London's best spa hotels

One of the swishest hotels in the capital, with its American art deco vibe throughout, The Beaumont exudes the hedonistic and sophisticated essence of the roaring ’20s. Dimly lit bars, acres of maple furniture and a gallery’s worth of art – it’s smart, unpretentious and positively plush. It's high-end New York mixed with all the regality of old London. The small but perfectly formed spa in the basement of the chic hotel makes for a very fancy central London chill-out spot. But that’s not all: It also boasts one of the only Moroccan hammams in London. So as you’d expect, hammam treatments with a massage are one of the spa’s specialties (and must-haves). There's also a gym, steam room, and sauna which guests can use too. The hotel rooms themselves are just as blissfully designed and kitted out. 

Best for: pretending to be both beautiful and damned. 

A short walk from the Tate Modern, this hotel sits conveniently along the Southbank, giving it one of the best locations in the city. Should your eyes need some rejuvenating, consider it covered, basically. And with interiors conceived by Tom Dixon – you know, he of all the glorious shiny things that you want to fill your home with – it’s also kitted out with one of the sleekest looks around inside and out. Ideal really. Beautiful throughout, yes, but also full of function! The impressive Agua Spa with central copper drip sculpture is an incredibly Instagrammable spot to wind down in, not to mention fantastic for body and soul. We’d recommend the signature mud cure treatment for a full-body exfoliation in a traditional Turkish bath. If you're peckish afterwards, there's some fantastic restaurants in the 'containers, or Borough Market is just down the road. The hotel rooms themselves are also kitted out with Malin+Goetz, decadent. 

Best for: being almost villainously sleek

Once a government office, now a seriously swanky hotel, the Corinthia is one of London’s swishest places to lay your head in the city, but probably anywhere, to be honest. What is it’s credentials? Well, if a place is as good as the size of the chandelier in the lobby, this wins. It gives the moon a run for its money. Beyond that, despite the very central location, it boasts a beautifully calming spa which, being windowless, is the perfect place to close the door on the hustle and bustle of London. Dim lighting too, a proper retreat. The space has 17 treatment rooms, a private spa suite, an amphitheater sauna, indoor pool, vitality pool, nail bar, and a Daniel Galvin hair salon. A lot, plan ahead! 

There's more though, this place has three bars, Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge's Bar & Grill is here serving good proper-lush British comfort food, a florist and more. 

Best for: avoiding the apocalypse (all of them) 

This hotel is a pretty iconic 5-star place that you can call your temporary gaff (maybe choose a more formal word). Former patrons of the place include HG Wells, Oscar Wilde and Arthur Conan Doyle. It was a 'watering hole' back then, so they may be shocked to see what's become of their old boozer, but not disappointed. Now a luxury homage old-world opulence, Café Royal provides an inner-city sanctum away from the bustle of surrounding Piccadilly Circus. Its Akasha Holistic Wellbeing spa is a must-visit for any guest looking to unwind. Not only does it have an 18-meter lap pool, a Vichy shower (six showerheads are directed at different parts of the body, and can be gentle or invigorating), and a hammam, but also London's first watsu pool. What’s a watsu? Sister to hydrotherapy and thalassotherapy, watsu (a combo of 'water' and 'shiatsu') is a gentle form of body therapy performed in warm water. War of the worlds outside, the happy prince inside. 

Best for: finally penning that novel (or doing anything else!) 

Once a private members club for very well-to-do gentlemen, the Mandarin Oriental is one gobsmacking building. After reopening its grand doors to the public in 2000, with a new set of owners, it retains the now-listed marble that coats its impressive interior. With rooms overlooking Hyde Park and boasting a parkside royal entrance, former guests have included members of Japan’s Imperial family and the legendary Joan Collins. Its fitness and wellness centre is complete with personal trainers and a full-sized swimming pool, if you fancy doing some lengths. Ultimately, the best place to be is the Amethyst Steam Room, which deserves a lengthy visit before reclining in one of the treatment rooms for an oxygen-boosting facial. Quite a lot going on there, for sure, but there's more post-span if you want it. This includes the two Michelin star restaurants from Heston Blumenthal himself, award-winning afternoon teas, and a lovely cocktail bar. You'll never want to (or need to) leave the building again. 

Best for: getting a right royal treatment

The Bamford Wellness Spa atop Knightsbridge’s Berkeley hotel is a destination in its own right (have you seen the rooftop pool? Looks like a Wes Anderson movie crossed with a summery perfume advert). Factor in green tea-infused body wraps and spectacular views over Hyde Park, and it makes for a luxurious day trip. There's even a secret garden on the roof. Its handy location close to some of the city's swankiest shops means it’s is the perfect hotel to stay, especially when the sun's out. There's plenty on offer here when it's raining too though, not least the Michelin star restaurant 'Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley', and a fitness center if that's more your bag. 

Best for: literally looking down on people

Slap-bang in the center of London, and at the tabletop of Regent Street is the Langham, a proper job swisher than a Swiss watch Victorian hotel has had everyone from Oscar Wilde to Princess Diana sleeping in its super-high-thread-count sheets (not at the same time, of course). It's undoubtedly of the most iconic hotels in the capital, but it's also one of the best. Partly because it's hosts the equally swanky Chuan Spa. The underlying philosophy of this place is based on Chinese medicine which has been around forever, and what's more is there's a well-equipped gym, sunken swimming pool, heated lounge chairs, and a Himalayan rock salt sauna that glows with a warm amber hue, and it's a one-stop-shop for all your health and wellbeing needs.

Best for: spending an entire day in a spa and not getting bored

Vacays don't get much more British than a stay at the Connaught. Settled amid those leafy streets of top of the Monopoly board Mayfair and dating back to 1897, this grand hotel comes with old-time butlers – who are also trained to wax and polish shoes by John Lobb bootmakers – original artwork by the likes of UK legends Barbara Hepworth and Damien Hirst, and little treats for little guests, including a mini umbrella, bathrobe and slippers, and a nanny service (at extra cost). But perks aside, we haven't even touched on the best bit yet: Aman Spa. Not only does it offer holistic massages, a black granite pool and meditation classes, but a full waterfall. Cor. Treatments here are therapeutically minded, designed to calm and heal those stresses you have physical and mental. The practices hail from across China, Thailand, India, and the Americas. 

Best for: ignoring TLC and absolutely treating yourself to at least one scrub