Review of The Spa in Dolphin Square, Pimlico

The Spa in Dolphin Square, Pimlico - 4 bubbles

The Spa in Dolphin Square is a small but perfectly formed day spa with a Moroccan theme in both décor and treatments. The spa takes the unusual approach of not allowing free access to the heat facilities; instead, the steam room, hammam and rasul are prescribed and paid for as part of your treatment programme. The Spa in Dolphin Square is competitively priced for central London and offers some imaginative overnight packages, with accommodation in one of the Dolphin House apartments. Perfect for time out to recharge and refresh, alone or with a friend.

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?

The spa is at the heart of the Art Deco Dolphin Square complex, just south of Victoria station. Down some steps, the spa doors close and shut out the rest of the world. You are then no longer in rainy Pimlico; you are transported to a warm Marrakech riad. Punched metal lanterns cast stencilled light onto rose-gold walls; opulent fabrics and Moorish furniture decorate each room; bunches of fresh roses remind us of Morocco's perfumed crop.

The reception area is calm and ordered, with a wooden reception desk, products on shelves, seats where you can fill in your consultation form, and doors to the "studio" rooms where you can pop in for a quick treatment without the whole changing-into-a-robe experience.

Of course, at The Good Spa Guide, we love the whole changing-into-a-robe experience. Robing is nicely done, with a spa robe of the correct size, and neat sandals, also of the correct size, awaiting you in your wooden locker. This magic occurs because, before you visit, you commune with your "Spa Mentor" who finds out everything to make your visit perfect, and who you can ask about treatments and products.

What's on offer?

The changing rooms are nicely appointed with banks of wooden lockers, copper sinks, two loos, two showers with Aromatherapy Associates products, including conditioner, and plenty of clean towels to hand. There is a large mirror, a hairdryer, and plenty of cleanser and moisturiser. On our visit, all were spotlessly clean.

Inside my locker -- your key comes with a red tassel that is a very Moroccan touch -- was my robe, towels, and plastic spa slippers. I like flip-flops for padding around a spa, as a little time in wet areas leaves towelling slippers rather damp. Full marks for practicality and comfort.

Top marks, also, that the spa has a room where you wait for your treatments and a separate space to relax in post-treatment. The pre-treatment space is a luxurious little tea-room with velvet chairs and wooden tables. Doors open out onto a pretty courtyard, which would be a lovely place to take tea in good weather.

The darker relaxation area is for lounging in post-treatment. A wide, soft leather sofa runs right round two of the walls, covered with richly coloured cushions. Metal lanterns give the room a warm glow.

The Spa in Dolphin Square offers a wide range of treatments, most centred round the Moroccan heat experiences at the spa's core: the hammam (steamy), the rhassoul (mud chamber), and the salt-infused steam room.

Inside the spa, they could do with some signs for orientation; the spa is only small but it's easy to get confused in a post-treatment daze. A hammam does look rather similar to a rhassoul if you're not an expert!

The Spa sits just downstairs from The Sports & Fitness Club. The club has a swimming pool, with its own poolside sauna and steam room, gym and studio. You can avail yourself of these treats if you book certain spa days, such as "Gym 2 Spa", but they are in use by Dolphin Square residents and members, so you can't expect robes and spa quiet. Instead, think children and swimming lessons.

Which treatments did you have?

I tried the hammam ritual (25 minutes, £37) and the Arabian back, scalp and face ritual (70 minutes, £99) from the Moroccan Signature Rituals range.

What were the treatments like?

Fabulous. The hammam is a favourite of mine; I really enjoy the attention to exfoliation that only another person can bring to your limbs. You need to wear a swimsuit, though, so dress accordingly. My swimsuit has rather a high back, which meant that my lower back missed out; I wish I'd donned something a little more revealing.

The treatment starts with you in the warmed hammam, where your therapist begins by pouring warm water over you to moisturise your skin. She then leaves you for a few minutes to steam, comes back and slathers you with delicious black soap (La Sultane de Saba's savon noir, one of my favourites, with its strong eucalyptus scent and efficacious ingredients of crushed olives and olive oil). While the soap gets to work on your skin, you steam a little more, then your therapist comes back in and scrubs you with a kessa exfoliation mitt. If there are dead skin cells to be brushed away, the combination of savon noir and kessa will brush them.

I'd have liked the hammam to be hotter, and felt much more comfortable when my therapist gave me a towel to lie on. Being covered in slippery soap on a marble ledge was a little disconcerting when I had to turn over!

Afterwards, I felt beautifully smooth and clean (and you get your own kessa mitt to take away with you so you can continue the quest for smooth skin at home). I then went to relax in a room next to the hammam. Part of the thermal suite, this room had five ceramic heated loungers divided by hanging gauzy fabric. I waited there, nibbling some pistachios and drinking some rehydrating water, until my next treatment.

For the Arabian back, scalp and face ritual, my therapist was Susana; she delivered a seamless treatment with skill. The treatment room was spacious, decorated in neutral tones with all products hidden away to create a calming atmosphere. The treatment bed was wide and comfortable. We started with me face down on the massage bed for a warm oil back massage. (Oh, look! A bowl of flowers to look at through the face-holder instead of the floor! Great start!)

Susana noticed I wasn't quite comfortable with the rolled-up towel to support my ankles, so adjusted it for me. The back massage was excellent; Susana paid lots of attention to my shoulder knots. (We later agreed that I probably need one of these massages every week.) I really enjoyed this part of the treatment.

We then moved into the facial for which I turned onto my back and Susana electronically adjusted the treatment bed to make me comfortable. Susana used [comfort zone] products to cleanse, exfoliate, tone and moisturise. What I loved about the treatment is that while one product was working away on my face, Susana paid attention to another part of me: a wonderful foot massage, and a relaxing scalp massage. I chose oil in my hair for the scalp massage, but you could choose not. I thought the combination of facial and massage techniques was deeply soothing. I said in my consultation form before the treatment began that I wanted to feel relaxed, and relaxed I felt.

When the treatment was (sadly) over, Susana left me to get dressed, then guided me to the dimly lit relaxation room, where I enjoyed some mint tea from a traditional Moroccan teapot on a metal tray. Oh, and more pistachios. I was the only person in the room, and found it very relaxing.

What else could you have?

The chosen range of products delivers both holistic and results-driven effects. You can try a variety of facials using [ comfort zone ] or Murad products, massages with Aromatherapy Associates, and hand and foot treatments including manicures and pedicures with SpaRitual lovelies.

Men can have traditional wet shaves, and there are "essential maintenance" treatments on offer, too, including waxing, tinting and lashes, plus hair care in a nearby salon.

You can also try a King's Road shop and spa morning or afternoon, day rituals, or spa stays, which include accommodation in a Dolphin House serviced apartment, full English breakfast, and your choice of treatments.

Food facts

In the spa itself, you can enjoy a wide range of teas - Jasmine, Rosebud, Mint, Green, Spice, Chocolate Mint and more. You can also choose from the MMM! Menu, which includes crumpets with peanut butter, honey or jam, cake, scones and cream, ice cream, or, for the savoury-minded amongst you (that includes me) hummus, pitta and olives.

I had lunch in the Dolphin Bar and Grill. The food was fresh and delicious, and well-priced for this part of London. Though it is part of the Dolphin Square leisure complex, the restaurant is upstairs from the spa, past the health club reception. You can't expect a spa atmosphere or to dine in your robe. If you want to eat here, try dining before or after you head to the spa, as some of the planned spa days suggest.

Was it worth it?

We thought The Spa in Dolphin Square was very fairly priced. The overnight stays in the apartments offer very good value for central London.

We loved

The attention to detail that creates an authentic Moroccan feel. The large double Moroccan doors and the metal globe lightshades certainly add to the candle-lit atmosphere.

Also, everyone we met in the spa was happy to help and wanted us to have a good time; excellent customer service.

We didn't love

That the hammam wasn't really hot enough. We understand that this was a temporary blip that has now been seen to.

Who do you think would like it?

Londoners: The Spa in Dolphin Square is easy to get to from Victoria, and it's a great escape from the city.

Anyone who wants some London luxury, perhaps combined with some shopping along the King's Road. The overnight packages should suit you just right.

Why did you give the spa this rating?

On this first visit, we gave The Spa in Dolphin Square 4 bubbles.

The spa was very newly opened when we arrived, and a couple of points in the spa journey could be smoother. For example, if a hammam is the star of the show, it does need to be at the right temperature at all times. However, we like the team's enthusiasm, their vision and their passion for making sure every individual has a spa experience that suits their personal needs.

See more on how we rate the spas