had stretched. The only option was the bin.
With spa trips to Italy and Switzerland planned the following year, I decided to test two better-quality suits: a vibrant pink-and-red Lidea, then priced at £89, and a black-and-white Sahara Park Charmline, then priced at £119. Those are archive prices, not current buying recommendations, but the cost-per-wear question remains useful.
Charmline: the archive review
The Charmline felt like a substantial piece of clothing. I liked the bronze-coloured clasp dividing the bust line—functional detail with a glamorous finish. The original brand description highlighted its MicroForming fabric, foam-cup support and carefully placed prints. Those were manufacturer claims rather than independent evidence of body reshaping.
The suit returned home in very good condition after steam rooms, a hammam, a salt room, numerous hot tubs and chlorinated pools. I did learn not to wring it tightly: the decorative clasp began to twist and could easily have broken.
Lidea: the archive review
The Lidea pink-and-red suit felt soft, with the bust secured by an eye-catching pink buckle. The leaf print seemed bold off the body but worked better when worn. After a tour of mineral-rich Swiss and Italian thermal spas, its shape and colour remained intact.
At the time, the feature also mentioned practical chlorine-resistant ranges from Zoggs and Speedo, alongside fashion-led names including Charmline, Lidea, Maryan Mehlhorn, Seafolly and Vilebrequin. Treat these as historical editorial references: ranges and specifications change, so check the current care label and fabric description.
What to look for now
- Fit that stays comfortable: move, sit and stretch before removing the hygiene strip.
- Facility suitability: decorative hardware may become hot or catch on loungers; some spas restrict certain garments.
- Chlorine-resistant fabric: look for an explicit manufacturer statement rather than relying on price.
- Support and access: choose straps, fastenings and leg openings you can manage easily in wet changing rooms.
- A second dry option: useful when moving from wet facilities to a treatment or wearing swimwear on consecutive days.
Hot tubs and thermal pools
Heat and pool chemicals can accelerate fading and loss of elasticity. Rinse the suit promptly after use and do not leave it soaking in a wet bag. If a suit has metal or decorative hardware, check it before entering very hot facilities and follow the garment label.
Cleaning
Chlorine, perspiration, salt and mineral water can remain in fine elastane fibres. Rinse thoroughly in cool fresh water after each use. Hand-wash with a mild detergent where the label recommends it; if machine washing is allowed, use a gentle cycle and protective laundry bag. Avoid harsh bleach and do not spin underwired or structured styles unless the maker permits it.
Drying
Do not leave swimwear wet and crumpled or sealed in plastic. Reshape it gently and air-dry in the shade, away from radiators, tumble dryers and strong direct sun. Avoid wringing, particularly around moulded cups, underwires, clasps and embellishments.
Sunscreen and spa products
Sunscreen, oils and some spa products can mark fabric. Apply sun protection as directed on its label and allow it to settle before dressing where practical—without delaying essential sun protection. Rinse the suit after use and never skip sunscreen merely to protect swimwear.
Alternate suits
The original advice suggested allowing Lycra or spandex 24 hours to recover. Recovery time varies by fabric and construction, but alternating two suits is still practical: each can be rinsed and dried fully before reuse.
Buy for fit and care, not simply for the label: the suit that lasts is the one you can rinse, dry and wear comfortably again.
The Spa Traveller conclusion
A higher price does not guarantee durability, but good construction, a clear chlorine-resistance claim and careful rinsing can improve cost per wear. For regular spa travellers, two properly fitted suits—one drying while the other is worn—remain a sensible packing strategy.
Plan the spa break around the details
Check pool access, swimwear rules and thermal-suite inclusions directly with the spa before travelling.
Read our spa packing guide Find a spa
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission from qualifying bookings, at no extra cost to you. Availability and inclusions are controlled by the provider.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need two swimsuits for a spa break?
Not always, but a second suit is useful when one needs time to rinse and dry, or when you want a dry option before a treatment.
What fabric works best in chlorinated pools?
Choose a suit whose current product description explicitly states chlorine resistance, and follow its care label carefully.
Can hot tubs damage swimwear?
Repeated heat and pool chemicals can accelerate fading and loss of elasticity. Rinse promptly and avoid leaving the suit wet or tightly wrung.
How should I dry a swimsuit?
Reshape gently and air-dry in the shade, away from strong heat and direct sunlight. Do not tumble dry unless the care label permits it.