Best Spas in Halstead

"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."

"Scottish skincare brand ishga, which draws on natural ingredients from the Hebridean islands such as hand-harvested seaweed, has launched a three-month residency at the Bamford Wellness Spa in Knightsbridge with two deeply nourishing 90-minute holistic treatments. Go for the ishga Immune Boosting Ritual to revitalise the body after a year of WFH. The treatment begins with a hydrating sea salt and oil scrub, followed by either a 60-minute full-body massage, hot stone massage or ishga hot poultice massage."

"This year, Knightsbridge favourite The Berkeley is saying sayonara to lockdown with an alfresco dining space inspired by the country's iconic foodie seafronts. Transporting you to the sandy shores of Whistable, the hotel menu includes oysters, lobster and retro cocktails. Don't miss the frothy Sailor Sour which blends Grey Goose Vodka with Nardini Mandorla, lemon and egg white."

"Hotel phone: +44 20 7235 6000 Sophisticated yet unstuffy 19th-century hotel with a beautiful rooftop pool and garden boasting panoramic views of London. A 5-star property, rooms, and suites feature timeless design, luxury bedding, and Italian marble bathrooms. Some suites add private balconies."

"With its enviable location in the heart of London, situated on the borders of Knightsbridge and Belgravia and with panoramic views of Hyde Park, The Lanesborough has long been considered one of the world’s most luxurious hotels. Its elegant décor, exquisite cuisine, unsurpassed attention to detail and world-renowned service are second to none. The hotel’s restaurant, Céleste, is renowned for being among the best in the city and boasts a Michelin star."

"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."

"This space is hidden below ground through the many weaving, opulent hallways of The Lanesborough hotel – luckily there’s no chance of getting lost as a doorman in a tophat will escort you. The covered terrace bar is decked out with plush leather chairs and low candle-lit wooden tables, walls are shrouded in a foliage of bromeliads and ferns. Bag a spot by the fireplace for the warmest seat in the house."

"This historic London retailer was established on Regent Street in 1875, dealing mainly in rare oddities imported from Japan, and also purveying an in-house line of floral and graphic fabrics. Don't be fooled by the shop's antiquated exterior, as today brands like Nike and Dr. Martens are lining up to collaborate with the storied retailer, which has stepped up to compete with other respected retailers in London and across the UK by bringing in collections from Givenchy, Margiela, Tom Ford, and others."

"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."

"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)."

"The 10,000 square-foot agua spa at Sanderson in London's Fitzrovia is a dazzling all-white space providing pampering, spiritual relief, and tranquillity. With walls of white, flowing curtains, the 14 all-white treatment rooms, chill-out zone and meditation beds creates a cloud-like ambiance with the sound of running water added to the atmosphere. Try the Natura Bisse signature treatment that analyses your skin and creates a programme designed specifically for your skin or the Natura Bisse Diamond Experience offering a multi-sensory cosmetic lift using ingredients that penetrate into the deepest layers of the skin, providing the firmness necessary to stimulate regeneration and reinforces the skin's natural defence system."

"The Tom Dixon-designed Thames-side hotel has transformed this part of the South Bank. The designer’s first complete hotel comes with portholes and a curved copper hull as well as a little bit of disco-ball shimmy in the air. His aesthetic flows down to the subterranean spa, where a huge copper droplet appears to drip through the ceiling from in the relaxation lounge."

"Housed in a jaw-dropping 1929 building, the Porchester is one of London’s more authentic spa experiences — jolly steam room and knockout sauna included. If you like pools, this is the place to be!. There is a large pool for lane swimming to work those back muscles into shape, or a plunge pool for cooling off after a sweltering detox in one of the three Turkish baths."

"Until 2007, Londoners had no idea what an affordable spa was, until Spa London opened up its first spa-tique in Bethnal Green. Now there are several all over London, but the favourite must be in Swiss Cottage. Signature body treatments, facials and massages are up for grabs from as little as £30 — rare in this part of town."

"Art-lovers can spend hours inside the Tate Modern and the National Portrait Gallery, while theater-goers will want to buy tickets for Shakespeare’s Globe or the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. Walking through one of London’s numerous parks is also an option, and so is admiring the architecture of Tower Bridge, the Gherkin, or St. Paul’s Cathedral. In the evenings, have some fish and chips in a pub or enjoy London’s multicultural dining options. You will stay in the city until the morning of Day 3."

"Essential building works have closed the National Portrait Gallery until spring 2023, but before Google or Wikipedia, this is where the British came to put a face to the names of famous historical figures from the country's history. As such, the paintings are prized more for their subjects rather than their artists. Highlights include portraits of Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeth II, the latter courtesy of pop art sensation Andy Warhol."

"Located in an adjoining building to the National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery houses a collection of historic portraits of important and famous British people. Nearest tube station: Charing Cross."

"If you’re a keen shopper, you will want to hit the shopping mecca that is Oxford Street. But also make sure you experience luxurious afternoon tea in London , take an offbeat food tour, sample street art, and hit a few alternative bars in town. Check out our Guide To London for loads of offbeat and fun ideas of things to do in London."

"Housed in the old ordnance factory, displays of local history with maps, photos and artefacts from the Roman era to the 20th century."

"Terence Conran's first hotel – whoops, 'multi-functional space' – comprises a dozen large, expensively pared-down rooms in a converted warehouse in Shoreditch, showcasing the work of Conran's favourite designers (Le Corbusier and Mies van der Rohe) against gallery-style white walls and exposed brick. On the third and fourth floor there are also four duplex lofts and studios, plus a further suite designed by Sir David Tang. The good looks continue in Albion, a self-styled 'caff' with shop and bakery attached, and the swishy restaurant, where City swells and media types nibble on frogs' legs and do their best to deplete the well-stocked wine cellar."

"Occupying an enviable spot overlooking the City and Shoreditch, Boundary Rooftop — complete with decking and lemon trees — feels like a slice of the Med in London. Because the weather is unlikely to match its appearance, it’s also entirely weatherproof and heated, allowing for scenic views without the shivers. The menu includes a delicious selection of oysters and fruits de mer as well as mezze and tapas-style sharing plates and grilled meat and fish from the robata grill."

"If you’re into pageantry, just round the corner from Buckingham Palace, and officially part of the grounds, the Royal Mews is a fascinating place to visit, and much less popular than its exhibits deserve. Finally, if you’re into afternoon tea, you can experience a fashionable take on the high tea experience at the Berkeley."

"You can visit the Royal Mews (fee*) which showcases the royal collection of historic carriages and coaches, including the Diamond Jubilee State Coach. Art lovers will want to stop at the Queen’s Gallery (fee*) which displays regularly changing exhibitions of art from the royal collection."

"Completed in 1729 by the 3rd earl of Burlington (also known for Burlington House—home of the Royal Academy—and Burlington Arcade…"

"Valentines Mansion & Gardens is a Grade II on the National Heritage List for both building and garden. Built in 1696, the mansion was for the widow of Archbishop of Canterbury John Tillotson's widow, Lady Tillotson. It later was the home of Sir Charles Raymond."