London Calling: 3 Hot New Spas

Summer Games & Hot New Spas

Kate Middleton and the Royal Family, Big Ben, fish and chips, double-decker buses, the Beatles…our friends across the pond are trailblazers for all-things-fabulous, and they’re tacking on one more jewel in their crown: the 2012 Summer Olympics (officially the Games of the XXX Olympiad) in London. With this grand dame of athletic events fast approaching, this host city is getting in the spirit of the Games in Olympic-size proportions – and has us at the SpaFinder offices thinking that some of London’s newest – and hottest! – spas are gold medal winners. If you’re traveling to London, or just dreaming about it, take a look at these spa finds.

London’s calling, and spa is our answer.

ESPA Life at Corinthia

When it made its July 2011 debut, ESPA Life at Corinthia became the largest spa in the UK, at more than 37,000 square feet over four levels. Now ESPA’s worldwide flagship, this spa is the first to feature the brand’s new ESPA Life initiative, an integrated wellness approach that fuses complementary and alternative medicine in an extravagant spa setting. Highlights include a full-service salon, fitness center and an entire spa floor devoted to thermal options, including a 30-foot indoor silver-steel swimming pool, an amphitheater sauna and black mosaic steam rooms. Partake in spa services (including those on the Rush Hour Beauty menu if you’re keen on also heading outdoors for city sightseeing) in treatment “pods.”

Image courtesy of ESPA Life at Corinthia

COMO Shambhala Urban Escape at Metropolitan London

Taking its cue from its Bali and Turks & Caicos sister spas, COMO Shambhala brought its alluring, holistic approach to captivate the big city in November 2011. A hushed sanctuary away from London’s hustle and bustle (in Sanskrit, Shambhala means “sacred place of bliss,” COMO Shambhala Urban Escape at Metropolitan London is renowned for its sleek, minimalist look. Just check out the images to the left – stunning!). Asian-inspired treatments and acupuncture (the spa has a resident acupuncturist), along with Dr. Perricone facials and mum-to-be and gentleman-tailored treatments, are on the menu here, and if you spa with your spouse or BFF, you can reserve one of two double treatment rooms that comes with a private steam area.

Image courtesy of COMO Shambhala Urban Escape

Spa in Dolphin Square – Dolphin House, London

Within 15 minutes of central London, Dolphin Square, adjacent to the banks of the River Thames, is home to the newly opened, Moroccan-inspired Spa in Dolphin Square. Bathed in soft light from elegant lanterns and furnished in rich fabrics and antique mirrors, with interiors tied together with bronze walls and wood floors, the spa is currently the only one in London appointed with an authentic Moroccan hammam, rhassoul and salt-infused steam room (worth a visit just to experience those!) Dolphin House is also the city’s only dedicated serviced apartment complex to provide spa, fitness and healthcare facilities in one location. Schedule a treatment exclusive to the spa, and cap it off with a selection from the spa’s bespoke tea menu.

Image courtesy of Spa in Dolphin Square

Winning Spa Deals

We know the 2012 Olympics mean the top athletes will compete for gold, silver and bronze, but in the spa world, deals are the winners in our book. Here are a few of the London spas in our SpaFinder network providing you the chance to save while you spa.

Dolphin House, London
Moroccan Father’s Day Experience for Two!

The Langham, London
Jubilee Tea Therapy at Chuan Spa – Only £185!

COMO Shambhala Urban Escape at Metropolitan London
Spa Packages at COMO Shambhala Urban Escape

Image courtesy of ESPA Life at Corinthia

Calling London

Nearly one million visitors are anticipated to attend the 2012 Summer Olympics. For you Londoners who want to escape the chaos of the Games and flee across the pond to the States, Kimpton’s three Florida hotels – EPIC Miami; Surfcomber Miami, South Beach; and Vero Beach Hotel & Spa – are “Calling London” and inviting you to indulge in some much-needed Florida sunshine and beach time. These “stay and save” promotions are exactly as they sound: The longer the stay, the greater the savings! Learn more.

Plus, find more spas in London.