London’s ceaseless rhythms can leave even the most seasoned traveller feeling a tad frazzled. But even amid the whirlwind of city life, pockets of serenity can be found. From subterranean pools with underwater soundtracks to body-bolstering massages and Om-inducing rituals, we’ve rounded up the best spa hotels in London, where stress melts away like butter on a hot crumpet. Prepare to be pampered, polished, and positively rejuvenated in these inner-city oases of calm.
SHOREDITCH HOUSE
Shoreditch House’s Cowshed Spa reflects the unconventional character of the city’s buzzy east end with a range of outside-the-box treatments tailored for both body and mind. Their signature hydrafacial will smooth away the effects of one too many of the bar’s signature picantes, and a colourful manicure will keep you up to speed with the fashion mavens of the sixth-floor clubhouse. If you’re keen to dig deeper, collagen-boosting light treatments, creative block-busting sound therapy, CBD-infused massages and energy-healing reiki sessions chart a more holistic path to wellness. And with a revolving calendar of residences from expert practitioners across the world, there’s always something new to discover.
NOBU PORTMAN SQUARE
The Nobu brand is best known for its beloved Japanese cuisine and devout celebrity following. It’s lesser known for its spa offerings, which deserve fame in their own right for fusing cutting-edge technology and age-old tradition. At London’s Portman Square outpost, Nobu’s wellness centre spans three ‘Zen’ treatment rooms where weathered urbanites can find reprieve through neurolymphatic stimulation, anti-pollution mist infusions and cryotherapy. Wind back the years with an anti-ageing facial using Noble Panacea creams and serums to promote radiant skin; or book in for the Nobu Signature Ritual: a stretching-inspired massage designed to balance body and mind. Once you’re feeling limber check into the hotel’s gym studio, where rows of top-of-the-line reformer machines can help you achieve the long lean muscles of a ballet dancer with half the commitment.
THE LONDONER
Leicester Square may seem like an unlikely spot to encounter serenity, but in the subterranean spa of smack-bang-in-the-middle stay the Londoner, that’s exactly what you’ll find. The Retreat spa offers an instant salve for inner-city life, with its aquamarine hydropool, sauna, steam room and string of secluded cabanas from which to sip purifying smoothies while wrapped up in a fluffy robe. Body treatments by Ishga harness the many benefits of over 86 vitamins and minerals —to be precise — from hand-harvested Hebrides seaweed, while facials by Omorovicza and massages by Ila guarantee all-natural kneading with their gentle oils and balms. Spa-averse chaps, there are grooming rituals tailored to you by Gentlemen’s Tonic and Joe Vipond – think traditional cut-throat shaves and deep-cleansing facials. And if tearing yourself away from your spacious suite sounds like a big ask, you can book from a specialised menu of in-room treatments, too.
COMO METROPOLITAN LONDON
Park Lane is one of the city’s most iconic addresses, largely thanks to Como Metropolitan London and its holistic Como Shambhala Urban Escape spa. Meaning ‘peace’ in Sanskrit, Shambhala alludes to the pursuit of balance, which guests can find in a number of Asian-influenced treatments from shiatsu and Thai massage to acupuncture and champissage. Guinot and Dr Hauschka help to eliminate signs of fatigue with their facials, while Shambhala Kitchen dishes out nutrition-optimised snacks to keep you glowing from the inside out. Dedicated therapists have been trained and accredited to provide specialist treatments for prenatal guests and those touched by cancer, too; and there are yearly yoga and meditation retreats, which use Hyde Park’s leafy surrounds as a blissful backdrop.
ONE ALDWYCH
One Aldwych’s 18-metre subterranean pool makes a fine spot to seek solace when the city’s relentless hustle leaves you feeling frayed. Chlorine-free, it’s cleaned by nature’s own hand and is enhanced by soft mood lighting. An underwater music system means you can submerge yourself into a symphony of sound, making your strokes more rhythmic than ever. In the spa, let skilled therapists — armed with the finest elixirs from leading British brand Oskia, and Spanish skincare specialist Natura Bissé — coax your skin back to its natural radiance. And whether you’re an early riser or a night owl, the gym’s doors are always open, a silent invitation to prioritise yourself and find balance amid the city’s chaos.
ROSEWOOD LONDON
Insurance buildings are typically imposing places, and Rosewood London’s Holborn address is no different. The former Pearl Assurance headquarters turned super-luxe hotel feels more Downton Abbey than midtown London with its wrought-iron gates and stately home feel. But that formidable swagger dissipates when you descend to the hotel’s Sense Spa, where bamboo walls, atmospheric lighting and wooden walkways soften the mood. Taking a uniquely British approach to healing, Sense focuses on local products and traditions — from the magnesium-rich Epsom salts of Surrey to the beautifying properties of the good old English rose. Turn back the clock with skin peels and collagen facials courtesy of A-lister favourite, Face Place; book a muscle-melting massage; or keep time at bay the old-fashioned way at the Fitness Suite, which has two naturally lit rooms filled with with state-of-the-art Technogym equipment.
THE NED
The wellness space at the Ned is exceptional in more ways than one. Housed in the vaults of a former bank, it claims the biggest hammam in Europe, a quirky nail bar where you can catch up on your favourite shows while having your cuticles buffed and a 20-metre spa pool. Plus, if you’re a member, you can soak up the city sun at the rooftop pool, which overlooks St Paul’s Cathedral – its poolside day-beds even come with bells you can ring to have a cold-pressed juice (or even a glass of wine) placed straight in your — perfectly manicured — hand. And, with the Soho House team on design duty, you won’t find any lotus flowers or Buddha statues here, either. Instead, expect hand-painted de Gourney wallpaper, retro scallop lights, dreamy green marble and parquet flooring. As for treatments, there are cryotherapy and LED facials, resurfacing peels and non-surgical anti-wrinkle solutions alongside a whole host of massages and scrubs.
THE BEAUMONT
Tucked away in the heart of Mayfair, the Beaumont hotel is one of the most sophisticated spots to unwind in, with a white-marble spa decked out in contrasting mosaics. In keeping with the hotel’s art deco disposition, changing rooms are fitted with jade-green lacquered doors and tobacco-leather ottomans, while white-leather-and-chrome recliners are sunk into the 20-metre pool. Despite the space being on the intimate side, it fits in a wide range of thermotherapy treatments, with a wooden sauna, elegantly tiled hammam, cold shower and — for the more courageous among you — an ice plunge. Treatments here are tailor-made to your needs and encompass everything from body wraps and aromatherapy to deep tissue and pregnancy massages.
THE OTHER HOUSE
Healing extends far beyond traditional spa treatments at the Other Space, Kensington stay the Other House’s aptly named health hub, where shamanic rituals, multi-textured soundscapes, cacao ceremonies, and breathwork sessions create a tapestry of experiences designed to nourish your mind, body and soul. There’s a dawn-till-dusk vitality pool with strategically placed acupuncture jets, a sauna and steam room, as well as daily yoga and meditation classes in a specially designed wellness studio. When you’re not Zen-ed out mid-gong bath or wallowing in the Jacuzzi, you can push your limits at the hotel gym, which has been curated by competitive British track athlete Reece Bowers. It covers core muscles outwards with Peloton bikes, a TRX Pro 46 suspension system, boxing bags, free weights and more.
Feeling refreshed? Put your best foot forward in London’s best hotel bars. Balance, am I right?