Claridge’s Spa, London – the art of being a luxury spa goer means letting yourself be looked after and pampered. Have your senses pummelled and let your brain switch off. Claridge’s Spa blends the elegance of tradition with the zen of healing.
Claridge’s Spa
Claridge’s Spa is an epicentre of wellness, showcasing healing rituals, a knowledge of restorative body work and the latest bio-innovation to amplify emotional, physical and spiritual wellbeing. Feel your soul lighten as you step inside, your senses heighten at the sound of flowing water, a visual play of light and shadow and energy-cleansing music. Breathe in the heady aromas from our incense, hand-crafted herbal poultices and custom fragrance, with grounding notes of cinnamon, cedarwood and clary sage. Intricate ikebana floral arrangements, inspired by the rhythm of the seasons, provide a backdrop to this otherworldly space. Sip seasonal tea blend or crystal-infused water and let your journey begin. The space, designed by interior architect André Fu, is inspired by his own visits to traditional Japanese temples and Zen gardens in Kyoto, with a use of natural elements such as limestone, wood and water.
The spa features an intimate, electrolyte-rich relaxation pool, male and female steam rooms and saunas and six luxurious treatment rooms with private bathrooms. A heavenly, hand-carved pink-onyx stone bed features in our wet room, ready to melt your physical and emotional stress away.
Pamper or Preen
I believe quite genuinely in the true meaning of both pampering and preening as they are linked. You would have to be living in outer space to not feel or experience the rise in stress in the world we live. I suffer from anxiety and so having a space which is tranquil and where emotionally one is looked after is so important. I remember producing a video for The Spa Business Association years ago and whilst interviewing Sarah Camilleri, who is now the editorial director of European spa magazine, she spoke about the power of touch. A phrase that I have always remembered. Empathy is a relatively simple but oh so powerful tool as it basically allows the receiver to feel love, be cared for and importantly switch their brain off.
And preening, well we all want to look our best but equally looking our best should make us feel calmer, and more at ease.
So, the two things absolutely go together to give you the perfect spa experience.
How to experience the Claridge’s Pool at its best
Get changed not in a rush and switch your phone off.
Then pretend you are on holiday, put your robe on, and take some water and tissues. Shower and then do some exercise. You have a beautiful swimming pool in central London so use it.
The pool is central to the spa, framed by a striking, multi-vaulted ceiling and stone columns. Cabanas set back from the water offer privacy to relax and unwind.
Do some lengths so you have exercised a bit which in itself will aid helping reduce tension. Then once you have finished have a play in the pool, pretend you are on a desert island or a ten your old enjoying the water. Then retreat to the cabanas which are poolside. There you can really just drift off and maybe even have a mini snooze.
It’s funny that I talk about the sounds of the pool which are very low level but give one a different but slightly similar feel to that of being by the sea.
Now it’s time to be cocooned in your luxury treatment room. You have treatment options but for me a classic touch of spa luxury is to have a scrub followed by a 90-minute massage that will allow your body some nurturing.
La-Eva Body Treatments
The organic brand by former psychologist Louisa Canham which melds skincare with a holistic philosophy has designed a collection of uplifting and transporting body treatments. The sensorial body treatments feature artful layers of fragrance, music and massage to nurture mind and body alike.
Claridge’s Spa Treatment Rooms
I have to complement the choice of bed and bedding as its one of the best I have tried. A decent width, plenty of padding with a divine comforter that really puts your body at ease. I loved the slippers, though I found the robes slightly over complicated, and my therapist had all the true empathetic touches you would expect coming from Bali.
Rose Body Scrub (45 minutes)
A full body exfoliation using La-Eva Rosēum exfoliant and bath salts, which draw on the therapeutic properties of organic essential oils, Himalayan salt and mineral-rich fleur de sel sourced from the Algarve. This treatment can only be reserved in combination with treatments of 60 minutes or more.
Deep Release Massage (90 minutes)
A holistic, invigorating treatment with rocking body movements to release tension and unlock body and mind. This deep tissue massage uses warm, organic base oils and the La-Eva Spīce essential oil blend, ending with a transporting scalp massage with the luxurious Jasmīna oil.
The Art of Relaxing
Ultimately you are trying to switch your brain off so please remember therapists are there to help, so do ask as letting others help is a big part of letting someone else take over. It’s also about trust which is really important.
How to spa
As a luxury spa goer take your time and let yourself be pampered. Dress in leisure and as it was a hot day, I was in holiday mode so I thought I would be a bit cheeky and test the system totally unplanned or requested. I had not bought any spare clothes with me so I asked for my t-shirt, underwear and socks to be laundered and though this is of course an extra, later when I came to get dress it had been and as you would expect it was beautifully presented.
It’s all about the little details…
The Post Spa Glow
If you want to take in the whole experience, try to plan something for your evening that’s gentle but uplifting. A walk by the water, a movie, an early dinner or reading a book.
Try to find some space so you can get into bed at a good time and just let your body and mind settle, face mask on and earplugs for me.
and then just let go and enjoy the feeling your body has.
Claridge’s Spa
https://www.claridges.co.uk/spa/