Where the City borders the West End lies a hotel with a subterranean spa comprising a treatment list designed to impress even the most accomplished of spa visitors. It is the One Aldwych Hotel, and I had a wonderful time there.
My treatment of choice, Natura Bisse’s La Alternativa Smooth, was incredibly effective and, a week on, my skin is smooth as butter. The facial is, generally speaking, designed for older skins than mine but if you book in for a facial and the therapists here think it won’t suit your skin type, they will cater your treatment accordingly.
I had a sample of the wrinkle-busting treatment and found it both innovative and also a little comical. It required a slathering of Inhibit 3D concentrate, followed by pressure over the lines with a tuning fork which needed a bang every minute or so to keep the vibrations going. To keep giggles at bay, I kept reminding myself that it would be effective and that my impulse to snigger was the very reason I had the expression lines around my mouth which were being vibrated.
After this was thoroughly massaged in, a cool algae mask is layered on top of the creams on my skin. It felt great, bar the fact my eyes were covered – I was assured that this was standard practice for the Natura Bisse facial and, in all fairness, the skin around my eyes was improved for it, but it was unnerving to have my eyes glued shut, and I felt a little entombed. Entombment and vibrations aside, this is a relaxing and remedial facial which really delivers, and the therapists were skilled and very friendly.
Once out the spa, I went for a swim in the rather lovely chlorine-free pool. When I dipped underwater I was amazed that the claims of underwater music were no fallacy. This was a really special touch, although the song was broken by my visits to the surface for air. The pool would still be a draw without this added bonus – it is impressive. The sauna and steam room were also well designed and the space well utilised, which seemed to be the theme throughout this underground treasure.
Back upstairs, I sampled the (virgin, of course, post-spa) cocktail menu in the spacious bar, and felt marvellous by the end of my afternoon. Judging from the bustle upstairs, I don’t think the downstairs trove will stay secret much longer… book now.
P.s. If you aren’t already a member of a gym, you should join up – if you’re a member of the health club you can use the gym, pool and get discounts on the treatments.
