One of the finest hotels in the world, Claridges is a sparkling jewel of a property, found in the heart of solubrious. But up till now, the high-end brand had lacked a spa. Now, a (literally) groundbreaking project that has seen teams of experts excavate five floors into the London clay, has changed all of that. And it paves the way for the next 200 years of Claridge’s life.
An epicentre of wellness
Located three floors down and spanning 7,000 square feet, this subterranean haven of wellness and tranquillity accommodates the hotel’s first-ever swimming pool, steam rooms and a sauna. Seven treatment rooms showcase healing rituals using a knowledge of restorative bodywork and the latest bio-innovation to amplify emotional, physical and spiritual wellbeing; a best-in-class list of resident brands include Josh Wood, Augustinus Bader and FaceGym, and a roster of visiting wellness masters, such as nail artist Harriet Westmoreland and acupuncturist Ross J. Barr. Of course, you can expect the space and service to be signature five-star Claridge’s, with touches of its classic and iconic timeless glamour.
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Design inspiration from the East
Interior architect Andre Fu has created the space, which begins with a monochrome lobby leading to a sensorial space of calm serenity, with sounds of flowing water, a visual play of light and shadow, and energy-cleansing music. Fu’s design has been inspired by his own visits to traditional Japanese temples and Zen gardens in Kyoto; as such the venue incorporates natural elements including limestone, wood and water. The heated swimming pool is the spa’s centrepiece, framed by a striking, multi-vaulted ceiling and stone columns and flanked by cabanas. En-suite treatment rooms are oak panelled, with each ritual personalised to the individual, inspired by the ancient concept of omakase (‘leaving another to decide what is best’). And finally, the hair and beauty space is Josh Wood at Claridge’s, with the renowned British hair colour expert bringing his hand-picked dream team of A-list stylists to the hotel.
Treating guests from head to toe
On arrival, guests are presented with kimonos in soft pinks and peaches, and a welcoming foot ceremony that washes away the outside world. Scented water and enzyme-rich koji soften and smooth the skin while pressure points are applied to unlock tension and encourage circulation. Inspired by temple Koh-do ceremonies, a choice of incense is presented to the guest pre-treatment to help to cleanse the mind and aid relaxation. The sound of bells marks the end of treatments…
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Signature rituals
The Bamboo & Silk Ritual (90 minutes) is a total mind and body immersion comprising a trilogy of body and hand massage techniques and nurturing silk facial. An invigorating body massage with warmed bamboo sticks works deep into the muscles, stretching and releasing tension while harnessing the powerful healing benefits of heat combined with seasonal herbs within hot oil-infused poultices which are made daily by Claridge’s therapists using seasonal ingredients. This is followed by a deep hand massage and a nurturing facial practised with silk fingertip thimbles – these hydrate and replenish the skin’s barrier, while mini-poultices on the face and decolletage pressure points calm the mind, so you feel fully restored and rested.
The Body Detox & Sculpt (75 minutes) is a transformative sculpting treatment. Beginning with 30 minutes inside the UK’s first MLX i3Dome, your body undergoes a detox with FIR-technology to activate tissue metabolism and stimulate cellular communication and repair. A fusion of cinnamon, white turmeric and ginger is applied to the body whilst an anti-ageing fire-and-ice korugi face massage revives the skin. A unique combination of sculpting and lymphatic techniques with cooling intervals using cold towels and ice globes firms and lifts facial contours. The body is then cooled with ice-cold towels, or an optional shower, with the ritual completed by a powerful sculpting and lymphatic drainage body massage.
Holistic and results-driven
Maybourne Hotel Group’s Creative Director of Spa and Wellness (the Facegym founder and ex Spa Junkie columnist for the Financial Times) Inge Theron says of the launch, ‘We have created a spa here at Claridge’s where guests will find both holistic practices and results-driven high-tech all under one roof. Claridge’s has long been a temple of good living with a philosophy of enjoying life to the full, and so now, as well as pouring guests the perfect martini, we can also rejuvenate and restore with the perfect treatment, to strike that all-important balance. The Claridge’s Spa service style is inspired by and reflects this great, legendary hotel. The attention to detail that has been in place here for centuries – the way we steep our tea, the way we make our beds – is reflected in this new space, from handmade poultices made daily by our team with the seasonal ingredient, to the way our saunas are complete with star-like twinkling lights, and silk thimbles are used by our incredible therapists for exfoliation during facials. Claridge’s Spa is the very beginning of a new wellness journey for Maybourne Hotel Group.’
Claridge’s Spa is open to both hotel and outside guests, every day from 8 am-9 pm.
