lastminute.com UK Spa Fortnight: K West Spa Review
I love spas. I love pampering. I love salons and professional treatments. As much as I love to do my own beauty routines, sometimes there’s nothing better than leaving it to a professional. Plus when it comes to things like massage, there really is no option but to turn to a professional! I used to feel that a massage was the ultimate in indulgence, and usually opted for a facial treatment over massage when given a choice as it felt more like it was really ‘doing something’, but in recent years I have really come to appreciate the benefits of a massage and actually try to have one fairly regularly to avoid the nasty computer-hunch shoulder knots from building up too much – something I’ve definitely been prone to and I find that the more regularly I have a massage, the less uncomfortable the knot-releasing process can be, which makes the massage itself more and more relaxing. Oh, and in case you’re wondering why I’m chattering on about spa and massages it’s because it’s lastminute.com spa fortnight
On Friday last week I headed West to visit the K West Spa and Hotel. I’ve been there before back in 2010 so was familiar with the facilities, but was really interested to see again as really randomly I remember getting something in my eye when on my way to visit the spa and it really was a nightmare as I just couldn’t get it out at all and remember spending most of the time there laying down with my eyes closed willing whatever grain of dirt or whatever was in my eye to get out. I know, very random memory - but I was keen to return and replace this with some new and perhaps more relaxing memories this time around.
The spa is part of the wider hotel, which does look quite unusual on a mostly residential street a stones throw from both Westfield Shepherds Bush and the tube station. So it’s a very easy to get to location, but the stark modern building definitely stands out amongst the rows of Victorian Terrace houses. Once inside I headed to the spa where I waited to be taken to my appointment. I had a spa packages of a 30min back neck and shoulder massage, followed by a 30min dry floatation experience and a 20 min ‘sun meadow’ experience.
The massage was really lovely, exactly the sort of thing I would opt for for a ‘regular’ massage – that 30mins of releasing the tension on the shoulders especially is well worth it. I can’t help but feel 30mins does feel quite short for a pampering massage, but for a regular one it it very much worth it. Then I went straight from the massage to the ‘dry floatation’ experience. This was a bit surreal – basically it’s a large waterbed/cocoon type of thing, where you feel like you’re surrounded by a large warm duvet on a waterbed. It’s quite odd, very cosy and relaxing though and I’m pretty sure I nodded off after just a few moments! The expression ‘snug as a bug in a rug’ comes to mind for this.
Following this I was given a quick tour of the facilities and given the option of when I wanted to go for the ‘sun meadow’ experience. To be honest, I had no idea what this would be (am I meant to lie in a field?!) – it’s basically a room, with some relaxing nature sounds playing, and a double bed sized area on the floor. Then you have some protective UV filter goggle type things and a light comes on and feels lovely and warm on the skin. The therapist did say to be that it was ‘UV light to help the body produce vitamin D’, personally I do wish there was a little more information available on this as having looked on the website the information is basic at best and to me it felt a little bit too close to a low-powered sun-bed experience (which is basically what it is – which is why I think they should be a little more informative with this on the website). But it was very nice and relaxing to just chill out for a while.
I then headed to spend around an hour or so in the wet spa area where I tried to make use of most facilities – starting with the foot bath where they have little sinks you can fill with water and add some soaking salts. I opted for the warm option, but you can go cold as you please too. Speaking of cold, I did chicken out of the ‘snow paradise’ experience – where there’s a small room that’s essentially the opposite of a sauna as it’s kept deep in the minus temperatures and meant as a destination post-hot experience to rev-up your circulation (aka make your body totally freak out with the temperature change). I did almost go in, but decided against it when I opened the door as it was very dark and lots of icy air spilling out made me change my mind! But if you’re a braver girl/boy than me let me know what it’s like!
I did make use of the steam room, chill out pods and sauna – all very relaxing and lovely and then headed back to the extensive changing rooms to get ready to go back to real life! One thing well worth a mention is that the Spa uses Aromatherapy Associates products, one of my all time favourites so this made getting ready with the products available in the changing rooms a joy. Lovely stuff.
All in all, a lovely way to start a Friday morning – I wish every week was like that! Definitely a destination to head to if you’re looking for some affordable, accessible pampering that’s an upgrade on the essentials but not so pricey you wince at the cost. If you book a package through lastminute.com you can also bag a two for one bargain on the experience I’ve reviewed above! Or enter the competition below to win a spa experience for yourself.
WIN: Lonon Spa Day for Two
For more of the deals available in the lastminute.com Spa Fortnight offers see the lastminute.com website
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