London’s 90-minute spa breaks
Fly-by indulgence
Six Senses at Pan Peninsula
2 Pan Peninsula Square, London E14, +44 (0)20 7531 2320, www.sixsenses.com
What: The Oriental Massage, £118 for 80 minutes (the shorter version is 50 minutes for £88)
Why: It’s the closest you are going to get to feeling that you are in Thailand, the Maldives, Vietnam or one of the other destinations that the uber-luxe Six Senses resort group tends to open in – without leaving London. Once you’ve got over the initial hesitation about the spa’s location in a residential new development near Canary Wharf (and admittedly the views aren’t exactly what you’d expect of this Asian treatment specialist) you’ll be wowed by the amount of natural light and space – possibly the most you’ll find in a London day spa. Great for both men and women, the Oriental Massage uses a mixture of movements from shiatsu and ayurveda – so it works on everything from circulation to muscle tightness and lack of flexibility. The treatment uses the fabulous Ila range of natural oils.
The Spa-aaah factor: As it only opened this summer, the spa looks as fresh as it will make you feel after a treatment. Best of all, the wet areas are at the top of their game: a relaxing heated pool with jets, a steam chamber with central crystal and mood showers and Roman-style rooms which graduate in temperature.
Natura Bissé at the agua spa at The Sanderson
50 Berners Street, London W1, +44 (0)20 7300 1414, www.sandersonlondon.com
What: The Diamond Facial by Natura Bissé, £160 for 90 minutes.
Why: The Spanish company has been at the forefront of skincare for the past three decades. Although in the UK the name Natura Bissé is still largely unknown it is followed faithfully by those in the know. New to the Sanderson’s agua spa, this new treatment has already been taken up by celebrities: actress Rosamund Pike (a former Voyager covergirl) is one. It’s both nourishing and anti-ageing, thanks to the highly efficacious products which you can feel working. For instance, the glycolic peel fizzes up – the uncomfortable feeling only lasts a few moments whereas the radiant result lasts for days.
The Spa-aaah factor: The long white drapes and therapists in white uniforms – it’s about as close to heaven on earth as you can imagine.
Liz Earle Skincare & Treatments
38-39 Duke of York Square, London SW3, +44 (0)20 7730 9191, www.lizearle.com
What: The Liz Earle Signature Facial, £83 for 90 minutes, is bespoke for each skin type.
Why: As her flagship treatment in her flagship store, this is really the crème de la crème of the Liz Earle experience – and also the only place in London to offer it. Although it’s not technically a spa as there are no steam or pool areas, the treatment rooms are all equipped to offer ‘wet’ treatments such as body scrubs. But even in the signature facial, you get your feet and hands massaged and any additional work necessary. For instance, my shoulders were so knotted that the therapist concentrated more here after the pore cleanse, facial steam and extraction and mask. Obviously the treatment uses all their own range of products: think botanicals rather than pharmaceuticals.
The Spa-aaah factor: Less oozing of luxury, and more for those who want natural skincare.
The Spa at Chancery Court Hotel
252 High Holborn, London WC1, +44 (0)20 7829 7058, www.spachancerycourt.com
What: The Skin Fabulous Treatment, £140 for 1 hour 25 minutes, which also includes a gift of Vitage Skin Protector SPF 30 (and 10 percent goes to the charity Cancer Research UK).
Why: This is where one and a half hours of treatment goes to work with a top-to-toe treatment – it starts with a foot bathing ritual and ends with an Indian head massage. Extensive skin exfoliation – but with scrubs that have delicate jojoba beads so it’s perfect for even sensitive types – will leave you glowing regardless of whether you make it out for a sun holiday. The facial element works in a fruit peel mask, serum and aromatherapy oil massage before sending you to, um, face the day with a shield of age defence hydrator.
Senior therapist Sarah Wadelik told us: “By having such an in-depth treatment, it gives us as therapists the chance to really individualise it for different client’s skin types. I’ll focus more where the skin needs it rather than a set length on each part.”
The Spa-aaah factor: Extra points for the atmospheric relaxation room. The entire spa is in the basement of the five star hotel but darkness suits this chamber. Sip herbal tea while listening to meditative music on the headphones. 
