A new lease of life has been given to the spa at Mandarin Oriental in the heart of London’s fashionable Knightsbridge following an extensive two-year refurbishment
Jeremy McCarthy
This has always been one of the busiest spas in our group and is one of the best spas in London,” says Mandarin’s group director of spa and wellness Jeremy McCarthy. “The expansion has given us the opportunity to make it truly world class.”
Much anticipation has surrounded the spa’s reopening – it had a brief, soft launch in May last year but closed just days afterwards following a fire elsewhere in the hotel.
It’s fresh elegant interiors come courtesy of preeminent hospitality designer Adam D Tihany who drew inspiration from Chinese fashion and symbolism. The calming colour of jade reflects the group’s Asian heritage and is balanced by a palette of wood-toned hues and precious metals such as dark bronze and striking gold accents. Original, floral wall features give reference to rebirth and the flow of energy.
“People go to a spa looking for a particular experience,” says Tihany. “Our job is to direct the attention and engage the senses in a way that will enrich that experience.”
Meanwhile, a thoughtful – and extensive – curation of treatments and facilities, reflecting some of the latest industry trends, give the spa an edge.
A signature £195 (US$249, €216) Digital Wellness Escape provides 90-minutes of digital detoxing along with a foot steam to absorb negative energy, a massage focusing on the head, eyes, neck, shoulders and back and options for mindful colouring, Jenga or meditation before and after.
Two express rooms offer services such as a 25-minute, £60 (US$77, €66) on-the-go facial. There’s also a Bastien Gonzalez Pedi & Mani Cure Studio and McCarthy is “excited to bring this unique brand of pedicures to the London market.”
Much focus is placed on powerful anti-ageing treatments by Nescens and celebrated facialist Linda Meredith.
Meanwhile professor Ke, founder of Asante and one of Europe’s top Chinese doctors, will lead a team of doctors to share their expertise in traditional Chinese medicine.
Sodashi and Aromatherapy Associates complete the supplier line up. And a team of 48 therapists have faced 12 weeks of training to deliver services.
Barr + Wray and Dornbracht have worked on the new, standout Oriental Suite – one of 14 treatment rooms – with its two massage beds and a rasul ‘water temple’ which combines heat, steam and healing mud by Sommerhuber.
For relaxation, there’s a zen colour therapy room, amethyst crystal steamroom, sanarium and vitality pool. Or, for the more energetic, a Technogym fitness centre, Hollie Grant PT Studio and private pilates exercise room.
A curation of innovative treatments and facilities give the spa an edge
A curation of innovative treatments and facilities give the spa an edge
McCarthy says the London spa is one of the busiest in the Mandarin Oriental group
Elegant interiors come courtesy of Adam D Tihany who drew inspiration from Chinese symbols