Best Spas in Barking

"Reopened after extensive (and expensive) renovation in 2019, the Mandarin Oriental is nothing less than stunning. The hotel’s Edwardian footprint interplays with tranquil, quirkily contemporary interiors and bright colors; the suites and rooms finished in sparkling Art Deco style are by innovative designer Joyce Wang; and there’s an exceptional basement spa with an added Philip Kingsley hair and scalp bar, and a mani-pedi studio by celebrity French podiatrist Bastien Gonzalez. The exterior is all iconic red brick and cream and the building feels quintessentially English, while the interior is restrained yet innovative, color-popping yet elegant, with added floral displays, bronze and silver embossed leaf-themed wallpaper, and fun 1920s-style pendant lights created from equine hair culled from the Horse Guards’ stable."

"Hotel phone: +44 20 7201 3773 Breathtaking hotel in a historic Edwardian building, the tallest in London upon its completion in 1889. The hotel features an indoor pool in its extravagant spa, featuring a sanarium, vitality pool, Chinese medicine room, and a state-of-the-art fitness center. The restaurant’s culinary program features traditional British fine dining, a gourmet French bistro, all day dining and afternoon tea, along with an innovative cocktail bar."

"Originally built in 1889 as an exclusive gentleman’s club, the building was opened as a grand hotel in 1902 and extensively refurbished in 2000. The Mandarin Group has hotel across the globe and their London residence is situated in fashionable Knightsbridge, overlooking Hyde Park. The hotel has 141 rooms, 40 suites and 3 restaurants and over the years has played host to a number of events involving royalty and celebrity guests."

"Sitting grandiose in Knightsbridge on the edge of Hyde Park, a stiletto’s click away from Harrods and Harvey Nichols, The Berkley oozes elegance and Art Deco grandeur. Perhaps it’s because numerous designers have collaborated with the hotel, including Paul Smith, who designed a range of bespoke crockery for the catwalk-inspired afternoon Pret-a-portea. The hotel has 190 rooms, 55 of which are suites, many with terraces overlooking Hyde Park and some bigger than most London flats."

"Stop 3: Stop For Afternoon Tea/Lunch On Your London Itinerary At The Berkeley Hotel After taking in some of the most incredible fashion styles of the centuries, why not indulge in a culinary treat depicting the current trends?. This is the perfect lunch to have on your 4 day London itinerary and an afternoon you won’t forget. The Berkeley Hotel’s Pret-a-Portea afternoon tea brings a fusion of the culinary and fashion arts together with a truly unique meal."

"Located in fashionable Knightsbridge, The Berkeley is a London institution. Elegant, airy and exclusive, it is one of the best places to experience your stay in complete luxury. Among The Berkeley’s many attractions are its famed ‘Blue Bar’, a cocktail paradise frequented by the likes of Madonna and Leonardo di Caprio, and its two-starred Michelin restaurant Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley."

"This hotel is located in central London, and one of its most infamous attractions is “The Lanesborough Suite” which can be all yours for a night at the price of £18000!. Other than exclusivity, the suite will also bring you access to a complementary concierge service and a Rolls Royce to drive around in. Its restaurant — Apsleys, a Heinz Beck Restaurant — is famous for having received a Michelin Star within five months of opening, thus establishing a world record."

"Awarded the No. 1 Hotel in London by the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards, the Lanesborough is part of the Oetker Collection. Found in the centre of Knightsbridge the hotel is comprised of 93 suites and bedrooms, an opulent spa, dynamic bars, a ‘Withdrawing’ room and its Michelin-starred restaurant, Céleste. Here you receive dedicated butler service 24/7 – no matter what grade of the room you choose."

"Minimalists, modernists, fanciers of all things sleek, shiny, geometrical and monochrome – this is not the place for you. The Lanesborough was always an unrepentant riot of Regency splendor. In 2015 it reopened more unrepentant, riotous and Regency-splendid than ever."

"Arguably the most beautiful department store in the world, Liberty is housed in a fairytale Grade II-listed Tudor revival building built in 1924, seven years after founder Arthur Lasenby Liberty died. A maze of cave-like rooms is laid out around three central atriums, stacked high with merchandise and artistic displays. The store’s fabric department—where visitors can admire Liberty’s world-famous patterned, print, and floral fabrics—is a must-see."

"Housed in an eye-catching mock-Tudor building, Liberty of London is a must-visit for many tourists to the city and is most famous for its “Liberty print” fabrics which are also available in the form of clothing, furniture, and accessories. Liberty silk scarves start at around £150 and fabric starts from £22.50 per metre. Liberty has taken part in several designer collaborations with brands including Manolo Blahnik, Barbour, Nike, and Uniqlo."

"London is home to some of the most beautiful shops – whether you’re an interior design nut or just like to look from the outside. Wandering around London, it’s almost impossible not to pass a lovely little storefront or a beautifully decorated boutique. From The Old Curiosity Shop to Alice’s to the interior of The Liberty Store, there is no shortage of inspiration and beauty (Daunt Books is another blogger fave)."

"Taj opened its first Jiva spa in Europe last year in the heart of London’s Westminster - so it still feels brand-spanking new. The spa takes inspiration from ancient Indian wellness philosophies, offering a menu of body rituals and facials which blend traditional healing techniques and use luxurious Temple Spa products. Unwind in between treatments in the atmospheric vitality pool or break a sweat in the fitness suite."

"It is situated conveniently out of the hustle and bustle of the City centre, alongside Chelsea Bridge and opposite Battersea Park and within easy access to Sloane Square and Victoria underground stations, as well as being literally on the major Oxford Circus and Piccadilly public bus routes, the fashionable Sloane Street, Kings Road and Harrods shopping nodes. Pestana Chelsea Bridge Hotel and Spa boasts of the best spacious rooms London has to offer, magnificent beds, separate bath and shower, flat screen TV’s and tea/coffee facilities in all the rooms. WiFi available in all rooms."

"This magnificent neoclassical mansion stands at the northern end of Hampstead Heath in a glorious sweep of landscaped gardens that lead down to a picturesque lake. The 17th-century house was substantially remodelled in the 1760s and rescued from developers by Edward Cecil Guinness, 1st Earl of Iveagh, who donated it and the wonderful collection of art it contains to the nation in 1927. Among its treasures are paintings by Rembrandt (one of his many self-portraits), Constable, Gainsborough and Vermeer."

"This largely Palladian villa offers an escape to a gracious country house with a magnificent collection of Old Masters and beautiful…"

"Slightly out of London is this fantastic station which is great for photography due to the patterns and shapes. To get here take the Central Line eastbound. I thank my friend Neil for introducing me to this cool station."

"Restaurants American Hackney. Weekend brunch (from 10am) is of the all-day variety (and often ‘bottomless’) at this sheeny eatery from the guys behind the now-glorious Sebright Arms. Order at the counter from a menu that spans everything from Greek yoghurt with granola or avocado on toasted sourdough with pumpkin seeds and pea shoots to shakshuka, mushroom vegan balls, sweet and savoury waffles, as well as the daunting 12-hour pork hash – a free-wheeling combo involving long-cooked meat with two poached eggs, fried potatoes, peppers, chorizo and brown sauce onions."

"Restaurants American Hackney. A sheeny all-day eatery from the guys behind the now-glorious Sebright Arms in Bethnal Green, the Vincent serves up everything from late breakfasts to dinners with a broad American accent. Baked eggs, pork hash, ‘vegeree’ and waffles give way to burgers, buttermilk chicken buns, chilli chips and chocolate brownies, while drinks include the ubiquitous craft beers, hard shakes and some jokey cocktails."

"This Antipodean cafe group serves up indulgent yet reasonably healthy brunches, with a menu spanning corn fritters with avocado, streaky bacon and fresh spinach to a duck hash made with sweet potato, edamame beans, kale and a plum ketchup. Vegetarians are also well served with wild mushrooms and poached egg on toast, served with sun-blushed tomato, white bean hummus and a shallot crumb. Add on bottomless prosecco or mimosas to any brunch option for an extra £30."

"Lantana Cafe is serving up Australian breakfast fare to hungry diners seven days a week. Hit up the Old Street restaurant where you'll find a beautiful mural, an outdoor terrace and a menu of tasty dishes, including courgette bread and corn fritters topped with bacon."

"Why: Found a short distance from Harrods and other upmarket shopping destinations, Harry's Dolce Vita is perfectly accomodating for a spot of post-shopping dining. If lugging around all of those bags has worked up a sweat, you can cool down with one of Harry's delicious ice cream sundaes. You're able to enjoy them either inside or out on the terrace, and flavours to choose from include an apricot, mango and yoghurt combination or lemon sorbet topped with candied lemon and whipped cream."

"27–31 Basil Street, London SW3 1BBForget tiramisu and ice-cream sundaes – there’s a new pudding in town and it’s called the Toadstool. It might look like straight out of Super Mario, with its glossy red dome and cute white spots, but the white-chocolate, raspberry and pistachio creation at Harry’s Dolce Vita, the latest venture from Caprice Holdings, is the talk of London right now. And the rest of the menu’s not bad either."

"Restaurants Italian Belgravia. Directly behind Harrods, Harry’s is a glamorous Italian bistro with a breezy European-style terrace out front that’s often packed with people enjoying a spritz and a plate of pasta after a day of shopping across the road. Foodwise, stick to the simple Italian things: seafood spaghetti and fresh antipasti plates."