Words by Zue Wei Leong
We’re taking our Wellness Wednesday series to an unexpected location: London, England
There are few who travel to the city of London for rest and relaxation. They typically expect to navigate the bustling, narrow streets as they take in the sights, pop into popular bakeries and eateries, shop, or go for a night out on the town. The cacophonous sounds of the city surround them, from the velvety vocals of buskers in the streets and the screeching of the Underground to the whirring and honking of red double-decker buses and black cabs flying past. But there is a whole side of London that the typical traveller has yet to explore. It is a side that they should consider incorporating into their packed itinerary—one which offers a haven of bliss and serenity within the chaos of the capital city. Hear all about BAZAAR’s well-balanced trip to one of the busiest cities in the world below.
Our Experience at the Four Seasons at Park Lane:
A stay at the Four Seasons at Park Lane easily weaves in an element of wellness to a trip. Just a short walk away from Marble Arch, the hotel is sheltered from the noise of the city. Its renowned Mayfair Spa on the top floor overlooks the famous Hyde Park; nine treatment rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows set the scene for the treatments and facials on offer. Each spa experience begins with a health and wellness questionnaire in the pristine foyer of the spa, after which a tour of the facilities reveal an intimate changing room, a cozy sauna, and a heated vitality pool with a reclining feature to thoroughly enjoy the massage jets. A hidden door leads to the aforementioned treatment rooms, where we tried the Four Stone Signature Facial.
With deep ties to Traditional Chinese Medicine, this 90-minute sculpting facial massage uses four gua sha tools of different sizes and edges made from jade, rose quartz, bian stone, and copper. After a light cleanse, the therapist assesses the points of tension within the face, usually around the mouth and forehead. She begins deploying expert massage and lymphatic drainage techniques with moderate pressure, the face oil warming up with the gua sha stone as stress melts away. The depth of the therapist’s knowledge was impressive, as she explained the significance of working on different pressure points on the face, from draining toxins and excess fluid to diminishing fine lines. A scalp and shoulder massage follows, ending with the refreshing brush of the cool copper gua sha tool on the face and upper body, leaving a feeling of complete rejuvenation. To finish, she applies Philosphia Botanica’s “Five Flavors” Shizandra Berry, Goji Berry and Maqui Berry face balm. We are invited to spend a short period in the designated relaxation pod with a steaming cup of ginger tea; here, there is reflection on how much tension the face holds in our daily lives, as we carry on, teeth gritted, through endless meetings and long commutes.
After unwinding, we are free to rejoin the ‘real world’, whether it’s retiring to the hotel’s spacious rooms or enjoying an elevated yet comfortable dining experience at Pavyllon, the Michelin-starred restaurant within the building. The latter, in particular, is a real treat for the senses with a live open kitchen serving up immaculate plates of French cuisine with the most unique, hearty flavours.
Our Experience at the Four Seasons Hotel at Tower Bridge:
The Four Seasons Hotel’s Tower Bridge counterpart offers an even larger wellness selection within its grand domed building, mere steps away from one of London’s most defining landmarks. With luxurious interiors featuring clean lines and calm, cool colours, the spa transports us into a different world. Its signature facilities are supplemented with a spacious hammam, swimming pool, and award-winning hair salon.
Among the extended menu of treatments available, the sensorial experience in the technologically advanced meditation bed is highly recommended. Tucked in with a weighted blanket and eye mask, the body fully relaxes into the cocoon-inspired bed, which is integrated with vibration technology to match the undulating soundtrack specially created by Oscar-winning film score composer, Hans Zimmer. A one-of-a-kind experience that switches off the busy thoughts in the mind, the meditation bed lulls us into full relaxation, and even brief moments of deep slumber. For the many who struggle with staying in the present, and perhaps those who accumulate too much screen time, this treatment is ideal to reset the mind and body.
The Deep Muscle Massage is also a highlight. It begins with a detailed discussion with the masseuse on specific areas of concern raised on the health and wellness questionnaire in order for her to tailor the massage to our needs. A choice of energising peppermint, cleansing eucalyptus, and relaxing lavender room scents is given to enhance the experience—we settled on a combination of eucalyptus and peppermint to be invigorated to face the day. For our concerns of neck and shoulder stiffness, the masseuse used powerful techniques, including slow, deep thumb rolls and knuckle pressure, to release the deep-seated knots in that area. Perceptive to our body’s reactions, the masseuse changes the pressure accordingly, careful to tread the balance between alleviating tension and ensuring a smooth, comfortable experience. After the 60-minute massage, we left the treatment room lighter than when we entered, as if months of stress buildup had been rubbed out of the body. A warm cup of tea awaited us in the relaxation pod, during which the attentive masseuse gave gentle reminders to avoid overly strenuous activities and to stay hydrated to feel the full, positive effects of the massage.
For both locations, the Four Seasons offers the opportunity to make a proper occasion of your wellness treatment by pairing a massage with a vibrant afternoon tea, such as the White Lotus Package at Park Lane or the Ten Trini-Tea Spa Experience at the beautiful Rotunda Lounge in Tower Bridge. With excellent service which seamlessly blends its spa components with top-class hospitality and dining, the Four Seasons shows the true potential for London to be recognised as a wellness destination as much as a shopping haven and cultural hub.
