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Spa at 51, Westminster - 4 bubbles
Always wanted to lie on a bed of warm algae while a therapist massages your individual toes? Then your prayers are answered. At this central-London spa, you can experience just that. They make it very clear what they offer at Spa at 51: "spa treatments and fitness facilities". And that's what you get, in a very classy 4-bubble atmosphere.
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?
What else could you have?
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
Any special features?
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. The staff were friendly and efficient.
First impressions?
The main hotel entrance is in busy Buckingham Gate, and you go through to an equally busy hotel reception area. The day I visited, this part of the hotel was full of women in bright coats and fancy hats, like a flock of butterflies. I found out later that they were on their way to a garden party at nearby Buckingham Palace.
I asked directions and was pointed through the hotel and across the courtyard. It's worth stopping here just to gaze at the large Italianate water fountain; it's very high and, on a hot sunny London day, gave a refreshing splash of water in the courtyard gardens.
Up the steps to the clearly signposted spa, where I found myself in the spa reception area. This is elegant and spare, brightened by some gorgeous -- and real -- orchids. Glass shelves laded with Anne Semonin products glisten against one wall.
How did they welcome you?
In a friendly, relaxed manner. The receptionist immediately offered me a glass of water, which was a nice touch. The spa manager, Martin, provided me with white robe and wrapped slippers, and a pound coin for the locker, and showed me down the stairs to the changing rooms. Martin also pointed out the relaxation area where I could wait for my therapist.
What happens next?
As it was my first visit, I was unsure of what to expect. As I went into the changing rooms, I noticed a sign on the back of the door that said "Please shower before using spa pools." Ooh, I thought, there are pools... So I found a locker with a key in it, put on my swimming costume, and embarked on an exploration of the changing rooms.
I found a steam room. To be frank, and to manage your expectations here, it was a turquoise-tiled steam cupboard. There was only room for one person to sit on a tiny bench. It was gratifyingly hot in there, though, and I liked the fact that there was a shower in there, too, so you could cool yourself down.
Opposite the steam cupboard was a slightly larger wooden-benched sauna. There was a warning outside not to splash too much water on the hot stones, but when I got in, there was no water anyway, so all danger was averted.
Now nicely warm, I thought I'd find the spa pools. I went out of the changing rooms and into a corridor. Opposite the changing rooms was the relaxation area I'd seen. I couldn't see anything else. I grabbed a passing member of staff and enquired as to the location of these fabled pools. She denied all knowledge. At this point, another member of staff, who turned out to be my therapist, Sonja, turned up. She explained that the sign referred to the Jacuzzi that they used to have but allayed my disappointment at its current non-existence by explaining that she was, in fact, ready to begin my treatment.
So we went back upstairs into a large and dimly lit treatment room, with more orchids, and my treatment began.
Which treatments did you have?
I had the Anne Semonin Anti-Stress Back Therapy (£65, 45 minutes) which sounded perfect for me as I carry all my tension in my shoulders. I also had an Anne Semonin Phtyo-Aromatic facial (£70, 60 minutes). There is a range of phyto-aromatic facials on offer; your therapist assesses your skin, talks to you about what you want from your facial, and then blends a variety of serums, masks and oils to meet your individual needs.
What were the treatments like?
Sonja, my therapist, left the room while I got undressed. I donned the most glamorous disposable knickers I have ever seen: they came in a silver box.
The Anne Semonin Anti-Stress Back Therapy was a gloriously de-stressing treatment. It began with Sonja applying warm flannels to my feet, then massaging my back and shoulders, quite firmly, though she was careful to check whether the pressure was okay for me. She also made sure I was warm enough and that the room wasn't too bright. I was already feeling calmer.
Sonja then mixed up some marine algae and oil. "Needs more algae," she said at one point. "It's like cooking." Once the mixture was ready to her satisfaction, she layered it onto a silver sheet, asked me to sit up, and placed the sheet underneath me. When I laid back down again, I squished into the mineral mixture.
That mixture was alive! The mineral mud quickly heated up and began bubbling away underneath me. It felt strange, but absolutely heavenly. I could almost feel the stress leaching out of my shoulders and into the mud. The mud smelled earthy, but in a good way.
While the mud was doing its bubbly work, Sonja massaged my legs to help with the detoxification process. This wasn't such a deep massage as she had given me on my back, but focused on the lighter strokes of lymphatic drainage. She also massaged my feet, and every single one of my toes. I enjoyed every moment, carried away on the swell of some rather grand piano music in the background.
When it was time for the facial to begin, Sonja asked me if I'd like to leave the algae on a little longer. Yes, please. It was still bubbling, but not so fiercely as before. So while I savoured the last few minutes of that, Sonja looked at my face, decided my skin was a little dry in places, and asked me how I wanted my skin to feel afterwards. "Nice and clean and moisturised," I said. She pondered on this, then announced she would use a part-gel, part cream mask instead of just one or the other. I bowed to her superior knowledge.
Sonja then embarked on a whole series of steps to allow my skin to reach my desired state. There was cleansing, a white kaolin exfoliation mask, the promised part-gel-part-cream mask, applied over a gauze so it peeled off easily, and mixed up specially, and much massage of my face, too. I liked the lymphatic drainage aspect of this massage as I've seen it make a real difference to my skin: lots of smoothing round the eye contour and little butterfly strokes across my cheeks and around my chin. Very soothing
I didn't want the treatment to end but all good things come to one. And this did with a little glass of watermelon juice.
How did you feel afterwards?
Nice and clean and moisturised. Definitely feeling a lot less tension in my shoulders, and ready for my lunch.
What happens afterwards?
Sonja had filled in a form which included all my recommended purchases and explained what I should use and why. She gave useful advice that I should put a serum on my skin at night, rather than a cream, as the skin needs to detox at night, and a heavy cream can interfere with this process. Education as well as relaxation...
Before I left, I had a late lunch in the Bistro at the hotel, and can recommend their chicken satay and delicious Caesar salad. Then, sadly, I really did have to get back to the real world.
Was it worth it?
Every penny. The treatments are about what you'd expect to pay in central London, but the effects are worth it. My skin glowed and I felt decidedly laid-back.
What else could you have?
The full range of Anne Semonin facials, including the must-have Eternal Youth as well as facials specifically designed for men. All sorts of massages, including a massage specifically for pregnancy that uses specialised cushions so mums-to-be can lie face-down in a safe and supported way. You can have eye treatments, wraps and scrubs, reflexology, manicures and pedicures. There are also packages that include a light lunch. When I can afford it, I'll be back for the Ultimate Journey of Anne Semonin beauty with a whole four hours of delicious treatment time.
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
To take a pound coin for the locker. That there really wasn't a pool. That I should have allowed some time to enjoy the gym or a class; the gym is a good size for a hotel spa and you could have a workout as part of your spa day, if you're as energetically inclined as I am.
Any special features?
The high-quality treatments. And I know it's not strictly in the spa, but the water fountain in the courtyard does uplift your spirits on your way in and your way out.
Who do you think would like it?
Anyone staying in the hotel or apartments, living or working locally, or going to a garden party. Anne Semonin fans, too, obviously (and there are many).
Why did you give the spa this rating?
We gave the Spa at 51 4 bubbles because it offers excellent treatments with visible results (both inside and out) in a classy setting. Why not 5? The changing rooms were a bit Spartan: there was Molton Brown body wash and shampoo on offer in the three showers (but no conditioner), and body lotion bracketed to the wall, but the area had a definite "health club" rather than "spa" feel.
The relaxation area was also quite austere: there are three loungers and some magazines, but no tea, no tweety-bird music, no individual reading lights...
This all adds up to Spa at 51 being an excellent place to go for treatments to get you back on track or before any sort of Big Day, but without a pool or decent-sized heat facilities, it's a spa you'd struggle to unwind yourself in for much longer than your treatment time.
See more on how we rate the spas
Would you go again?
Next time the Queen invites me for tea, I'll be there like a shot. Actually, I don't think I'll wait that long...
We visited Spa at 51 in July 2008
See also:
* Contact Details for Spa at 51
* Lymphatic drainage
* Facials: How to choose the right one for you
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