One hundred and fifty years since Claridge's started welcoming guests, the storied London hotel has opened the doors to its first spa – and it's been worth the wait. The culmination of a project that has seem a team of experts excavate five floors down into the London clay to create 7,000 square feet of extra space, the Claridge’s Spa is a haven of wellness and tranquillity located three floors beneath the Mayfair institution.
The space, designed by interior architect Andre Fu, has been inspired by both the aesthetics and healing rituals of the East. Featuring Claridge's first-ever swimming pool, steam rooms, sauna and seven treatments rooms, Claridge’s Spa offers both a best-in-class list of resident brands – including Josh Wood (pictured below), Augustinus Bader and FaceGym – and an ever-evolving roster of visiting wellness masters. For launch, these include nail artist Harriet Westmoreland and acupuncturist Ross J Barr.
Fu’s design is inspired by his own visits to traditional Japanese temples and Zen gardens in Kyoto which brings an essential authenticity, and uses natural elements such as limestone, wood and water. The heated swimming pool is central to the spa, framed by a striking, multi-vaulted ceiling and stone columns.
See more pictures of Claridge's Spa in the gallery below.
Treatments in the spa begin and end with key rituals: guests are presented with kimonos in soft pinks and peaches, and a welcoming foot ceremony washes away the outside world. Scented water and enzyme-rich koji soften and smooth the skin while pressure points are applied to unlock tension and encourage circulation. Inspired by temple Koh-do ceremonies, a choice of incense is presented to the guest pre-treatment to help to cleanse the mind and aid relaxation.
"We have created a spa here at Claridge’s where guests will find both holistic practices and results driven high-tech all under one roof," says Maybourne Hotel Group’s Creative Director of Spa and Wellness (and Facegym founder), Inge Theron. "Claridge’s has long been a temple of good living with a philosophy of enjoying life to the full, and so now, as well as pouring guests the perfect martini, we can also rejuvenate and restore with the perfect treatment, to strike that all important balance.
"The Claridge’s Spa service style is inspired by and reflects this great, legendary hotel. The attention to detail that has been in place here for centuries – the way we steep our tea, the way we make our beds – is reflected in this new space, from handmade poultices made daily by our team with the seasonal ingredient, the way our saunas are complete with star-like twinkling lights, and silk thimbles are used by our incredible therapists for exfoliation during facials. Claridge’s Spa is the very beginning of a new wellness journey for Maybourne Hotel Group."
Claridge’s Spa is open to both hotel residents and guests. For more information visit claridges.co.uk
