From the historic architecture to the impressive restaurant, the iconic staircase to its place in pop music history, its exceptional afternoon teas to its heated treatment beds. There’s a wealth of reasons to love St Pancras Spa in London, and here are just a few!
You know you are somewhere very special when the elevators benefit from flattering lighting - such is the case at the St Pancras Spa. Characterised by its position inside the eponymous international train station, what seems like a peculiar location for a luxury hotel transpires to be a choice that 1940s romances are made of (evidently we are not the only ones who thinks so if Paul Day’s imposing statue, The Meeting Place, is anything to go by).
All gothic arches and distinctive two-tone brick work, Sir George Gilbert Scott’s architectural masterpiece has been opulently renovated to tread that all too tricky balance between contemporary design and staying true to a building’s historic significance. Rooms feature ultra-modern furnishings and colours against original fireplaces, high ceilings and lancet arches. Plus, The Spice Girls’ Wannabe video was famously filmed in the hallway in 1996 - no doubt the cherry on their heritage cake.
The subterranean location of this London spa is key to its appeal as appropriately, it transports you to another world - one with mood lighting, aromatic smells and a Moroccan ambience. There is a gym, sauna and a steam room, and we say without undue hyperbole that in the cavernous vault that was once the kitchens, the sapphire blue hydrotherapy pool is as inviting as it could possibly get. When it comes to having a spa treatment the experience is equally opulent. Beds take on a whole new meaning as they are complete with duvets, whether you’re having a massage or a luxury manicure.
Back above ground, The Booking Office Bar is the sort of environment where you can’t help but watch the world go by in expectation of a Nora Ephron-style meet cute. Overlooking the train station, high ceilings and original architectural pieces prevail alongside light bites (truffle fried chips, cheese on toast, mini smoked salmon bagels) and Victorian punches. For more more substantial meals, The Gilbert Scott restaurant under the direction of esteemed chef Marcus Wareing offers an array of quintessentially British classics.
As already mentioned, the location of the St Pancras Spa is one of its unique assets. Situated in St Pancras Station itself, it adds that excitable buzz that signals travel’s afoot. Plus, it’s extremely convenient whether you are visiting for business, pleasure or before casually hopping on the Eurostar to Paris. Even the spa treatments are inspired by travel, described as if in the diary of a Victorian adventurer recounting global exploits in all their cinnamon infused glory.
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