Around Town

The Sanctuary

Spas and healthclubs
The Porchester Spa
BEST SCRUB AND RUB
It might not sound very appealing, but 15 minutes of vigorous pummelling on a marble slab makes the ideal treat for busy mums looking to unwind on Mother's Day. Alternatively, try the Russian steam room: the Porchester’s version use the traditional birch-leaf treatment, the shmeise, and is sure to leave manic mums feeling energised and cleansed.
Porchester Spa, The Porchester Centre, Queensway, W2 (020 7792 2919) Bayswater or Royal Oak tube. Lee Balch shmeise for men Wed 12noon-10pm, Sat 10am-10pm; Women (or men) on unisex day Sun 4pm-8pm.

Bliss
BEST FOR PEDICURES
Ideal for a quick treat, Bliss does one of the quickest and best pedicures in London. Treat mum to the Double Choc pedicure (brownies and hot chocolate included) or the hour-long Heel Magnolias treatment using a magnolia scrub and warm milk.
Bliss, 60 Sloane Avenue, SW3 (020 7584 3888/www.blissworld.com) South Kensington tube. Mon-Sat 9.30am-8pm, Sun 12noon-6pm.

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Parlour’s hair smoothies
Pack mum off to this friendly Shoreditch beautician for a ‘hair smoothie’, made from MOP’s delicious organic products, a chocolate foot mask, a peppermint soak or even a lemon zing.
Parlour, 3 Ravey St, EC2 (020 7729 6969/www.theparlouruk.com) Old St or Liverpool St tube/rail. Mon-Thur 11.30am-8pm, Fri 10.30am-7pm, Sat 10am-5pm.

Cowshed’s time package
BEST ALL-ROUND BEAUTY BOOST
A good option if your looking to buy your mother a package of treatments charged by duration. A swift 30 minutes costs £75, a full hour £105. Each time span has a choice of five different packages, like the ‘maintenance’ (consisting of a facial, eyebrow tidy and manicure or pedicure).
Cowshed, 119 Portland Rd, W11 (020 7078 1944/ www.cowshedclarendoncross.com) Holland Park tube. Mon-Fri 8.30am-8pm, Sat 9am-7pm, Sun 10am-5pm.

The Sanctuary’s body refining
Another good choice for a gift package is Covent Garden's Sanctuary, which offers a vast range of body and face treatments. For the ultimate Mother's Day spoiler, vouchers are now available for their special Girl's Delight package which includes four 25-minute face or body treatments, two two-course lunches and two Sanctuary Gifts in addition to full use of spa facilities including the beautiful Koi Carp Lounge, Atrium Pool, Exercise Pool, Spa Pools, Sleep Retreat, Steam and Heat Rooms.
The Sanctuary, 12 Floral St, WC2 (0870 0630 300/www.thesanctuary.co.uk) Covent Garden tube. Mon, Tue 9.30am-6pm, Wed-Fri 9.30am-10pm, Sat-Sun 10am-8pm.