The Lanesborough Club & Spa

“A chic, Art-Deco-inspired spa in the heart of Mayfair with some beautiful facilities and ground-breaking treatments”

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

The Lanesborough is a vast white, neo-classical style mansion between Knightsbridge and Mayfair on the edge of Hyde Park. If you’re not travelling by chauffer, take exit three out of Hyde Park Corner tube station to put yourself in front of this historic building.

The chic, exclusive club and spa is located below the easterly wing of the hotel, with its own private entrance off Grosvenor Place. Alternatively, you can access the spa via the hotel - follow the signs from reception along the maze-like corridor and take the lift down to spa wonderland.

WHAT’S ON OFFER?

The spacious spa lobby is an expanse of white marble, with flickering fires, gilt-framed landscapes and plush armchairs creating a clubby feel. Here, we were welcomed by a receptionist behind a large front desk, led to an armchair and given a consultation form to complete.

Changing rooms are spacious and Art Deco-inspired. You’ll find a dark wood and silver vanity area in the centre, seating six, with large oval mirrors entwined with dangling tulip lights and strings of glass leaves. This area is stocked with all the products you could need (and more): dry hair shampoo, anti-perspirant and GHDs come as standard - simply turn up with your swimsuit and you’re good to go. Summon a concierge at the touch of a button should you require anything further.

Banks of light grey lockers are interspersed with mini chaise seats framed in golden drapes for changing. There are three WCs – thoughtfully stocked with mouthwash for a pre-treatment freshen up - and four large shower rooms complete with their own private changing areas.

The thermal facilities at The Lanesborough Club & Spa are single sex and attached to the changing rooms. The glass-fronted wooden sauna seats six and reached 80 degrees on our visit. You’ll find six mother-of-pearl mosaic-tiled thrones in the steam room which hots up so rapidly; allow your eyes to adjust for a moment before finding a seat.

You can cool down in the experience shower afterwards, choosing between warm rain, cool rain or cool mist. This was delightfully refreshing.

A black door leads to the unisex hydrotherapy pool. The infinity-edged pool runs the length of the room and is slightly raised with water cascading over one side. Head up a few steps and descend into the warm water. There are body jets along one side and seating with plenty of bubble jets opposite. We loved the heated silver handrail for entering and exiting in comfort. Relax on one of six loungers afterwards, each equipped with a pillow, a towel, glossy magazines and a bell to call a pool-side butler.

If you don’t fancy reading poolside, head to the spa lounge which has red and dark wood panel walls and an elegant fireplace. Comfortable recliner armchairs surrounded by cream curtains are dotted around the room. Each has its own side table with a lamp, and a buzzer for summoning the concierge – a delightfully recurring a theme. Help yourself to snacks or order food from the menu.

The Lanesborough Club & Spa also has a VIP suite housing a Rasul; if you’re lucky enough to be a member, you’ll also have access to your own private lounge and the fitness suite, too.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR TREATMENT

We tried the Lanesborough Signature Massage with Ground Wellbeing (60 minutes, from £190).

My therapist, Jacqueline, met me in the Spa Lounge and led me to a spacious treatment room bathed in creams. Having read on my consultation form that I have just had a biopsy, she altered my treatment so that I could lie on my side rather than on my front.

Ensuring I was comfortable once settled sideways on the bed, Jacqueline put some oil on each hand – from the brand Ground Wellbeing – and asked me to select one. I went for ‘support’ containing chamomile and mandarin.

The massage began with hot towels on my feet before long strokes on my neck and back, moving down my thigh to my lower leg. Turning to the other side, Jacqueline repeated the massage on the other side before removing the bolster so that I could lie on my back.

The massage continued on my arms, hands, the front of legs and feet, with some pressure footwork to finish. Sitting up, Jacqueline introduced me to the Grounding range, some products containing 500 times more Vitamin C than an orange, making them hyper anti-inflammatory.

The result? Mega soothed skin and a less jumpy mind.

Jacqueline led me back to the Spa Lounge where I met my spa partner who had enjoyed time in the single sex sauna and steam room.

FOOD FACTS

Lunch is served en robe either in the spa lounge or the rather glamorous spa restaurant – all deep blue walls and rows of gold-framed botanicals. The menu here is healthy with a variety of salads and hot dishes available, as well as a good range of drinks.

We began our two-course lunch with a mezze to share; this came laden with humous, falafel balls, strips of grilled haloumi, toasted flatbread and pickled vegetables. For mains, we ordered two salads and switched dishes halfway through: our king prawn salad with papaya and chilli was as fresh and tangy as it sounds; our spa partner’s Asian salad with lemongrass chicken hugely satisfying. Glasses of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc proved to be the perfect accompaniment.

If you’re staying overnight, book a table at The Lanesborough Grill with its glass dome roof, Chandeliers and huge plants. We began our evening meal with Coronation crab followed by a succulent lamb dish served with root vegetables and a Gram-worthy miniature Shepherd’s Pie. Our spa partner chose the scallops with pumpkin and hazelnut, followed by sea bass with Champagne and lime. Everything dish that arrived was as pretty as it was tasty, heightened by a bottle of Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc. Dessert – a cheese board – was kindly brought to our suite for optimal enjoyment.


SWEET STAY?

On arrival – and after a thoroughly welcome glass of Champagne - we checked straight into room 219, a junior suite with ornate wood panelling, a central fireplace, ceiling chandelier and a king-size bed with pretty floral headboard. We loved playing hunt the TV, finally finding it inside a real painting – push the button on the remote to watch it appear like magic.

Before dinner, we filled the tub big enough for two in the rather large bathroom (with underfloor heating) and relaxed. A good night’s sleep was met with a a hot shower using Lanesborough-branded (and delicious smelling) amenities, followed by a read of the paper with a cup of coffee.

WE LOVED…

Our junior suite was a thing of beauty.

Having the thermal facilities entirely to ourselves: VIP feels…

The food: From lunch to dinner and breakfast the next morning, the food was top notch.

DON’T MISS...

A drink on the hotel's new pop-up Garden Terrace Bar with its cigar menu, extensive drinks list, heaters, blankets and street views.


WHAT BUBBLE RATING DID YOU AWARD THIS SPA?

Once again, we awarded The Lanesborough Club & Spa a Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of Five Bubble Luxury for its outstanding customer service, results-driven treatments, pristine facilities and healthy (but oh so moreish) food. Leaving is always a wrench.