Hotel Spa Review: The InterContinental, Park Lane, Mayfair, London
Review:Chloe English
Proudly perched on Hyde Park Corner, Intercontinental Park Lane offers a glamorous entrance alongside a helpful concierge. A tardis of offerings, concealed on the first floor, the Spa Intercontinental is an awash with rich, dark walls including The Steam Temple to which we had been booked. With services tailored for both men and women the Spa InterContinental is a convenient, urban retreat hidden from the madness of the city outside. Designed around result-led skincare and grooming services, they offer a dynamic menu of treatments with flexibility designed around busy schedules. With modern facilities and a professional team, they combine a range of products from across the globe from Elemis to Californian brand SUNDARI. With five treatment rooms and an additional VIP suite, it makes for a conveniently located spa break whether alone, with friends or your significant other.
Spa InterContinental
Looking for something more than a traditional massage the Spa InterContinental booked us into the exotically named Steam Temple. Regardless of what was in store for us we were instantly intrigued. Alongside our own shower / changing room we were supplied with our private steam room, or I should say Temple, in which the treatment took place. Lasting an hour, the unique experience provides a relaxing and therapeutic space that is said to soften any dry skin and aid in gaining a summer glow. Within the centre of the steam room, surrounded with tea light candles, we were supplied with mineral rich muds to apply to ourselves, one of a thicker consistency to be applied to the body and the other with a more delicate consistency to apply to the face. Once the mud had been applied, the aromatic steam infused our ‘temple’ resulting in an almost religious and mediatory experience. Ideal for clearing the mind and soothing stiff muscles, this different type of treatment can be booked as an individual or joint experience, £75 for the hour.
The Wellington Lounge
Thoroughly steamed and having cleaned off of any remaining clay, we progressed onto afternoon tea downstairs in The Wellington Lounge. With refreshing hues of cream and bright lime green this lounge is a certain contrast from the urban spa upstairs. Inspired by the nearby Royal Parks and London landmarks, The Wellington Lounge aims to offer the very best in British tradition with a couple of contemporary twists thrown in for good measure. Suiting all tastes, however adventurous, The Wellington Lounge offers amplitude of tea menus and ensuring no-one misses out on this forever-loved British tradition. For those who are still watching their post-Christmas waistline, their Guiltless Afternoon Tea is completely free of refined sugar and carefully created with natural ingredients, without compromising on taste. For chocoholics the Chocolate Afternoon Tea aims to surprise even the most expert chocolate connoisseur; featuring chocolate marshmallows and surprising cocoa desserts. In celebration of English produce, the Market Garden Tea features produce from across the English countryside and that seasonal vegetables are not overlooked. English traditionalists ourselves, we selected the Royal Tea which was presented to us with a selection of pretty and dainty English classics that pay homage to the InterContinental’s location (145 Piccadilly, and the Queen’s former childhood residence). On top off this The Wellington Lounge has been awarded a UK Guild Award for Excellence.
The Wellington Lounge
Sat on the corner where Mayfair meets Knightsbridge, the hotel frequents one of the most convenient and sought after locations in the city. With timeless, modern English interiors and an impressive collection of 447 rooms their modern approach to luxury, urban hospitality with flexible service, aim to help visitors make the very most of the famous streets of London, whilst remaining in comfort. Aspects of the hotel such as The Spa InterContinental and The Wellington Lounge offer flexible offerings for locals, such as ourselves who are after a touch of glamour, away from conventional Sunday afternoons.
Treatment: Steam Temple Therapy £75 – 1 hour
Afternoon Tea from £32 per person
Guiltless Afternoon Tea £35 per person
Intercontinental Park Lane
1 Hamilton Pl, London W1J 7QY