Heavenly Spa by Westin

“A stylish spa in London’s East End with riverside views, holistic treatments, fantastic food and a polished service” (Stylish Spy)


FIRST IMPRESSIONS

The Westin London City is a modern, five-star, Marriot-owned hotel located in London’s East End, a short stroll from St Paul’s Cathedral and Bank station. Once inside, the double-height glass atrium poses a conundrum of what to admire first: the impressive ceiling art spanning both floors or the equally impressive city views through full-height glass.

The property has 222 rooms and suites, nine apartments, a choice of meeting space, a wine bar and restaurant, all-day dining and Heavenly Spa by Westin. The hotel’s main reception is located – rather unusually - on the 4^th floor; you’ll find the spa on the second.


WHAT’S ON OFFER?

Spa reception is light and bright with an attractive pale wood panel curving behind the reception desk where friendly staff greeted us and led us to through to change.

Changing rooms are spacious with a creamy palette paired with plenty of wood. Half-height wooden lockers – operated by a four-digit code – contain hangers, branded robes and recycled flip-flops. We loved the little boxes attached to the door for valuables.

Change on banks of grey leather benches beneath the lockers; you’ll find two immaculate loos and showers containing Westin White Tea bodywash, shampoo and conditioner around the corner. Your vanity bar has a massive mirror, two GDH dryers, plugs for straighteners (ask at reception to borrow a pair), amenity kits – shaving; shower caps – and Germaine de Capuccini products. There’s also a swimsuit dryer, towel drop and shelves with towels to help yourself to.

The striking pool is through a door from here and is stunning in bronze, creams and woods - hues that make 12-metre pool look even more blue and inviting. The pool’s concrete floor is a thing of beauty.

After a swim, glide down the metal staircase into the vitality pool - with its powerful dual-level jets - or relax on one of seven double loungers with headboards, wooden arms and side tables. Help yourself to glasses of fruit-infused water or flag down a spa host and order – as we did – glasses of Prosecco and pretty-as-can-be chocolates.

You’ll find the thermal suite behind a glass door around the corner from the vitality pool. That chinking sound you hear is shards falling from the ice fountain; use this between heat experiences to cool down hot skin or grab an iced towel from a shelf where you’ll also find more plastic boxes for valuables. On your left, a super-hot sauna with three levels of wooden seating at either side accommodating six to eight spa goers.

Cool down under the sensory shower afterwards with its array of mists, sounds and colours before heating up again in the steam room - which is bathed in creams, seats six and manages the tricky balance of being really hot but not so steamy that you can’t see. 

After a treatment, relax in the Sanctuary, a hushed space with six beds separated by flowing curtain; help yourself to water and dried fruit. The spa’s fitness studio is spacious and equipped with cardio equipment – it’s open 24-hours a day for hotel guests; use your room key for access.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR TREATMENT

We tried the Harmony in Sound treatment (90 mins, from £200).

My therapist, Bree, met me at reception and led me to spacious treatment room with a shower in the corner. She invited me to take a seat and conducted a scent test of four different fragrances from Aromatherapy Associates - I was drawn to one containing an uplifting blend of rosemary and grapefruit.

Once comfortable on the bed, lying face down, Bree began the treatment by striking a metal bowl which reverberated around the room leaving me feeling grounded.

For the massage, Bree used a combination of forearm (long) and hand (short) strokes, as well as warm Himalayan stones which she left on various points of my body after use. Asking me to turn over, Bree repeated the experience on my front, rotating my arms in turn to loosen tightness before massaging my scalp. When Bree used a towel to pull my neck up and then move it from side-to-side, I could feel the tension melt away. The entire treatment was performed to a heady soundtrack of live sound vibrations.

The result? Far less stress in my neck and shoulders, and a deeply uncluttered mind.

Bree then led me to the relaxation room where I met my spa partner after his muscle-busting Deep Tissue Massage (60 minutes, from £175). Despite being offered a glass of Prosecco (what’s not to love?), we both opted for a vitamin-packed juice from a selection of colourful B.Fresh options, as well as a fiery ginger shot.

FOOD FACTS

Spa goers will need to get dressed and head to Mosaic on the 4^th floor, an all-day dining concept that morphs into a Champagne Bar at night. Arriving the day before our treatments, we lunched as soon as we had checked in.

The lunch menu is large with a good a range of dishes including burgers, club sandwiches, light bites and salads. Those wishing to eat light can choose dishes from the Eat Well section of the menu. We opted to share a range of dishes and went for Korean fried chicken bites, Fillipino-style pork belly BBQ skewers and two small salads: Caesar and Greek (from the Eat Well Menu). Everything arrived at once making a healthy, tasty spa lunch. Glasses of chilled rosé from Kent hit the spot.

That evening, we dined at Hithe + Seek on the third floor, with its river views and banks of seats facing full-height windows - time your visit with the setting sun for a spectacular show. On the menu: small plates divided into sections of Farm, Sea, Land and Divide and Conquer (dishes to share). After much deliberation (and delay – that view makes it mighty hard to concentrate), we chose Tear + Share bread with maple & chilli Olive oil, salty Pardon peppers, succulent chicken Gyozas and King Prawn & Squid with citrus mayo.

We washed it all down with a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand before ending the evening with spicy Margaritas. An evening here is a treat for both the tastebuds and the eyes.


SWEET STAY?

We’ll say… our suite (no. 847) on the eighth (and final) floor of the hotel was more like a one-bedroom flat than a room. Dual aspect windows afford killer views over St Paul’s and East London from both floors – split via a set of full stairs that even turn the corner (and are longer than ours at home).

Downstairs you’ll find a lounge area, workspace, loo, Nespresso/fridge combo and huge flatscreen; upstairs a king-size bed, bathroom with walk-in shower, another flatscreen and separate sink for pre-dinner preening. We loved the round ceiling lights hanging down from the lofty ceiling. Wishing to squeeze as much time in our suite as possible, we ordered breakfast in bed and pretended – for an hour more – that we lived there.


WE LOVED…

Suite 847: swoooon. Got an occasion coming up? Don't hesitate to book.

Our treatment with the sound bowls, hot stones and Aromatherapy Products was Heavenly.

Dinner at Hithe + Seek: come early enough to watch the sunset; stay late enough to see the lights twinkle on the river (we were kindly asked to leave at midnight). The food is just as tasty as the view.

WHICH BUBBLE RATING DID YOU AWARD THIS SPA?

Time and time again we award Heavenly Spa by Westin City a well-deserved Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of 5 Bubbles for its cool design, extensive treatment menu and well-thought-out facilities. Did we mention the views?