 |
 |
 |
 |
Pacifica Day Spa, Hampstead - 4 bubbles
These smart London treatment rooms offer good value for money with their professional and enjoyable treatments. Pacifica makes the most of its space, but don't expect any pools or gym. Great for a beauty fix, or schedule in a series of massages.
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?
Very good. Pacifica is a short walk up the hill from Hampstead tube station, in premises that were formerly a beauty salon. Small spaces inside, even smaller than at the Notting Hill branch, but very intelligently used. Dark brown wood predominates in a smart, welcoming ambience.
How did they welcome you?
Kelly was at the desk, together with another member of staff (whom I didn't see again). She was obviously expecting me, as we'd been invited, and greeted me by name straight away.
What happens next?
Kelly gave me a short consultation form to fill in, along with a glass of water. She then showed me round. There are two "thrones" with wide armrests and footbaths in a little recess to the right, and just two treatment rooms through the door behind the desk. The treatment rooms are petite but manageable, each with its own en-suite shower, and just enough space around the table to move. Left alone, I undressed, and lay flat on the table.
Which treatments did you have?
A deep-tissue, whole-body massage (75 minutes, £75).
What were the treatments like?
The room was dimly lit in the standard way, with chill-out music twittering away (the full, spirit-sapping range of pan-pipes, electric piano, acoustic guitar, all wambling on... or is it just me?) Not the most aromatic room I've been in, but pleasantly warm and cocoon-like.
Kelly used Elemis Musclease massage oil. She gave me a fully comprehensive all-over Swedish-style massage, beginning with an initial warm mitt massage of my feet, and then going on to my back. Despite my relatively recent treatment at the Pacifica spa in Notting Hill, the muscles in my back were already thoroughly tense again, particularly around my shoulder blades. This is fast becoming confirmed all over London as my worst area. Using firm pressure, Kelly ironed out the knots with her hands and elbows.
My feet and legs followed, and then I turned over on to my back for my shoulders, neck and arms to be treated. Kelly had remarkably strong hands and even fingers, and every part of the massage felt like it was doing some good. There was also a real sense of flow about the movements, which felt great. The upward strokes to the sides of my neck released torrents of tingle through me, and the scalp massage was also hugely relaxing. A very professional massage.
How did you feel afterwards?
Very good. Deeply relaxed, centred, everything much less tense. A strange thing I've noticed is that after a good massage, as this was, even my voice sounds calmer and mellower, and I feel ready to cope with things. Like a good workout at the gym, only without the aches.
What happens afterwards?
Kelly left me to get dressed, and to come back into reception. She gave me some advice, told me that the amount of muscular tension in my back suggested I ought to consider having a weekly massage for a while, then gradually drop down to fortnightly and then monthly. She handed me another glass of water, and advised me to drink plenty of water during the day to help with the elimination of lactic acid and toxins.
Long-term effects
I think my back issues are such that long-term effects are probably a bit too much to hope for.
Was it worth it?
My treatment was a very thorough and effective massage using pleasantly scented Elemis products, at a reasonable cost for smart London treatment rooms.
What else could you have?
A range of skincare treatments with Elemis and Dermalogica products, body treatments such as exfoliations and mud wraps, manis, pedis, chocolate waxing, eye treatments, and tanning.
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
Nothing.
Who do you think would like it?
Pacifica fits seamlessly into the moneyed Hampstead atmosphere. Kelly mentioned that a lot of the custom they received at their Notting Hill branch was from people who live in this part of north London, so Hampstead spa-goers now have a much less arduous journey to find beauty and well-being bliss.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
We gave Pacifica in Hampstead 4 bubbles. Both at Hampstead and in Notting Hill, the Pacifica premises are small, but have been cleverly planned to maximise the space. I didn't expect to find private showers in the treatment rooms in a spa this size, yet both rooms have them.
See more on how we rate the spas
Would you go again?
Yes.
We visited Pacifica in April 2010
See also:
* Contact Details for Pacifica, Hampstead
* Elemis
* If I have an "all body" massage, will it literally be my whole body?
|
|
|