Review of Adamina Spa, Kensington

Adamina, Kensington - 4 bubbles

Sassy Spy left this West London day spa with glowing skin after a bespoke facial. She liked the spa's relaxed atmosphere, with stocks of girly DVDs in the relaxation room, and was thoroughly impressed with the skillful therapists.

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?

Who do you think would like it?

Why did you give the spa this rating?

Would you go again?

First impressions?

Adamina is located on the busy Kensington High Street in central London, just 10 minutes walk from the tube station. On entering the reception area, I was struck by the white walls, high ceilings and wooden floorboards which together created a satisfying feeling of space and light.

How did they welcome you?

Tina, sat at the glorious indigo-blue reception desk, greeted me warmly and offered to take me on a tour of the treatment rooms.

What happens next?

Tina and I started the tour on ground level where there are two treatment rooms and a nail lounge with 4 mani-pedi stations. Downstairs there are four further treatment rooms, including a wet treatment room, separate male and female changing rooms, a steam room and a relaxation room.

I loved the girly-chic décor of Adamina. All of the furniture is quirky with a vintage edge. I particularly liked the fact that the interior designer was not afraid to toy with splashes of colour. Downstairs a white willowy-curtained corridor stretched out ahead with various doors leading off. Light came from inlaid rope-lights which lined the walkway's floor and ceiling.

Tina showed me to the female changing rooms via the door at the far end. I had a good snoop through the tester products displayed on a vanity desk. I was pleased to find a selection of Yon Ka products, such as body lotions and facial treats. The well-stocked room also offered Skinceuticals moisturisers and shampoo, conditioner, Jo Malone perfume, hair-styling products, deodorants and shower gel.

There were plenty of lockers placed on either side of the changing room. My locker contained a white robe and a pair of pink Havaiana flip-flops. I changed into my cossie, showered in the one and only shower, and ventured out to find the steam room. The steam room, completely inlaid with pebbles, is the partition between the male and female changing rooms, and can be accessed by both sides. It was deliciously hot and very, very steamy! I had to wave my arms about just to be able to see where to sit. Fortunately, I didn't knock anyone out as I was the only one in there.

I decided to spend the rest of the time before my treatments in the relaxation room. This funky area was well-stocked with water, an array of teas, hot chocolate and coffees. I made a cup of herbal tea and helped myself to a chocolate biscuit, before settling down to read a magazine. The relaxation room has a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and a selection of girly DVDs (Audrey Hepburn, Sex & The City...) I was the only person in the room, but it would be a good place to relax with a few friends if you were to visit the spa as in a small group.

Which treatments did you have?

I had a bespoke facial (60 minutes, £85) and a speedy manicure with added cuticle work (30 minutes, £17).

What were the treatments like?

Vesi, my therapist, collected me from the relaxation room and took me upstairs to a treatment room behind reception. This was a pretty white room filled with colourful furniture and a display stand of products. I climbed onto the treatment couch and covered myself with the thick white eiderdown.

Vesi advised that she could give me my facial without me having to remove my contact lenses. Though I was a little concerned about leaving them in and risking products making my eyes sting, I decided to trust my therapist. My facial started with a double-cleanse. Vesi covered my eyes with damp cotton wool, pulled a light over my face and immediately noticed the pigmentation caused by sun damage, and that I had used fake tan. No chance of hiding any beauty secrets in this facial procedure, then. Vesi advised that she had trained in IPL (intense pulse light) and explained that this would be one of the best ways to diminish my sun damage.

My therapist asked if I had ever felt claustrophobic. As this wasn't an issue for me, Vesi wrapped my face up in soft, warm towels, in preparation for extractions. As Vesi carefully squeezed my nose and chin she apologised for any pain caused and told me that it wouldn't last long. It was actually fine, as I cause myself more pain trying to do it myself.

Vesi then applied a gum mask and left it to dry to the point of becoming tacky. She then rubbed it off, which removed dead skin cells. Next, Vesi applied a light fruit-peel. She kept checking how I was feeling, and if the peel was stinging. It didn't hurt at all but Vesi reassuringly told me that she likes to get to know a skin before she applies a stronger solution. After the peel, Vesi applied a serum to calm down any redness. Whilst the serum was working its magic, Vesi gave me a hand and arm massage, which felt good. To finish, Vesi applied a clay mask and gave me a head massage. Vesi removed the mask with a hot towel and applied a lick of moisturiser. Vesi used a combination of Yon Ka and Skinceuticals products for my facial. She explained that she used the products she thought that were best suited to my skin, rather than following the same formula for every face. It felt like a very bespoke treatment.

Vesi left me to gather myself together and head to reception. Polly, my second therapist, was waiting for me in reception and took me into the bright mani-pedi room. This room had a good range of Essie and OPI nail varnishes. Being indecisive, my therapist suggested I try either a rich green or mauve, as they were very on-trend right now. I chose the mauve.

My therapist gently put my fingers into bowls of warm water. There was a T.V on in this room showing another girly flick. I was only having an express manicure, but my cuticles needed some help and so Polly obliged by giving them a neatening trim. After a base coat and two layers of mauve, Polly set my nails with a hand dryer.

The last Spa Spy to be invited to Adamina felt quite self-conscious due to the shoppers outside being able to see inside whilst she was sat in her robe having her nails done. Thankfully, this is no longer the case, due to large, blossoming flower-boxes lining the exterior window sills.

How did you feel afterwards?

After my facial I felt very relaxed, knowing that I had been in Vesi's very capable hands. I was really impressed with the result of my express manicure, and the colour was simply fab.

What happens afterwards?

Sadly I had to run to another appointment, so I sipped the last of my water, changed and dashed away.

Long-term effects

My facial left my skin glowing and my nails stayed in good shape for a whole week. A miracle for me.

Was it worth it?

Yes. I enjoyed a seamless experience at Adamina and the treatments were expertly executed.

What else could you have?

Preventative facials, advanced facials including peels, various body treatments and massages, IPL, hair removal and waxing. You can also have medi-spa treatments including non-invasive laser lipo, Botox and fillers.

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

It's worth getting to the spa with time to spare so you can enjoy the steam room and relaxation room.

Who do you think would like it?

City spa-goers who need to relax will enjoy the non-pretentious, easy-going atmosphere.

Although it's a mixed-sex spa, the relaxation areas are geared towards girly girls, with Audrey Hepburn photographs on the wall and romantic DVDs stacked up on the bookshelf.

Why did you give the spa this rating?

We gave Adamina 4 bubbles. The spa was spotless throughout and all of the facilities were in good working condition.

The spa could do with another shower in the female changing room, as you'd have to take turns on a spa day with a friend, for instance. There was also only one chair in front of the mirror and only one hairdryer. Considering there were so many lockers in the changing room, I was left wondering if Adamina would be quite so relaxing when full to capacity.

See more on how we rate the spas