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How to unwind in the city – five places to restore the body, mind and spirit

Even in the busiest of cities there are pockets of tranquility, and so it is, in some of London’s most stylish locations, that the restorative powers of good taste reside.

Cheeky and Ned’s Barbershop at The Ned

New to London last year, The Ned has been the go to place for anyone who’s anyone in The City, and indeed beyond it. It is the latest stroke of genius from The Soho House Group’s Nick Jones and teams modern decadence with 1920s glamour in the former Midland Bank building.

For those with minimum time but maximum need for a boost, their lunchtime-friendly Cheeky boutique is for fast service manicures and pedicures followed by a light bite, House Press juice or protein shake from The Mint Bar is a must. For men meanwhile, Ned’s Barbershop offers haircuts, facials, manicures and traditional wet shaves all with a cold beer and a shoe shine thrown in for good measure.

VISIT THE NED

Luxury at The Bulgari Spa

Voted one of London’s best spas in Vogue this year, The Bulgari Spa sits within the sparklingly chic Bulgari Hotel in Knightsbridge, and is a haven for all things completely decadent. Amidst swathes of glass, onyx, oak and Vicenza stone, the spa is two floors of elaborate wellbeing including 11 treatment rooms that offer therapies from the acclaimed ESPA brand.

Naturally, we all know Bulgari for their sophisticated fragrances, savouring the Greek and Roman inspiration for their essence of luxury, elegance and refinement, and in this embodiment of that ethos it remains equally covetous.

VISIT BULGARI HOTEL LONDON

Intercontinental cocktails

The manicure station at InterContinental London

The new manicure and pedicure room at Intercontinental London The O2 Spa is a welcoming space that’s ideal for small groups looking for treatment time together, or for friends, or mothers and daughters looking for quality time on their spa break.

Converted treatment rooms put to good use, it’s not a large area, but it is a delightfully well planned one, and within it there are two large pedicure chairs with built in sinks and lighting that changes colour so you can choose particular lights for particular moods.

VISIT INTERCONTINENTAL LONDON - THE O2

Heat and ice at K West Hotel and Spa

As befits a hotel that was formerly a music studio where legends like The Kinks and David Bowie played, the K West offers something with a bit of edge. The spa has London’s first snow experience for instance, a cabin reminiscent of a snow drift which forms part of its heat and ice experience.

Yet one of the things people notice about the hotel is that it is uncannily quiet despite being just five minutes from Shepherd’s Bush tube station. It is ultra fashionable and a favoured spot for the world of celebrity.

VISIT K WEST HOTEL AND SPA

St Pancras Spa

Afternoon tea at St Pancras Spa

Seriously convenient and seriously popular it’s worth getting your booking for a spa break with afternoon tea in quickly at the St.Pancras. Situated beneath the razzmatazz and romance that is St.Pancras International Station the spa brings you into another world of peace and tranquillity.

Its sapphire blue relaxation pool is as inviting as you can get, there are plump duvets to nestle under whilst undergoing the ultra modern treatments and afternoon tea, taken upstairs in the Hansom Lounge, serves such exquisites as Dorset crab and asparagus brioche, apricot and lavender tart, champagne, cocktails and tea from China, Japan, India, Italy and, of course, St. Pancras English Breakfast.

VISIT ST PANCRAS SPA

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