Review of Spa Verta, Battersea

Spa Verta, Battersea - 4 bubbles

Spa Verta is a stylish spa set within super-chic Hotel Verta, on the banks of the River Thames. Spa facilities include a sauna, steam room and sanarium, as well as a large hydrotherapy pool to bubble away any post-work tension. Located at London's Vertical Gateway, Hotel Verta's helipad ensures those customers arriving and departing by helicopter are suitably catered for...

First impressions?

How did they welcome you?

What happens next?

Which treatments did you have?

What were the treatments like?

What happens afterwards?

Was it worth it?

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?

Hotel Verta's reception offers the first taste of the hotel's contemporary-chic décor. To the right of the reception desk there is a wall of glass-fronted wine cabinets lit with blue lights, a half-spiral staircase with a Perspex balustrade, and the stylish Patrisey Restaurant. Floor-to-ceiling windows displayed views of the Thames, and the hotel's own helipad.

A smart doorman was immediately on hand. He guided me to the lift, to take myself down to the spa. Spa Verta is on a brightly lit floor, below ground level.

How did they welcome you?

A spa receptionist welcomed me from behind a small reception desk. The receptionist confirmed my treatment time, and I gladly accepted a tour that she offered.

What happens next?

The roomy reception had a corner sofa with a shelf displaying an array of Anne Sémonin, Mama Mio, and [ comfort zone ] products that are used in the spa treatments. On the way to the treatment rooms and relaxation room, there is a tall, delicate waterfall. Pretty, fresh orchid heads floated in the pool below.

From the spa reception area, there are stairs that lead down to the wet spa. Before you reach the wet spa at the end of the corridor, there is a door that leads to a black-painted gym with Technogym equipment. Another door leads to the male and female changing rooms.

The changing rooms:

Just inside the door, I noticed a jug of fresh water with citrus fruits, next to a shelf filled with towels. 24 pale-wood lockers lined two of the walls. Inside my locker was a luxurious beige waffle robe, two towels and some spa slippers.

The two spacious showers had frosted glass doors and partitions, and had both an overhead showerhead and a hand-held monsoon head. Full-sized Anne Sémonin shampoo, cleansing gel and conditioner were wall mounted to one side. Sinks and a thoughtful array of powder-room essentials were in front of a big back-lit mirror. There was also a towel drop, a swimsuit spinner, and a roll of eco-friendly wet-kit bags. There was only one toilet for ladies to use throughout.

The wet and thermal spa:

I immediately noticed the pretty mosaic-tiled floor with inset spotlights. The walls were a sandy-gold colour, and the tiles black and chocolate brown. Tube lights provided accent lighting, with shadows in some corners and pools of light in others.

The huge sauna had a glass front, and a couple of headrests on each seating level. Deep, warm orangey-red lighting made for a cosy ambience. The sanarium, made out of the same pale timber as the sauna, also had three levels of seating and a glass front. Two panels of mood lights were on the walls, and a curved wood-panelled ceiling overhead. The sanarium had a gentle and temperate climate (a sign recommended using this room for up to 12 minutes).

There was also a darkened steam room, complete with twinkling ceiling-lights. The steam room could comfortably sit around 12 people. Opposite this was a pair of tiled, up-lit, heated loungers to relax on.

The raised hydrotherapy pool area was an attractive sight. Creative lighting combined with a striking metal-lining created quite an ethereal pool experience. The smooth metal sections have been welded together with bumpy rivets; perfect for stopping any potential slippage. Massage jets shot out of various hydro-seats, and there were two powerful swan pipes, perfect for my upper back and neck. Submerged at one end of the pool was a lounger made of smooth tubes of metal. I chuckled to myself as I clung on to the lounger, whilst being powerfully bubbled!

The experience showers looked a bit like a small vault, with an arched entrance, curved ceiling and pearlescent tiles. A Kniepp hose produced a light tropical shower, ice rain or a waterfall effect for a fun showering experience. Two footbaths had heated seats; a nice touch to keep you warm.

Which treatments did you have?

I had the Signature Spa Massage by Anne Sémonin (60 minutes, £85).

What were the treatments like?

My therapist collected me from reception and guided me into a spacious treatment room, decked out in wood and neutral tones. Light, unobtrusive music played. A range of Anne Sémonin products were on display on the work surface. I was excited to experience an Anne Sémonin massage, having previously had an outstanding Anne Sémonin facial at a spa elsewhere.

My therapist waited for me to change before coming back into the room. Unusually, no paper pants were supplied for me to change into, so I stripped down to nothing as I didn't want to keep my damp swimming costume on. I lay on my front under the beige towel, with my head through a face loop. My therapist began my spa treatment by cleansing my feet with hot flannels.

My therapist delivered my massage at constant medium pressure, reminiscent of a standard Swedish massage. She uncovered different parts of my torso and limbs, and worked consistently around my body, protecting my modesty at all times. I didn't fall into a lucid state as I often do, and I was a little vexed to not have had the firm pressure that I'd asked for.

What happens afterwards?

My therapist told me to get ready in my own time, and advised that my lunch was waiting for me in the relaxation room (a service available by special request – lunches are usually served in the restaurant). My therapist waited outside the treatment room and then took me to a lounger where I lay and ate my smoked-salmon sandwich and crisps. I browsed through one of the many top-end magazines on offer. There were four loungers and an interesting feature wall, covered in contemporary, floral wallpaper.

Was it worth it?

Based on The Good Spa Guide's price guide, Spa Verta comes in above average. But then if you arrive by helicopter, I'm sure it won't dent the pocket too seriously!

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

That I would like to stay the night in the spectacular River Suite or Penthouse!

Any special features?

The glamorous décor. The Vertilon Bar and its views. And of course, the helipad.

Who do you think would like it?

Corporates. There's a new American Embassy opening up nearby, so this will be a great place for business meet-ups and wind-downs.

If you are planning to get married, Hotel Verta is licensed for civil weddings.

Why did you give the spa this rating?

We gave Spa Verta 4 bubbles. Spa Verta is well designed, and offers an ideal escape from the busy city outside. Hotel Verta is impeccably cool throughout, with their statement "a timeless combination of old-world glamour and classic modernity" being a spot-on summary.

Spa Verta is a 5-bubble spa in the making, if treatment standards are raised to match the quality and standard of the rest of the hotel and spa.

See more on how we rate the spas