The 11 best spa hotels in London

Believe it or not, this building was once a government office but later became what we now know it as today – the swanky Corinthia. Here you can treat yourself to a treatment at their award-winning spa, ESPA Life. And guess what? It's windowless, making it the perfect place to wind down from London's hustle and bustle. With its dim lighting, it would be perfect for a romantic break and feels like a proper retreat. You'll also find 17 treatment rooms, an amphitheatre sauna, ice fountain, heated marble loungers, private sleep pods, two pools, a nail bar and a Daniel Galvin hair salon. Blimey. And once you've worked up an appetite, why not try out one of the hotel's three bars?

Mood? Modern chic.
Location perks? Trafalgar Square and Whitehall are on the doorstep.
Budget range? Bank busting – massages and facials begin at £195.
Time Out tip: Do not leave without enjoying a meal at onsite restaurant Kerridge's, run by Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge.

The Bamford Wellness Spa atop Knightsbridge’s Berkeley hotel is a destination in its own right (have you seen the rooftop pool? Looks like a Wes Anderson movie crossed with a perfume advert). Factor in green tea-infused body wraps and spectacular views over Hyde Park and it makes for a luxurious day trip. There's even a secret garden on the roof. There's plenty on offer here, not least the incredible bar and terrace, and a fitness centre – if that's more your bag.

Mood? Mostly crisp minimalism.
Location perks? The Berkley's handy proximity to some of the city's swankiest shops means it’s is the perfect spot in which to stop over.
Budget range? Pricey – a 30-minute massage starts at £80.
Time Out tip: Style-conscious visitors should book in for the afternoon tea – it's fashion-themed.

Hint: if your therapist asks how you’d like the curtains at the Four Seasons Hotel spa, the correct answer is ‘open’. Each treatment room offers floor-to-ceiling windows with killer views over Hyde Park. Of course, what’s inside counts too. Don a fluffy robe and squishy flip-flops, then pad toward the heat therapy rooms complete with sauna and pool. Its wide range of treatments includes massages, facials, wraps, scrubs and nail care, each using high-end products from brands like ESPA and The Organic Pharmacy.

Mood? Pampering with a view.
Location perks? A posh Park Lane postcode with swish surrounds to match.
Budget range? Pricey – a one hour massage will set you back £200.
Time Out tip: Spend some time in one of the dimly lit relaxation pods, where you can savour a steaming cuppa and nibbles, while you stick on a pair of headphones and let the calming effects sink in.

One of the swishest hotels in the capital, with its American art deco vibe throughout, The Beaumont exudes the hedonistic and sophisticated essence of the roaring '20s. Dimly lit bars, acres of maple furniture and a gallery’s worth of art – it’s smart, unpretentious and positively plush. It's high-end New York mixed with all the regality of old London. The small but perfectly formed spa in the basement of the chic hotel makes for a very fancy central London chill-out spot. But that’s not all: It also boasts one of the few Moroccan hammams in London. There's also a gym, steam room and sauna that guests can use too. The hotel rooms themselves are just as blissfully designed and kitted out.

Mood? Golden Age glamour.
Location perks? Shopping on Oxford St one way, blissful walks in Hyde Park the other.
Budget range? Spenny as you like – 60-minute facials and massages both start at £160. 
Time Out tip: Naturally, hammam treatments with a massage are one of the spa’s specialities – and must-haves. You have been told.

Looking for a four-star hotel in London with a spa? We've got you covered. The Leonardo has so much to offer, from indoor pools and fitness clubs to lavish rooms and bathrooms (complete with designer toiletries), this spa hotel has everything you need for a weekend of R&R. There's also a full buffet breakfast on offer. Now all that's left to do is put your feet up and plan your spa day from the luxury of your very own room.

Mood? Business, but with soft furnishings.
Location perks? Within walking distance of St Paul's Cathedral and London's central business district.
Budget range? Mid-range – spa day packages begin at £115, facials at £90 and massages at £95. 
Time Out tip: Jet lagged? Leo's, the onsite bar and restaurant, is open daily from 7am to 11pm.

Located conveniently along the Southbank, Sea Containers has one of the best locations in the city. And with interiors conceived by Tom Dixon – you know, he of all the glorious shiny things that you want to fill your home with – it’s also kitted out with one of the sleekest looks in town, inside and out. Beautiful, yes, but also functional. The impressive Agua Spa with central copper drip sculpture is an incredibly Instagrammable spot to wind down in, not to mention fantastic for body and soul. If you're peckish afterwards, there's some fantastic restaurants in the Containers or Borough Market is just down the road. The rooms themselves are also kitted out with Malin+Goetz toiletries. Decadent.

Mood? Villainously sleek.
Location perks? Tate Modern is a short walk from the hotel.
Budget range? Mid-range – massages begin at £120. 
Time Out tip: Book the signature mud cure treatment for a full-body exfoliation in a traditional Turkish bath.

This hotel is a pretty iconic joint that you can call your temporary gaff (maybe choose a more formal word). Former patrons of the place include HG Wells, Oscar Wilde and Arthur Conan Doyle. It was a 'watering hole' back then, so they may be shocked to see what's become of their old boozer, but not disappointed. Now a luxury five-star, Café Royal provides an inner-city sanctum away from the bustle of the surrounding Piccadilly Circus. Its Akasha Holistic Wellbeing spa is a must-visit for any guest looking to unwind. Not only does it have an 18-metre lap pool, Vichy shower (that's six showerheads directed at different parts of the body) and a hammam, but also London's first watsu pool. A wat-now? Sister to hydrotherapy and thalassotherapy, watsu (a combo of 'water' and 'shiatsu') is a gentle form of body therapy performed in warm water. War of the worlds outside, the happy prince inside.

Mood? Old-world opulence.
Location perks? In the heart of the West End, you've got theatre and shopping galore on your doorstep.
Budget range? High-end – £195 (Mon-Thu) for a 60-minute treatment and access to the spa and gym for 90 minutes.
Time Out tip: Ever eaten at a Michelin-starred restaurant? Well here's your chance to eat at one that has two – count ’em – two Michelin stars, Alex Dilling's spot on the first floor of the hotel.

Once a private members club for very well-to-do gentlemen, the Mandarin Oriental is one gobsmacking building. After reopening its grand doors to the public in 2000, with a new set of owners, it retains the now-listed marble that coats its impressive interior. Former guests have included members of Japan’s Imperial family and the legendary Joan Collins. Its fitness and wellness centre is complete with personal trainers and a full-sized swimming pool, should you fancy some lengths. The Spa is home to 13 single treatment rooms, one couple's suite and a Rasul water temple, with a range of French, Swiss and Oriental treatments. Quite a lot going on there, for sure, but there's more post-spa if you want it. This includes two Michelin star restaurants from Heston Blumenthal himself, award-winning afternoon teas, and a lovely cocktail bar. You won't want to leave.

Mood? Royal treatment.
Location perks? Rooms overlook Hyde Park and it has a parkside entrance, though that's reserved for royals and VIPs.
Budget range? Budget? What budget? Facials start at £170; massages at £235.
Time Out tip: Ultimately, the best place to be is the amethyst steam room, which supposedly has improved healing qualities thanks to the large chunk of quartz.

This swish Victorian hotel has had everyone from Oscar Wilde to Princess Diana sleeping in its super-high-thread-count sheets (not at the same time, of course). It's undoubtedly of the most iconic hotels in the capital, but it's also one of the best. Partly because it hosts the equally swanky Chuan Spa. The underlying philosophy of this place is based on Chinese medicine, which has been around forever, and what's more, there's a well-equipped gym, sunken swimming pool, heated lounge chairs and a Himalayan rock salt sauna that glows with a warm amber hue. It's a one-stop-shop for all your health and wellbeing needs.

Mood? Victorian grandeur.
Location perks? Slap-bang in the centre of London and at the tabletop of Regent Street.
Budget range? Mid- to high-range – 30 minutes with a masseuse or facialist will cost you £120 (or more). 
Time Out tip: Be sure to do the Five Elements questionnaire before booking your treatment, to ensure you're matched with the perfect products to suit your body.

Holidays don't get much more British than a stay at the Connaught. Settled amongst the leafy streets that dominate the top of the Monopoly board and date back to 1897, this grand hotel comes with old-time butlers – who are also trained to wax and polish shoes by John Lobb bootmakers – original artwork by the likes of UK legends Barbara Hepworth and Damien Hirst, and little treats for little guests, including a mini umbrella, bathrobe and slippers, and a nanny service (at extra cost). But perks aside, we haven't even touched on the best bit yet: Aman Spa. Not only does it offer holistic massages, a black granite pool and meditation classes, but a full waterfall. Cor. Treatments here are therapeutically minded, designed to calm and heal those stresses – both physical and mental. The practices hail from across China, Thailand, India and the Americas.

Mood? Georgian glamour.
Location perks? High-end shopping in Mayfair on one side, three sprawling inner-city parks on the other.
Budget range? Spenny. Get a 60-min holistic massage for £195. 
Time Out tip: Embrace a spot of TLC and treat yourself to at least one scrub.

Found on level 34-52 of The Shard, the Shangri-La Hotel has become one of the most iconic places to stay in the UK. Apart from its three dining and drinking venues, impeccable service and sweeping views from every window, its famed for its spa; it boasts the highest infinity sky pool in Western Europe, plus a sauna with panoramic views, a 24-hour gym and the classic spa treatments we're all familiar with. 

Mood? Wildly luxurious.
Location perks? In the tallest building in the UK, in the heart of London (right next to London Bridge station, offering convenient travel links across the city).
Budget range? Don't even ask. Spa day packages with no treatments – just access to facilities – begin at £135. 
Time Out tip: Opt for the buffet breakfast – it's absolutely epic.