A pool with a view in Battersea (Picture: art’hotel Battersea Power Station)
Ah, London. It’s hardly a place known for it’s relaxing qualities, but hidden in the city’s chaos are blissful pockets of respite.
From weekend-long spa breaks to quick spa stops after work, like everything else, London has it all.
We’ve taken on the task (we know, poor us) of reviewing some of the options the capital has on offer in the way of wellness.
From spas in fancy hotels in quieter parts of London, to treatment rooms nestled into bustling sociable roads, there’s something for every vibe you could want.
With chilly temperature, and the new year not far off, there’s no better time to treat yourself.
art’otel Battersea Power Station
The bright hotel is art focused, making it as much a visual delight as a physical one (Picture: art’hotel Battersea Power Station)
Reviewed by Tanyel Mustafa, Lifestyle Reporter
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For a day or weekend-long city spa experience away from the hustle and bustle of central London, art’otel should be high on your list. Located right next to the Power Station, you can shop and browse before taking your weary feet to one of the massage rooms for a bit of rest and relaxation.
The hotel has a rooftop pool on the 16th floor overlooking the Power Station – dreamy – and it’s heated, so even while swimming the rain, I stayed warm and enjoyed the view across south London.
Then take yourself all the way down the building to the wellness area, which comes with a gym, sauna, steam room and treatment rooms.
I was impressed by the variety of equipment in the gym, as I often find hotel gyms can be quite ‘bare bones’. After using some weights, I dipped into the sauna and steam rooms – which were unoccupied, and therefore very peaceful.
Massages that truly work out the kinks (Picture: art’hotel Battersea Power Station)
Next, I opted for the 60-minute Health Massage, which, as well as soothing out sore limbs, also has a stretching element that helped open my body out, as I’m always hunched over a laptop.
It was so relaxing, I was close to falling asleep – though my therapist kept me awake (thankfully) by giving me personalised tips to improve my muscle health. You could make that your fleeting spa escape, or stay for the whole weekend to indulge in more.
I dined at Tozi, the hotel’s Italian restaurant, and ate the crab pasta which I’d highly recommend. The rooms are plush and stylish too if you’re staying, being inspired by modern art and with aesthetically pleasing tones you likely have on your Pinterest board. Perfect for couples, friends, and mother-daughter duos alike, art’hotel won’t disappoint.
The Health massage is £195 for 60 minutes, Tozi dinner dishes start from around £15, and rooms start from approximately £290 per night.
Four Seasons Park Lane Spa
Reviewed by Lizzie Thomson, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
Five star luxury (Picture: Four Seasons Park Lane)
Who doesn’t want to blow off steam (quite literally) sitting in a sauna overlooking central London? At the Four Seasons Park Lane spa, this is possible – and then some.
As the spa is located on the 10th floor of the popular London hotel, this really is a secret sanctuary amidst the hustle and bustle that lies below. Plus, it means incredible views of the city skyline from your treatment room as well – and it’s well worth booking in for a treatment.
My massage (the Five Element Aromatherapy option) was quite possibly the best I’ve ever experienced.
The pressure was firm and all my problem areas were thoroughly worked on, but the whole experience was incredibly relaxing too.
I actually left the massage feeling noticeably looser and like it had really made a difference to my knotty back and shoulders.
The spa also offers a unique individual sound bath experience, which is well worth a try as an alternative way to meditate.
Elsewhere, in the spa you’ll find the steam room, sauna and a small plunge pool – which is sadly not big enough for a proper swim. But it’s the only tiny downside to this exceptional spa.
This five-star luxury hotel is well-worth splashing out for – even if you’re not staying in the hotel.
The Five Element Aromatherapy massage is £255 for 90 minutes.
Banya No.1 Hoxton
A steam room in one of London’s cooler spots (Picture: Banya No.1 Hoxton)
Reviewed by Jess Austin, Platform Editor
When my friend first suggested we go to Banya No.1 Hoxton and explained the treatments on offer, my first reaction was: ‘They beat you with twigs? That can’t be relaxing’.
What she was describing was a parenie, where you lay on a wooden table in the steam room and someone uses big leafy bundles of birch, oak and eucalyptus to stir the hot air around your body, occasionally pressing the hot vegetation into your skin.
And it turns out I was wrong – it is relaxing. I’ve just come back from my second trip to the spa, having this time opted for the Silver Package. This time, alongside a parenie, I got an invigorating honey and salt scrub and mud mask.
Our treatments were well placed in between our trips to the steam room, pouring buckets of cold water on our heads, taking a dip in the chilly plunge pool, and enjoying herbal teas, pickles and – my favourite – potato pancakes with sour cream in the individual booths they provide to all guests.
The Silver Package is £135 during peak time and lasts for three hours.
Hotel Café Royal
The aromatherapy massage will awaken your senses (Picture: Cafe Royal Akasha)
Reviewed by Lizzie Thomson, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
Situated off London’s Piccadilly Circus, this spa really is a hidden oasis nestled amongst central London madness.
The spa, named Akasha, is the perfect place to unwind on so many levels – with the sauna, steam room and jacuzzi waiting in the wings, should you wish to use them.
I’d thoroughly recommend turning the jets on on the jacuzzi chair and enjoying a few minutes of peace and quite in the secluded spot.
Also, the 60 ft-long pool means you can swim some lengths surrounded by peaceful mood lighting, or simply lounge on a daybed and relax right beside it. It’s a swim experience like no other.
The spa’s aromatherapy massage will awaken your senses and can be customised depending on how you want your feel (rejuvenated, relaxed, destressed etc).
The consultation at the start was a great touch for explaining exactly what you wanted to get out of the massage.
It’s the little touches at this spa that make it a lovely choice – plus the hotel’s idyllic pool is worthy of a visit alone, even if you’re not getting treatment.
The weekday escape package is priced at £195 per person and comes with a 90 minute Massage or facial plus 90 minutes access to the facilities and a two-course lunch.
Cowshed Spa
You’ll probably begin to drift off, being worked on here (Picture: Cowshed)
Everyone covets the Soho House group – but not everyone wants to shell out on a membership. The Cowshed spa is one way in for ‘regular’ people, if for a brief moment, to glimpse what life could be like as member of the sought-after club.
Balance Body & Mind Massage
Reviewed by Tanyel Mustafa, Lifestyle Reporter
For this 60-minute treatment at the Cowshed Spa at Shoreditch House. I got to pick which Cowshed oil was used (I went for geranium – it smells heavenly).
It was a slightly more intense massage than I prefer, however, the proof of that being better for me was in how I felt when I stood up after it was over.
As the therapist worked deeply on my tender mid to upper back, I left feeling taller, looser, and my chest had noticeably opened up. Sometimes it’s not what you want, rather what you need.
The Balance Body & Mind Massage is £90 for 60 minutes.
Cowshed Signature Facial
Reviewed by Kristina Beanland, Deputy Lifestyle Editor
I’ve only ever had one facial prior to this, and it was heaven, so I headed off to the Cowshed Spa at Primrose Hill with a spring in my step.
This isn’t a ‘spa’ in the sense that there is no sauna or ‘different-ways-to-sweat’ rooms, but it’s still very relaxing, with a boho aesthetic, dim lighting and big, squishy chairs.
The facial itself was split into three parts: a cleanse, followed by a skin-consultation, then a mask, during which time you can opt for a scalp, foot or hand massage.
This treatment is for someone with a keen interest in skincare, and is looking for honest advice and tips on how to improve their current routine. At one point, the lights were turned all the way up while the ‘extractions’ took place (read: the therapist squeezed my blackheads).
As someone who has dealt with skin issues in the past (hello, adult acne) the therapist had a straight forward approach, which I was a little taken aback by at first, but ultimately I came away with some useful recommendations and tweaks which I’ve implemented at home. And the foot massage was dreamy too.
The Cowshed Signature Facial is £100 for 60 minutes.
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From weekend-long spa breaks to quick spa stops after work, like everything else, London has it all.