Review of Cobella Kensington, London

Cobella Kensington, London - 4 bubbles

We were invited to Cobella's stylish treatment rooms in Kensington High Street, to try their Total O2 Immersion package. Our Spy was totally won over by the fantastic facial and marvellous massage, but found some devils in the details.

Was it easy to book?

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?

Was it worth it?

Who do you think would like it?

Why did you give the spa this rating?

Would you go again?

Was it easy to book?

Yes. However, Cobella are not doing themselves many favours with their website as they don't list any details on specific spa treatments, and the package I had isn't listed at all. There weren't any detailed menus available in the spa, either! Hair is the big thing at Cobella (literally; they'd just had Channel Five News in to interview them about the return of the 80s perm) and the spa feels a little overlooked...

First impressions?

A busy top-end hair salon in Kensington High Street. The spa is downstairs, completely separate from the hair salon.

How did they welcome you?

Very cheerfully, despite me being late! The receptionist asked if I would like something to drink, before taking me downstairs to the spa to meet my therapist.

What happens next?

The spa's reception area is harmoniously decked out in neutrals and light browns, accented with darker reddish-wood furniture. Copious spotlighting means that it doesn't suffer from feeling like a basement bunker spa, as some subterranean treatment rooms do. As you walk down the stairs into this room, your eyes are drawn to the pretty twinkling tealights dotted along the bottom of the wall, nestling among pebbles. Very spa.

The reception area includes a stylish nail bar with high stools, and a relaxation area, separated from the rest of the room by a folding bamboo screen.

My therapist, Georgia, introduced herself and took me to the changing room. I opened my dark reddish-wood locker to discover a white waffle robe and slippers. And an advert for the spa's Botox treatments stuck to the back of the locker. Were they trying to tell me something?

There was nowhere to sit so I had to hop around madly on one leg trying to pull my boots off. The spa slippers appeared to have been specifically designed for fairy folk as my size-6 plates of meat didn't quite fit into them. Ditto the robe, which was a little on the snug side. However, copious Guinot treats sitting on the shelf by the sink made up for this.

I was less impressed when I opened the curtain at the back of the changing room which screens off the shower from the rest of the room. There was a used spa slipper on the floor along with the clear plastic wrapping from some paper knickers. At least the knickers themselves were thankfully absent.

The changing room was on the small side and only had one shower. With five treatment rooms at Cobella, I wouldn't like to be changing there when it was busy, what with all those people hopping around trying to pull their shoes off.

Which treatments did you have?

The Total O2 Immersion package -- a mini manicure and pedicure, Oxygen Facial, and a Muscle Ease massage.

What were the treatments like?

After I'd changed into my robe and slippers, I returned to the reception area to meet Georgia, my therapist, who asked me to sit down at the nail bar. She explained that she was going to begin with the manicure and pedicure, so that the varnish would be able to dry throughout my facial and massage -- a good plan. As I hauled myself up on the high red leather stool, for my manicure, I saw that my tea was waiting for me on the nail bar. Fantastic.

The mini manicure: Georgia neatened up my terrible gardener's nails, applied a strengthener, tamed my cuticles and applied a natural, pale Jessica varnish which I loved. While she worked on my hands, we discussed my skin type, and what I would like to achieve from my massage and facial.

After my manicure, and more tea, she took me over to the treatment room for my pedicure.

The mini pedicure: The treatment room was on the small side, but stylish. Big seashells and vases were spotlit on shelves, there was a print of some pebbles on the wall, and a huge vase full of twigs lurked in the corner. I relaxed on the massage couch as Georgia did my pedicure. I'd opted for a sparkling red varnish and at the end of the treatment, my feet looked fab. Georgia had shaped my nails beautifully.

The oxygen facial: After an orange-scented cleanse, and a gentle exfoliation to suit my sensitive skin, Georgia applied a beautifully cooling gauze mask. This was followed by a generous amount of really strong facial and scalp massage and hot towels. It was then time for the oxygen.

I have to say, I was a little sceptical about having oxygen applied to my face. Don't get me wrong -- it's one of my favourite gases. I wouldn't breathe anything else. But the idea of paying serious money to have someone puff air at you?

Cobella use "medical grade" oxygen, which Georgia spritzed onto my skin from a large canister, the kind used to fill up helium balloons. The treatment felt cool, damp, and very refreshing. Slightly tickly, in a very pleasant way.

I loved it. The oxygen facial was a great combination of different sensations -- hot and cold, soothing and stimulating -- and Georgia made great use of the time by giving me a neck and shoulder massage while waiting for masks to work their magic.

The massage: I had very stiff legs and back following an over-zealous yoga session the previous day, so Georgia recommended a Muscle Ease massage to unlock my poor, aching limbs. She worked confidently and strongly, targeting exactly the areas that needed to be pummelled back to life, and worked all the knots out of my legs and back. At times borderline painful (but in a good way), this was a superb massage.

One small gripe; the massage couch was on the narrow side (no doubt designed for those fairy folk again) so I felt a little precarious turning over onto my back. I also felt slightly uncomfortable when lying on my front, as the headrest didn't have a hole in it.

How did you feel afterwards?

Relaxed, and pampered. I felt great -- and very, very thirsty. Georgia advised me to keep drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Which I did -- litres of it. That was a very effective massage! Following the oxygen facial, my skin looked really healthy and glowing. My scepticism was proven wrong.

What happens afterwards?

Georgia brought me a large glass of water, showed me where she'd hung the robe on the back of door and told me to relax on the couch until I was ready to don robe and slippers once more. After a few minutes, I padded down the corridor to the relaxation room, screened off from the rest of the reception room. There are square squashy seats arranged around a low table laden with a good choice of magazines, alongside fresh flowers and candles. There's bottled still and fizzy water, and fruit.

Was it worth it?

The Total O2 Immersion package costs £150 - pushing the boat out a little but it was worth it for the high quality of the treatments.

Who do you think would like it?

Anyone in need of a beauty quick-fix after doing retail on Kensington High Street.

Why did you give the spa this rating?

We gave Cobella Kensington 4 bubbles. I had a fabulous therapist and the treatments hit the spot. Georgia had a great eye for detail and nothing grated or jarred throughout my treatments.

However, Cobella lets itself down with a few small details: the dirty slipper on the floor being one. Part of the arm-rest was missing on the massage couch, and the veneer was peeling on the cupboard in the treatment room. The Tesco's Hand Cream on the side of the sink in the bathroom hit a jarring note; when everywhere else was an abundance of Guinot loveliness, why? Supermarket own-brand hand cream angers the Spa God. It makes him wrathful.

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