Review of Radisson Edwardian New Providence Wharf (East River Spa), London

Radisson Edwardian New Providence Wharf (East River Spa), London - 4 bubbles

We were invited to sample this shiny new spa in Canary Wharf, and found that it could brighten even the dullest of December days. And our Spy's skin. Lots of little touches make this spa a lovely, luxurious haven from the hectic world. Be prepared for a trek to the pool, though.

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?

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?

First impressions?

I mistakenly got off the tube at the Canary Wharf station, instead of the East India Quay station. Still, I enjoyed wandering through Canary Wharf and only had to ask directions twice. I turned up at the Radisson Edwardian New Providence Wharf a little flustered!

The Radisson perches on the edge of the River Thames and is quite new. The entrance faces the river. It's a huge place -- essentially two buildings joined as one. You enter an equally huge reception area on the ground floor. To the left are meeting rooms, and to the right is the restaurant.

How did they welcome you?

Spa manager Lara greeted me warmly, then took me upstairs to the spa, across an impressive bridge that joins the rotund Ontario Tower and the Radisson Hotel. It was almost like a lit runway. At the end of the bridge, I could see a Buddha with candles either side, and the gentle fragrance from inside the spa was divine. The contemporary East River Spa and the adjoining gym have been given the whole second floor of the building.

What happens next?

Lara suggested that she show me the changing rooms, allow me to get changed and then give me a tour round.

The changing rooms: The changing room had dimmed lighting, which was atmospheric, rather than dingy. I really liked the shape of the slate grey walls, which followed the curves of the outside of the building. The floor was also slate grey and there were 32 ample, shiny grey lockers, each with a coat hanger and some drawers for personal possessions. Inside mine, I found a weighty robe, fluffy towel and slippers.

There was a glamorously-lit mirror at one end of the room, with a hairdryer, and the changing rooms were well-stocked with hair brushes, hair wax, lotions, cotton wool, cotton buds and wet cossie bags -- lots of little touches. There were also three sparkly-clean showers with frosted glass doors and walls, and Gilchrist & Soames shampoo and shower gel in each one.

I changed into my robe and went back out to reception where Lara was waiting for me. She took me to the swanky new Technogym, which had all of the latest state-of-the-art equipment. The gym was flooded with natural light, as floor to ceiling, half-frosted windows follow the curvature of the building. The room seems to just keep on going round!

Lara showed me the spa's wet facilities room, and relaxation room, before leaving me to enjoy the spa as I pleased. I wondered if there was a pool, but Lara told me that the pool is in an adjacent building. To use it, I would have to get dressed again, go outside into the real world on a cold, wintry day, cross the road, then undress again. Lara advised that it would be £5 for a swim if I was in the mood. Nah.

The wet facilities: I checked out the experience showers and, being a lover of warmth, soon found my favourite: the tropical downpour. The crystal steam room had chilled music playing and twinkling lights above me, with a pleasing, gargantuan quartz crystal protruding from the back wall.

The stone oven sauna made me think that I might feel like a pizza being cooked, but fortunately the experience was much nicer. I was a little disappointed that the sauna wasn't really hot, though, and there was no water in the bucket to make it sizzle. Still, I was hot enough and brave enough to try the ice fountain, and I'm so pleased I did. It was great rubbing ice all over my bod.

After enjoying the ice fountain, I went to the relaxation room and poured myself a glass of water from a jug. I could have had a variety of teas and some dried fruits, too. I was struck by the curved floor-to-ceiling windows facing out on to the River Thames. The relaxation room was quite dark, on this December day, but it had some stylish, long lights high up on the inner curved wall of the building.

My therapist, Rita, appeared to collect me for my treatment. With no clocks around, I was surprised that an hour had passed!

Which treatments did you have?

I had the East River Signature facial (£80 for 75 minutes) using Pevonia products.

What were the treatments like?

Fabulous. Rita led me into a lightly fragrant treatment room, with flickering candles, and a couch in the centre of the room. My bikini was still damp from the showers, so Rita offered me some paper knickers, which were much appreciated! I changed into them in an en-suite shower area. Rita was very considerate. She held up a black and gold sarong with her arms above her head, so my privacy was maintained, and I lay on my front on the couch whilst she covered me with it.

We discussed if I had been for a facial before, how it had felt, and how I wanted to feel at the end of the session. We also discussed my sensitive and spot-prone skin and what products I currently use.

Rita started the treatment by uncovering my feet and rubbing hot towels over them. That was instantly welcome and relaxing. Then she covered my feet up again and "padded" with flat palms, up my body until she came to my head.

She then delicately wrapped my hair in a towel. Next came my skin consultation and analysis. Rita covered my eyes with cotton pads and brought a UV light close to my face. Rita explained what she saw as she went. Initially, I found this quite personal, as she pointed out a small patch of sun damage on my forehead and nose, blocked pores on my nose and chin, and parched skin around my eyes. Thank goodness other people don't survey me this closely! But this was why I was here, to get my skin sorted.

Rita explained that she would be using spa-exclusive Pevonia products on my skin, as these are perfect for sensitive skin. With my eyes still covered, Rita coated my face with a lotion to open my pores. Rita then steamed my face with a mobile facial steamer for eight minutes. As this is not part of my care routine, I was pleasantly surprised by how good it felt.

She then carefully cupped my face with a warm, damp towel and cleaned off the exposed grime. She then applied a couple of different lotions and creams and removed them with great care.

Rita applied a final layer of cream to my face, and covered my eyes with an extra layer of padding, blocking out all light. Rita said that she could give me a head and neck massage while the final layer of cream did its work -- yes please! She gave me a fabulous head and neck massage that eased my aching neck. It was something I'd been hankering for, for ages. I just didn't want it to end.

Rita gave my face a final soothing cleanse, removed the layers of padding covering my eyes, and allowed me to rest whilst I came round. The lights were very dim so it wasn't a shock to be able to see again. Rita turned the lights up slightly and left the room so that I could change into my robe. She advised that it would be good to relax in the relaxation room, where she would meet me. Everything felt very professional, discreet and calming.

How did you feel afterwards?

Fabulous. Relaxed and rejuvenated. My skin felt much better than it had for a long time.

What happens afterwards?

I slowly peeled myself out of my reverie and went to the relaxation room to continue my chill-out on a gently warmed marble lounger. There was just one other guest there. Rita then entered the room and made me a cup of tea of my choice, in a beautiful cast-iron teapot set with two warmed mini-mince-pies. This was a lovely, luxury spa touch. I loved East River Spa's attention to detail.

Due to my state of relaxation, the dimness of the relaxation room was welcome. The only distracting thing was that the panoramic view of the River Thames was a tad disturbed by the O2 Arena's fluorescent coloured lights staking their claim upon the piece of land on the far side of the river.

Long-term effects

The following day, people commented on how radiant and good my skin looked. Great!

Was it worth it?

Yes. The treatment was fantastic from start to finish.

What else could you have?

East River Spa uses Pevonia, Algotherm, and Kimia products. There is a good range of facials on offer, including specific facials for rosacea, acne-prone skin and congested skin. East River offer skin analysis to help you decide which treatment is best for you. You can also have Crystal Clear microdermabrasion, oxygen therapy and CACI treatments. You can add on 15-minute eye treatments to beat puffiness, dark circles or wrinkles, or wander down the medi-spa route of Botox and Restylane.

There's a small range of massages on the menu, including a couples massage.

We like the sound of the Cleopatra Bathing Experience, where you (and a partner) can relax in a private steam room and fling around an "indulgent selection of exotic, mineralising muds and natural salts".

Spa packages for jet-lagged souls, macho men, couples and detoxers round off the spa menu.

What do you wish you'd known before you went?

That the pool was in another building completely, and would cost £5 to get in.

To bring my trainers as there is a gym.

I enjoyed my lunch in the Azura Restaurant: scallops with baby fennel, followed by tasty walnut-crusted cod. It was great to sit in the smart new restaurant, by the window, watching all manner of boats on the busy Thames. However, the restaurant is in a different building from the spa, so you can't drift in your robe from spa to restaurant as part of your spa day.

Any special features?

East River is the only spa at Canary Wharf.

Who do you think would like it?

Local residents of Canary Wharf, especially lucky residents of the Ontario building! Hotel guests. Stressed workers.

Why did you give the spa this rating?

We gave East River Spa 4 bubbles. It's a delightfully fragrant spa, with high quality therapists offering fantastic treatments. Many little extra touches help to make this a lovely haven away from the hectic world that encompasses Canary Wharf.

I loved the well-stocked changing room, and being made a cup of tea after my treatment. There was an abundance of clean, fluffy towels for you to grab when necessary, and everywhere felt clean, comfy, and calming.

Small niggles: I would have liked some hair conditioner in the changing rooms, and one of the locks on the toilets was either not working or very stiff.

So why not 5 bubbles? There is a pool, but it's in another building, and you have to pay £5 extra to use it. This split between spa and pool popped a bubble for me.

See more on how we rate the spas.