Heavenly Spa by Westin

First Impressions

The Westin London City is a modern five-star hotel hotel located in London’s East End, a short stroll from St Paul’s Cathedral and Bank. It's part of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio of properties.

Once inside, the double-height glass atrium poses a conundrum of what to admire first: the impressive ceiling art spanning both floors or the equally impressive city views through the full-height glass.

The property offers 225 rooms, suites and residences; a choice of meeting space; a bar and restaurant; all-day dining; and Heavenly Spa by Westin. The hotel’s main reception is located – rather unusually - on the 4th floor; you’ll find the spa in the basement.

What's on offer?

Spa reception is light and bright with an attractive pale wood panel curving behind the reception desk where friendly staff in smart blue uniforms greeted us. We took a seat on a chair beside a wall of tempting products and completed a consultation form with a cup of lemon-infused water in hand. The scent of the spa’s own Westin White Tea spritz drifted up our nostrils.

Changing rooms are spacious with a creamy palette paired with plenty of wood. Half-height wooden lockers – operated by a four-digit code – contain two hangers (yes); and white branded robes, spa slippers and towels. We loved the little jewellery box attached to the door for valuables.

Change on banks of grey leather benches beneath the lockers; you’ll find two immaculate loos and showers containing Westin White Tea bodywash, shampoo and conditioner around the corner. Your vanity bar has a massive mirror, two GDH dryers, plugs for straighteners (bring your own), amenity kits – shaving, shower caps, comb – and Aromatherapy Associates cleanser and moisturiser.

There’s also a spin-suit dryer, towel drop and shelves with more towels to help yourself to. Before leaving the changing rooms, try out the ladies only steam room, with its gentle heat and cream bench seating for six.

The striking pool is through a door from here and is stunning in bronze, creams and woods - hues that make the 12-metre pool look even more blue and inviting. The pool’s concrete floor is a thing of beauty.

After a swim, glide down the metal staircase into the square vitality pool - with its powerful dual-level jets - or relax on one of seven day-bed style loungers with headboards, wooden arms and side tables. Spa staff will offer you water.

You’ll find the thermal suite behind a glass door around the corner from the vitality pool. That chinking sound you hear is shards falling from the ice fountain; use this between heat experiences. On your left, a super-hot sauna with three levels of wooden seating at either side accommodating six to eight spa goers.

Cool down under the sensory shower with its array of mists, sounds and colours – we spent a good amount of time under a rain shower, admiring the red lights and listening to bird song. Heat up again in the steam room which manages the tricky balance of being really hot but not so steamy you can’t see. It’s bathed in creams and seats six.

After a treatment, relax in the Sanctuary, a hushed space with six beds separated by flowing curtains, and a range of teas, water, snacks and reading material to help yourself to. You can also order a smoothie from the menu. Love it or hate it, the ceiling light is somewhat hypnotic.

The spa’s gym, WestinWorkout, is spacious and equipped with cardio equipment – it’s open 24-hours a day for the insomniacs; use your room key for access. There’s also a mani/pedi studio for all things nails.

Tell us about the treatments

We tried the Three Stones Ritual (90 mins, £175).

Natalie, my therapist, met me poolside and led me to treatment room no. 4 (of six) and invited me to take a seat so that she could explain the treatment. On the bed lay three stones with ‘gratitude’, ‘love’ and ‘hope’ written on them in gold – I chose ‘hope’; Natalie then placed the stone in water and left it there for the duration of the treatment. She then left the room so that I could get comfortable on the treatment bed, lying face down.

The treatment began with the chime of a bell and three deep inhalations – whilst I breathed in, Natalie asked me to think about hope whilst also feeling grateful for the love in my life.

For the massage, Natalie placed a hot towel on my back to draw the heat into my skin and soften my muscles in preparation. Towel removed, Natalie used Westin’s own White Tea cream to work out the knots in my shoulders, switching to her forearms when her hands weren’t enough and spending a good amount of time loosening them up (no easy feat).

She then moved onto my back and lower legs, paying particular attention to my tight calves as requested (damn you Couch to 5K). Asking me to turn over, Natalie repeated the massage on my arms, neck and scalp, gently removing my hair band so that she could give my hair a satisfying tug.

Another chime marked the end of treatment. Natalie met me outside the treatment room and led me to the Sanctuary where she fetched me a glass of orange-infused water and left some product suggestions. The Hope stone lay on a tray to remind me of the purpose of the treatment – and was a gift for me to take home.

Heavenly Spa Westin offers a wide range of massages, facials, rituals, wellness therapies and signature treatments from Germaine de Capuccini, Aromatherapy Associates, OTO, Advanced Nutrition Programme and Philosophica Botanica, as well as pregnancy massages, mani/pedis and a range of express 30-minute treatments.

Food Facts

Spa goers will need to get dressed and head to Mosaic, an all-day dining concept that morphs into a Champagne Bar at night.

Spa goers can enjoy two courses from a three-course set menu with a smoothie included, or wine for extra. We went for a main and dessert and tucked into pan-seared chicken with mushrooms, corn puree, confit cherry tomato and a chicken jus, followed by a seasonal pumpkin cheesecake with cardamon and pumpkin-seed ice cream. Both dishes were a triumph.

For dinner, we dined at Hithe + Seek on the third floor with its river views and banks of seats facing huge windows - time your visit with the setting sun for a spectacular show. On the menu: small plates and wine pairings.

On recommendation, we chose three dishes and a plate of Brioche served warm, and with a whiskey and chilli butter, olive oil and balsamic. We were tempted to order another serving of this deliciousness but were more than sated after our corn croquettes with Red Leicester sauce; lobster rolls with tarragon, pickles and trout jus; and sauteed Cajun spiced prawn cocktail with coconut foam. Sadly, dessert was just too much of a stretch.

We loved / we didn't love

We loved

The design hits the brief of being super stylish yet warm and inviting.

The personal touches: robes with hoods (because hair gets wet, too), boxes for valuables and two hangers in lockers, slots for your phone in the thermal suite and more towels than we have ever seen dotted around for the taking.

The view from the hotel’s Hithe + Seek restaurant is to die for, particularly at night when London is lit up like a Christmas tree. Stay until closing (if you can) and drink it all in.
 

We didn’t love

Not being able to order anything except water poolside.

Our absorbent spa slippers picked up a good amount of water in the steam room.

Who do you think would like it?

Families: children can use the pool during certain times of the day – check the website for details.

Lovers of product houses: Heavenly Spa by Westin offers treatments from at least six different brands, including Philosophica Botanica and their own Westin White Tea range.

City workers looking to swim, work-out, relax between meetings or have a post-work drink with a view.
 

What bubble rating did you give this spa?

We awarded Heavenly Spa by The Westin a Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of 5 Bubbles for its cool design, extensive treatment menu and well-thought-out facilities. Did we mention the views?

Stylish Spy visited in November 2023 and awarded it 5 Bubbles.