Review of W London (AWAY Spa)

W London (AWAY Spa), Leicester Square - 3 bubbles

The W London is a hip hotel in Leicester Square with luxurious, ultra-modern décor and accents of "Cool Britannia". AWAY Spa is a compact offering, more salon than spa, but with a good range of treatments from British brands REN and Aromatherapy Associates.

First impressions?

What's on offer?

Which treatments did you have?

What were the treatments like?

What else could you have?

Food facts

Was it worth it?

We loved

We didn't love

Who do you think would like it?

Why did you give the spa this rating?

Would you go again?

First impressions?

Light and white. The hotel is all glitz and glamour, and AWAY Spa is literally tucked away on the sixth floor. A glass door opens to a reception desk, behind which is a fringed curtain which shields the relaxation area. Shelves of gleaming products line the lacquered walls, and the atmosphere is definitely designer chic.

What's on offer?

The receptionist took me through the relaxation area to a corridor area with a bank of white lockers, and gave me a key. Inside the lockers are two towels and a robe. No spa slippers. It was a good thing I didn't assume I was in the female changing area and start to disrobe, as a male member of staff immediately walked through with a tower of towels.

Facing the lockers are three individual "dressing" rooms, available for men or women, and each had a sparkling clean toilet, a sink and a shower, all white tiles and twinkly chrome.

At each end of the bank of lockers are the heat facilities: a steam room to the right and a sauna to the left. A glass door leads through to the gym, and that's it in the way of facilities. The gym (Sweat) is light, bright and well-equipped so if you want to make the most of your spa visit, bring your trainers.

The large steam room, with black marble, was nicely hot; a relaxing place to be, bathed in intense red light. The wooden-benched sauna is also large enough to lounge in, also hot, and also clearly very new.

There is no pool, so your options for lounging are limited; the only place to go is the relaxation area behind the reception desk. The two white leather sofas here, scattered with upmarket magazines, are large and comfortable. The lighting is bright, and the wooden floor blond.

Which treatments did you have?

I had the AWAY Spa signature facial (25 minutes, £40) using Ren products (which I love).

What were the treatments like?

My therapist, Ella, collected me from my sofa and took me through to one of the five treatment rooms, just off the relaxation area. She examined my consultation form, where I had indicated that I was concerned about skin tone and dark circles under my eyes. She examined my skin, told me it was in pretty good condition, then told me all the foods that I should be eating. There was an extensive list; I remember that it contained Q10 capsules. For a moment, I wondered if the facial would consist entirely of a lecture on what I should and should not ingest.

Thankfully, we soon moved into the facial proper, which Ella customised to my skin using products from REN's Clean Bio Active Skincare line. Ella started with a gentle cleanse, then exfoliation, and used a mask to hydrate my moisture-starved skin.

I enjoyed the light massage movements, and the scents from the treatment. Ella had a very gentle and soothing touch, and I found myself drifting away peacefully on my pillow. Sadly, there is little to shield the noise, and I could hear the phone ringing through the treatment-room door, as well as people chatting as they passed by.

I also wish I had asked Ella to put a towel round my hair, as I didn't want to climb back in the shower to wash it, and some of the various lotions and potions had gotten into my fringe.

All in all, a pleasant facial with a soothing effect.

What else could you have?

AWAY Spa offers treatments using REN and Aromatherapy Associates. Prices for massages and facials start at £40 for 25 minutes. The massage menu includes massages custom-designed for you, using a blend of Aromatherapy Associates oils to suit your body's needs, lava shells, bamboo, and Japanese pressure-point massage. You can also book a manicure, pedicure, and waxing. There are treatments specifically for mums-to-be, and the Moroccan Rose Ritual sounds divine.

Food facts

On arrival, you get a detox "shot" of cranberry and grapefruit juice. I had some peppermint tea post-treatment. You could order food and drink from the bar menu.

Was it worth it?

Just about.

We loved

The treatment itself.

We didn't love

The fact that there was nowhere truly peaceful to relax post-treatment.

Who do you think would like it?

Hotel guests and locals. As some of the treatments are 25 minutes, you could fit a little spa treat into your lunch break.

Why did you give the spa this rating?

We gave AWAY Spa a good 3 bubbles. It does what it does very well, but the spa offering is limited. As the relaxation area is directly behind the welcome desk, the place feels more salon than spa.

See more on how we rate the spas.