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Spa InterContinental, Park Lane - 5 bubbles
Single Spy sidled off for an English Rose journey in Mayfair. She loved it. From the stylishly swish seating area to the private treatments-for-two room, she fairly twinkled with delight. There's no pool, though, so manage your swimming expectations. What there is is blissful steam and fabulous treatments.
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?
The InterContintental is that concrete hotel on Hyde Park corner which looks a little unprepossessing from the outside, but gets much better inside. The entrance is not in Park Lane itself, but round to the side in Hamilton Place, where concierges whisk you in and out.
Once you're in, you're in a plush, rather golden interior with a polished marble floor. Helpful staff guide you in the direction of the lift, where you need to push the button for the spa on the first floor. On exiting, turn right, and the double doors of the spa await right there.
How did they welcome you?
Efficiently and politely. Through the doors, there is a small reception area, where Jana was waiting with a form. Jana ushered me over to the dimly lit relaxation area, brought me an orange juice, and left me to fill in the form. Luckily, I have no alarming allergies. The waiting area is very stylish, with lots of chrome and leather, and bright touches of colour in striking flowers and soft cushions. I sipped my orange juice and began to feel chic by osmosis. There's a lovely calm atmosphere, and I would have been quite happy to sip for longer, but my banquet of treatments awaited.
One of the reasons that the lounge area feels so calm is that each of the five treatment rooms has its own private changing area, with a wardrobe to put your clothes in, a shower, and plenty of Elemis goodies to make you ready for the world. No swanning about in communal changing rooms here.
What happens next?
Jana began by showing me through to the private VIP suite, where there was a whole lounge for me to swan around in, and some fruit to eat. Through the double treatment room (slightly awkward to get to, past the treatment tables) is a private changing area where there was a whole wardrobe of stuff for me to enjoy. Robes. Slippers. Paper knickers galore. Jana asked if I had brought my swimming costume. I looked at her as if she were bats. The hotel doesn't have a swimming pool. Jana explained that she meant a swimsuit to wear for the steam therapy, not for splashing about in. Not to worry, I could make use of the paper knickers.
Which treatments did you have?
I had the Steam Temple therapy (£75, 50 minutes) followed by the spa's first signature treatment, the English Rose treatment journey (£180 for 2 hours). The "rose" element should really be spelled "ROSE", as it is designed to leave you feeling Relaxed, Oxygenated, Sensual and Energised.
What were the treatments like?
Absolutely fab. I went into the candle-lit black-and-gold-mosaic Temple of Steam slightly apprehensive as to whether I would enjoy this alone. But (sadly?) I did. There were two muds ("medicinal clay", it actually says in the brochure) to smear over myself, so I slathered away. Obviously, you could do this much better a deux.
Then I sat under the twinkling star lights set into the domed roof, and waited for the herb-infused steam. When it arrived, I would have liked more of it and hotter. The treatment ends with a tropical rainshower, which is a bit startling. I managed to wash away quite a bit of the mud, but Jana had said that I would need a "proper" shower to sluice it all way. Luckily, there was a shower right next to the steam room. So I showered properly, with sweet-smelling Elemis products, put on my robe, and went back to the private lounge to eat a strawberry and do a bit of lounging about.
The English Rose treatment journey was almost perfect from start to finish. Each of the five treatments rooms is an ellipse shape, which is unusual, and makes you feel as if you are in some space-age cocoon. Jana adjusted the lights to my preferred colour (green), and I acquired some new (dry) paper knickers. Jana began with a rose-petal foot soak, which was the only less-than-stellar bit of the treatment, as it wasn't that comfortable having the large water bowl on the treatment table itself. Still, I got over it, as Jana soothed and smoothed my feet.
I then got face-down under the blanket, and Jana moved on to some tingly dry body brushing. She then placed hot towels infused with rose oil across my back to open the pores, soften the skin and help relax me further. I was wondering how relaxed I could get.
As we moved onto the massage, I found out. Jana warned me not to be alarmed as she would climb onto the bed with me at some points. Fine, if that is what it takes to reach my deepest muscles. She used a combination of Balinese, Thai, and Hawaiian techniques, together with hot stones, but I can tell you very little about this part of the treatment as I relaxed completely into a daze. It was supremely enjoyable, and I felt very floaty.
The massage was followed by a full Elemis facial. Which type of facial you will have depends on the state of your skin. Jana inspected mine minutely, and pronounced it in pretty good shape, ruling out any need for the Tri Enzyme resurfacing treatment. I opted for the pro-Collagen Quartz Lift, wanting a helping hand with my incipient wrinkles.
While the mask went about its work, Jana gave me a hand, arm and scalp massage to make sure I didn't stop relaxing even for a moment! As I wasn't going to wash my hair again, she didn't use oil for the scalp massage, but I did feel that every inch of me from my feet to the top of my head had now been given a soothing touch.
How did you feel afterwards?
Relaxed from top to toe, and quite Oxygenated, Sensual and Energised, too.
What happens afterwards?
When the treatment was over, I floated through to the relaxation area, where Jana brought me a calming white peony tea, which had whole organic pink rosebuds in it. Ever so elegant and very welcome. Also, there was a chocolate from Melt, and a little box of the tea to take home with me and continue my rose journey.
Long-term effects
The body mud from the Temple of Steam left my fingernails slightly orange the next day, but my face looked pink and glowing.
Was it worth it?
The treatment is pretty pricy, but I have experienced treatments that cost more but delivered less. If you are making an investment in yourself, this is a good place to start.
What else could you have?
All the Elemis facials, wraps and massages, including treatments specifically for men and for mums to be. You can have finishing touches with manis and pedis, eyebrow shaping and tinting, and waxing, too.
There's a phenomenal five-hour VIP package, which includes steam temple therapy, a Hawaiian Wave four-hands massage, a facial, a wrap or float, refreshments in the VIP lounge, lunch or dinner at Theo Randall's restaurant in The InterContinental, and a private chauffeur service to take you wherever you're going next.
The spa charges by time, not treatment (with exceptions for grooming treatments and the VIP suite). So if you're not sure what you're going to feel like, you can choose "pure time", decide how long you want to spend at the spa and let your therapist create a personalised menu for you on the day.
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
There is a gym you can use, separate from the spa but just along the corridor. I'd have brought my trainers! Also, if you are entering the Temple of Steam with your best-beloved, consider whether paper knickers are your attire of choice, or whether you want to bring a cossie from home instead.
Any special features?
A gold mosaic steam room is a lovely special feature in my book. If you're planning to book it for a couple's treatment for Valentine's, you'll have to book pretty far ahead.
Who do you think would like it?
Business people looking for some de-stress. Holidaymakers looking to re-energise. People working in the local area who need either de-stressing or re-energising.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
We gave Intercontinental a fantastic 5 bubbles. It wasn't an easy decision. This is a spa with no pool, no sauna, no crystal steam room... Isn't it just a classy beauty salon above Mayfair?
Good points. But we felt that The Intercontinental offered a true spa experience, unusual for London hotels. The fact that there isn't a pool means that the pool isn't full of hotel guests and their children (when obviously the only person who should be in any pool is you). Not having a pool means that the atmosphere is dedicated "spa" and very peaceful.
Also, the private changing rooms and showers mean that you can't get on anyone's nerves, nor they on yours, which also makes for a restful time. Finally, the treatments are excellent and the finishing touches, such as the tea and the chocolate, make you feel that you've spent some quality time with yourself, investing in your well-being. And you don't get that in a beauty shop.
Read more on how we rate the spas
Would you go again?
Can't wait. We visited The Intercontinental in February 2009
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See also:
* Contact Details for Spa InterContinental
* Product spotlight: Elemis
* Read more spa reviews
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