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. The small but perfectly formed spa in the basement of this bijou 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 specialities. Total bliss.

Best for: pretending to be both beautiful and damned

A short walk from the Tate Modern, this hotel sits conviniently along the Southbank, giving it one of the best locations in the city. And with interiors conceived by the Tom Dixon – you know, him 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. Beautiful throughout, its impressive spa with central copper drip sculpture is an incredibly instagrammable spot to wind down. We’d recommend the signature mud cure treatment for a full-body exfoliation in a traditional Turkish bath.

Best for: being almost villainously sleek

What was once the drinking den of H G Wells, Oscar Wilde and Arthur Conan Doyle is now a sophisticated five-star hotel. Combining an olde worlde opulence with its illustrious history, this swish spot also touts a pretty perfect spa which is home to the capital’s only dedicated Watsu pool. What’s a Watsu pool? Sister to hydrotherapy and thalassotherapy, Watsu is a gentle form of body therapy performed in warm water. At the centre of the spa you’ll find a stunningly lit 18m pool with a sauna, Jacuzzi and plenty of recliners. The treatments list is pretty luxurious, too.

Best for: finally penning that novel

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 which 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 PTs and a full-sized swimming pool if you fancy doing some lengths – but you’ll find us hanging out in the amethyst steam room before reclining in one of the treatment rooms for an oxygen-boosting facial. 

Best for: getting a right royal treatment

The Bamford Haybarn Spa atop Knightsbridge’s Berkeley hotel is a destination in its own right (have you seen the rooftop pool?). Factor in champagne-infused body wraps and spectacular views over Hyde Park, and it makes for a luxurious day trip. There's even a secret rooftop garden. Its handy location close to some of the city's swankiest shops means it’s is the perfect hotel to stay during London's glorious (if somewhat unpredictable) summer.

Best for: literally looking down on people

Slap-bang in the centre of London, this swish Victorian hotel has had everyone from Oscar Wilde to Princess Diana sleeping in its super-high-thread-count sheets. One of the most iconic hotels in the capital, it hosts a suitably swanky spa whose underlying philosophy is based on Chinese medicine. Factor in a well-equipped gym, a sunken swimming pool, heated lounge chairs, and a Himalayan sea salt sauna that glows with a warm orange 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

More than 100 years old and set in leafy Mayfair, this is a very British affair; the butlers are even trained in shoe care by the expert cobblers at John Lobb. And if you’re looking more tired than your loafers, this super-smart establishment also offers its very own lovely Aman spa, which comes complete with one of the sleekest-looking swimming pools in the capital. As well as a waterfall, naturally.  

Best for: ignoring what TLC said and definitely treating yourself to a scrub