Lady’s One Aldwych Spa Review

Today I want to share my review of the One Aldwych spa in London. This haven of relaxation at the One Aldwych hotel in Covent Garden is a great place to get a massage and facial in the heart of the West End.

One Aldwych Spa

I don’t think I’m alone when I say the festive season stresses me out. Christmas shopping for family members is difficult enough, but figuring out how to ship gifts overseas adds another layer of complication.

Add to that the massive seasonal shopping crowds on Oxford Street and the steady stream of holiday parties that make waking up in the morning a difficult task, and I always find myself in need of some relaxation and purification before my annual Christmas trip.

I knew this yearly stress-fest would happen, so when I was offered a complimentary Natura Bisse treatment at the One Aldwych spa in London, I made sure to book it during the run-up to Christmas.

Given my schedule has been packed for the last few weeks, I’m glad I did.

I arrived at the One Aldwych spa on Tuesday afternoon and couldn’t wait to try the signature Aroma Ritual. It was a 90-minute detoxifying floral Ayurvedic facial and aromatic back massage with warm floral sachets.

The brochure called it the “perfect antidote to any over-indulgences over the seasonal holiday period”. They read my mind.

When I walked into the One Aldwych spa I was greeted by the staff and given a form to fill out to inform them of any health conditions and let them know my goals for the massage.

I took the clipboard to the sofas in the waiting area, passing by the gym at the One Aldwych hotel’s health club on the way.

After that I was handed a fluffy towel, a robe, and a pair of slippers, and I headed to the changing room to get ready.

The area was large and had ample locker space, showers, and amenities. It even had a centrifuge to get water out of wet swimsuits, which was a nice touch.

After I changed, I met my One Aldwych spa massage therapist, Tatiana, who took me to one of the three treatment rooms.

The room itself was calming, with low light, a comfortable massage table, and relaxing scents and music to set the ambiance. Even before the Aroma Ritual treatment started I could feel the seasonal stress start to recede.

The One Aldwych spa treatment itself was pure relaxation. It started with a massage, but not the ordinary kind. Instead of using her hands, the therapist used warm, scented sachets.

I was a bit skeptical at first, but it turned out to be extremely relaxing, and not painful like the deep-tissue massages I used to get every week in San Francisco.

When she was done with one set of sachets, she would place them by my feet, hands, or shoulders to keep them warm, and then get another set to continue the massage.

I was a bit startled the first time I heard the sachets clap together (presumably to activate the heat), but after that it didn’t bother me. I was far too relaxed.

The One Aldwych spa facial was equally soothing, and didn’t involve extractions or any other painful processes. After starting with a calming face massage, Tatiana walked me through exactly what she was applying to my skin.

The products ranged from an organic honey scrub to a delicious-smelling toner, oxygen cream, and a cool, thick mask that was left to dry while she completed the massage. When she peeled the mask off, my face felt amazing.

After Tatiana left the room at the end of the One Aldwych spa treatment, I was tempted to lie there forever. Unfortunately, my busy holiday season schedule didn’t permit that; I still had other places to be that afternoon.

I reluctantly rolled myself off the table, wrapped the fluffy robe back around me, and met Tatiana by the entrance.

She asked how I felt (amazing) and told me that I shouldn’t wash my face for the rest of the day in order to protect my skin.

Following our conversation I went back to the changing room. Despite the temptation to go swimming in the health club’s gorgeous pool, I forced myself to get dressed and ready for my next meeting.

As I left the One Aldwych spa to face the cold London weather and the stresses of the season, I felt calmer than usual.

I’m hoping the tranquility will last until I leave for Asia later this month. But even if it had only lasted for the duration of the treatment, it would have been well worth it.

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