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We were invited back to these small treatment rooms in Belgravia, and found excellent treatments using Pure Lochside organic products, friendly and knowledgeable therapists, and a comfortable relaxation area. So Earthspa keeps its 5 bubbles, despite the lack of a true robe-and-lounger experience.
First impressions?
How did they welcome you?
What happens next?
Which treatments did you have?
What were the treatments like?
How did you feel afterwards?
What happens afterwards?
Long-term effects
Was it worth it?
What else could you have?
Who do you think would like it?
Why did you give the spa this rating?
Would you go again?
First impressions?
The spa is a mere dash across the road from Victoria station. There is a smart, wide-windowed shop front to allow you a peek at the delights within. Through the door, you arrive immediately in a wooden-floored reception area and a desk with a friendly receptionist.
How did they welcome you?
Efficiently and cheerfully. I was expected, so the staff whisked me through the smart reception and into the relaxation area, pausing only to divest me of my coat and bag along the way -- tucked neatly into a cupboard.
The relaxation area is small, with just three sofa-style chairs around a floral arrangement and a large dark wicker basket of magazines. The area is decorated in harmonious, warm tones with an opulent red Oriental rug on the floor. Candles flickered. This area is part of the corridor through to the treatment rooms, so not especially secluded. Lauren, who was my therapist, offered me tea, but I was happy with water. The water arrived in a small cold glass with a slice of lime, alongside some biscuits. I filled in my consultation form as I sipped.
What happens next?
Lauren took me through to the treatment room. This room was larger than I had expected and a pleasant surprise, with less of the inevitable traffic noise than I had expected, too. There was a Perspex shower unit in the corner, a large picture of pebbles, a treatment bed, and arched shelving containing candles and a zen garden.
There was also a strong scent -- Lauren explained that she had been burning sage "to get rid of any negative energy". Earthspa does not have a communal changing area, so I got changed in the treatment room, putting my clothes on a chair. No big deal, but the floor was a little cold on bare feet!
Which treatments did you have?
I had the Back to Earth package (£120, 120 minutes). This involved body brushing, a salt-scrub exfoliation, a back massage and a facial.
What were the treatments like?
Heavenly.
Lauren began my treatment and explained that she would hand over to Sylvia for the "body work". Lauren issued me with a set of instructions: to disrobe, don the disposable knickers, tie my hair in a net, secure my hair away from my face with a band, lie on the bed face down, and cover myself with a towel. She left the room. I think I'd got it all.
It was a little difficult, face down, to get the fluffy white towels on the massage couch in proper place over my disposable knickers, but I managed, just before Lauren knocked on the door again. The heated bed felt very soothing.
Lauren began with body brushing and a salt scrub, which was beautifully done. Scrubs can be challenging, as you're asking someone you've possibly never met before to rub salt and oil into intimate parts of your skin to make it more beautiful. Lauren made quick, deliberate strokes with a firm brush to get my circulation moving, then asked me to smell the orange and grapefruit oils she was using in the exfoliation. Very invigorating.
Again, Lauren exerted just the right pressure with her hands: not too firm and not too wishy-washy. I then got into the shower to rinse all the salt off while Lauren cleared the treatment bed of its oily towels. I wasn't sure I wanted someone to be on the other side of the clear Perspex while I washed! I had no idea what to do with my paper knickers, so I left them in the shower. Sorry!
I just had time to notice, as I hopped back onto the bed, and wriggled to turn face down as instructed, that my skin felt very soft.
Sylvia arrived as soon as I was face down, which isn't the best way to meet someone. She asked if I had any special areas of concern and I explained about my neck. It has been in bits ever since I became wedded to my laptop. It hurt to stand straight. Sylvia noted this and said that her 40-minute back massage would therefore concentrate on my neck.
Sylvia started the treatment by putting some oil on her hands, which she placed in front of my face, and asked me to breathe in and out deeply three times. The massage was excellent. Sylvia's hands kneaded my muscles along every inch of their contour, her fingers pursued knots to the end, reaching under my skull to chase areas of tension. I felt like Sylvia took my concerns seriously and did her best to treat my problems. I could have happily have let the massage continue all day.
Sadly, that part of the treatment came to an end. Sylvia brought me some water (a lemon slice this time) and said that my C3 and C4 vertebrae were causing problems. I should move my neck more at the computer and try yoga. "But you know this…" she said. Sadly, I do. I just don't do it. Which is why I have to visit a spa.
Sylvia segued nicely back into Lauren, who arrived for my facial, using Pure Lochside organic products. I have loved these products since I was introduced to them at the Spa at Loch Lomond. The products use natural and organic ingredients and are made on the west coast of Scotland.
The facial was both relaxing and effective - a rare combination. Lauren used orange cleansing oil, a revitalising face oil containing organic orange-blossom and rose, and applied a red clay and Vitamin E mask. While this was nurturing my skin, Lauren treated me to a little more massage.
At one point, I woke up (!) as my arm had fallen off the treatment bed, so I knew I had been very relaxed.
How did you feel afterwards?
Relaxed. Very relaxed.
What happens afterwards?
I got dressed and made my way to the spa's relaxation area, via the bathroom - large and clean. The only jarring detail was non-branded liquid soap in a dispenser, and a tube of Dermalogica body wash that was empty.
Settled on a comfy chair, I sipped some mint tea and heroically ignored the biscuits that accompanied it.
Long-term effects
The facial left my skin clean and clear. My neck and shoulder muscles thanked me for that massage for a week.
Was it worth it?
Yes. The treatments were excellent, and a good price for central London.
What else could you have?
At Earthspa, they offer a range of massages, body wraps and facials, alongside complementary therapies such as Reiki and reflexology, and many beauty treatments, including waxing, eyebrow maintenance, manicures and pedicures. They also offer professional intuitive readings ("Allow your life to be magical!") and a nice set of packages. You can choose from Dermalogica or Pure Lochside products.
Who do you think would like it?
Local Belgravians looking for a beauty quick-fix or a little de-stress. If you're looking for a long, lounging spa day, this isn't the place for you. But for a top-quality treatment, Earthspa delivers.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
Earthspa keeps its 5 bubbles because my treatments were excellent, the staff were all friendly, well-informed and enthusiastic, and the treatment rooms are comfortable and clean.
However, losing the whole robe/lounging experience nearly lost them a bubble. There are no changing rooms and no robes. You are either undressed and swathed in towels in your treatment room, or dressed and reading a glossy magazine in the relaxation area. If you want to go to the loo, you either have to sprint down the corridor in your towel, or you have to get fully dressed again. This takes away quite a bit of the "spa" feeling. However, if you're there purely for a massage or a beauty treatment, the seated relaxation area will suffice.
See more on how we rate the spas.
Would you go again?
Definitely, as the treatments were so good.
We visited Earthspa in December 2009
See also:
* I have sensitive skin. Do spas use products that will irritate my skin?
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