The spa at St Pancras Renaissance Hotel is a real hidden gem among the bustling St Pancras-Kings Cross transport hub and interestingly, the spa philosophy echoes the travel element of its location.
Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of visiting The Booking Bar at St Pancras Renaissance Hotel to try the Charles Dickens punch and some delicious bar snacks, in celebration of the great Victorian author’s centenary. I was delighted to return to the hotel for a spa afternoon to discover the exotic spa journeys that sounded so enticing.
Arrival
On arrival, I was offered a cool, cleansing towel and a glass of lime-infused chilled water, which was very refreshing on such a humid summer’s day. The spa receptionist gave me a detailed questionnaire to fill out, followed by a tour of the spa. The subterranean spa area is like a long, narrow maze, so this tour was very helpful.
In the luxurious changing room (complete with REN amenities) I had a locker already waiting for me, filled with a thick embroidered bathrobe bearing the spa’s peacock emblem and slippers, a large bathsheet, hand towel and a personalised welcome note with an appropriate quote by Ovid:
“Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.”
The Pool
I reflected on this while getting ready and then headed straight for the stunning silver and mosaic pool, to do just that. The pool area is impressive and palatial, with Eastern-style Victorian tiles in rich colours, high ceilings and bricked archways.
I started with a swim and then enjoyed the powerful jacuzzi jets while sitting on one of the hydro loungers. The water temperature worked well for swimming, but to make the most of the hydrotherapy massage, it could have been a touch warmer.
The mosaic tiled steam room was ultra hot and effective, with calming twinkling lights on the ceiling. There was a pleasant scent of eucalyptus and it didn’t have any molten hot drips of condensation from the ceiling that occur in less efficient steam rooms. The sauna was at just the right temperature to sweat out the toxins and it was spacious and immaculately clean.
I left enough time to properly shower, wash and dry my hair before my treatment and then the spa manager came to take me to the Relaxation Room. I sat briefly with a glass of water and was soon greeted by my therapist. She took me to one of the treatment room, of which there are six, including a couples suite.
The Treatments
Being a travel addict, I was keen to experience one of the various spa journey to Africa, India and the Far East. I was able to incorporate any of the indulgent treatments into my own bespoke one-hour journey, so I chose a Flowers of Bali Radiance Facial and Traditional Massage of the Orient.
The spa exclusively uses Cinq Mondes, a high end body and skincare brand that I was pleased to try for the first time.
My therapist made me feel very comfortable, cocooned within the thick duvet and heated treatment bed, and began by cleansing my feet with a hot towel. She then asked me to take deep breaths and inhale the aromas of essential oils to relax my body, before getting to work on my knotted shoulders.
Using Argan Oil, she massaged my back, neck and shoulder with an effective combination of kneading, stretching and smoothing techniques. The pressure was strong enough to deeply impact the muscles, however, I never felt any pain. I then turned over and my arms were given an energising rub.
For the facial, a wider selection of Cinq Mondes products were used and the treatment was very thorough and nourishing. As I was using the Philips ReAura laser treatment at home, my therapist advised not to have exfoliation, as my skin might be more sensitive from the effects of the laser. I’d also sweated and washed out any last traces of make-up earlier, so most of the time was dedicated to massaging the contours of my face. I particularly loved the scalp massage and could feel myself drifting off towards the end of the treatment.
The Relaxation Room
I was brought back to earth gently and slowly and then taken to the Relaxation Room where I chilled out in peace with some glossy magazines, hot jasmine tea, dried apricots and mixed nuts.
The Spa Menu
The spa journeys all sound heavenly, so here is the complete list…
Journey to Africa, purification and harmony (90 mins) – creme de Rassoul wrap, traditional massage of the Orient.
Journey to India, invigoration and renewal – (120 mins) – aromatic scrub with spices, Ayurvedic massage.
Journey to Indonesia, for stillness and radiance (150 mins) – papaya radiance scrub, Balinese massage, ritual of the five flowers facial.
Journey on the Silk Route (India-China-Japan), road to transformation (180 mins) – aromatic scrub with spices, Udvartana slimming ritual, Ko Bi Do precious youthful facial.
The spa at St Pancras Renaissance Hotel is a wonderful facility for all hotel guests to enjoy, however, it’s also a very special haven away from the central London crowds for visitors. What could be better than a spa journey to start your Eurostar journey in complete relaxation, or taking a few hours to unwind before going home.
For more information and booking, visit: www.marriott.co.uk
Chérie City was a guest of St Pancras Renaissance Hotel
For more spa ideas, read my reviews of: