The Akasha spa is an urban oasis in the heart of London, situated right underneath busy Regent Street
On a frosty day in Central London, the morning after a fresh snowfall, I entered the warming embrace of the Akasha spa, nestled peacefully under the bustling traffic of London’s Regent Street. The Akasha Holistic Wellbeing Centre can only be described as an urban spa oasis, embracing you from the city’s noisy streets into a tranquil sanctuary perfectly balanced in light, space, air and scent.
Akasha is a Sanskrit word, signifying the union of the four elements, fire, earth, water and air. It is these elements that have guided the build of one of London’s most impressive and fully equipped wellness retreats.
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A feat of architectural brilliance and the labour of five years of renovations, the Akasha spa opened its doors as part of the newly refurbished Hotel Cafe Royal in December 2012. An impressively vast space boasting a deeply high ceiling, creating the feeling of open space, the spa houses an 18-metre swimming pool, a 300-square-metre fully equipped gym, a hammam, a Vichy shower room, a Jacuzzi, as well as a private watsu pool and six private treatment rooms. A carefully crafted spa menu is also available all day to adjoin the four central philosophies of Akasha wellness; fitness, nutrition, mindfulness and nourishing spa treatments.
With a private lift, allowing guests the privacy of arriving directly into the spa, dressing gown ready, every aspect of your wellness journey has been thought through.
Upon arrival in the dimly lit spa reception, I was swiftly escorted to my treatment room, where I was to receive the Aromatherapy Associates signature Rose facial. Beginning with a consultation into my daily skin routine, irritations and allergies, my therapist made a thorough assessment of my skin, followed by a bespoke three-staged treatment. This comprised of gentle exfoliation, a dry mask focused on my T-zone and a deep hydration and facial massage.
Complete with fully heated bed and the soothing sounds of gentle chimes, my thoughts quickly forgot about the snowy pavements outside and drifted into an enriching embrace, gently pampered for the next 60 minutes.
Upon completion of my treatment, I was gratefully explained the sequence of treatments I had received as well as my therapist’s take on how well the products worked and how my skin responded. I was presented with a card that detailed the products used on my skin as well as a suggested routine to follow for future months.
