The Lanesborough Club & Spa

The Lanesborough is a vast white, neo-classical style mansion in the heart of one of London’s most exclusive areas. The hotel, club and spa sits between Knightsbridge and Mayfair on the edge of Hyde Park, just a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace. If you’re not travelling by chauffer, take exit four out of Hyde Park Corner tube station to put yourself right in front of this historic building.  

The chic, exclusive club and spa is located below the easterly wing of the hotel, with its own private entrance off Grosvenor Place. Head down a short flight of stairs and knock on the imposing black door. Alternatively, you can access the spa via the hotel - follow the signs from reception along the maze-like corridor and take the lift down to spa wonderland.

The spacious spa lobby is an expanse of white marble, with flickering fires, gilt-framed landscapes and plush blue armchairs creating a clubby feel. Artfully tarnished floor-to-ceiling mirrors clad a rather grand manicure and pedicure suite. We were welcomed by a receptionist behind a large front desk, led to a plush navy-blue armchair and handed a consultation form to complete.

Changing rooms are spacious and Art Deco-inspired. You’ll find a dark wood and silver vanity area in the centre, seating six, with large oval mirrors entwined with dangling tulip lights and strings of glass leaves. This area is stocked with all the products you could need (and more): dry hair shampoo, anti-perspirant and GHDs come as standard - simply turn up with your swimsuit and you’re good to go. Summon a concierge at the touch of a button should you require anything further.

Banks of light grey lockers are interspersed with mini chaise seats framed with golden drapes for changing. Each locker contains a fluffy white robe and towel, and a pair of black rubber spa slippers. There are three WCs – thoughtfully stocked with mouthwash for a pre-treatment freshen up - and four large shower rooms complete with their own private changing areas.  Everything was spick and span.

The thermal facilities at The Lanesborough Club & Spa are single sex and attached to the changing rooms. The glass-fronted wooden sauna seats six and reached a toasty 80 degrees on our visit. You’ll find six mother-of-pearl mosaic-tiled thrones in the steam room which hots up so quickly steam hit out faces as soon as we opened the glass door. Allow your eyes to adjust for a moment or two before finding a seat.

You can cool down in the experience shower afterwards, choosing between warm rain, cool rain and - our favourite – cool mist. This was delightfully refreshing with an uplifting Eucalyptus scent. 

A black door from here leads to the unisex hydrotherapy pool, an atmospherically-lit, infinity-edged pool that runs the length of the room and is slightly raised; water cascades over the edge. Head up a few steps and descend into the warm water. There are body jets along one side and seating with plenty of bubble jets opposite. 

Like most of the thermal experiences, we were lucky enough to have this space to ourselves. Relax on one of six loungers afterwards, each equipped with a pillow, a towel and a bell to call a pool-side butler. Summoning glasses of poolside Prosecco felt very grown up indeed.

Spa goers can also relax in the spa lounge which has red and dark wood panel walls, and an elegant fireplace. Comfortable recliner armchairs surrounded by cream curtains are dotted around the room. Each has its own side table with a lamp, and a buzzer for summoning the concierge – a delightfully recurring a theme, it appears. Help yourself to snacks, a large selection of herbal teas and bottles of water, or order food from the menu.

The Lanesborough Club & Spa also has a VIP suite housing a Rasul; if you’re lucky enough to be a member, you’ll also have access to your own private lounge and the fitness suite, too.

We tried the SIgnature Royal Fern Facial (60 minutes, £180).

Aneta, my therapist, met me in the spa lounge and led me along a jasmine-scented corridor to a tasteful low-lit treatment room.

Aneta then talked me through the treatment, which uses Royal Fern - a plant-based, anti-ageing range containing fern extract, wild rose oil and Hyaluronic acid. She then left the rooom so that I could disrobe and get comfortable on the warm treatment bed, lying face up.

The treatment began with a double cleanse which moved gracefully into a massage designed to stimulate the natural production of Collagen and release tension along the jawline – this one’s for you, teeth grinders.

Aneta then painted on an Intense Firming Mask and used this as leverage for a pair of futuristic black microcurrent gloves which she popped on and moved around my nose and jaw to drain the lymphatic glands. Feeling very little to begin with, Aneta turned the current up so much I thought the aligners on my teeth might pop off.

Switching to a hand-held EMS (electronic micro stimulating) machine, Aneta moved the two-pronged buzzing device around my face and forehead to stimulate the muscles. Aneta then removed the mask with hot mitts and drenched my dehydrated skin with an ampoule, some serum, a good dollop of moisturiser and dots of eye cream.

To close the pores, Aneta sprayed Radiance Protection Mist into the air and let it rain down onto my thoroughly pummelled,, completely moisturised face. The result: utterly nourished, flushed skin. Amen.

The Lanesborough Club & Spa offers a range of Tata Harper, as well as holistic wraps and scrubs from ila, and advanced skin rejuvenation facials. For post-spa preening book in for a mani/pedi, a Suzanne Martin Couture Brow or a blow dry in the hair salon.

Lunch is served en robe either in the spa lounge or the rather glamorous spa restaurant, all deep blue walls and rows of gold-framed botanicals. The menu here is deliciously healthy with a variety of salads and hot dishes on offer

We were tempted by the Design your Own dish - where you select your protein, side dish and sauce of choice - but were ultimately swayed by the crunchy Asian salad with lemongrass chicken and uber spicy Wasabi sauce. It didn’t disappoint.

For dessert, we opted for a coconut chai pot with fresh mango and lime juice; my spa partner’s carrot cake with Chantilly cream looked like a work of art.

If you’re staying overnight, book a table at the The Lanesborough Grill with its domed glass ceiling, Greek-style pillars and powder blue stucco detailing. Ginormous circular chandeliers, huge Bird of Paradise plants and walk-in wine rooms give the room a decadent feel.

On the menu: British classics with a twist, such as Hereford beef tartare and Scottish halibut. Our Coronation crab salad with curry leaf sauce and crispy onions was a light, tangy, crunchy delight; our delectable Beef Wellington to share – carved before our very eyes – was served with a mirror-clear sauce and side of hash browns.

Our knowledgeable sommelier steered us to a light New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc to complement our crab dish and a deep Shiraz to pair with the main course. He wasn’t wrong. Our desserts of caramelized brioche pudding with burnt orange puree and milk ice-cream, and Pecan shortbread with crème fraiche ice-cream were the perfect finale to a fabulous meal.

We loved

Despite both having the Royal Fern treatment, our facials were completely personalised with a steam for my spa partner’s young skin and a plethora of products for my ageing (sigh) face.

The staff: everybody we encountered was charming and helpful without being overly fussy.  

Changing rooms can be a bone of contention in some spas – with all the loveliness reserved for the thermal facilities; those at The Lanesborugh as as pretty as they are functional. 

We didn’t love

Sadly, one of the jets in the hydro-pool was broken on our visit but that didn’t stop us wallowing in the warm water for a good amount of time.

The rich and famous: The Lanesborough Club & Spa is a wonderful place to feel anonymous for a day.   

Foodies: from breakfast to lunch and dinner to the in-room snacks, everything we tucked into was super yummy.

Londoners: if only we lived close enough to pop in for a lunchtime or post-work pamper.

Once again, we awarded The Lanesborough Club & Spa a Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of Five Bubble Luxury for its outstanding customer service; results-driven treatments; top-notch facilities; and healthy, but oh so moreish, food. They rarely put a foot wrong. 

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