On the outskirts of Birmingham, a unique hotel is challenging social conventions by offering a completely clothes-free experience for its guests. The establishment, which includes a naked spa, was founded by Tim Higgs in 2010, born from his profound appreciation for the sauna culture he encountered in countries like Switzerland, Germany, and Finland.
The Vision Behind the Venture
Tim Higgs, now 69, was inspired to create the resort after realising the UK lacked spaces where people could experience the same sense of liberation he felt in European spas. "It's so much more relaxing, and actually becoming confident in your own skin without any labels and clothes and cover is just freedom – it's unbelievable," Higgs explained. He identified a clear business opportunity, believing that once people tried it, they would generally love it. The plethora of positive reviews the hotel has received seems to prove his theory correct.
He added that many guests arrive feeling apprehensive but leave with a transformed perspective. "They leave thinking, 'What was all that trash that I was carrying around with me about taking my clothes off? I am just me,'" Higgs shared.
A Strictly Non-Sexual Environment
A crucial distinction Higgs makes is between his concept of naturism and that of some competitors. He firmly states that his hotel, the Clover Spa, is a clothes-free, nonsexual environment where "sexual innuendos or behaviour won't be tolerated."
He expressed that some other venues which allow sexual behaviour or 'swinging' have, in his view, "hijacked" the term 'naturism' and "miss the point completely." To ensure guest safety and uphold this principle, the building was intentionally designed without dark corners or secluded areas where people could "sneak off and muck around."
The Unbelievable Freedom of Being Yourself
For those questioning the core benefit of such an experience, Higgs has a simple answer: pure freedom. He argues that while most people believe they are free, they are often constrained by social stereotypes and expectations.
"It is the most common word people use to describe how free they feel once they accept their body for whatever it is," he said. "You can be bumpy, saggy, stretched, and scarred, but when you're with a group of naked people, you're most respectful. You maintain eye contact more, and it just gets away from all that stuff that society expects of you."
He compared the feeling to the common experience of skinny-dipping, noting that the world doesn't cave in when you shed your clothes. His ultimate hope is that people can learn to be happier in their own skin, reducing the perceived need for cosmetic enhancements and excessive clothing. His sentiment is clear: "If you can just calm down a little bit and be happy in your skin... you learn to live with yourself and be nicer."
