The Spa at Mandarin Oriental London

The Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is a grand, sprawling red-brick hotel in swanky Knightsbridge; it has been welcoming dignitaries, celebrities and royalty since 1902. Red-and-black-clad doormen in top hats will welcome you inside the beautiful, Art Deco space.

As well as 141 rooms and suites, the eponymous hotel has two restaurants (including two Michelin-starred Dinner by Heston Blumenthal), a 17-metre stainless steel pool, a gym filled with flashy new equipment and a subterranean spa.

You’ll find the two-storey spa on the lower ground floor, accessible via a separate lift (look for the SPA button). The reception area, changing rooms, thermal facilities and relaxation room sit in the middle; the treatment rooms – of which there are 13 – are above, and the pool and gym below. Black granite floors, candle-lit corridors and concrete statues showcasing the male and female form set it apart from the rest of the hotel.

The spa’s reception lounge is a light, open space with honey-coloured wood, soft seating in blues and aquas, and several open glass cabinets displaying products from OSKIA, OTO and Talia Collins swimwear - splash out if you’ve forgotten your swimmers (or just fancy a new one). Behind the reception desk is a piece of intricate Asian-inspired art depicting a golden tree; above a light surrounded by three gold hoops.

The friendly receptionist invited me to take a seat, brought me a small cup of herbal tea, a cool towel and spa flip-flops, and asked me to complete a consultation form. I was then shown around the spa and left in front of locker no. 9, operated via four-digit code. You’ll find a cream robe, two towels and a jewellery storer inside.

The well-equipped changing room has two showers containing shampoo, conditioner and body wash; two private changing rooms; and immaculate loos – there’s even a plug socket if you need it. There’s a central row of seating with a jug of lemon-infused water to quench your thirst in the heat; the vanity area has everything you’ll need: cleanser, toner, moisturiser, hairspray, Dyson hairdryers and even dental and shaving kits. Tucked away is a spinner for your wet swimsuit. There are plenty of towels on hand, too.

From here it’s a straight shoot to the female thermal facilities (there's a separate journey for men) and the vitality pool with its warm mineral water and hydrotherapy stations: jet lounger, bubbling seats and pedi-jets for your feet. As you enjoy the water, take time to appreciate the row of concrete female torsos at the end.

A larger-than-average steam room (perfectly hot on our visit and easily accommodating eight guests) lies to one side of the pool; you’ll find a smaller traditional wooden sauna opposite. Cool off in the experience shower afterwards, with three separate jets for your legs, torso and shoulders.

The relaxation room is low-lit with four lie-flat loungers separated by flowing white curtains. They are adjustable and have individual lighting and phone chargers. At the end of each, you’ll find a stress reliever ball, and leaflets on subjects such as digital detox and mindfulness – a lovely post-treatment touch. Help yourself to herbal tea, water, fruit and nuts displayed on a table to the right. When it’s time for treatment, your therapist will meet you here.

You’ll find the 17-metre stainless-steel lap pool and all-singing-all-dancing gym (plonk your phone on the top of a running machine and it will begin to charge) in the basement, accessible from the spa via a private lift. Sporty types will love the weights area, recovery room and studio for classes. Help yourself to coffee, cold water and snacks. You can also work out whilst watching swimmers in the pool.

We tried an OSKIA Sub-zero Cryotherapy Facial (60 minutes, £205), an OSKIA Body Scrub (30 mins, £100) and an Intelligent Movement Massage (120 minutes, £260).

My therapist for the facial, Zivile, met me in the relaxation room and led me upstairs to a spacious treatment room with a chair in the corner. She invited me to sit down and asked me about my skin (dehydrated; sun damaged) before tailoring a treatment to suit.

Zivile then left the room so that I could de-robe and get comfortable on the treatment bed, lying face up. The chime of a bell indicated the start of the treatment.

After a double cleanse, Zivile applied a scrub which she removed with a hot towel. She then applied a Vitamin C cream to brighten and used the moisture to thoroughly massage my face and chin. A machine whirring indicated that it was time for the Cryotherapy – a hand-held device directing cold air onto the skin to stimulate collagen. Despite feeling like I was walking through a snowstorm with only my face on show, the experience was more than bearable.

Zivile then painted on a charcoal mask and used the device again to help it harden. It peeled off in one satisfying go. Serum, eye cream and moisturiser ended this intense facial which, on reflection, took at least five years off me.

My therapist for the second treatment was Monika, who washed my feet in warm water before feeling around my ankle for signs of a recent injury. Lump found, Monika tailored the massage to give me some much-needed relief.

Lying face down, Monika covered my back and arms in a salt scrub before asking me to turn over so that she could do the same on my front, including my stomach. Showered, dry and back on the bed, Monika massaged me to within an inch of my life using a refreshing oil containing lavender and mandarin, chosen to relax and rejuvenate.

To tackle the ankle, Monika reached for a Hyper-Volt Gun, whirred it into action and moved it up and down my carf muscles and over the ankle bump to increase circulation and break down tightness. Where do I buy one of these things, I wondered as the pain subsided a little? Monika then asked me to turn over so that she could use the wonder device on my glutes, before finishing the massage on my front. I left the room feeling like a new woman.

Treatments at The Spa at The Mandarin Oriental draw on Asian traditions and modern result-driven science. Try massages – from oriental to aromatherapy – scrubs, wraps and facials, as well as signature treatments, manis/pedis by Bastien Gonzalez, treatments for men and Mini Mo treatments for children aged six and over.

There are several dining options at The Mandarin Oriental; each will require you to dress and leave the spa. It’s more than worth it for the extraordinary food.

We had dinner in the gorgeous Rosebery Lounge where a live violinist greeted us as we arrived. Light-filled and bright, the elegant grey room has high ceilings, modern artwork, and lime green and hot pink sofas, chairs and cushions. Choose a seat facing the window for a peek at London life.

The menu has several different Caviars (this is Knightsbridge, after all), starters, sharer plates, chef specials (Sea Bass, Hereford beef), classics (burgers, club sandwiches) and desserts displayed in a glass cabinet.

We mixed it up with three sharing plates: tuna tacos, duck spring rolls and prawn Dim Sum, each with its own sauce. Cutlery was immediately replaced by chopsticks, putting our lapsed skills to the test - but we managed not to drop anything onto our laps. We washed it down with a chilled glass of Gavi.

If you are celebrating, book in at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal. Inspired by historic gastronomy, dining at the two-Michelin starred restaurant is a theatrical experience.

We loved

Our treatments: all three treatments felt personalised and were delivered by extremely talented therapists.

Our Hyde Park suite: we didn’t know hotel rooms (or should we say rooms within a room) could be so big. And who doesn’t love waking to a view of Hyde Park?

The spa’s design: paired back, stark and edgy, with a hint of 1920s glamour – what’s not to love?

We didn’t love

How dark the stairs around the spa are – tread carefully.
 

Londoners: you lucky, lucky people.

The rich and famous: you need some serious money to stay here on a regular basis/become a member of the gym (we might have to start doing the lottery).

Eco spa-goers: winner of Best Eco Spa at the 2022 Good Spa Guide awards, even the trainers on sale in the gym are biodegradable (put them in your compost heap and they will disintegrate in time, we are told).

We awarded The Spa at The Mandarin Oriental a Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of 5 Bubble Luxury for its expert-led treatments, on point service, eco credentials and bold design. The stainless-steel pool is a thing of beauty, and our entire stay had ‘treat’ written all over it.

Stylish Spy visited in August 2023 and awarded it 5 Bubble Luxury.