London's best spas treatments

If you’re craving pure escapism and can’t afford a plane ticket, Ushvani in Chelsea is the next best thing. Taking strong influence from Asian culture, Ushvani’s massages, scrubs and wraps combing Balinese, Malay, Thai and Shiatsu massage and reflexology. However, the ultimate luxury at Ushavni is the Amsara suite, where two people (be it your significant other, mother or just a lucky pal) have their own private room, complete with two massage tables, a massive bath, shower and day bed, for three hours of extreme pampering. 

Ushvani, 1 Cadogan Gardens, SW3 2RJ

Located on the sixth floor of the W Hotel, the ultra modern Away Spa overlooks bustling Leicester Square. The dinky Away Spa isn't a destination for a full day of lazing around, but it's somewhere to indulge in a five-star treatment and then a quick sweat session. The celebrity therapists on offer at Away Spa are its prime offerings – the likes of Su Man, one of the globe's most sought-after facialists, and James Harknett, tanning expert to the rich and famous, provide their stellar skills to those wanting a million dollar service. 

Away Spa, W London, 10 Wardour Street, W1D 6QF

This latest opening is London’s first luxury Chinese medicine centre and touted as the hottest ticket in town. Stepping in for its signature Chuan Balancing treatment, you fill in a form to determine what element you are (we’re earth, apparently) before being whisked off for a sublime massage, which stimulates the body’s pressure points to relax and detoxify. We fell asleep mid-treatment – ‘Fifty per cent of people do,’ smiled the therapist.

Chuan Spa, The Langham, 1c Portland Place, W1B 1JA

One of the original purveyors of natural hair and skin products, Aveda continues to deliver quality treatments at their vast, airy hair and beauty spa in Holborn. All spa treatments are plant-based and include an Elemental Nature consultation, however a highlight is Aveda's Chakra Balancing Massage, which involves deep tissue massage, reflexology and energy balancing to re-order your chakras (the seven centres of spiritual power in the body), leaving you feeling collected and serene as well as very supple.

Aveda Institute, 174 High Holborn, WC1V 7AA

After a recent refurb – a sparkly new shop, flash treatment rooms, a Speed Spa and a stunning penthouse – the House of Elemis is must-visit for any visage in need of some TLC. Book in for a BIOTEC facial, which involve the use of micro electric currents, light therapy and oxygen infusion to repair, firm, invigorate and generally princess-ify your skin, and you'll receive full facial analysis which defines which of the seven BIOTEC facials will be most effective for you. And the results aren't wrong – after a Sonic Skin-Resurfacing Facial, which included a ten-minute massage, we were darn-right glowing.

House of Elemis, 12 Lancashire Court, W1S 1EX

While located beneath the Connaught Hotel in less-than-relaxing Mayfair, once you’re being massaged in exotic oils from the continent, and being murmured to in hushed tones by your barefoot therapist, you won’t believe you’re not laid in a tropical beach spa. Pick of the treatments on offer are the signature therapies, which are inspired by either India, China, Thailand and The Americas, and involve massage, meditation and a foot bathing ritual.

Aman Spa, Carlos Place, W1K 2AL

Murad offer a range of nourishing and invigorating treatments claiming to deal with in anti-aging and skin protection. We enlisted one of Time Out’s hardy cyclists to test out the 60 minute Murad City Facial which aims to deal with the aches and pains of city living; the two ‘p’s: pollution and partying.

Murad Beauty Room at House of Fraser, 318 Oxford Street, W1C 1HF

Light and airy, the first and only dedicated Neom store is situated on the north end of WImbledon High Street. Along with their wonderful home and body fragrances, Neom's latest venture is treatments. In line with their scent ranges, four themed Wellbeing Treatments are available – 'Sleep', 'De-stress', 'Energise' and 'Happiness'. 90 minutes were unadulterated bliss, the treatments include an initial Scent Test (which dictates which of the four treatments you will receive), involve a range of shiatsu, cranio and Thai massage, and use only Neom products.

Neom, 38a High Street, Wimbledon Village, SW19 5BY

This elegant Rocco Forte-owned Mayfair hotel provides a thoroughly relaxing and luxurious experience. The seasonally changing signature pedicures are a big draw – when we visited, the ultra-indulgent ‘Hot to Trot’ pedicure offered a pressure point foot massage while you sip on a passionfruit and lychee gin cocktail, all finished off with the perfect polish. Discover this season's signature offerings here.

The Spa, Brown's Hotel, Albemarle Street, W1S 4BP

A sleek, contemporary hotel for a business clientele, Shepherd's Bush K West Hotel Spa houses a small but smart spa which features its own jacuzzi and Scandinavian sauna and steam room. The pièce de résistance at K Spa is the Snow Paradise, however. At -15 degrees, it's not for the faint-hearted, though alternating between the warmth of the sauna and the chill of the Snow Paradise is great for blood circulation, we're told.

K West Hotel Spa, Richmond Way, W14 0AX