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Sociable Spy was invited to the Spa at London Marriott County Hall, where she found a touch of luxury in the heart of the city. She came back with softer, smoother hands, a serene smile, and a faint scent of oatmeal. (That'll be the Decleor face mask.) Thumbs up for the vibrant views and perfect pool. Thumbs down for the changing rooms.
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?
Was it worth it?
What else could you have?
Any special features?
Who do you think would like it?
Why did you give the spa this rating?
Would you go again?
First impressions?
The London Marriott County Hall is a traditional 5-star luxury hotel. Originally the seat of London's government, the building has been lovingly restored keeping many of the original period features and grand elegance. County Hall is located in the heart of the London on the South Bank of the River Thames, smack bang in the middle of some of the city's most notable landmarks. It's directly opposite the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, and next to the London Eye. The location could not be more impressive, even on a traditional rainy London day. Wherever there is a window, there is a stunning view.
How did they welcome you?
I made my way into the hotel from the pouring rain and managed to find myself at the entrance furthest away from where I needed to be. However, once inside County Hall, signs and helpful staff directed me to the spa on the fifth floor.
What happens next?
As the lift doors opened, I could feel London's hustle and bustle fading far, far behind. The elegant but cold marble of the Marriott hotel gave way to a mix of soft, warm textures and fabrics. As I ambled down the long, quiet corridor, I started to look forward to my afternoon of pampering.
A member of staff greeted me warmly at the spa reception and showed me to the relaxation room. Although the relaxation room was on the small side, it was calming, recently refurbished and a good place to relax in before a treatment. I was ready to unwind.
I had a little time to spare before my treatment so I had a peek at the gym. It's on the same floor as the spa, and it's enormous: over 6,000 square feet. The state-of-the-art fitness suite is full to the rafters with sophisticated training equipment, and through the windows of the gym there is a fantastic view of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. This is a truly unique place to work out and relax.
There's a 25-metre heated swimming pool on the sixth floor of County Hall: a serious find in the centre of London. Not only is it big enough to have a proper swim in, it's not stuck away in a basement like many other London pools. With big floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the London skyline, you're bathed in oodles of natural light as you swim. Lovely.
There is also a sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi to enjoy at County Hall. No time for me to lounge around, though: it was time for my treatment.
Which treatments did you have?
I had a Decléor Essentially Yours Aromatic facial (55 minutes, £70). This facial is suitable for all skin types and aims to cleanse the skin of all impurities, leaving your face soft and rejuvenated. I also booked a Jessica Deluxe Manicure with La Remedi Hand treatment (55 minutes, £50).
What were the treatments like?
I made my way back to the tranquil atmosphere of the spa and met my therapist. She led me to a softly-lit treatment room; the warm, cosy ambience was very inviting. I climbed up onto the heated couch, and my therapist covered me with soft, fluffy, luxury bath towels. She took the time to explain in detail each step of the facial before the treatment began. Feeling snug and warm, I felt that I was surrendering myself into the hands of a skilled therapist.
The therapist explained that all Decléor facial treatments begin with a back massage using aromatherapy oils. If only all facials did! She quickly and skilfully set to work on my shoulders, relieving the tension there, and leaving me in a warm, semi-sleepy state. A perfect start to the treatment.
Next came a milk cleanser which smelled delicious. Not surprising, as it contained zesty fruit extracts, including kiwi. The therapist followed the cleanse with a gently exfoliating face scrub -- just scrubby enough to make me aware that it was doing its job.
Now I was ready for the Decléor face mask. Still explaining what she was doing at every stage, my therapist covered my eyes with cotton pads and then treated my face to a mask made of a wonderful combination of fruit and plant extracts. She stretched a thin layer of gauze into place over my face and covered it with a heavy, warmed mixture.
The weight came as a bit of a surprise and I smelled something that reminded me of breakfast. Luckily, not bacon: definitely, the smell of oats! My therapist confirmed that I was right. The Decleor Aromaplasty mask did indeed contain oats, along with a mixture of wheat germ and nutritious seeds and oils.
While all that breakfast-y goodness was seeping into my skin, my therapist gave me a fantastic head massage. Then she left me alone for a little while to totally relax in a semi-conscious state. When she finally removed the gauze, my skin felt rejuvenated and refreshed.
After I drank a long glass of cold lemon water, my therapist took me to the spa's dedicated manicure and pedicure area for my Jessica La Remedi Hand treatment. This area was spacious and well-designed.
There was already another spa-goer having a pedicure there, but there was enough space for us not to intrude on her spa experience.
The Jessica La Remedi Hand treatment is described as a complete facial for the hands. Just like a facial, the treatment began with cleansing of my hands, followed by a fantastic exfoliant, then a massage with a hydrating balm. Finally, my hands were covered in liposome serum and left on low heat in heated mittens.
The moisturising effect was immediate. Even while my therapist was washing off the mask of oils and creams, I could feel that some serious reconditioning had been taking place.
How did you feel afterwards?
After my facial, I could feel the effects immediately. My skin felt radiant and as smooth as silk. Wow, what an experience!
The Jessica hand treatment left my mitts feeling incredibly soft and smooth and, I must admit, they appeared to be less wrinkly.
What happens afterwards?
How much better could my day get? Lunch. Excellent! Unfortunately, I had to dress and get in the lift to go down to Leader's Bar on the ground floor. However, before my spa bubble was totally deflated, I found myself seated at a window and looking across at the Houses of Parliament on one side, and the London Eye on the other.
I had a fantastic two-course lunch which I'd pre-ordered at the beginning of the day. I enjoyed the view and daydreamed while lingering over melt-in-the-mouth grilled salmon, and a brulee with the distinct taste of green tea. Just mouth-wateringly delicious, if a bit rich for your usual spa fare.
Was it worth it?
Definitely.What else could you have?
The Decléor treatments on offer include an array of facials, massages and eye treatments, body massages and tanning treatments. The Spa at County Hall also offers male grooming, waxing and eye treatments, along with Jessica hand and feet therapies.
There is a good range of day packages: the one-hour Evening Retreat promises to smooth away the cares of a busy day with an express facial, Back, Neck and Shoulder massage, and eyebrow tidy (just the job if your day has been hectic enough to ruffle your eyebrows). The Ultimate Escape package brings you three-and-a-half hours of spa indulgence, including a Spa Mosaic Envelopment, Decleor prescription facial, and a La Remedi hand treatment.
Any special features?
The 25-metre pool is a real feature for central London. However, for me, the best part of the County Hall experience had to be the wow factor every time I turned and looked outside. Part of London's history stared down on me from every window; it was just breath-taking!
Who do you think would like it?
Anyone looking for a day of luxury, relaxation and pampering in busy London. Anyone working in the area looking for excellent gym facilities and a top-notch pool.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
We gave the Spa at County Hall 4 bubbles. The Spa offers tranquillity, relaxation and indulgent luxury. If you need to escape from busy challenges and retreat to an oasis of elegance, then the Spa at County Hall is a touch of luxury in the heart of the city. Leave all your stress behind with a swim in the indoor pool, a workout in the gym, or a relaxing treatment in the spa.
One negative: the changing rooms at County Hall are part of the gym, rather than the spa. So your mood is shifted from luscious relaxation as you move into harsh lighting and the chlorinated smell of health-club changing rooms.
Secondly, having to abandon your robe, get dressed and go downstairs for lunch shifts you out of your relaxed spa mood. Although you can return to the spa cocoon after lunch, for me, once the robe was off, the spa spell had been broken.
Lastly, I felt that relaxation room was too small for such a popular spa. You sit in the relaxation room to fill in your consultation forms, and it is also used by spa-goers relaxing in between treatments as well as at the end of their spa experience. When you are trying to slowly revive, there is just a bit too much movement to make the space truly relaxing.
See more on how we rate the spas.
Would you go again?
Yes. Next time, I'll book my treatment for much later in the day, so I'll have the chance to use the gym, pool, and spa facilities before my treatment. And I'll end with afternoon tea, not lunch.
We visited The Spa at County Hall in February 2009
Like the sound of this? You're in luck.
Follow this link to book a special spa offer at Marriott County Hall Spa with our partners lastminute.comSee also:
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