Munky goes to the ESPA Corinthia

(c) Corinthia

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)

Munky goes to the SenSpa

THE SENSPA, CAREYS MANOR 

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!

Munky goes to the Aveda Institute

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.

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