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Piccadilly Health Club and Spa, London - 3 bubbles
Single Spy was delighted to be invited to the Piccadilly Health Club in the five-star Le Meridien hotel in central London. She had often walked past the door but never been in. Once she was actually in, she found a subterranean spa that is scheduled for a refurb -- hence the 3 bubbles -- but meanwhile offers some great treatments, a large pool, and the fanciest accessories in a gym she has ever seen. Plus a delightful tea.
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?
Any special features?
Who do you think would like it?
Why did you give the spa this rating?
Would you go again?
First impressions?
Le Meridien is right next to Piccadilly Circus so very handy for almost anywhere. A doorman opened the door for me and, immediately I was inside, a further member of staff spotted my navigational challenges and offered to help. I asked for the spa. He pointed to some stairs. "Two floors down," he said. Ah, one of those deep basement spas that so many grander London hotels have inherited, then.
I went down the carpeted stairs, followed the signs, and pitched up in a light and bright area, that looked like it had once been a grand ballroom, but was now sectioned and partitioned to create a temporary space. The area seemed to have little focus. I went past an open gym room and found myself up against a reception desk where there was a jug of water and a plate of quartered oranges.
Just past the desk was an area with some cycles, running machines and other aerobic exercise equipment; there were also some stairs to another mysterious area... The atmosphere was definitely more health club than "spa", but mainly ex-ballroom.
How did they welcome you?
Efficiently. I gave my name and, within moments, had acquired a small towel, a large towel, a robe, a new pair of spa slippers, a pound coin for the locker, and an escorted tour to the door of the female changing rooms.
What happens next?
The changing rooms: These seem fairly small at first glance, with beige floor tiles, some wooden lockers (for which you need that one-pound coin), but they're full of little nooks and crannies into which are tucked loos, a weighing machine, some private changing cubicles, and six showers with frosted-glass doors. The area was clean, but in need of some TLC; there was conditioner missing from the brackets in some of the showers, and paint was peeling here and there.
The gym: I changed into my T-shirt and leggings and went back to the gym area, next to the reception desk, for a brisk 30-minute cycle. While pedalling, I had a bit more of a chance to look around me. The gym really is like a converted ballroom. I have no idea if this is what it once was, but there are huge windows, some silvered, to give a sense of light and space, some looking over the dark-blue pool. An air of faded grandeur is pervasive throughout. Up the stairs is a converted cafe area with some blue floor-mats and two rather magnificent statues. It's been too long since I did stomach crunches under the watchful eye of a marble Grecian goddess.
The pool: Worked out, I went for a swim. The pool is large for central London, blue, dimly lit, and great for a refreshing splash. The only way to get into the pool is down some ladder-style steps, which won't be great for you if you have mobility problems. The pool area shares the sense of the rest of the place that it's been cobbled together out of bits and pieces of existing hotel rooms. Through a little door, a steam room! Up (some rather uninviting) steps, a Jacuzzi! At the far end of the pool, a squash court!
I had a peaceful swim, interrupted only by some people coming out of the squash court mid-length. I swam round and round a central mosaiced pillar in the middle of the pool that looked like it would have been happier in (again) a ballroom. White Grecian goddesses made an appearance once more, in plaster at the top of the walls. All very grand. After the swim, I had a satisfying steam on the beige marble benches of the nicely hot room. I declined the Jacuzzi, and went for a shower to wash off the chlorine in readiness for my treatment. Afterwards, I put on my robe, clutching it to me as it had no supplied tie, and met Maria in the relaxation room just opposite the changing rooms.
Which treatments did you have?
I had a treatment so new it hasn't made it to the treatment menu yet. I had the invigoratingThai compress massage (£60 for 60 minutes). This treatment comprises a full-on full-body massage, including face and scalp massage, using blends of essential oils designed to calm the mind, body and soul.
What were the treatments like?
My therapist, Maria, took me into the treatment room and asked me to fill in my health consultation form. The treatment rooms were in a temporary space, while awaiting the promised refurb. While I was dutifully ticking boxes, Maria explained that I had a choice of oils: detoxifying or relaxing. She recited the various ingredients of each but, call me picky, I would far rather choose an oil by smelling it than by hearing its list of ingredients. Still, I had had a pretty busy week so knew I needed a bit of relaxation and chose the relaxifying option. Maria also asked me if there were any areas I would like the massage to target specifically. Yes! My laptop shoulders!
Maria left me in privacy to take off my robe and don some glamorous paper knickers in readiness for the treatment.
The massage started with me lying face down on the treatment table with my face in a face-holder, and covered in towels.
The Thai massage involved Maria applying her serious massage skills to my shoulders in particular. The massage was very firm, sometimes just this side of pain. I felt it was doing me excellent good, unknotting all my knots. Maria used hot Thai poultices for pressure which smelled lovely; these had lime and lemongrass as the top-notes in a combination of 21 different spices and herbs all designed to promote relaxation. Maria worked over all my back, then asked me to turn over onto my front, so she could do it all again.
Maria was also careful to ask whether I wanted her to use oil in my hair for the scalp-massage part of the treatment. I said no, as a) I'd just washed it and b) I didn't want to get back in the shower and eliminate all traces of the lime and lemongrass. I also felt that commuters on the 18.02 to Brighton could benefit from their aromas as much I was doing. So Maria wrapped my hair in a towel and kept it squeaky clean. Perfect.
How did you feel afterwards?
I enjoyed my treatment very much, felt that my shoulders had been pummelled into some sort of better behaviour, and felt very relaxed from the warm massage techniques.
What happens afterwards?
Maria took me through to the dimly lit relaxation room and brought me a cup of green tea. The relaxation room is circular, large, and a very unusual space for a central London hotel. There is a large mirror above a fireplace, a chandelier in the high ceiling, and several loungers arranged in a circle. I chose a lounger by the illuminated fish-tank and spent a happy ten minutes recovering and watching the fish.
I then changed back into my day clothes, and went upstairs to The Terrace to have tea. I loved the tea! The Terrace is high above Piccadilly with a glass roof, and an area to take tea outside in warmer weather. The tea is a proper tea, with finger sandwiches of smoked salmon, and egg and cress, plus warm scones with cream and jam, perfectly delivered on a three-tier silver salver. The tea menu is extensive, from builders to jasmine to dragonwell. I chose the amaranthus flower, which blossomed in the glass pot before me, releasing its delicate flavours. A lovely end to a relaxing spa day.
Was it worth it?
The Thai treatment certainly was. These are good massage prices for central London.
What else could you have?
The Piccadilly Health Club offers a range of Decleor treatments, including facials (which all begin with a "diagnostic back massage"), wraps, massages, and targeted treatments for the legs, bust and troublesome areas. You can also have Jessica manicures and pedicures, Decleor tanning treatments, waxing, and specific treatments for men and mums-to-be.
Any special features?
Statues in a free weights area are pretty unusual.
Who do you think would like it?
People staying at Le Meridien hotel. Local workers looking for an affordable health-club. Anyone who is in central London and needs an effective and good-value treatment to pep them up for business or pleasure.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
We gave The Piccadilly Health Club 3 bubbles because it offers good-value treatments, but the spa area is in desperate need of a lick of paint and some upgrading. This is promised for later in 2009. If the spa gets a make-over to match the quality of the treatments, the Spies will be fighting each other for the next visit.
See more on how we rate the spas.
Would you go again?
There's a lot of competition in the central-London hotel spa market, but I would go back to the Piccadilly Health Club because it's a friendly environment with good-value treatments. I'd be there for a massage and a tea at the drop of a hat. I look forward to seeing what their refurb will provide.
We visited The Piccadilly Health Club in January 2009.
See also:
* Contact Details for Piccadilly Health Club and Spa
* Thai massage
* Do spas have robes in different sizes?
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