Is the foyer of the Jumeirah Carlton Tower Hotel the busiest in London? Step inside, off London’s chichi Sloane Street, and you’ll be greeted with a hive of activity: businessmen frantically taking calls, groups of anorak-clad tourists talking excitedly over maps, jewellery-laden ladies gossiping over tea. Buzzy, if you’re staying there, but not the most relaxing setting for a pampering treatment. My heart sank, as that was precisely what had brought me to the scene.
The Peak Spa is on the 9th floor, and as the doors glided open an air of calm, scented with aromatic oils, greeted me. This was more like it. I was there for a new signature face and body treatment, ‘Tangle Me Up,’ which, I hoped, would be more relaxing than it sounded. A glass of iced lime-flavoured water and a change into robe and slippers later and I was beginning to feel happily cocooned from urban life. Even the view of the dusk skyline across the city looked perfectly serene.
The treatment uses organic seaweed products from Irish beauty company The Voya, and combines a rejuvenating facial and body wrap. It starts with wafts of a calming essential oil – mine was made of lemon, lime, mandarin and patchouli. Then the lights are dimmed and on comes the prerequisite chill-out music, this time some not too bad early 80s-sounding Arabic soul music.
Next I was tucked under fluffy towels like a baby while my feet were ceremoniously washed. But just as I was about to doze off, the towels were whipped away and out came some body brushes aimed at removing dead skin cells and leaving you feeling alert and rejuvenated. Then a thick layer of natural, finely-milled, fresh, organic seaweed body wrap was applied all over and covered in muslin cloths to help the body absorb the rich nutrients. It feels a bit like being basted and left in clingfilm ready to be cooked. You are left to marinade for about 15 minutes while you enjoy a head massage.
After a shower, the therapist moisturises your whole body with Softly Does It, a sumptuous mix of wild seaweed extracts and basil and lime essential oils. She then begins a 60-minute anti-ageing facial, including cleansing, exfoliating, toning and face massage. A mask of fresh seaweed is then applied to plump up the skin’s texture. While that gets to work, you can zone out with a neck and shoulder massage.
The result is definitely a winner. On my departure my face seemed to glow naturally – despite having no help from make-up - and my body was firmer and smoother. More to the point, I left with a spring in my step. I didn’t even flinch in the foyer when a waiter – with the loudest clang imaginable — dropped a tray of drinks. I simply floated on out into London.
The Voya Tangle Me Up package at the Peak Spa is £125 for 105 minutes. For more information visit jumeirah.com
