Tucked away inside some of London’s Michelin-recommended hotels are labyrinths of fragrant steam rooms, traditional Turkish hammams and soul-cleansing pampering spaces. If you’re searching for your zen, you can find it at an overnight stay in the capital through classic spa treatments, high-tech rejuvenation equipment and other-worldly underground sensory immersion. Check-in for indulgence with the most celebrated wellness sanctuaries and lesser-known oases of London’s luxury hotels.
Take a look through our hand-selected stays in the capital for the ultimate wellbeing break.
COMO Metropolitan London: COMO Shambhala Urban Escape
Embodying the essence of holistic wellness, the COMO Metropolitan London’s spa oozes minimalist elegance. The hotel is located in Mayfair and, not only can guests satisfy their spa needs, but they can also please their palate at Europe's original restaurant in the Nobu chain. Echoing Nobu’s Japanese menu, the COMO Shambhala Spa takes inspiration from Asian techniques in the pursuit of balance. While age-old values are at the root of their holistic therapies, they’ve been elevated by modern science and are delivered in sleek, contemporary surroundings. Alongside separate male and female steam rooms are six treatment spaces for massage, acupuncture, bath therapy and facials. Ease into a state of serenity with a guided restorative breathing session or fully immerse yourself in a wellbeing workshop.Corinthia Hotel London: ESPA Life at Corinthia
Two Michelin Keys
As Corinthia Hotels are renowned for their grandeur, it’s no surprise that the Corinthia Hotel London’s spa is considered one of the most luxurious in the city. Set over four floors, the sultry and futuristic ESPA Life at Corinthia transports you to a world of relaxation, with its black marble décor and floating fiery stoves. The decadent spa offerings revolve around enriching themes. Clear your mind and lean into self-love with nurture-based experiences including tension-releasing hot stones and a warm linen marine mud wrap. Reset your resilience with empowering breathwork, revitalising age-defying therapies and ancient reflexology. For vitality, awaken the senses with lymphatic compression and nutrient-rich cleansing. Or purify with a high-intensity full-body detox. Beyond the lengthy wellbeing rituals, traditional Asian gong baths and laid-back pampering with a glass of bubbly, you can expect extravagant skincare products from the likes of Dr Barbara. You’ll also have the full attention of personal trainers in the gym and can spruce up at the Daniel Galvin OBE red carpet-inspired hair salon. Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane: Mayfair Spa
Three Michelin Keys
The Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane ranks highly for a stay-and-savour break. While its Mayfair location requires minimal effort to explore London’s hottest boutiques and acclaimed eateries, there’s little need to leave this sumptuous hotel. Take the lift from the black marble lobby to reach elaborate apartment-style suites, decadent lounge spaces and three restaurant and bar areas for your evening soirée – including the Michelin-Starred Pavyllon London. Arriving at level 10, tension melts away as you’re met with panoramic skyline views from the top-floor Mayfair Spa. A utopian cloud-shaped reception desk welcomes you into nirvana, where you'll be met by a candle-lit grey slate spa complete with a vitality pool, a salt-wall sauna and a eucalyptus steam room. Indulge in supermodel-standard treatments created by Kate Moss, afternoon tea packages and grounding sound baths during your opulent escape. Ham Yard Hotel, Firmdale Hotels: Soholistic Spa
Two Michelin Keys
Eco-conscious leisure seekers can unwind in planet-friendly luxury at the sustainably-minded Ham Yard Hotel. The laid-back, eclectic blend of retro elegance and colourful boho motifs creates a quirky and lighthearted atmosphere – which continues into the Soholistic Spa. Classic treatments like radiant full-body exfoliation, anti-inflammatory massage and LED facial therapy are included in some of the spa’s feel-good favourites, while the silk and diamond skin-calming treatments are good enough to eat, featuring the likes of champagne and black truffles. You can also lounge in the relaxation area, destress in the steam room and sweat it out in the hypoxic gym. Glam TLC can be found in the nail bar, with an impressive selection of OPI varnishes to choose from.
Hotel Café Royal: Akasha Spa
Two Michelin Keys
Beneath the lavish glitz of Hotel Café Royal’s chandelier-strung, period opulence, is the subterranean Akasha Spa. This dimly-lit, multi-storey haven seamlessly blends the sleek ambience of a Roman spa with both Western and Eastern pampering practices and innovative modern-day tech. The spa draws on the Moroccan heritage of marocMaroc for its hammam, while Swiss cellular cosmetics provide the foundation for skincare treatments. Slow down with a morning one-to-one yoga session, guided meditation or a few laps of the 18m pool before heading into the traditional hammam or pausing for a hot stone massage, sound bath, Chinese bone setting or aromatherapy massage in the treatment rooms. If you’d rather be in the comfort of your own hotel suite, you can try out science-backed self-soothing devices like post-flight recovery boots, deep-tissue massage guns and heart-rate-lowering electric eye masks. Sea Containers London: Agua London Spa
It's more than just calming water views from the South Bank’s river edge that connects you to maritime serenity at Sea Containers London. Flowing through this cutting-edge hotel are contemporary nautical-themed touches, ocean-coloured hues and 1920s transatlantic cruise line designs. Sink to the lower levels of the hotel, adjacent to the depths of the Thames, for the in-house multi-sensory Agua London Spa where, bottled in the spa’s organic, small-batch lotions and ointments are ingredients and inspiration from Britain’s wild hedgerows. After a holistic face or body revival, melt into the wellness beds around an artistic floating golden droplet in the glowing spa lounge. And be sure to spend a while in the steam rooms, rinse in the rain showers and treat yourself to a manicure or pedicure in the glamour lounge. You can also help yourself to the gym equipment in the fitness centre or spend a weekend evening in the plush, blue velvet clad cinema.St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel London: St. Pancras Spa
Known for its traditional elegance, the St. Pancras Spa is a vision of Victorian-inspired splendour, with playful peacock-themed motifs. A staple is their tailor-made treatments, which are uniquely crafted based on a journey or destination that is special to you; alternatively, you can opt for one of their favourites, like the English Garden – which is delicate and floral with pure, regenerating ingredients including olive grain exfoliate. While the overall feel of the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel London and its spa is timeless and elegant, the treatment additions available utilise the best modern-day technology. Air jets are used for lymphatic drainage therapies, while LED toning and micro-current stimulation work wonders for facial soothing and sculpting. In addition to the hydro loungers, therapeutic steam room and sauna, guests can enjoy use of the fitness centre and relaxation pool.The Beaumont Hotel: The Beaumont Spa
Two Michelin Keys
An acclaimed London spot capturing the leisure spirit of the roaring '20s, The Beaumont Hotel’s spa is a nostalgic, white marble art deco wellness sanctuary offering extensive, unrushed treatments. For undivided attention from top to toe, head inside the traditional hammam, with its full body cleansing and centuries-old practices. Melt away your muscular tension and spoil yourself with a rich, Eastern-inspired warm oil massage or, to encourage balance within your nervous system, choose the super-seed oil treatment combined with ancient sound healing-inspired practices. Be sure to spend time in the sauna and steam room before braving the plunge pool or heading to the ice bar. When staying in this hotel, you can also take advantage of the gym and salon.
The Berkeley: Surrenne Knightsbridge
Two Michelin Keys
Standing out from the crowd with its summertime, heated rooftop pool, The Berkeley has an air of Côte d'Azur – swapping blue horizon views for Knightsbridge’s rouge-hued skyline. Sip cooling cocktails from the open-air bar or laze on signature striped loungers of the top-floor terrace surrounded by a sheer parapet. Amidst the hotel's elegant, contemporary suites, patisserie and refreshment spots is the gateway to longevity – the Surrenne spa. Swim by candlelight beneath a glistening gold leaf ceiling at the indoor pool and step inside a sense-awakening hyperbaric chamber or steam room. Inside the traditional marble hammam, you’ll be offered ancient Middle Eastern rituals and skin-softening massages or, if movement is your medicine, head to the Tracy Anderson Studio for tension-relieving yoga or a workout with state-of-the-art gym equipment. For a post-effort wind-down, settle into the cocooning recovery suite.
The Mandrake Hotel: Spiritual Wellbeing Programme and AIRE Ancient Baths
Quirky, sensual and self-assured, The Mandrake Hotel is a treasure chest of enchantment. The dining areas, terraces and bars are dressed in rich, earthy tones with a maximalist boho style, while encouraging connection to nature is a jungle-like courtyard strung with vines and jasmine. Throughout the hotel are soul-nourishing spaces for transformative wellbeing journeys with aura cleansing offerings and energetic chakra healing. The Mandrake Hotel is also well-versed in ancient shamanic rituals using Amazonian rain sticks, a shamanic drum and a smudging tool. For more traditional muscular relaxation you can choose between in-house Swedish deep tissue, reiki and aromatherapy massages, while to fulfil your hydrotherapy desires, the hotel partners with the nearby AIRE Ancient Baths, where guests can enjoy candle-lit soaks and fragrant steam rooms.Hero Image: ESPA Life at Corinthia (© Corinithia Hotel London)