As one of the most famous hotels in the UK – if not the world – it's perhaps surprising that Claridge's hasn't had a spa up until now. But really, the absence of a spa was never questioned; in fact, you may never even have noticed. With its art deco beauty, rich history, famed restaurants and glamorous events, it didn't need one. However, when rumours began circulating that the hotel was making plans for a spa, digging down carefully below the 150-year-old building, it suddenly became the talk of the town. And now, years later, the perhaps most anticipated spa opening London has ever seen is finally here.
Nestled three floors below the hotel's black and white lobby, the spa – consisting of seven treatment rooms, a sauna, steam rooms, hair salon, fitness centre, changing rooms and swimming pool – takes up a vast 7,000 square feet of space. And it feels like it: warm and inviting, it's easy to quickly forget you're subterranean. Designed by famed interior architect Andre Fu, the space takes of lot of inspiration from Japan, from the trickling water feature and cherry blossom art (a Damien Hirst, no less) that greet you, to the mellow wooden walls that lead you through the hallways. There's also a wonderfully welcoming scent that drifts through the entire floor; not the usual essential oil type aroma but more comforting and warming, like toasted rice, which turns out to be their hand-crafted poultices (hot bags of grains used in treatments) and a custom fragrance of cinnamon, cedarwood and clary sage.
As you'd expect from Claridge's, there are five-star touches throughout – little things that you wouldn't notice if they weren't there, but add that extra something. "Everything has been 'Claridge's-ised'", the spa manager Hattie David-Wilkinson tells us, as she hands over a bespoke-blended herbal tea. Many of these touches incorporate a Japanese influence, a place regarded by them and many as the epicentre of wellness. Instead of robes in the changing rooms, alongside bouncy hotel slippers you get beautiful peach and pink floral kimonos, authentically tailored and designed to be as comfortable as they are chic. Here, the signal to show a treatment room is occupied isn't a sliding metal tag, but a hand-woven tapestry decoration to hang on the door handle. Giant Diptyque candles are dotted in corners like deliciously scented sculptures. And, when you're in your room, robed and ready for your therapist, instead of having to alert them with that awkward 'I'm ready!', there's a dinky bell for you to chime. It's all very civilised, without being gimmicky.
As for the treatments themselves, there's a curated selection ranging from healing rituals to gadget-filled facials, "holistic and tech under one roof" – as David-Wilkinson puts it. One of the signature treatments, the Bamboo and Silk Ritual, should be top of your list. It's a 90-minute "total mind and body immersion" that incorporates a hot massage with those homemade poultices (freshly made each morning), a deeper massage via bamboo sticks rolled across tight muscles, and a hands-on approach to hone in on any tough spots. It's the perfect combination of relaxing and results-driven. As a finishing touch, you're given a mini (but incredibly effective) facial massage using silk cocoons – little thimbles on every finger – to massage and hydrate, and mini-poultices to relieve tension. From top-to-toe you emerge sculpted, softened and serene.
Further to these more holistic treatments, there's familiar lines like Augustinus Bader and Face Gym for more targeted facials, with the latter offering longer and more luxurious 'workouts' than at its other outposts, and a Josh Wood salon for a trim or blow-dry. Keep your eyes peeled for other recognisable names too: nail artist Harriet Westmoreland and acupuncturist Ross J. Barr are both booked for residencies, with further talent to come.
Of course, no five-star spa is complete without a swimming pool, and this one offers a true haven in central London. All pale stone columns and gentle curves, we'd happily spend the whole day snoozing in one of the private pool-side cabanas, draped with linen and bathed in soft light. With a break for a treatment, or two, of course...
Claridge's 90-minute spa treatments include access to the pool.
