A selection of travel articles by Emily Ashman

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134 AsiaSpa 2010 1352010 AsiaSpa134 AsiaSpa 2010 1352010 AsiaSpa
london’s
A city seeped in history,
buzzing with culture and
brimming with innovation,
London has some of the
best spa experiences in
the world.
Londoners take their home city’s
incredible history for granted, but as
a tourist, it’s impossible not to wonder
at the millions of stories each cobbled
street could tell. There’s the grandiose
pillared buildings of Knightsbridge that
evoke all the glamour and elegance of
the 1920s socialite scene, the dingy
railway arches that inspired many a
horror story and the towering muse
houses that still have separate entrances
for the servants from their hay day
in the Victorian era. Indeed, London
has been dramatised so much in film,
theatre and literature that it is literally a
living storybook. Alongside this historic
gravitas, there is a vibrant culture and
a population renowned for innovation
and the spa world is no exception.
The city has some of the most exciting
new spa concepts in the world and is
paving the way for new technologies
and treatments…
spadestination
writer Emily Jones
spasanctuaries

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136 AsiaSpa 2010 1372010 AsiaSpa
spadestination
this page: Having a massage at the Soma Centre; Cowshed mani pedi stations; and Ushvani spa pool.
opposite page:Liz EarleVentnor Bay treatment room;and Bliss London store photographed by Patrice
Maurein. opening pages: Man walking through rain in London © inmagine.com.
day spas
BLISS
The “girls night out” of London day spas, Bliss is a truly unique
experience. Guests are lead through the signature aqua and white
pedicure area to wait in the relaxation room where instead of boring
green tea and celery sticks, you’ll find trays of warm chocolate
brownies, cheese platters and even be offered a glass of wine. You
can forget hushed voices and gentle music here; the therapists are
loud and lively with a clear passion for what they do, offering a
truly uplifting experience. They start with a consultation providing
practical and constructive advice on everything from what skincare
you should be using (it’s refreshing that they recommend a range
of brands, instead of just hard selling their own products) to how
your diet and suncare habits will impact the long-term quality of
your skin.The treatment approach is to focus on results, so the latest
modern technology is used in facials, including microdermabrasion,
extraction using Bliss’ patented “pore-fector gadget”, and a triple
oxygen mask that bubbles on the skin pushing moisture deep into
the pores. The results are truly incredible; fine lines are visibly
reduced from the moment you step off the treatment bed and you
leave the spa not only looking considerably younger and healthier
but with some good tips for the future to lengthen the impact of
your treatment. www.blissworld.co.uk
THE COWSHED
The Cowshed has been making waves in London since its launch in
1998, thanks to its social approach to day spas. Combining a coffee
shop with a day spa, it’s a place to meet friends, eat homemade
cupcakes, drink coffee and enjoy a spot of social grooming. With
a range of express packages, it’s the kind of place Londoners drop
into on a regular basis for a post-work glass of wine and a quick
pedicure with friends, and that social environment makes for an
invigorating and laid-back experience. Therapists wear jeans and
t-shirts and are warm and friendly as they usher you into the simple
treatment rooms. The Cowshed facial is highly recommended – a
hydrating treatment that uses SkinCeuticals products, a brand that
pioneered the original topical vitamin C formula that protects skin
from premature signs of ageing caused by environmental damage.
It’s a classic facial programme, with cleansing, toning, steam
extraction, scrub and mask and has fantastic results, leaving you
feeling cleansed, hydrated and ready to return to the coffee shop
to show the results off to your friends.
www.cowshedonline.com
LIZ EARLE
Since its launch in 1995, Liz Earle has developed a huge following
of dedicated fans both in London and throughout the globe. Liz
Earle is a renowned specialist in botanical ingredients, natural health
and wellbeing. As a beauty editor, author of over 30 books and a
TV presenter, she became a well-known and respected authority in
these areas and decided to launch her own range of products using
naturally active ingredients. Located at the flagship store just off the
bustling King’s Road, a trip to the Liz EarleTreatment Rooms will take
you via street cafés and fabulous boutiques, making it a destination
must-visit in itself. The décor is an extension of the brand values,
with simple natural white-washed wood complementing the friendly
fresh-faced therapists. There is a range of bespoke naturally active
skincare treatments available with a focus on personal pampering.
www.uk.lizearle.com
London
Kensington
Gardens
Buckingham
Palace
Royal Albert
Hall
Earl’s
Court
Harrods
Oxford St
Westminster
Abbey
London
Eye
St Paul’s
Cathedral
Tower of
London
Tower
Bridge
British
Museum
Hyde
Park
Soho
Mayfair Southbank
Southwark
Barbican
Strand
Islington
BloomsburyMarylebone
Paddington
Victoria
Euston
King’s Cross
Waterloo
Liverpool St
Camden
Westminster
Pimlico
Vauxhall
Chelsea
South
Kensington
Knightsbridge
Piccadilly
Circus
Covent
Garden
Bayswater
Belgravia
Kensington
Regent’s
Park
Green
Park
St. James
Park
Theatre
District
Financial
District
Academic
District
The East
End
Museums
R i v e r T h
am
es
THE SOMA CENTRE
Providing Londoners with a sense of inner calm in the heart of
Kensington, The Soma Centre is a luxurious private health club
with a focus on whole body wellness. It therefore combines
complementary therapies and mind body exercise to provide a
complete retreat from a hectic lifestyle. The brainchild of Carolan
Brown, former personal trainer to Diana, Princess of Wales, the
Soma Centre recruits specialist-visiting therapists to provide a range
of expertise, from dermatology to meditation. For example, Doctor
Jules Nabet specialises in aesthetic anti-ageing techniques, while
Joanne Evans provides treatments in rejuvenation, deep cleansing,
vein removal, pigmentation, hair removal and peels. There is also
a full time make-up artist on hand to perfect your look after a
treatment. With a holistic approach to treatments, you may arrive
to simply have a facial and end up taking a yoga class.
www.somacentre.co.uk
USHVANI
A Malaysian day spa in Chelsea, Ushvani is one of London’s most
luxurious day spas. Guided by the principles of nurture, total well
being, relaxation and healthy indulgence, Ushvani aims to bring the
exotic treatments and levels of service from Asia to London. Its range
of treatments called “enhancements” focus on end results but also
use natural ingredients to create a relaxing experience. It includes
an indulgent cocoa and coffee scrub for ultimate skin hydration
or a detoxifying ginger and kaffir lime scrub. These treatments are
then followed by body wraps of cocoa, coconut milk, hibiscus or
banana and honey.The entire experience brings guests a little closer
to nature and has fantastic results.
www.ushvani.com

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urban retreats
MANDARIN SPA
As you walk up to the spectacular home of The Mandarin Oriental
in London, doormen in red coats usher you into a world of marbled
opulence, setting the bar high for the spa experience to follow – and
it doesn’t disappoint. Having recently been voted “Best UK Hotel
Spa” by Condé NastTraveller, it is a decadent experience that draws
on the brand’s Asian heritage. Set in the basement, the clean, stone
finishing and statues of Asian gods complement a softly lit Jacuzzi,
steam room and solarium, as well as a tranquil relaxation area.
Using ESPA products, the treatments are each tailored towards the
individual, from the deep tissue massage, which uses fragrant ESPA
oils, to the pampering pedicures, which are done while the guest
lies on a heated bed.
www.mandarinoriental.com/london/spa
AMAN SPA AT THE CONNAUGHT
The Aman Spa in London is the first spa to open outside of an Aman
resort and is already a huge hit with Londoners seeking an exotic
escape without leaving the city. Bringing a little piece of Aman
resorts to London, the spa is decorated with natural light wood, clean
lines and subtle lighting to keep the focus on complete relaxation.
Treatments are inspired by countries where Aman has a presence,
including India, China, Thailand and Native America. All products
and techniques used in these treatments are then sourced from their
country of origin.The “Inspired by India” treatment is the ultimate of
these experiences for complete relaxation. With a deeply meditative
approach, the experience aims to balance the energies of the body
leaving you feeling “calm and harmonised”.The experience begins
with an aromatic Indian footbath, followed by a body scrub with
relaxing essential oils, a Chakra balancing treatment and a Samadara
facial.The entire experience is an otherworldly lesson in tranquillity.
www.the-connaught.co.uk/Aman.aspx
this page: Spa Intercontinental treatment room; Mandarin Oriental spa reception; the Aman spa at
The Connaught; and COMO Shambala Spa glass oil bottles atThe Metropolitan. opposite page: A
synchronized massage at Mandarin Oriental.
ALCHEMY THE CENTRE
Located down a hidden alleyway in Camden Market, Alchemy
The Centre is an oasis of calm in amongst the clamour of this busy
district. The centre takes a holistic approach to wellness, focusing
on discovery and transformation of body and mind. Some of the
newest and oldest methods sit side by side on the treatment menu
and guests can take meditation classes or enjoy a range of holistic
therapies. A huge range of yoga classes are also available from
Ashtanga to Hatha, as well as life counselling. The Holistic hot
oil massage combines techniques from all over the globe, while
the acupuncture sessions are conducted by Chinese medicine
professionals. The centre provides Londoners with a calm and
welcoming community, where they can escape the busy rush of
the city and find inner harmony.
www.alchemythecentre.co.uk
SPA INTERCONTINENTAL
This cool and elegant urban retreat has a Middle Eastern vibe with
deep mahogany furnishings and mosaic tiled treatment rooms.
A speciality of the spa is the steam temple, a treatment where
a combination of mud and clay is applied to the body and face
and then left to be absorbed by the skin as guests sit in a crystal
steam room. The ocean wrap is also a must try. Clay and then oil
are applied to the skin before cocooning the body in a wrap and
lowering the guest into a dry floatation tank for the ultimate relaxing
experience. The Elemis facials are also expertly executed, with
special day packages, such as the “English Rose” experience tailored
to include local products and oils. The spa cuisine is the perfect
way to end the experience. Bento boxes of healthy, wholesome
lunches are offered along with a glass of Champagne to complete
the pampering. www.spaintercontinental.com
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where to stay
THE MANDARIN ORIENTAL
An incredible and historic building, the Mandarin Oriental in
London provides an unforgettable hotel experience. The building
was originally a top London gentleman’s club and there is still
an atmosphere of a colonial establishment, with maps and travel
memorabilia decorating the walls and traditional furnishings
providing a truly five-star experience.The suites overlook the whole
of London and one glimpse out the window provides a sweeping
view of Big Ben, The London Eye and St Paul’s Cathedral, which
provide a glittering backdrop to the mahogany furniture, Persian
rugs and sparkling marble bathrooms.
www.mandarinoriental.com/london
THE METROPOLITAN
A truly chic experience, The Metropolitan has been a celebrated
hangout for the rich and famous since its opening and The Met Bar
is a place to see and be seen. The décor is elegant and minimalist,
peppered with touches of modern art and splashes of vibrant colour.
The rooms take full advantage of the beautiful views over Hyde Park
with huge windows providing a light and airy space and décor kept
simple and modern to provide a tranquil, urban oasis.
www.metropolitan.london.como.bz
THE BERKELEY
Like a resort in the middle of Knightsbridge, this hotel may be just
a stone’s throw away from the celebrated department store Harrods
but with a rooftop pool.The fabulously intimate Blue Bar and white
wood panelled rooms, makes it feel like a luxurious country home.
The Berkeley expertly fuses traditional hotel values from its long
heritage in London with modern service – the perfect example of
this fusion is the way ipads are provided on the oak desk alongside
the embossed notepaper.
www.the-berkeley.co.uk
beauty boutiques
PENHALIGON’S
Appointed by the Prince of Wales himself, Penhaligon’s flagship
store in Covent Garden is like a trip back in time with Victorian
fragrance bottles lining the wallpapered walls and traditional leather
cosmetics cases dotting antique chests. Shoppers enjoy a uniquely
personal experience and pick up traditional scents, candles and
bath and body products.
www.penhaligons.com
SPACE NK
Space NK sources the latest cult beauty products and offers a
carefully edited selection of high quality, original and effective
ranges from innovators and specialists around the world, such as
NARS cosmetics, Aromatherpay Associates skincare and Maison
Francis Kurkdhian candles.
www.spacenk.co.uk
NEAL’S YARD
Born in 1981 in Covent Garden, Neal’s Yard was one of the first
pioneers of natural remedies in skincare, which launched the push
against the synthetic chemical approach to skin and healthcare.Their
vision was to provide a holistic approach to health and beauty and
all products are still made naturally in their headquarters in Dorset.
www.nealsyardremedies.com
spadestination
this page: The Berkeley rooftop pool. opposite page: COMO Shambala Spa back massage at The
Metropolitan; Outside Mandarin Oriental; and Six Senses Spa hydrotherapy pool at Pan Peninsula.
SIX SENSES SPA AT PAN PENINSULA
Providing busy Londoners in Canary Wharf with a 650 square
metre spa escape, Six Senses provides a retreat from city life with
its range of rejuvenating Asian-influenced therapies combined with
holistic lifestyle guidance. An airy yet relaxing space, the spa fuses
elements of traditional Asian architecture with modern facilities
such as a luxurious bio-thermal circuit with a chromotherapy steam
cabin, crystal laconium, traditional dry sauna, sensory shower and
hydrotherapy pool.The spa recently launched a range of pioneering
treatments, which use Voya products, the first genuinely organic
seaweed-based cosmetic products in the world. Originally from
Ireland, the brand uses hand-harvested seaweed, which is organic
certified in a range of traditional Irish seaweed baths and treatments.
The Voya body treatment is not only incredibly effective but also
completely relaxing. The skin is polished to glowing perfection,
while the seaweed products infuse the skin with natural oils that
both intensely moisturise the skin and relax the muscles.
www.sixsenses.com/six-senses-spas/pan-peninsula
THE BERKELEY
Like walking into a Saint Tropez-style hangout, The Berkeley has a
fabulous rooftop pool overlooking Knightsbridge. Surrounded by
white pillars, with classic aqua tiling, this spa is an oasis of calm that
feels more like a rustic countryside getaway. Using [comfort zone]
products, most of the treatments provide a classic spa experience.
The “ultimate spa ritual for her” starts with a rejuvenating fruit full
body peel, which is left to naturally absorb dead skin cells and is
then showered off to reveal incredibly smooth skin. Essential oils
are then massaged into the body and a customised facial hydrates
the skin leaving it glowing. www.the-berkeley.co.uk
COMO SHAMBALA AT THE METROPOLITAN
The COMO Shambala Spa is both minimalist as well as comfortable.
The moment you walk through the door, you are greeted with
the COMO Shambala’s notoriously welcoming service and the
therapists are incredibly passionate and knowledgeable about what
they do. There’s a practical approach to the spa experience, with
simple steam room and treatment rooms, where the focus is on the
end results – this means it appeals to men as much as women. The
signature massage is not to be missed. Guests choose one of the six
signature blended oils that have been specially created for COMO
Shambala and are applied using a massage combination of long
strokes and deep-tissue massage. The technique was developed in
London drawing influences from Thailand and Scandinavia and is
constantly updated with new methods garnered from the COMO
Shambala resorts around the world.
www.metropolitan.london.como.bz