Travel Features by Emily Ashman

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A city seeped in history, buzzing with culture and brimming with innovation, London has some of the best spa experiences in the world.

Londoners take their home city’s incredible history for granted, but as

a tourist, it’s impossible not to wonder at the millions of stories each cobbled street could tell. There’s the grandiose pillared buildings of Knightsbridge that evoke all the glamour and elegance of the 1920s socialite scene, the dingy railway arches that inspired many a horror story and the towering muse houses that still have separate entrances for the servants from their hay day in the Victorian era. Indeed, London has been dramatised so much in film, theatre and literature that it is literally a living storybook. Alongside this historic gravitas, there is a vibrant culture and a population renowned for innovation and the spa world is no exception. The city has some of the most exciting new spa concepts in the world and is paving the way for new technologies and treatments…

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writer Emily Jonesspasanctuaries

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this page: Having a massage at the Soma Centre; Cowshed mani pedi stations; and Ushvani spa pool. opposite page: Liz Earle Ventnor Bay treatment room; and Bliss London store photographed by Patrice Maurein. opening pages: Man walking through rain in London © inmagine.com.

day spasBLISSThe “girls night out” of London day spas, Bliss is a truly unique experience. Guests are lead through the signature aqua and white pedicure area to wait in the relaxation room where instead of boring green tea and celery sticks, you’ll find trays of warm chocolate brownies, cheese platters and even be offered a glass of wine. You can forget hushed voices and gentle music here; the therapists are loud and lively with a clear passion for what they do, offering a truly uplifting experience. They start with a consultation providing practical and constructive advice on everything from what skincare you should be using (it’s refreshing that they recommend a range of brands, instead of just hard selling their own products) to how your diet and suncare habits will impact the long-term quality of your skin. The treatment approach is to focus on results, so the latest modern technology is used in facials, including microdermabrasion, extraction using Bliss’ patented “pore-fector gadget”, and a triple oxygen mask that bubbles on the skin pushing moisture deep into the pores. The results are truly incredible; fine lines are visibly reduced from the moment you step off the treatment bed and you leave the spa not only looking considerably younger and healthier but with some good tips for the future to lengthen the impact of your treatment. www.blissworld.co.uk

THE COWSHEDThe Cowshed has been making waves in London since its launch in 1998, thanks to its social approach to day spas. Combining a coffee shop with a day spa, it’s a place to meet friends, eat homemade cupcakes, drink coffee and enjoy a spot of social grooming. With a range of express packages, it’s the kind of place Londoners drop

into on a regular basis for a post-work glass of wine and a quick pedicure with friends, and that social environment makes for an invigorating and laid-back experience. Therapists wear jeans and t-shirts and are warm and friendly as they usher you into the simple treatment rooms. The Cowshed facial is highly recommended – a hydrating treatment that uses SkinCeuticals products, a brand that pioneered the original topical vitamin C formula that protects skin from premature signs of ageing caused by environmental damage. It’s a classic facial programme, with cleansing, toning, steam extraction, scrub and mask and has fantastic results, leaving you feeling cleansed, hydrated and ready to return to the coffee shop to show the results off to your friends. www.cowshedonline.com

LIZ EARLESince its launch in 1995, Liz Earle has developed a huge following of dedicated fans both in London and throughout the globe. Liz Earle is a renowned specialist in botanical ingredients, natural health and wellbeing. As a beauty editor, author of over 30 books and a TV presenter, she became a well-known and respected authority in these areas and decided to launch her own range of products using naturally active ingredients. Located at the flagship store just off the bustling King’s Road, a trip to the Liz Earle Treatment Rooms will take you via street cafés and fabulous boutiques, making it a destination must-visit in itself. The décor is an extension of the brand values, with simple natural white-washed wood complementing the friendly fresh-faced therapists. There is a range of bespoke naturally active skincare treatments available with a focus on personal pampering.www.uk.lizearle.com

London

KensingtonGardens

BuckinghamPalace

Royal AlbertHall

Earl’sCourt

Harrods

Oxford St

WestminsterAbbey

LondonEye

St Paul’sCathedral

Tower ofLondon

Tower Bridge

BritishMuseum

HydePark

Soho

Mayfair SouthbankSouthwark

Barbican

Strand

Islington

BloomsburyMarylebone

Paddington

Victoria

EustonKing’s Cross

Waterloo

Liverpool St

Camden

Westminster

PimlicoVauxhallChelsea

SouthKensington

Knightsbridge

PiccadillyCircus

CoventGarden

Bayswater

Belgravia

Kensington

Regent’sPark

GreenPark

St. JamesPark

TheatreDistrict

FinancialDistrict

AcademicDistrict

The EastEnd

Museums

R i v e r T h a me

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THE SOMA CENTREProviding Londoners with a sense of inner calm in the heart of Kensington, The Soma Centre is a luxurious private health club with a focus on whole body wellness. It therefore combines complementary therapies and mind body exercise to provide a complete retreat from a hectic lifestyle. The brainchild of Carolan Brown, former personal trainer to Diana, Princess of Wales, the Soma Centre recruits specialist-visiting therapists to provide a range of expertise, from dermatology to meditation. For example, Doctor Jules Nabet specialises in aesthetic anti-ageing techniques, while Joanne Evans provides treatments in rejuvenation, deep cleansing, vein removal, pigmentation, hair removal and peels. There is also a full time make-up artist on hand to perfect your look after a treatment. With a holistic approach to treatments, you may arrive to simply have a facial and end up taking a yoga class.www.somacentre.co.uk

USHVANIA Malaysian day spa in Chelsea, Ushvani is one of London’s most luxurious day spas. Guided by the principles of nurture, total well being, relaxation and healthy indulgence, Ushvani aims to bring the exotic treatments and levels of service from Asia to London. Its range of treatments called “enhancements” focus on end results but also use natural ingredients to create a relaxing experience. It includes an indulgent cocoa and coffee scrub for ultimate skin hydration or a detoxifying ginger and kaffir lime scrub. These treatments are then followed by body wraps of cocoa, coconut milk, hibiscus or banana and honey. The entire experience brings guests a little closer to nature and has fantastic results. www.ushvani.com

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urban retreatsMANDARIN SPAAs you walk up to the spectacular home of The Mandarin Oriental in London, doormen in red coats usher you into a world of marbled opulence, setting the bar high for the spa experience to follow – and it doesn’t disappoint. Having recently been voted “Best UK Hotel Spa” by Condé Nast Traveller, it is a decadent experience that draws on the brand’s Asian heritage. Set in the basement, the clean, stone finishing and statues of Asian gods complement a softly lit Jacuzzi, steam room and solarium, as well as a tranquil relaxation area. Using ESPA products, the treatments are each tailored towards the individual, from the deep tissue massage, which uses fragrant ESPA oils, to the pampering pedicures, which are done while the guest lies on a heated bed. www.mandarinoriental.com/london/spa

AMAN SPA AT THE CONNAUGHTThe Aman Spa in London is the first spa to open outside of an Aman resort and is already a huge hit with Londoners seeking an exotic escape without leaving the city. Bringing a little piece of Aman resorts to London, the spa is decorated with natural light wood, clean lines and subtle lighting to keep the focus on complete relaxation. Treatments are inspired by countries where Aman has a presence, including India, China, Thailand and Native America. All products and techniques used in these treatments are then sourced from their country of origin. The “Inspired by India” treatment is the ultimate of these experiences for complete relaxation. With a deeply meditative approach, the experience aims to balance the energies of the body leaving you feeling “calm and harmonised”. The experience begins with an aromatic Indian footbath, followed by a body scrub with relaxing essential oils, a Chakra balancing treatment and a Samadara facial. The entire experience is an otherworldly lesson in tranquillity.www.the-connaught.co.uk/Aman.aspx

this page: Spa Intercontinental treatment room; Mandarin Oriental spa reception; the Aman spa at The Connaught; and COMO Shambala Spa glass oil bottles at The Metropolitan. opposite page: A synchronized massage at Mandarin Oriental.

ALCHEMY THE CENTRELocated down a hidden alleyway in Camden Market, Alchemy The Centre is an oasis of calm in amongst the clamour of this busy district. The centre takes a holistic approach to wellness, focusing on discovery and transformation of body and mind. Some of the newest and oldest methods sit side by side on the treatment menu and guests can take meditation classes or enjoy a range of holistic therapies. A huge range of yoga classes are also available from Ashtanga to Hatha, as well as life counselling. The Holistic hot oil massage combines techniques from all over the globe, while the acupuncture sessions are conducted by Chinese medicine professionals. The centre provides Londoners with a calm and welcoming community, where they can escape the busy rush of the city and find inner harmony. www.alchemythecentre.co.uk

SPA INTERCONTINENTALThis cool and elegant urban retreat has a Middle Eastern vibe with deep mahogany furnishings and mosaic tiled treatment rooms. A speciality of the spa is the steam temple, a treatment where a combination of mud and clay is applied to the body and face and then left to be absorbed by the skin as guests sit in a crystal steam room. The ocean wrap is also a must try. Clay and then oil are applied to the skin before cocooning the body in a wrap and lowering the guest into a dry floatation tank for the ultimate relaxing experience. The Elemis facials are also expertly executed, with special day packages, such as the “English Rose” experience tailored to include local products and oils. The spa cuisine is the perfect way to end the experience. Bento boxes of healthy, wholesome lunches are offered along with a glass of Champagne to complete the pampering. www.spaintercontinental.com

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where to stayTHE MANDARIN ORIENTALAn incredible and historic building, the Mandarin Oriental in London provides an unforgettable hotel experience. The building was originally a top London gentleman’s club and there is still an atmosphere of a colonial establishment, with maps and travel memorabilia decorating the walls and traditional furnishings providing a truly five-star experience. The suites overlook the whole of London and one glimpse out the window provides a sweeping view of Big Ben, The London Eye and St Paul’s Cathedral, which provide a glittering backdrop to the mahogany furniture, Persian rugs and sparkling marble bathrooms. www.mandarinoriental.com/london

THE METROPOLITANA truly chic experience, The Metropolitan has been a celebrated hangout for the rich and famous since its opening and The Met Bar is a place to see and be seen. The décor is elegant and minimalist, peppered with touches of modern art and splashes of vibrant colour. The rooms take full advantage of the beautiful views over Hyde Park with huge windows providing a light and airy space and décor kept simple and modern to provide a tranquil, urban oasis. www.metropolitan.london.como.bz

THE BERKELEYLike a resort in the middle of Knightsbridge, this hotel may be just a stone’s throw away from the celebrated department store Harrods but with a rooftop pool. The fabulously intimate Blue Bar and white wood panelled rooms, makes it feel like a luxurious country home. The Berkeley expertly fuses traditional hotel values from its long heritage in London with modern service – the perfect example of this fusion is the way ipads are provided on the oak desk alongside the embossed notepaper. www.the-berkeley.co.uk

beauty boutiquesPENHALIGON’SAppointed by the Prince of Wales himself, Penhaligon’s flagship store in Covent Garden is like a trip back in time with Victorian fragrance bottles lining the wallpapered walls and traditional leather cosmetics cases dotting antique chests. Shoppers enjoy a uniquely personal experience and pick up traditional scents, candles and bath and body products. www.penhaligons.com

SPACE NKSpace NK sources the latest cult beauty products and offers a carefully edited selection of high quality, original and effective ranges from innovators and specialists around the world, such as NARS cosmetics, Aromatherpay Associates skincare and Maison Francis Kurkdhian candles. www.spacenk.co.uk

NEAL’S YARDBorn in 1981 in Covent Garden, Neal’s Yard was one of the first pioneers of natural remedies in skincare, which launched the push against the synthetic chemical approach to skin and healthcare. Their vision was to provide a holistic approach to health and beauty and all products are still made naturally in their headquarters in Dorset.www.nealsyardremedies.com

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this page: The Berkeley rooftop pool. opposite page: COMO Shambala Spa back massage at The Metropolitan; Outside Mandarin Oriental; and Six Senses Spa hydrotherapy pool at Pan Peninsula.

SIX SENSES SPA AT PAN PENINSULAProviding busy Londoners in Canary Wharf with a 650 square metre spa escape, Six Senses provides a retreat from city life with its range of rejuvenating Asian-influenced therapies combined with holistic lifestyle guidance. An airy yet relaxing space, the spa fuses elements of traditional Asian architecture with modern facilities such as a luxurious bio-thermal circuit with a chromotherapy steam cabin, crystal laconium, traditional dry sauna, sensory shower and hydrotherapy pool. The spa recently launched a range of pioneering treatments, which use Voya products, the first genuinely organic seaweed-based cosmetic products in the world. Originally from Ireland, the brand uses hand-harvested seaweed, which is organic certified in a range of traditional Irish seaweed baths and treatments. The Voya body treatment is not only incredibly effective but also completely relaxing. The skin is polished to glowing perfection, while the seaweed products infuse the skin with natural oils that both intensely moisturise the skin and relax the muscles. www.sixsenses.com/six-senses-spas/pan-peninsula

THE BERKELEYLike walking into a Saint Tropez-style hangout, The Berkeley has a fabulous rooftop pool overlooking Knightsbridge. Surrounded by white pillars, with classic aqua tiling, this spa is an oasis of calm that feels more like a rustic countryside getaway. Using [comfort zone] products, most of the treatments provide a classic spa experience.

The “ultimate spa ritual for her” starts with a rejuvenating fruit full body peel, which is left to naturally absorb dead skin cells and is then showered off to reveal incredibly smooth skin. Essential oils are then massaged into the body and a customised facial hydrates the skin leaving it glowing. www.the-berkeley.co.uk

COMO SHAMBALA AT THE METROPOLITANThe COMO Shambala Spa is both minimalist as well as comfortable. The moment you walk through the door, you are greeted with the COMO Shambala’s notoriously welcoming service and the therapists are incredibly passionate and knowledgeable about what they do. There’s a practical approach to the spa experience, with simple steam room and treatment rooms, where the focus is on the end results – this means it appeals to men as much as women. The signature massage is not to be missed. Guests choose one of the six signature blended oils that have been specially created for COMO Shambala and are applied using a massage combination of long strokes and deep-tissue massage. The technique was developed in London drawing influences from Thailand and Scandinavia and is constantly updated with new methods garnered from the COMO Shambala resorts around the world. www.metropolitan.london.como.bz