There's nothing quite like a weekend in London and if you're in the market for a luxurious spa treatment, there's perhaps no better place to get one. Whether you're seeking a momentary escape or a comprehensive wellness retreat, here at HELLO!, we have picked some of our favourite sanctuaries with the ultimate hammam-like experience.
From cleansing rituals and massages to nourishing steams and rigorous body scrubs, be sure to experience a full body scrub where you will be left with the smoothest, softest skin from top-to-toe. Some of these spas contain a series of rooms with dry and damp heat, showers, soaps and salts - perfect for the whole exfoliating package.
Best places for body exfoliating treatments
AIRE Ancient Baths London
This place had been on our dream list for ages, and it didn't disappoint! AIRE Ancient Baths London is a beautiful wellness retreat housed in a restored 18th Century Townhouse in the heart of Covent Garden. Inspired by the ancient Roman baths, AIRE offers a serene and tranquil environment where visitors can escape the stresses of modern life. Guests are spoilt for choice as the bathhouse has a network of baths of different temperatures from freezing and cold, warm, hot, a steam room, bath of a thousand jets, and uniquely, a flotarium – a saltwater bath than allows you to float effortlessly. There are also various options of massages and rituals – some inspired by hammam practices performed on hot marble stones with exfoliation elements.
Reviewed by Sharnaz Shahid, Deputy Online Editor
Pan Pacific London Spa
The spa at Pan Pacific London is a total dream, offering an innovative health and wellbeing haven in the heart of east London. I was amazed by the spa's impressive well-being floor featuring a gorgeous infinity pool, a gym and several treatment rooms as well as a beautiful view of the city. Spa treatments infuse Western and Southeast Asian traditions and practices and feature everything from one-of-a-kind 24-hour immersive experiences such as 'flight mode recovery', 'sleep programme' and 'human performance' to 'seasonal ritual' and much more. I was treated to an hour-long Body Detox and Exfoliate session. This was a regenerating and invigorating body scrub combined with a relaxing full-body massage. From salt crystals to essential oils, my skin felt soft and well-nourished before I left feeling completely zen.
To book, visit panpacific.com
ilapothecary
I was recently lucky to pop into beauty & wellness brand ilāpothecary's new flagship store in Notting Hill on my day off. Wanting to find a way to relax, I opted for the bespoke beat-the-blues massage and scrub. The massage was designed to treat the root cause of pain, whether it was backache, neck pain, headaches, anxiety or insomnia - it managed to do the trick! But there are so many other treatments available including abdominal massage, acupuncture and detox facials.
Banya No.1 - Chiswick
© unknownFor the ultimate Russian Bath House experience, a visit to Banya No. 1 Chiswick is a must. The journey begins with a warm welcome into opulent surroundings, adorned with intricate tilework and soft lighting. As you enter the hammam chamber, the enveloping steam purifies your skin, opening your pores and preparing you for the subsequent stages of the ritual. The large wooden chamber is heated to a high temperature using a wood-burning stove onto which water is thrown to generate steam. Here, you will wear a hat to protect your hair and head from the heat. You'll enjoy moments of intense heat, and will be encouraged to cool off with an ice-cold plunge.
To book, visit gobanya.co.uk
READ MORE: 42 of the best luxury spa breaks in the UK
Oblique House of Aesthetics
I was excited to visit Oblique House of Aesthetics in South Kensington, and I'm so glad I did. I opted for their signature Detox Slimming Wrap with Honey Massage and Salt Draining, intrigued by the promise of detoxification and rejuvenation.The experience began with a gentle honey massage. The lovely therapist used long, soothing strokes, easing away the stresses of the week and leaving my muscles feeling instantly more relaxed. Then came the application of the salt mixture. It wasn't abrasive at all; instead, it felt almost like a rich, grainy balm being smoothed over my skin. Being wrapped in the film and cocooned under the warm blanket was surprisingly comforting.
For the next 30-40 minutes, I simply drifted and had some time to relax. The treatment concluded with a refreshing shower, washing away the salt and any lingering tension. Stepping out, my skin felt incredibly soft and smooth, almost as if it had been deeply cleansed and moisturised. There was a subtle lightness to my body too, a feeling of having shed something I didn't even realise I was carrying. If you're looking for a luxurious treatment that combines gentle exfoliation with deep relaxation, Oblique's Detox Slimming Wrap is definitely worth considering.
Best facials with deep exfoliation
Premier Laser & Skin Clinic Clapham
While December is an exciting and sociable month, the never-ending to-do list and hectic schedule can take its toll on your skin in the lead-up to Christmas Day. As a time-poor mum to a young toddler, I was thrilled to be invited to try the HydraFacial at London Premier Laser & Skin's Clapham clinic, close to Clapham Common tube station.
It's a 60-minute, six-step machine-based treatment which uses advanced, patented vortex technology to deeply cleanse the skin and by the end, giving you that instant gorgeous glow. It begins with lymphatic drainage to improve circulation and help to eliminate detox, followed by a gentle exfoliation and peel, which uses a combination of salicylic and glycolic acid to help loosen impurities from your skin.
The fourth step is extraction and hydration, where debris is removed from your pores using the machine's pore vacuum. Your skin is then prepped with antioxidants and peptides for maximum glow, before the sixth and final step using LED light therapy. The red and infrared light helps to reduce redness and stimulates collagen.
The treatment is non-invasive and there's no downtime required so it's something you can fit into your lunch break or after a busy day at work. HydraFacial is suitable for every skin type and you can even wear makeup straight after your treatment.
The team at the Clapham branch are friendly and knowledgeable, sharing tailored advice with me about my skincare needs. My skin felt incredible after my treatment and I feel like I've got my glow back in time for the big day.
Reviewed by Danielle Stacey, Online Royal Correspondent
Lisa Franklin Clinic
Tucked away from a busy corner of South Kensington is the celebrity beauty destination, The Lisa Franklin Clinic. I was lucky to be invited to try their new CACI Synergy Purifying Facial - and it did not disappoint. After a long day, this relaxing facial was the perfect tonic to round off my day - 45 minutes of pure bliss! What I found fascinating was that this new facial combines anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory red and blue LED light therapy to help heal the skin and trigger tissue repair by using a gently resurfacing Orbital Microdermabrasion to deep clean the skin on areas of concern. This also aided with a skin-repairing wrinkle comb before finishing with the new purifying silvemask for calm, collected and glowing skin.
MORE: 23 best firming body lotions that are like a bootcamp for your bod
