Happy 2014!! To get the year off to a cracking start, I decided to visit the May Fair Spa - in the rather gorgeously scented May Fair Hotel!
Cleanliness ~ 9.5/10
Relaxation Factor ~ 9/10
Treatment ~ 8/10
Customer Service ~ 9.5/10
Facilities ~ 8.5/10
Grand Total ~ 8.9/10
The Highs
- Treatments. The first half was divine. Divine! I had a milk and honey body wrap which started with a full body salt scrub. In contrast to my experience at the Corinthia, this was done very well. It smelled fabulous and the therapist really covered all the areas that needed to be without rushing. After washing it off (there's a shower in the treatment room) I was ready for the actual wrap itself. I lay on what can only be described as some type of cling-film-tissue-paper-combo (!) as the mixture was applied. Afterwards, I was wrapped up and covered with a warm blanket. Then came the hot oil scalp massage (I'd chosen orange blossom) at which point I fell asleep. The true sign of a fab treatment! Then it was back to the shower to wash it all off before my 90 minute (yes, you read that correctly) body massage. I had a light to medium pressure used on me. After this came a 45 minute facial. Both the massage and the facial were performed using Murad products (the 'Essential-C Cleanser' was very refreshing). Nothing out of this world in terms of technique (the Sofitel massage is still the tops) but the products did leave my skin looking very hydrated and happy! My therapist was also very good in terms of interaction - just enough to let me know what she was about to do and to discuss any specific requirements but not in any way disrupting the treatments. Thumbs up!
- Location. The spa was just a few minutes walk from Green Park station.
- Products. I mentioned one of the products above. The other impressive one was the AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser - gentle but effective. I had absolutely no adverse reaction the next day. The products available in the changing room showers were from the 'Essential Elements' range by Gilchrist & Soames. They were wonderful too and probably the nicest I've come across to date - I'm very tempted to buy them to recreate the experience at home!
- Customer Service. It was very easy to book and I received a courtesy reminder call the day before. The lady on reception when I arrived was very friendly and showed me around the facilities.
The In-Betweens
- Atmosphere. I seem to have a knack for picking times of day when no one else is around. This time, again, I pretty much had the entire spa to myself! I arrived an hour beforehand in order to use the steam and sauna rooms and found that I was the only one in there - perfect! I was also the only one using the changing rooms (which are small but fit for purpose). All of this combined with the treatment length is what made me give it a 9/10. The reason for writing about it in the in-betweens? Minor quibble but either the corridor outside the treatment rooms needs a carpet or there needs to be a soft-footwear rule! During my massage I could hear people walking up and down and talking too. It was a tad disruptive when I was trying to switch off.
- Treatment structure. For the price, what you get is amazing. However, it is a long set of treatments (3hrs 15 mins) and there is no break in the middle. Considering that I'd been there since 11.30am, by the end of the afternoon I was starving. A mini-lunch or provision of some healthy snacks would have been ideal. There were some apples in the relaxation room but I'm allergic to these so I just had to make do with water.
- Facilities. I think picking a cold weekday in January was probably great timing - the changing room and facilities are fairly small so it wouldn't be as relaxing if it were even a bit more busier than it was. Hairdryers and straighteners were provided, as were brushes - for the latter, I'm not a fan of communal ones so maybe some disposable combs would have been a better idea. Do note that slippers are not provided and the robes look as if they've seen better days, but were perfectly clean. Towels were perfectly adequate although not in abundant supply. As with the Sofitel, this isn't a large spa so there is no pool. Not being a fan of luke-warm water, I didn't mind this at all. Bring on the sauna heat as far as I'm concerned!!
The Lows
None. I didn't encounter anything that made me frown!
Overall
it was a very nice experience. The customer service was excellent and the spa rooms were clean and atmospheric (see pic above!). If you'd like to try the same experience, I chose the Frangipani and Lotus Ceremony - at the time I booked this was £279. Definitely value for money - I left feeling incredibly relaxed and very Cleopatra-ish!
Would
I go again? I'd definitely visit just for that wonderful milk and honey scrub - that was heavenly. Well done, the May Fair.
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| (c) Corinthia |
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For an extra-special birthday treat this week, I decided to spend a day at the oh-so luxurious ESPA at the Corinthia Hotel in London.
Cleanliness ~ 9/10
Relaxation Factor ~ 10/10
Treatment ~ 6.5/10
Customer Service ~ 9.5/10
Facilities ~ 10/10
Grand Total ~ 9/10
The Highs
- Facilities. Pure decadence. Absolutely huge (for a central London hotel) and beautifully designed. It's all glossy walls and concealed doors. Even during the start of the busy period at the end of the day it didn't feel at all crowded. The amphitheatre-style sauna was my favourite - surrounded by glass so none of that claustrophobic feeling. The steam room was the hottest I've come across so far - I loved it but if you don't fancy getting your nose hairs singed then it might not be for you! The pool was smallish but adequate with leather sofas along one side. There was also a hydro-pool which I didn't test out as I've decided I don't enjoy being buffeted about by jets (lightweight!). The changing rooms were gorgeous with combination-lock units that required no coinage (take heed, Careys Manor). Each set of lockers had an attached shower room which was more than big enough. I loved that the showers were easy to use and there was no period of waiting for the water to get warm enough (big bug bear). There were also sauna and steam rooms in the changing rooms. The spa has it's own dining area so you don't have to mingle with the hotel guests in your robe and slippers.
- Location. Literally a stone's throw from Embankment underground station on one side and Charing Cross rail station on the other.
- Atmosphere. Having been a stressy month I was worried about whether I'd be able to switch off enough to enjoy my treatments but he-llo sweet relaxation!! Probably the fact that it's designed so well meant that from the minute I walked in I totally forgot about the world outside. It stayed that way until I very reluctantly had to leave. Glasses of water were plentiful, fresh fruit was available in the changing rooms, lots of reading materials scattered around and staff appeared on time for treatments so it was all in all a very smooth day. I knocked a point off the cleanliness because there were some gowns and towels lying around and hair in the dresser (there are big vanity units by the lockers which contain hairdryers, combs, dental kits, shower caps etc).
- Sleeping pods. Oh yes. Probably my most favourite feature and one that I wish I'd had longer to make full use of. One room has been set aside for a wonderfully relaxing area where a wood burner hangs in the middle, surrounded by a number of large private alcoves filled with cushions and blankets. Each has a curtain that can be pulled across so you can relax in peace. Bliss!!
- Products. I do like my organic lotions and potions. All the products used were ESPA (naturally) and free of parabens, silicones and other nasties. You can read more about the ingredients here. I've now got my eye on the Balancing Foam Cleanser which was used in my facial and felt like whipped cream as well as smelling divine!
The In-Betweens
- Treatments. You'll notice that the treatment score was quite low - this was an average taken from the individual scores for each. I chose the Summer Essentials package (£350) which included: Salt and oil scrub (6/10); ESPA personalised massage (7/10); ESPA personalised facial (8/10) and the choice of either an advanced manicure or essential pedicure - I opted for the former (5/10). The facial was absolutely lovely - I was left with peachy, plump skin and no oily mess (hurrah!). The body massage was fine - nothing overly great but I did get a bit snoozy which is always a positive sign. The scrub was average - it was a little dry and the next day I noticed some scratch marks (!). The manicure was what really pulled down the score but I'll address that in the next section..
- Lunch. Lunch with a free glass of bubbly was included. The ESPA has it's own chef and there is a menu of healthy (of course!) dishes. I chose roasted ginger and spinach soup to start with a main of steamed salmon. I have never ever seen soup that green before. Once I got my head around the vividness of it, it was actually quite delicious. The salmon was nice - perfectly light although I prefer mine a bit less jelly-like.
The Lows
- Manicure. This was distinctly average. In fact, it wasn't quite up to the standard of my normal mani which I do myself (bar the wax treatment which was rather nice). The application of the Essie polish was a tad sloppy to say the least. Quite disappointing - I would rather have just had another treatment or spent more time on the thermal floor (where the main spa facilities are).
Overall
it was a gloriously relaxing day. Don't let the low score of the treatments put you off - I think next time I'd skip the package and select a couple of other things from the spa menu. I arrived at 9am and had the place to myself for at least the first hour (wonderful) and then spent another hour just taking it easy before my treatments started - I'd totally advise doing this if you can and then be prepared to leave the building at the end of the day, floating on clouds!
Would
I go again? For a special treat, yes I would. It's just a bit too pricey for me to justify visiting more than once or twice a year. I met a lady there whose husband had bought her an annual membership so she was a regular - I think that might be the path to take (!) She also gave me some tips on her other preferred London spas so watch this space - I'll be working my way around them in the coming months!! ;o)
Cleanliness ~ 7/10
Relaxation Factor ~ 7/10
Treatment ~ 8/10
Customer Service ~ 7/10
Facilities ~ 9/10
Grand Total ~ 7.6/10
The Highs
- Facilities. This place has pretty much everything you could want - a pool, hydrotherapy pool, variety of steam and sauna rooms, gym, treatment rooms, quiet rooms and so on! I didn't give full marks as some of them are starting to look a tad shabby and accessibility could be better (lots of stairs) but for sheer variety it can't be beat. The changing rooms are also quite spacious with plenty of hairdryers and a seemingly unlimited supply of towels.
- Location. Slap bang in the middle of the beautiful New Forest. No busy traffic and noise to ruin your post-spa bliss.
- Treatment. Lovely relaxing massage which came as part of the package that I had booked. The therapist was happy to leave me be in silence and I did drift off at one point which is always a good sign! Having said that, she wasn't afraid to do a little work on my neck and shoulders first which worked out the tense bits!! Wish the oils used had been more fragrant though.
The In-Betweens
- Cleanliness. Given the size of the spa and the number of guests, they haven't done too badly in ensuring that it doesn't turn into a horrid mess. However, opening my locker to find two blobs of bubble gum stuck on the back of the door wasn't the best introduction to my Senspa experience! The provided pool sandals were not well-cleaned (not disposable) so I'm glad I brought my own along. They could do with a regular check of the changing areas to ensure everything is up to scratch.
- Customer service. Friendly enough, but I did have to request a tour rather than being automatically offered one. It really is the little things - I didn't know that the lockers needed a £1 coin to operate them (this isn't mentioned in the info on what to bring on the day). Okay, so not many people leave the house with a completely empty purse but I did only have loose change which thankfully someone exchanged for me.
The Lows
- Rhassoul room. Let down by the weak 'shower' that's supposed to wash the mud off at the end of the treatment. Three 'jets' at different angles are supposed to do this but in reality it was more of a trickle and I had to use a tap with a hose attached to do the majority of it (very luke-warm water).
Overall it was a fun afternoon. I booked the half-day 'Harmony' package for £139 which started at 3pm and gave me use of all of the facilities until 9pm. It also included a relaxing massage treatment and access to the rhassoul room. I enjoyed trying out the various rooms (there's even a 'tropical storm' shower complete with thunder sound effects) although didn't really see the point of the laconarium and tepidarium - installing another ice-room and sauna or crystal steam room would have been more useful.
Would I go again? With a group of friend, yes. It was quite busy and aside from the treatment and quiet areas not somewhere that I would describe as relaxing. It was a bit more like a spa theme-park. Which is no bad thing though as trying out the various rooms and pools was good fun! It was also nice to try something away from my usual London haunts!
Cleanliness ~ 10/10
Relaxation Factor ~ 8/10
Treatment ~ 9/10
Customer Service ~ 9/10
Facilities ~ 8/10
Grand Total ~ 8.8/10
The Highs
- Customer
service. It was very easy to book and on the day I was met by my therapist on time (she collected me from the main reception). She explained the treatment and asked a few questions about why I'd chosen it and how it could help.
- Environment. Despite being based underneath the main floor (basement level) it's not claustrophobic and feels luxurious in a 'neat' way i.e. not full of clutter, but clean lines all round with a few exotic ornaments.
- Location.
Excellent central London location, within walking distance of Covent Garden tube station. Holborn and Tottenham Court Road are also not that far away.
- Treatment. Does what it says on the tin.
The Lows
There weren't any. It's a shame they don't have a larger space and more facilities but for what they do have, it's very well done.
This isn't really a full-on spa as such (although they do refer to it as one) so if you're wanting a swimming pool, soft gowns and all that jazz then it's probably not for you. However, if you fancy a little splurge on good quality beauty treatments in a relaxing environment then it's definitely a great place to go. Even though I only had a 30 minute session (Deep Cleansing Back Treatment, £53) - at no point did I feel rushed or treated any differently because I wasn't paying for hours and hours (*cough* Sanctuary *cough*). I haven't tried it but the hair salon is on the main floor so you could easily combine a visit to that with a pampering treat downstairs. Might just try that next time!
Would I go again? Yes, definitely - it's fabulously convenient in terms of the location and I was impressed by the treatment.
Visit Aveda
SOFITEL, ST JAMES
Cleanliness ~ 10/10
Relaxation Factor ~ 9/10
Treatment ~ 9/10
Customer Service ~ 9.5/10
Facilities ~ 9/10
Grand Total ~ 9.3/10
The Highs
- Customer service. The lady who took my booking (Olena) was very helpful and gave me a guided tour of the spa before I booked a treatment. On the day, service was pleasant and attentive but in a discrete way. That goes for the general assistance as well as the therapists.
- Environment. It was cosy, clean, luxurious and very peaceful (you don't feel as if you're in a hotel full of guests at all).
- Location. Excellent central London location, within walking distance of Piccadilly Circus tube. There is also a great bar within the hotel - again, fantastic service.
The Lows
None. Seriously! I can't even complain about the price which wasn't bad at all for central London.
In-Betweens
- Afternoon tea. This is a lovely concept (and tasty!) but it would've been nicer if they had had smaller tables and more cosier seating. It's served at a very large table where there are other guests sat nearby too. Thankfully we had our tea at the start of the treatment rather than the end otherwise it may not have been such a relaxing finish.
Overall, I really enjoyed my experience at this spa. For anyone who's looking for quiet relaxation it's ideal. They don't have a pool or fitness room as it's really just designed to cater for a few guests at a time which definitely helps create a peaceful and intimate environment. I paid £155
for two people which included afternoon tea (sandwiches, cakes, and of course, tea!), a 60 minute treatment (we opted for the full body massages),
private access to a jacuzzi and steam room for an hour.
Would I go again? Yes, definitely - it's pricey but for an occasional treat it's worth it.
Cleanliness ~ 10/10
Relaxation Factor ~ 6/10
Treatment ~ 7/10
Customer Service ~ 5/10
Facilities ~ 6/10
Grand Total ~ 6.8/10
The Highs
- Location. Just a few minutes walk from Covent Garden tube station (Piccadilly Line).
- Treatment. The aromatherapy massage wasn't particularly fragrant, but it was relaxing and the therapist was pleasant enough i.e. she explained what went where and actually gave me a decent amount of time to sort myself out and get ready rather than barging in 3 seconds after leaving me.
- Hygiene. All very clean and spotless.
- Relaxing lounge area with low lighting, comfy chairs and candles.
The Lows
- Poor customer service. Things got off to a bad start when I noticed that the receptionist that I was in the queue to talk to was making absolutely no eye contact whatsoever with the two ladies that she was serving. Still, I gave her my best smile in the hope of coaxing some life out of her but no, she mumbled a few instructions about a form and pushed it towards me. 'Err, can I have a pen, please?' at which she looked a bit offended. She then asked if I'd like to use the changing facilities (no, I like getting changed out in the open!!). Having shown me the way, she vanished after a quick demo of how the locker worked.
- All the ambiance of a trip to the gym.
In-Betweens
- Facilities. A bigger changing room is needed for the size of the spa. There were dryers and showers. No disposable slippers.
Overall, while the back massage I had was decent enough, it just wasn't a 'spa' experience for me - I didn't get off to a good start because of the customer service I received upon arrival and unfortunately that affected the rest of my visit.
Would I go again? I don't really have a choice as they charged me twice for the treatment so I'm going back to get a refund!!
