Stylish Spy tries a Beaumont Body Scrub and Wrap

Take me with you…

The grand, whitewashed Beaumont Hotel has a small but perfectly formed spa just near Selfridges on Oxford Street. Step away from the bustle of the shoppers and you’ll find a place of indulgence, from excellent spa treatments to flawless afternoon teas. As far as London postcodes go, it’s a beaut.

The five-star hotel draws heavily from Art Deco design running from the lobby - with its chequerboard black and gold floor, cherrywood panelling, portrait art and dramatic walnut seating – right through to the restaurants and the spa.

Shall we spa?

Although the hotel feels very British, the spa feels more Paris than Mayfair. The aged mirrors, gleaming chrome, monochrome tiles, and easy jazz playing in the background make this feel like Les Années Folles (or Roaring Twenties this side of the pond).

You’ll find the petit spa down a short flight of stairs from the entrance lobby. There’s a small reception area with Oskia and Sultane de Saba products to tempt, a glamorous hair salon, and changing rooms with large lockers, central leather seating and well-stocked showers.

The etoile of the spa is the thermal area which has a cold plunge pool, traditional wooden sauna, white-tiled steam room with sufficient seating for six, cold shower and an ice fountain. The not-too-hot/not-too-cold steam room was a real hit with this Spa Spy who was beginning to display signs of a pesky cold. The only spa-based hammam in Mayfair can be found behind a sliding glass and chrome door just past the plunge pool.

Alongside the thermal rooms, there are four white leather loungers on which to relax (wait here for treatments, too), teas, fruit and fruit-infused waters to help yourself to, and plenty of magazines to read (copies of Harper’s Bazaar and Wallpaper stylishly fanned out on glass tables serve to remind spa-goers that they are in Mayfair). The gym is spacious by London standards.

We had the changing rooms and thermal facilities entirely to ourselves on our visit, which felt very special indeed.

Treatment talk

We tried the Beaumont Body Scrub and Wrap (60 mins, £150).

My therapist, Sylvie, met me in the thermal room and led me to a small treatment room where she invited me to de-robe and get comfortable on the treatment bed, lying face down.

Sylvie began the treatment with a body brush, moving the bristles up my skin in long, sweeping strokes, before applying a Sultane de Saba scrub containing a blend of salt and orange blossom oil – this felt slightly cool on application.

Once sufficiently coated, Sylvie asked me to turn over so that she could repeat the process on my front, asking if it was OK to apply the abrasive scrub to my stomach (yes please). Sylvie then wrapped me up in a sheet to allow the scrub to rid my skin of grime; while it did, she performed a relaxing head massage.

Lifting the bed so that I could dismount, Sylvie walked me through to the changing rooms where she invited me to take a shower. A fresh robe, towel and pair of disposable undies were ready for me on exit.

Back on the treatment bed, Sylvie slathered my entire body in a nourishing Shea butter, ending the treatment with a dab of moisturiser on my face and a slick of balm on my autumn-dry lips.

In the thermal area afterwards, Sylvie poured me a cup of ginger tea and invited me to relax whilst I waited for my spa partner, who looked glowing after an Oskia Rejuvenating Super -C Facial (60 mins, £150) – a collagen-boosting treatment perfect for more mature skin.

How did it measure up?

My entire body felt super soft – even my usually dry legs glistened with hydration. If frequent glances in the mirror are an indication, Oskia did my spa partner proud.

Spot of lunch?

There are several excellent dining options at The Beaumont. The Colony Grill Room serves steaks and caviar, Le Magritte Bar and Terrance bourbons, whiskeys, cocktails and light snacks.

We tried the two-course lunch with a glass of wine from the Table d’Hote menu in The Colony Grill, with its circular red booth seating and wall of wine bottles. My starter of chickpea fries with Jalapeno ketchup was a tangy delight; my main dish of Colony Fried Chicken with sweetcorn relish completely moreish. I washed this down with a glass of citrussy New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. My spa partner loved her somewhat healthier duo of dishes: potato ravioli with an oozy egg and artichoke-stuffed sea bream with a tangy tartare sauce, complemented by a fragrant Pinot Grigio.

Got all day?

Head to the salon for a cut and/or blow-dry then take your new ‘do’ out for a spot of designer shopping, a drink, a delectable dinner or a night in the West End.

Short on time?

Book an Oskia facial – the Spa Spies are rarely disappointed.