6 of the best spa pools in London

The Westin London City is a modern five-star hotel located in London’s East End, a short stroll from St Paul’s Cathedral; the spa is cleverly housed in the basement. You’ll find the striking pool through a door from here, all 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.

The 25-metre pool at Mandarin Oriental Mayfair is a ‘gram-worthy thing of beauty; black walls and floors make it sleek and moody. Candle-style lighting casts sparkles on the water, while gold flecks in the floor twinkle in the ceiling as you swim. Much thought went into the floor design with the mosaic tiles chosen to create an optical illusion that the water is on a gradient (it’s not). The idea? To make swimmers feel like they are moving through the day as they swim. Four pairs of wooden loungers with super thick cream cushions and chocolate brown blankets take care of post-swim relaxation.

The Peak Health Club and Spa at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower is very grand - but refreshingly unpretentious. It’s worth a visit for the 360-degree views of the London skyline alone. The entrance to the second-floor spa is bathed in warming marble, dark wood and natural light, creating the walk-in wow-factor but its the naturally lit swimming pool - a rare find in the city – that steals the show. Post swim, retreat to the one of the poolside cabanas – kitted out in cool Minotti furnishings – and enjoy complimentary teas, fruit, water and healthy snacks, along with newspapers and magazines.

Occupying three floors of the basement at Raffles London, The Guerlain Spa (pronounced ger-lan) is the first of its kind in the UK from Parisian perfume brand. The 20-metre pool is long by London standards and ideal for swimming laps - simply glide down one of the three metal steps and swim towards the flickering ribbon fire at the end. Designed to make full use of the building’s natural arches, you’ll find cosy nooks with pushed-together loungers separated by small tables and lamps. Help yourself to lemon- and cucumber-infused water; spa hosts will fetch dry robes, towels and cups of herbal tea on request.

The Langham is a luxury five-star hotel in London’s glittering Mayfair. You can reach Chuan Body + Soul directly through a doorway at the back of the hotel or head through the main reception and follow the corridors around. The spa’s most striking feature is the dramatic sapphire-blue 16-metre swimming pool set in a former bank vault. The mosaic tiled pool almost entirely fills the floor area, save for a ledge with three sets of wicker seats in pairs. Swim in the silky blue water to the bonsai tree mural at the far end – the walls on either side are part of the old bank.

The Lanesborough is a white, neo-classical style mansion in the heart of one of London’s most exclusive areas: between Knightsbridge and Mayfair on the edge of Hyde Park. A black door from the spa changing rooms leads to 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 bubble jets opposite. Relax on one of six sleek white loungers afterwards, each with a pillow, a towel and a bell to summon a butler.