Ah, the allure of a spa break! Visions of grand country estates and secluded retreats often spring to mind. But what if we told you that a fantastic spa experience can be found right in the heart of bustling London? Combining the urban buzz with a tranquil oasis is a stroke of genius, offering a perfect respite after exploring the city’s vibrant streets. Gone are the days of basic spa treatments in cramped spaces. London’s spa scene is now super-luxe and cutting-edge, boasting bio-feedback training, decompression pods, and superfood clinics. No matter your preferred spa style, we’ve got you covered with options spanning from Hyde Park to Liverpool Street, via Leicester Square. Let’s dive into the city’s best spa hotels!
London’s Grand Spa Hotels: A Luxurious Escape
The Berkeley: A Knightsbridge Oasis
Step into The Berkeley, a true Knightsbridge grande dame, and be enveloped by its five-star charm. The hotel’s crowning jewel is its heated outdoor rooftop pool and the exquisite Bamford Wellness Spa. Nestled on the seventh floor, the spa feels like an English country garden floating high above the city. Imagine yourself unwinding after a treatment in the secret garden, adorned with daybeds and bursting with blooms in summer. The spa’s core philosophy is holistic and organic, with Bamford Haybarn leading most treatments and British brand OSKIA pampering you with facials. Enhance your experience with one-on-one yoga and Pilates classes or join special summer events like hula hooping or synchronized swimming (check the website for the latest schedules).
Richmond Harbour Hotel & Spa: Where History Meets Tranquility
A beautifully restored 18th-century Georgian building now houses the Richmond Harbour Hotel & Spa. This charming hotel boasts modern interiors, a restaurant terrace with heaters, and an enviable location just a stone’s throw from Richmond Park. But it’s the spa that truly steals the show. Immerse yourself in the 20-meter indoor swimming pool, perfect for a leisurely swim or a few laps. The spa also features a sauna, steam room, and a stylish relaxation room with cozy hanging egg-shaped beds. Step outside into the serene garden, where you’ll find two Scandinavian hot tubs and a revitalizing vitality pool. The hotel also offers a high-tech gym with classes and 13 treatment rooms, including the highly recommended Drift Away massage. This spa is excellent value compared to other London hotel spas, and children are welcome in the pool at designated times.
Four Seasons Park Lane: A Rooftop Retreat with Stunning Views
Four Seasons Park Lane, situated in London’s prestigious Mayfair neighborhood, exudes bold and classy design, blending 1930s Art Deco elegance with unique charm. What truly sets this spa apart are the unparalleled views from its rooftop. Imagine taking in the breathtaking panorama of Hyde Park’s Dutch elms and copper beeches while relaxing in the sauna. Prior to your treatment, indulge in the luxurious pampering offered by the vitality pool, complete with bubbles and underwater seating. The wood-clad relaxation room, featuring leather, camel-colored pods, a gold-mask feature wall, and an abundance of magazines and herbal tea, is the perfect place to unwind.
London’s Trendsetting Spa Hotels: A Modern Oasis
The Londoner: A Super-Boutique Spa Experience
The Londoner, London’s first self-proclaimed super-boutique hotel, made a grand entrance in late 2021 after 14 years and £500 million in development. Its lively bar and restaurant spaces have cemented its place as one of the capital’s hottest new spots, but the elegant basement spa is truly something special. You’ll want to return again and again. Spend an afternoon lounging on the cabana beds around the pool, enjoying the sauna, and steam room. The extensive treatment menu features facials by Omorovicza and massages by Ila. While traditional deep tissue massages are available, the spa also offers more holistic options, such as the Harmony massage. This unique treatment blends Tibetan acupressure and scalp massage, leaving you feeling like you’ve had several treatments in one. The hotel also boasts a Hiro Miyosh hair and beauty salon, an AMA nail bar, and a healthy Refuel superfood and juice “clinic,” all incredibly cool.
Corinthia London: A Landmark Spa Destination
The Corinthia London, housed in a landmark building, underwent one of the most lavish makeovers in the UK’s history. Its scale and the quality of its fixtures and fittings brought an impressive contemporary wow factor to the area. The spa, one of the hotel’s most remarkable features, is a true showstopper. This flagship ESPA spa is spread across four floors and features a steam room, 17 treatment rooms, a private spa suite, a nail studio, a super-cool indoor swimming pool, a vitality pool, an amphitheater sauna, an ice fountain, marble heated loungers, and private sleep pods. The spa’s ESPA treatments are renowned for their ability to de-stress, release muscle tension, and uplift, with various packages available. The Pure Indulgence Body Ritual is a true testament to the spa’s luxurious offerings.
Aman at The Connaught: A Journey Through Global Wellness
Aman at The Connaught is one of London’s most refined hotels, but it’s far from pretentious. It seamlessly blends old-world charm with a modern touch, creating a unique ambiance. Step inside and you’ll be greeted by dark polished woods, shiny marble floors and pillars, and cream-colored corniced ceilings alongside airy, contemporary rooms. This same sophisticated vibe extends to the sleek Aman-branded spa, with deep woods, glossy marble, and minimalist lines. The black-granite swimming pool sits at the heart of the spa, surrounded by loungers, and there’s a small aromatic steam room. Beyond the standard therapies, the spa offers signature experiences inspired by different parts of the world. If you have a couple of hours to spare, treat yourself to the Native American-inspired signature experience, a combination of massages incorporating ancient Navajo techniques.
London’s Hidden Spa Gems: Exclusive Escapes
The Rosewood London: A Luxurious Retreat in the Heart of the City
It’s hard to believe that a veritable palace like The Rosewood London is tucked away just off bustling High Holborn. Despite its effortless elegance, the hotel maintains a playful spirit, with touches like cages of fake birds and models of a bulldog and bear by the elevators. The dark and sultry corridors are adorned with eye-catching details, such as a rose gold mirrored ceiling. The Sense spa is a soothing oasis, a labyrinth of black slate with a relaxation room, sauna, and steam facilities in the changing rooms, plus dedicated treatment rooms. The spa’s heated beds, adjustable at both ends, are a highlight, and the deep tissue Maison Caulières massage is a perfect choice for releasing those troublesome knots. The hotel also boasts a gym, with fruit and headphones provided for your workout.
The Lanesborough: An Exclusive Spa Sanctuary
The Lanesborough is known for its exceptionally high room rates, but what many don’t know is that you can experience its exclusive spa for just £150 per day. Alternatively, if you spend £250 on treatments, you can enjoy the spa facilities free of charge. Guests are welcomed into a shadowy, magazine-filled relaxation room with call buttons for complimentary refreshments. The spa offers treatments using products by ila, La Prairie, Tata Harper, and Lanesborough’s own brand. After your treatment, explore the scent-infused experience showers, steam room, sauna, and small swimming pool with a whirlpool. The hotel also boasts a club lounge with a smoothie bar and vegetarian restaurant, a large gym with top-of-the-range equipment, and a Daniel Galvin Jr hair salon.
A Spa Experience for Every Taste in London
London’s spa scene is more diverse than ever, offering something for everyone. From opulent rooftop retreats to serene garden oases, you’ll find the perfect spa experience to rejuvenate and unwind. So, escape the hustle and bustle of city life and treat yourself to a luxurious spa day in the heart of London.
