Massage Away
Can’t believe it’s already the 9th May! Such a busy few weeks and so many celebrations: Alec’s special birthday, Jonathan completing his first London Marathon, Easter and a royal wedding. Throw in all the bank holidays, the wonderful weather and gardens in bloom, no wonder we are all feeling happier with life.
Visited W today, one of London’s most exciting new hotels for a treatment in its Away Spa. The hotel, which opened earlier this year, is situated just off Leicester Square in the middle of all the hustle and bustle of Soho.
You can’t miss the entrance with its huge W logo and once inside you take a lift to the main reception where there are several individual desks. Staff all very helpful and enthusiastic. The receptionist left his desk and went with me in the lift to the 6th floor, where he showed me into the spa – that’s five star service for you!
The spa is ultra modern, white and glossy, with a small open lounge area behind the reception desk with two facing large white leather sofas and a wall lined with a display of spa and beauty products. There are five treatment rooms and individual changing rooms with private showers. There’s also a sauna and steam room. Hotel visitors staying in one of the two spa suites with private steam rooms can have treatments in their suite.
After introducing herself, my therapist brought me a refreshing energising drink and a glass of water while I filled in the usual health questionnaire. I changed into robe and slippers and was taken to one of the treatment rooms. Almost oval in shape as the glossy white walls have no corners, the rooms have hydraulic treatment beds, subdued lighting and relaxing music.
I had booked a back massage and was asked whether I liked a light or firm touch and the areas to be worked on or avoided. I asked for the massage to focus on loosening up my shoulders and neck as they are always tense.
Ren and Aromatherapy Associates products are used in the spa. As I was having an Aromatherapy Associates treatment, I was asked to try several oils so I could select one for my massage. I chose the Revive fragrance – one of my favourites made from Pink Grapefruit, Rosemary, Juniper Berry, Pine and Coconut Oil.
The treatment included some pressure point and lymph drainage massage and was excellent – if a little painful at times – but it worked wonders on my neck and shoulders. I really must have more regular massages to keep painful tension knots from building up.
After the treatment, which lasted 30 minutes, I enjoyed a detox farewell drink and a glass of water to help flush out the toxins.
Afterwards, I walked down Piccadilly to the Intercontinental Hotel for a press meeting. Mentioning my visit to the new spa to an old editor colleague, he promptly commissioned me to write a feature for his magazine on …..Massage!