LONDON: A BIT OF BLISS IN CHELSEA
by Wanda Thomson
The Spa: Bliss London, London, UK
The Environment: Wrapped in a crisp, sleek contemporary design, Bliss London is right in the heart of trendy, spendy Chelsea London. 60 Sloane Ave., Chelsea, London SW3 3DD (South West London, a seven-minute walk from the Sloane Square Tube Station)
The Distinction: Bliss is part of a finely tuned machine of day spas started by Canadian Marcia Kilgore who is accredited with revitalizing and reinventing the formally stuffy and dull day spa experience in the early 1990s. Bliss now operates in New York, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, London and San Francisco- the later which was voted by Conde Nast Traveller as the “Hot New Spa” in 2006. She later sold to LVMH and then to Starwood - owner of W Hotels, Sheraton, Westin and so on. In other words - you are in good, professional, tried and true hands.
The Experience: By its other store standards, Bliss London is relatively small. Still, one does not feel crowded and, although busy, it is well-organized, quiet, and blissfully button down. One arrives and is promptly escorted by a staff member to where you are assigned a locker as well as a robe. Immediately you are taken to a modest but comfortable lounge area. Here juice, water, fresh fruit, wine upon request, and cheese and crackers are presented. The décor is simple but imaginative, floor tiles have an ingenious green grass graphic on them, and artfully arranged vases of calla lilies adorn the counters. The spa staff accompanies you politely to your treatment room- and the transformation begins.
I’m booked for the much needed jetlag treatment. The Jet Out is comprised of a heavenly head-to-toe rub of pine, rosemary and eucalyptus followed by a warm, parafin wax foot softening pack. (75 minutes at a cost of 100 GPB) The massage successfully hit all of my in-flight tension points- shoulders, neck and legs. I am no princess, but as at the time various terrorist organizations particularly insensitive to the concerns of proper skin maintenance had made it impossible for me to carry any liquids or gels on board, I knew that the eight-hour flight would result in my arriving looking repulsively reptilian. Thus, I also indulged in the Hot Salt Scrub, a fabulous sea-salt, rosemary, lavender and eucalyptus scrub that sloughed away the ravages of airline travel. (60 min @ 95 GBP).
Accommodations: Since Bliss is a day spa I secured a marvelous apartment for my two-week stay through London's Craigslist.org. At time of writing this, I also found Londontown.com to be most up-to-date and informative. Listings abound from boutique to grand from chic to chintz.
Where to Eat: Although there is not a spa restaurant/café per se, the aforementioned light fare of fruits and cheeses served in the spa lounge is available if you are feeling peckish, otherwise one need only walk out the door to discover an array of restaurants.
Other Facilities: There’ a sauna and showers, but the facilities given the space are limited. There is, however, plenty of counter space with complimentary products and guests are invited to return to the lounge to chill out after treatments. Staff is constantly attentive- offering to bring fresh water and juice. Upstairs is a “nail bar” as well as the retail area to purchase Bliss products.
The Cost: This is London and Bliss is not for the faint of heart financially.
Be prepared to leave a few “pounds” lighter. The Bliss Spa Menu is extensive and impressive- here are some of the basic costs- Massages 55 to 165 GBP,
Waxing 15 to 100 GBP, Facials 65- 190 GBP
(Please note that these prices reflect the time of our visit. We suggest you contact the web site or spa directly for updated prices.)
Beyond The Spa: Whether you’re into Jimmy Choo, cruising Conrans, pining for Prada, or perhaps ogling antiques and art galleries there is no shortage of encouragements to pull out the plastic. Steeped in fashion history, Chelsea is now known for boutiques and smaller and more intimate versions of the outlets in the West End. Also it boasts some of the most expensive antique stores in the world.
The Natural History Museum and the Science Museum are both about a 12 minute walk from Bliss, and, within a 15 minute walk, the Chelsea Physic Garden, the second oldest botanic garden in London, is a wonderful wander amongst the plants, ponds and gardens.
What I Liked Best: The spa’s sense of humour. Bliss is a spa which takes business and its treatments seriously, but not itself. Their London website mantra is “God Save the Preen.” The cheekiness was a refreshing change and as we all know, sometimes a good chuckle is restorative and a great destresser in its own right. Treatments include and are playfully described as The High-Healer and the Quadruple Thighpass. The treatments themselves were top drawer and I will definitely be back, particularly for the Jet Out.
Words to the Wise: Locker rooms, showers, sauna and lounge are for women only. Men, however, are still welcome to enjoy facials, massages, manicures and pedicures. Book at least two weeks in advance.
For more information on Bliss London: www.blissworld.com/spa/location/uk/