Review of Cobella Selfridges, London

Cobella Selfridges, London - 4 bubbles

It's jolly hard to make it up to the third floor of Selfridges without impulse-buying a new pair of Jimmy Choos, but our Good Spa Spy managed it -- just. She was rewarded with a perfect pedicure in the sleek surroundings of Cobella: a fun salon and treatment rooms that offers brilliant beauty benefits. Look elsewhere for spa hush and retreat.

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?

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?

Was it easy to book?

Yes, very, by phone. The spa menu on Cobella's website isn't the clearest, but the helpful receptionist I spoke to more than made up for this. The main challenge I had was getting to Cobella, on the third floor, without being distracted by the surrounding loveliness of Selfridges.

First impressions?

As you'd expect from a spa in Selfridges: a state-of-the-art salon full of state-of-the-art stylists and beauty therapists. Not a hair out of place.

How did they welcome you?

With a proper cappuccino -- thank you! Not coming from a holistic spa approach, Cobella Selfridges actually serves coffee -- and it's not instant.

What happens next?

A member of staff gave me a standard consultation form to complete while I sipped my cappuccino.

Which treatments did you have?

A haircut (£55-£95 depending on level of stylist) and a Spa pedicure (£45, 60 minutes). I opted for this over the lighter-weight Express pedicure option as my feet were in need of some serious TLC.

What were the treatments like?

Great. My therapist seated me in a huge chair that was a combination of an armchair and a massage couch. She prepared a bowl of warm soapy water, which she placed on the chair-cum-couch for me to place my feet in. As the foot bowl and my feet were on the same level, I had to bend my knees in order to submerge my feet, which was comfy enough, but wouldn't suit the less agile.

My therapist bathed both feet and patted them dry in a fluffy towel. She then proceeded to file and smooth my feet and nails, gently pushing back my cuticles and removing anything that was surplus to requirements (in my case, a season's worth of neglect). The therapist had clearly transformed a foot or two before. She seamlessly smoothed, filed and polished while keeping me entertained with stories of her native South Africa and recommending some shoe brands that favoured the wider foot.

I had chosen the deepest shade of red from the selection offered to me at the beginning of the treatment. Enough to challenge even the steadiest of hands, but my therapist scored a perfect 10 on the polish front without so much as a smudge. She finished by applying some "quick dry", then gave me some disposable bubble-wrap-esque flip-flops which she expertly fitted around my newly painted toes. I hardly recognised my feet.

My therapist was lovely, chatty and efficient and made my neglected feet look sandal-ready in under an hour.

How did you feel afterwards?

Altogether more glamorous than when I went in.

What happens afterwards?

It was time for my haircut. One of Cobella's hair technicians led me to a room full of basins to have my hair washed and to enjoy an inclusive shiatsu head massage.

I was intrigued as the therapist electronically raised the chair dentist-style. She lifted and reclined it until I almost felt as though I were tilting downhill into the basin. Optimistically I thought that someone had finally cracked the challenge of making a comfortable basin for back-washing hair but, alas, it was all gimmick and little comfort. This was a shame as the therapist gave me what would have otherwise been a relaxing shiatsu head massage. The general level of discomfort detracted from the relaxation.

After the massage, the therapist led me back through to the main salon waiting area to wait for my stylist. Predictably, this was no ordinary waiting area. The seats are massage chairs, each with its own computer and internet access. Great if you're waiting for your highlights to take! Before I had time to type "www", my stylist, Jamie-Lee, cheerfully arrived to escort me over for my cut. Following a quick chat about the type of cut I was looking for (just a quick tidy up) Jamie-Lee quickly and skilfully whisked off my split ends and returned my hair to its former glory.

Long-term effects

The chiropodic nature of my pedicure meant that the benefits lasted longer than those of a quick polish. A week later, my feet were still noticeably softer and smoother.

Was it worth it?

A spa pedicure costs £45: great value for a good soak, smooth, polish and chat.

What else could you have?

Cobella at Selfridges offers everything you would expect from a top-end hair and beauty salon: cuts and colours, extensions, wedding make-up, St Tropez tanning and waxing. Their spa menu includes a select range of facials and body treatments, including Cobella's signature Oxygen facial. The Techni-Spa cellulite treatment uses "electrical and vacuum suction to break down and smooth away" those dimply-areas. At the other end of the spa spectrum, Cobella's Winter Warming Muscle wrap sounds delightfully comforting. Try an SOS Red Carpet Emergency express treatment if you need to be party perfect at a push. You'll be treated to a manicure, pedicure, eyebrow re-shape and blow dry in only 80 minutes.

Any special features?

The levitation chair at the basin, and the computer to while away your waiting time. Each cutting station is also equipped with its own personal "Ivu" entertainment screen, but I couldn't help noticing that most of the customers were still opting for good old-fashioned, low-tech magazines.

Who do you think would like it?

Anyone who loves Selfridges. Cobella Selfridges is bright, modern and has been well-designed to be in perfect harmony with its fashionable surroundings and correspondingly cool clientele. You wouldn't come here looking for a "spa" atmosphere, though.

Why did you give the spa this rating?

We gave Cobella Selfridges 4 bubbles. The salon and treatment rooms are sleek, bright and fun, the staff are friendly and professional, and the place has a lively atmosphere. All that, and Selfridges, too!

See more on how we rate the spas.

Would you go again?

Certainly. Apparently Cobella's customers are a combination of devout regulars and impulse groomers. I'd pop in for a quick blow-dry and manicure before a special night out. We visited Cobella in March 2009

Like the sound of this? You're in luck.

Follow this link to book a special spa offer at Cobella with our partners lastminute.com