Let’s face it, London can wear you out, but thanks to its abundance of spas you are never too far away from a pampering experience to relax and unwind. We have picked out a selection of our favourite spas, so read on to find out where your next spa experiences should be when you are taking a trip to the capital.
The Ned London
At the heart of a refined, 1920s mansion house hotel, is Ned’s Club Spa. This comprises a vintage gentlemen’s barbershop offering traditional wet shaves; a hairdressing parlour wth a midcentury vibe; a Morrocan hammam with treatments by La Sultane de Saba; resident physios and osteopaths; a 620 square metre gym; a sublime 20-metre pool and a manicure space. Book massages by Cowshed, cutting edge LED light facials, maternity therapies and much more. Make a night (or even better a weekend of it), order room service and retire to one of the hotel’s bedrooms filled with old-world glamour.
The Retreat at The Londoner
Take yourself on a subterranean journey to this exclusive spa. Located below ground level within a five-star super-boutique hotel The Londoner, this chic space envelops its guests by a feeling of sanctuary which belies its central London location. There’s a sense of light and airiness in the hideaway; cream cabanas are strewn with pastel cushions, inviting visitors to rest awhile, while the powder blue pool offers both hydrotherapy and the option to swim some laps. The Retreat has collaborated with handpicked beauty innovators and brands and offers treatments based on natural ingredients and sustainable practices.
The Lanesborough Club & Spa at The Lanesborough
Awarded England’s Best Hotel Spa 2019 at the World Spa Awards™, The Lanesborough’s attentive staff know exactly how to best pamper guests. Located close to Buckingham Palace, the setting is perfect for a regal style spa break, particularly for those wanting to sample something new… The subterranean club is but two and a half years old, having re-opened in 2017 with stunning interior refurbishments designed by studio 1508. Fireplaces, silk wallpaper, wood panelling, bronze trims, deep blue satin and leather upholstery all create an ambience of refined opulence. There’s a relatively formal (by spa standards) restaurant within the complex, serving suitably nutritious and delicious fare, as well as an uber-modern fitness suite and studios. High-end French skincare creator La Prairie is the product provider of choice here, while highlight treatments include the White Caviar Illumination Pedicure and Cellular Swiss Ice Crystal Age-Defying facials.
agua London at the Sea Containers London
This intriguingly named venue describes itself as a treatment destination, social hub and playground spa. Found on the South Bank (hence the aquatic theme), the exotic Sea Containers London – previously known as Mondrian – is its glamorous home. Perfect for large-scale society pamper parties, you can hire the entirety of agua London, for the ultimate hen do, baby shower or birthday celebration. The Spa Social concept provides a relaxation journey of mudpacks, steam rooms, mini massages and fizz, to be shared with friends or colleagues. The decor here is light, bright and contemporary, and the varied treatment menu includes medical facials from Kate Kerr’s expert pioneering team, mum to be packages and a glamour room. With all of this available, it’s no surprise that this spa is a popular destination for fun-filled get-togethers and special occasions.
The Mayfair Hotel Spa
Spend a blissful day at this healing sanctuary for mind and body. Relax in the aromatic steam room, herbal sauna, experience showers and candelit relaxation room. Refresh and invigorate your senses in the ice fountain, or book onto a bonding couples massage course for some time together away from the hectic pace of central London. Book a treatment in the spa itself, or if you’re staying at the hotel, take advantage of the in-room spa services and hairdressing. Package menus include hotel stays, champers, afternoon tea, breakfasts or lunches and are designed with the capital in mind. Opt for the likes of an Urban Retreat, Inner City Escape and City Dweller experiences. The vibe is sultry and sophisticated at The May Fair, with immersive dark hues, lots of marble and eastern gilded iconography adorning the walls. There’s also a well-equipped gym for those who feel energetic.
Aire Ancient Baths
Located in a historical eighteenth-century building in central London (near to Covent Garden), AIRE Ancient Baths, joins seven other AIRE locations in cities such as New York, Barcelona and Seville and brings the classical tradition of bathing forward into the 21st Century. In addition to the traditional ancient treatments, AIRE Ancient Baths London will offer guests two specialist practices: The Himalayan Salt Experience and The Wine Ritual. The Himalayan Salt Experience is a unique, rejuvenating and stress-relieving three-hour treatment that offers clients a 60-minute massage with hot Himalayan pink salt stones in addition to the traditional Thermal Bath circuit. Alternatively, The Wine Ritual includes a private immersion into red wine, created from Spanish Ribera del Duero red grapes renowned for their antioxidant properties, the Thermal Bath circuit, and a grape seed oil massage. The classical bathing experience is lit by candlelight, and except for soothing and ambient music, is totally silent – AIRE Ancient Baths truly is an oasis of calm in busy London.
ESPA Life at Corinthia London
Set right in the heart of London in the basement of the 5 star Corinthia London, ESPA Life Spa offers everything for complete relaxation. Famous for its huge black marble thermal suite which includes a steam room, saunas and plunge pools. you can make a day of it in the thermal suite alone before you move onto one of their relaxing treatment options which include everything from massages to facials all using gorgeous ESPA products. There are also herbalists, osteopaths, naturopaths, acupuncturists and a medical aesthetics specialist, Doctor Barbar Sturm. Enjoy true corinthian style with plush white leather upholstery, trendy real-flame fires, mirrored walls, marble floor so shiny you can see your reflection and muted grey relaxation rooms with jewelled curtains. This spa is spacious, yet exclusive, with its own Daniel Galvin hair salon incorporated.
The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane
Located on Park Lane, this is one of the most unique spas in London thanks to its incredible views out over Hyde Park from the nine glass-walled treatment rooms. The wide range of treatments includes massages, facials, wraps and scrubs all using indulgent products from ESPA and The Organic Pharmacy. The Black Pearl 24k Golden Suspendisse is especially indulgent using 24 karat gold anti-ageing massage oil, as is the divine experience of four hands massage for a full 75 minutes and the Linda Meredith V-Tox Facial (in which algae derivatives relax the skin). Frequent travellers and those with insomnia find the signature Deep Sleep Massage a wonderful antidote for jet lag, while mothers find the pre and postnatal options a wonderful way to get some ‘me’ time. Fantastic views of Hyde Park from the spa’s exclusive Sky Suite add to the Four Seasons’ unique popularity.
Bamford Haybarn Spa at The Berkeley
Swap buzzing Knightsbridge for the serenity at the Bamford Haybarn Spa at The Berkeley. This spa spirits the peace of the Cotswolds into the city. Revitalise mind, body and soul with holistic treatments using pure, organic products. All formulas carry the boon of being British made by the brand’s own experts in collaboration with Oskia London. Their rituals are designed to harness nature’s own healing powers, using only the purest extracts. Choose from menus of top-to-toe treatments, including revitalising body wraps, glow facials, waxing, lash tints. Or opt for the ultimate retreat package with five treatments, a two-course champagne lunch and a day’s membership – perfect for a bride-to-be or new mum. After your treatment head up to their seventh floor to their rooftop pool which looks out to Hyde Park and has a retractable roof for those sunny days in London.
The Bulgari Spa at Bulgari Hotel London
Bvlgari a name synonymous with luxury pulls out all the stops at the Bulgari Spa in Knightsbridge. Few brands conjure up such a sense of decadent opulence. This subterranean sanctuary will take you away from the crowds and in a state of deep relaxation in next to no time. It has an elegance combined with earthiness – the latter emanating from the brown, fawn, grey and green palette, oak wood panelling, and Vicenza stone effect walls. A feature reception desk of onyx makes for an impressive welcome, to this spa created by Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel and Partners. Take a dip in the shimmering green and gold mosaic pool, enjoy a steam and jacuzzi as well as some treatments in one of 11 private rooms. The Bulgari Spa has curated a selection of the most advanced beauty, grooming and health-enhancing treatments available today and at 2000m² it is one of the largest and most exclusive spas in central London.
The Beaumont Spa at The Beaumont
The Beaumont Spa provides an oasis of tranquillity and revitalisation in calm white-marble Art Deco surroundings in the heart of Mayfair. Choose from their comprehensive range of massage, facial and Hamam treatments for men and women and spend the day relaxing in their steam room and sauna complex – don’t miss the fantastic facials with Abigail James. Whether treating yourself to a manicure, pedicure, or a fresh new haircut – grooming is made into an extra special experience at The Beaumont. Recline in the uplifting contemporary styled surroundings – chrome and white are the order of the day here, alongside retro touches, such as traditional style barbershop chairs in the salon. And if you want to work up a sweat, the gym is open around the clock. Harper’s Bazaar called it “The best spa in London for unwinding in style”.
Away Spa at W London
This luxe Soho spa at the W Hotel on Leicester Square is the go-to place for glamour, perfectly placed for pampering ahead of a night on the town. Revitalise your body with one of their tailor-made treatments or revive your soul in their sauna and steam rooms. Book a ritual or package for a loved one, including specials for the ‘modern gentleman’ and ‘the entrepreneur’. Away Spa is also home to a team of celebrity therapists offering head-to-toe treatments to leave you red-carpet-ready. From the signature facials by Su-Man and expert tanning of James Harknett to hair styling by Adam Bennett. Work out in the high ceilinged, warehouse styled gym, situated on the hotel’s mezzanine level, with great views of the West End. The decor is super slick and modern, befitting its location, with soothing neutral and glossy lacquered surfaces.
