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Brown's Hotel, Mayfair - 4 bubbles
We despatched our Shy Spy to Brown's, the epitome of hotel elegance in central London, to test out their signature Natura Bissé Diamond facial. She loved her treatment, but yearned for somewhere to chill out afterwards (and show off her shining skin, no doubt). If you're after functional elegance, though, you'll enjoy these central-London treatment rooms.
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?
Any special features?
Who do you think would like it?
Why did you give the spa this rating?
Would you go again?
First impressions?
Brown's Hotel is a classic, discreet hotel in London's Mayfair. It combines the elegance of a Georgian townhouse with contemporary, sophisticated interiors. The comfortable, wood-panelled English Tea Room makes you think of Agatha Christie mysteries: you almost expect Hercule Poirot to walk in for tea. In contrast, the contemporary design of The Donovan Bar uses black leather seating, wooden floors and iconic black-and-white prints from the bar's inspiration, photographer Terence Donovan.
On arrival, the friendly hotel doorman greeted us and took us through to the hotel reception. The tiled floor, neutral walls, dark wood panels and antique furniture in the lobby are combined with some chic modern furnishings, such as minimal, contoured seating and unusual lamps.
The concierge gave us a tour around the main hotel facilities, then showed us to our room.
Our Junior Suite was decorated in a soft colour scheme of white, beige and pale olive green, with comfortable, contemporary furniture. No chintz here.
The Egyptian cotton bedsheets made me want to spend the next 24 hours in bed, with the pillow menu to hand (just in case I wished to order a pillow that met my specific sleeping requirements). A tasty flavoured meringue creation and chilled spring water had been left for us on the table. There was a good selection of glossy magazines, and Penguin Classics to browse through on the bookshelf.
How did they welcome you?
After taking the lift down to the basement, you enter a corridor that leads straight round to the gym and spa. Both are quite compact, and the spa door leads straight to the reception desk.
In contrast to the rest of the hotel, the spa's interior is minimalist and modern with pristine white walls and clean lines. This does help to prevent the basement spa from feeling too small. Shareen, my therapist, greeted me and offered me a drink while I waited.
What happens next?
I chose a relaxing camomile tea. The traditional loose tea was served on a tray with some fresh, juicy grapes. I was glad that the tea was served on a tray as the waiting area consisted only of a padded bench. There was no table to put a teacup on. After I had sipped a little bit of tea, Shareen showed me into the treatment room. I was booked into the double treatment room, where I had more than enough space to get ready. The separate mini-mezzanine changing area with a shower had all the changing-and-hanging space necessary. The minimal design and white walls didn't seem too stark. It made the treatment room feel clean and uncluttered.
Which treatments did you have?
I had the Brown's Signature Natura Bissé Diamond facial (90 minutes, £160). After hearing so much about the diamond range, we thought we should see if it really does leave you sparkling!
What were the treatments like?
The facial began with Shareen cleansing my face, using a cleanser that smelt sugar-sweet, just like candy-floss. That was the only soft and fluffy part to the facial, though. A glycolic peel mask followed the cleanse, with Shareen checking how sensitive my skin was before deciding between two mask strengths. Although I went for the stronger blend, the fruit peel was still fairly gentle, so it caused no irritation and redness whatsoever.
Shareen followed the peel with a facial massage, using Shiatsu-style massage techniques. Rather than pressing down on facial pressure points, she used longer, deeper strokes on my face, getting to grips with the facial muscles.
Shareen used a tuning fork to make sound vibrations, which are meant to energise your muscles and tighten the skin. While my eyes were closed, Shareen twanged the fork (I'm sorry, but there is no elegant way of describing it), pressing the vibrations of the metal into my cheek and jaw muscles. Although the sound of the twanging was slightly odd, the sensation on my face was actually quite nice, and relaxing, too.
Shareen then laid a mask over my face, in the form of a dampened face-shape fabric, with breathing holes. Despite making me feel slightly like a burns victim in a face bandage, the cooling mask was light and felt comfortable.
As the products used throughout the facial were all designed to moisturise, Shareen didn't daub me in moisturiser before I left. This was a wise choice, as my skin felt just about perfect once my facial had finished.
Towards the end of the facial, I did notice that I could hear some noise from the waiting area outside. On leaving the room, I realised that there were two very vocal guests in the reception area, so perhaps the thickness of the walls wasn't to blame! But Shareen did seem to be managing the reception area as well as carrying out the treatments, so no-one was there to insist on a "spa whisper".
How did you feel afterwards?
My skin felt exceptionally smooth, calm, and plumped-up. Although Shareen hadn't applied any moisturiser, my skin felt nicely prepped for applying make-up before my evening out.
What happens afterwards?
Shareen left me to relax and get ready in my own time. As I had just had a facial, I didn't need to make much use of the changing area, but it had a clean shower and plenty of space to change. There was a hairdryer and products to use, although there did seem to be a lot of styling products and not much in the way of skincare.
Long-term effects
The facial left my skin much smoother and clearer for a good couple of days afterwards. I suffer from breakouts, and this treatment seemed to have a good deep-cleansing and calming effect on my skin.
Was it worth it?
The treatment was very relaxing, and left my skin looking good. Shareen was an excellent therapist: friendly and approachable but still very thorough and professional. My Natura Bissé facial was pricey, though, and as there are no other spa facilities, the treatment is the only thing included in the price. It would be nice as an occasional treat, though.
What else could you have?
A good range of massage is available: Swedish, hot stone, Thai, lymphatic drainage, deep tissue, and Shiatsu. There are a few Carita facials to choose from, including a couple for men, Natura Bissé wraps, an Aromatherapy Associates body polish, and Mama Mio pregnancy treatments. Manicures and pedicures, and a rather lovely sounding Hot Milk and Honey Foot Facial are on the menu to treat weary fingers and toes.
Any special features?
While we were out in the evening, our bedroom was tidied and robes, slippers, and some mini Aromatherapy Associates bath oils laid out on the bed: all helped us make the most of a relaxing weekend as a spa guest.
Who do you think would like it?
Hotel guests at Brown's. It's so easy to pop in the lift and visit the spa. It would be rather nice to pop in for a treatment before retiring to the English Tea Room, or for a cocktail in The Donovan Bar...
Otherwise, as this isn't a spa where you can spend time outside of treatments, it's suited to those who want a professional treatment in a smart, discreet location. There's no pool, so if getting in your laps is a crucial part of your spa day, Brown's isn't for you.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
We gave the spa at Brown's Hotel 4 bubbles. Why not 5? Because, according to an old spa proverb: "three treatment rooms and a gym do not a spa make".
While my treatment was very professional and effective, the treatment room was huge, and the customer service was great, there is no relaxation area. Even the waiting area has only a bench for seating. There was no quiet zone with dimmed lights or soft seats, and I think the spa misses that. A few more spa touches in the reception area also wouldn't go amiss, to stop it feeling like a surgery waiting room.
See more on how we rate the spas
Would you go again?
If my partner wishes to take me to Brown's at regular intervals, then yes, of course!
We visited Brown's Hotel in May 2008
See also:
* Contact Details for Brown's Hotel
* Our Spa Spies review Mama Mio products
* Shiatsu
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