Guests and visitors of the 5-star Corinthia Hotel London — housed within a Victorian building dating from 1885 (once used by the war department and Winston Churchill) on the edge of the River Thames — discover a haven of tranquility tucked away from the buzz and bustle of the city at ESPA Life. Spread across four floors underneath the hotel, the spa is outfitted in a thoroughly modern style with black and white décor, curved walls, mood lighting and chic crystal chandeliers. Guests can enjoy the ultimate indulgent experience and pursue some truly valuable health options.
Stepping into ESPA Life, accessed via the hotel’s main elevator, I let its peaceful ambience and warm décor envelop me and soothe any lingering stress. After flying from New York the same day, I needed to let the spa do its trick and relieve my jet lag. A friendly team immediately greeted me in the reception area, a white-marble space featuring shelves lined with top-notch ESPA products. I could hear the hum of the state-of-the-art Daniel Galvin hair salon nearby and got a glimpse into the spa’s café located to the left of the reception desk, a stylish space equipped with white chairs and tables offering an extensive menu of breakfast, lunch, unique cocktails, juices, desserts and afternoon tea. I, of course, enjoyed my signature green tea while I waited for my massage.
My relaxation journey began with a trip downstairs one floor to the separate men’s relaxation and locker area. After stopping in the changing rooms, storing my belongings in a smart locker and enjoying a glass of citrus-infused water, I was tempted to relax with a copy of Global Traveler in one of the heated marble chaises or nap in one of several sleep pods — comfortable, private beds separated by curtains in a serene, dark room. Instead, I traveled to the bottom floor to what is perhaps the spa’s most tranquil area outside of the treatment rooms — the Thermal Floor.
Decked out with eye-catching white furniture in a space featuring sultry, dark-blue walls and floors, the co-ed Thermal Floor is a truly therapeutic facility and haven of its own, complete with a black mosaic steam room, an energizing vitality pool, a silver steel swimming pool and an all-glass sauna boasting 360-degree views. One of the most unique features is a large marble bowl into which crushed ice occasionally falls. I saw several guests leave the sauna to pick up handfuls of ice to rub on their hot faces and bodies.
I easily could have spent an entire day relaxing on the serenely beautiful Thermal Floor, alternating time lounging on a bench in the amphitheater-style sauna with dips in the two swimming pools and a snooze on a heated stone chaise. Instead, I eventually journeyed to my treatment room to enjoy an ESPA signature massage.
The 80-minute treatment began with a consultation in which I explained my desire for a deep tissue massage focusing on my shoulders and back. Throughout the massage, my therapist checked in with me, asking if the pressure was adequate. She was more than happy to accommodate my requests, making for a personalized experience that completely de-stressed me according to my needs.
After the treatment, I caught up with Nichola Roche, spa director, ESPA Life at Corinthia, to learn more about the flagship ESPA Life’s holistic approach to wellness and the impressive range of therapies. The treatment menu comprises a vast selection of male- and female-tailored experiences, from rush-hour treatments for those short on time between meetings to grooming and hair appointments. An excellent choice for Londoners and visitors is a hot stone foot massage, providing warmth and relief to cold feet weary from walking around the wet city.
ESPA Life also offers intensive lifestyle programs carried out by a team of globally acclaimed holistic professionals. Unique treatments include intensive detox and sleep programs, orthopedic rehabilitation, marathon training and fertility treatments. These treatments keep many of their guests coming back again and again.
If I had more time in London, I would have indulged in three hours of exclusive use of a private spa suite, complete with a Rasul healing mud ritual, 30 minutes of relaxation time and a two-hour treatment of my choice — perhaps the bamboo joint-release experience or shiatsu-inspired experience with body exfoliation and aromatherapy oils. But the Queen Mary 2 beckoned, and I left London feeling renewed and ready for life on the sea and a trans-Atlantic crossing, thanks to ESPA Life at Corinthia.
ESPA Life at Corinthia London
Corinthia Hotel London
1 Whitehall Place
London SW1A 2BD
United Kingdom
tel 44 20 7930 8181
corinthia.com
Read This Next
Lotte Hotel Seoul
2014 / February 2014
Jun 1, 2016All Reads on This Topic
Read Them All
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedMarch 2024
Mar 27, 2024Udaipur Unveiled: A Walking Tour in Rajasthan’s Most Romantic City Reveals Its Many Layers
Anyone who makes their way to Rajasthan in northern India has likely heard of Udaipur’s allure. The city revered for its lakes and marble palaces is considered by many who know not only the Indian subcontinent but the planet as a whole to be the most spectacularly romantic city on Earth.
Sponsored Content
Exclusive Savings: Cruise Along the Danube River with Global Traveler
Exclusive Sailing with Global Traveler
Daily
Mar 27, 2024Go Island Hopping in Spain with Meliá Hotels International
It’s time to start planning summer travel. Consider a chic island getaway off the coast of Spain. Spain’s Meliá Hotels International offers a collection of hotels throughout the islands that highlight the Spanish lifestyle.
Daily
Mar 27, 2024“Deal or No Deal” Interactive Game Show Comes to Holland America Line
Holland America Line expands its entertainment offerings by launching the game show brand Deal or No Deal on nine ships. TimePlay, an entertainment software company, powers the show format, with a highly adaptable design and strong brand identity, on more than 85 ships worldwide.
Sponsored Content
Tips to Plan a Destination Event Worth the Trip
Corporate events can often feel … too corporate. Where to go to get the team out of the office environment to bond and think outside the box? Starting with an unconventional, unique space to make them feel like the all-stars they are will get the juices flowing and make your LinkedIn profile glow.
eFlyer Reviews
Mar 27, 2024Hotel Indigo La Paz Puerta Cortés Review
Hotel Indigo La Paz Puerta Cortés is an oasis where the desert meets the sea, nestled between the Sea of Cortez and La Paz Bay in Mexico. With an emphasis on providing guests a relaxing experience through wellness and culture activities, the hotel is a short 10-minute drive from Downtown La Paz, Mexico. Upon entrance under the porte cochere you are greeted with a palette of whites and browns, a theme constant throughout the property.
Japan Airlines Purchases 32 Airbus, 10 Boeing
eFlyer News
Mar 27, 2024eFlyer Lead
Mar 27, 2024Aeromexico Named Most Punctual Airline in the World
Cirium, a global aviation analytics company, recently released the most on-time airlines in the world for early 2024. The study found Aeromexico as the most improved airline in February, with a 90.66 percent on-time performance, a 12.5-point increase in on-time performance over January 2024.
Sponsored Content
Hit the High Notes in Nashville
Nashville’s once-modest skyline continues to evolve as its luxury market grows. Lavish hotel properties are added to the landscape while acclaimed chefs stake claim in the robust culinary scene and premier cultural offerings round out the city’s repertoire.
Daily
Mar 27, 2024Hyatt Regency Chicago Unveils Renovations This Spring
Half a century ago, several architecturally significant buildings not only changed the face of Chicago but also reintroduced the city as a world-class travel destination. Roughly a year after the Sears Tower (now Willis Tower) emerged as the then world’s tallest building, Hyatt Regency Chicago opened its doors in August 1974. A second tower was constructed in 1980, making it one of the most ambitious hotels the city had seen, down to its above-ground skyway and underground concourse.
ShareThis