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The Big Smoke isn’t short of things to do on a boat, from karaoke to fine dining. Now, there’s a new experience to be had on London’s waterways thanks to a swanky new floating spa.
Meet the Maria Alexander, a wellness retreat on a canal barge. Currently moored at Limehouse Basin following a stint at Little Venice, the 70ft by 12ft canal boat boasts an impressive range of facilities and treatments, including a hot tub, wood-fired sauna and extensive treatment menu spanning restorative massages to indulgent facials.
Prices vary depending on how long you want to book the boat for. It starts at £125 for the ‘private floating spa and treatment’ for one guest, rising to £175 for two guests. The two-hour experience includes a ‘soothing, aromatic foot soak’ followed by a 30-minute massage focused on relaxation and use of all the spa facilities.
Even better, it’s totally private. You can book the Maria Alexander Spa Boat for private groups ranging from one to four people for up to four hours, but so far it’s proven most popular with couples. That means no queuing for the saunas or sharing changing rooms on this retreat.
The concept is the brainchild of Corvin Roman and Ingrid Eriksson. Ingrid is from a wellness background, while Corvin works in insurance, but has a massage course under his belt. The idea was born from a desire to provide Londoners with a more personal experience than a hotel spa.
The website states that The Maria Alexander is a ‘spa unlike any other’, and the founders believe the gentle rocking of the water enhances the therapeutic effect of heat, hydrotherapy and massage. So much so that, while it’s in Limehouse, you might be able to block out the nearby rumbling DLR.
The Maria Alexander has already earned some impressive accolades. In June, it was named the best wellness retreat in London by lifestyle website and guide Muddy Stilettos. Find out more (and book) on the boat’s website here.
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The Maria Alexander, Leisure Moorings, Repton St, E14 7NZ
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