Five of London’s best spa hotels

There's a wellness sanctuary in every corner of the capital, offering treatments for everything from skin-transforming facials to muscle-soothing massages. While a 60, 90 or 120-minute treatment can leave your mind and body feeling relaxed and renewed, the experience can quickly come to a halt when you return to the city's hustle and bustle.

For a 360 wellness experience that will impart lasting calm to your mind, body and spirit, book in at London's best spa hotels and go straight from massage bed to boudoir. We've handpicked five of our favourite spa hotels in London to try for a wholly decadent experience, taking you from treatment to dining to sleep.

Bulgari Spa

The award-winning spa in the heart of Knightsbridge is seriously impressive: it spans two floors with a 25m pool, Neville Hair & Beauty Salon and Workshop Gymnasium. However, we recommend booking in with one of its Star Residencies. An indulgent manicure is not to be underestimated, and if you're looking for the crème-de-la-crème of hand treatments, be sure to visit celebrity nail artist Iram Shelton. She's sought after by Hollywood's most glamorous and, until November 2023, is available at the spa with an exclusive manicure menu of four treatments.

We love The Bulgari Spa x Iram Shelton Manicure, which includes her signature nail preparation, shaping, a luxe manicure, hand massage and luxury skincare using Bulgari Au The Black products. Retreat to the sleek, opulent rooms after enjoying a dinner of modern Italian cuisine at Sette, the London outpost of New York's renowned Scarpetta restaurants.

The Athaeneum

If you're looking for a spa day to spend with friends or loved ones, The Athaeneum's spa is the perfect choice. Small and secluded, the boutique hotel's spa must be booked by timeslot so that you can enjoy the pool and facilities with your group for an intimate experience. Partnering with luxury skincare brand Temple Spa, indulge in facials or body treatments and massages to leave you feeling fully rested and relaxed.

Try the Ultimate Detox Signature Treatment, a luxe experience that starts with full body exfoliation using natural salts to slough away dead skin cells. Next, a detoxifying lymphatic drainage massage helps to flush toxins before an anti-cellulite detox gel is applied to the whole body and wrapped.

While cocooned in comfort, the therapist works on your face to massage and decongest your complexion. Finally, a comforting body cream is massaged all over the body so you leave the spa in bliss, retreating to your hotel suite: spacious rooms are flooded with natural light and views of Green Park to help you unwind for the rest of the day.

One Aldwych

In an Edwardian building in the heart of buzzy Covent Garden lies One Aldwych, a privately-owned hotel that feels like your home away from home. The onsite health club feels worlds away from the bustling streets just outside, thanks to its warm, natural tones that instil a state of peace as soon as you walk in.

Each treatment features a bespoke approach to suit your needs. If you're looking for a glow-inducing facial, try one of OSKIA's signature treatments, or for a seasonal glow, Natura Bissé's Summer Glow ritual includes a 60-minute vitamin C facial, followed by a 30-minute body scrub to leave you feeling refreshed and energised. After your treatment, unwind in the lobby with classic cocktails, while enjoying live jazz, before retreating to the cosy and comforting rooms under Art Nouveau curves and crisp, warm decor.

The Ned

Since opening in 2017, The Ned has been a London hotspot for city workers, celebrities, artists and creatives, thanks to its cornucopia of things to do: there are seven restaurants, three bars, two pools (one a rooftop with incredible skyline views), and the biggest hammam in Europe.

The spa itself is just as grand and impressive as the rest of the hotel and members club: its chic nail salon offers BIAB and The Gel Bottle Inc manicures, there's a barbershop that uses a bespoke Le Labo grooming range, a hair salon for blowdries, cut and colour, and even a dedicated physiotherapist and osteopath.

One look at the extensive spa menu and you might be overwhelmed at all the treatments you can try – advanced iS Clinical facials, a CBD facial (a must-try for sensitive or inflamed skin), salt scrubs and body massages, or body waxing and lash tinting.

Claridge's

For a quintessentially British retreat, visit the Art Deco landmark, Claridge's, in the heart of Mayfair. The wellness haven spans a vast 7,000 square feet and includes a swimming pool, seven heavenly treatment rooms, steam rooms and a sauna. Architecturally speaking, the design (by Hong Kong-born Andrew Fu) transports you to an oasis where traditional Japanese wellness meets contemporary design, from cherry blossom art by Damien Hirst to a trickling water feature and wooden walls flooded with warm, mellow light.

While you can book in for anything from a vegan and organic soothing body massage to hair colouring by Josh Wood, our recommendation is The Method Facial by Augustinus Bader for a total skin overhaul. Using advanced skincare technology, this customised facial stimulates cell renewal, promotes circulation, detoxes and refreshes the skin for an immediate glow.

You're spoilt for choice post-treatment; visit the Claridge's Wine Cellar and find an eclectic wine to sip in your suite, enjoy a light lunch in The Foyer, or retire back to your room, meticulously appointed with sumptuous fabrics, exquisite furnishings and possibly the most comfortable bed you'll experience.