Buried deep beneath the beating heart of Central London is a place of almost unimaginable tranquillity. The Retreat is the rest and relaxation zone of Leicester Square’s The Londoner, the capital’s most exciting hotel opening of 2021.
Super boutique in feel but blockbuster in almost every other way, the hotel is the work of the Edwardian Hotel Group and they have clearly thrown the kitchen sink at the venue.
View this post on Instagram
With 350 rooms, six restaurants & bars, a cinema, gym, pool, ballroom and 24-hour private members’ club, absolutely every create comfort has been provided for.
However, it is The Retreat that spa lovers will make a beeline for, with its promise of pampering and relaxation. Described as ‘an urban sanctuary of revitalisation that disconnects Londoners from London’ The venue will offer visitors a 24 hour gym and relaxation centre where they can relax, rejuvenate, rest and enjoy a range of innovative treatments.
The venue’s interiors are likely to lower the blood pressure a couple of points to begin with. Like everything else at the hotel, the Retreat’s rooms have been designed by the renowned American design team of Yabu Pushelberg. Warm, calming tones combine with sleek and tactile finishes for a venue that whispers ‘you can be at peace now’.
At the heart of The Retreat is the venue’s main and hydro pools. These are augmented by a number of cabana style seating areas dotted around the outskirts of the room. Designed to create a feeling of warmth and luxe, the room features natural light style LED ceiling panels which are capable of adjusting colour throughout the day to enhance the mood and ambience of the venue.
View this post on Instagram
The Retreat’s pool water has been carefully curated, too, with the venue’s turquoise water endeavouring to create the lazy feeling of the French Riviera. Indeed, if you fall asleep you may need a passport to return to London!
Light Therapy machines and self-administered eye treatments complete the line up of treatments available in the pool area.
The pool area is complemented by a state-of-the-art private gym studio, sauna, steam room, blow-dry parlour and nail bar. And just in case get hungry, The Retreat also has its own snack/juice bar. Designed to ‘refresh, recharge and rejuvenate’, Refuel is your perfect pre or post workout venue, complete with a range of detoxifying smoothies, beauty juices, nourishing body wraps, and Ayurvedic morning ritual bowls.
The Retreat is not just for relaxation and disconnecting, however. A list of medical services, including medical consultations, osteopathic treatments, medial acupuncture, physiotherapy, and bespoke medical rehabilitation packages are also on the menu at the venue.
View this post on Instagram
The Retreat Treatments
A comprehensive list of treatments will be available at the Retreat, including facials by Omorovicza, body treatments by ishga, massages by ila, male treatments by Gentlemen’s Tonic and nails by AMA.
Award winning green brand Omorovicza have built up an impressive reputation in recent years for their science based formulas and visible, healing results. With a focus on natural, organic ingredients and products, Omorovicza have developed an impressive range of skin treatments for a variety of skin types.
For The Londoner, the brand will offer guests a carefully curated selection of treatments including the Gold Hydralifting Facial which ‘plumps and nourishes the skin surface to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines’.
Alternatively, for those who are more concerned about blemishes, The Silver Skin Facial utilises Colloidal Silver to stimulate skin elasticity, prevent signs of ageing, reduce inflammation, and fight off bacteria.
View this post on Instagram
Scottish luxury spa brand ishga’s highland roots shine through in the ingredients they use in their bespoke treatments. Hand-harvested Scottish seaweed and yielding Scotland sourced vitamins, minerals and amino acids dominate a range of treatments that include body masks, oil rubs and foot treatments.
If massage is your thing, however, then ila is the name you need to remember. The Londoner has teamed up with the award-winning British brand for a range of invigorating massages that utilise ila’s deep knowledge of aromatherapy.
View this post on Instagram
Us males need pampering too, however, and luxury lifestyle brand Gentlemen’s Tonic are just the people to do it. The award-winning company have teamed with The Londoner for a carefully curated selection of products and treatments which effortlessly synchronise with The Retreat’s tranquil space, providing ‘the most advanced anti-aging cosmeceutical range ever developed’.
A 90-minute, ‘Londoner’s Ritual Facial’ looks like being the highlight from Gentleman’s Tonic’s array of treatments.
Another highlight of The Retreat will be Joe Vipond’s grooming parlour. A veteran of the male grooming industry, Vipond has a wealth of experience, working with the critically acclaimed BarberBarberUK and also in the UAE with the fast growing barbershop brand Chaps&Co.
For The Londoner, Vipond will offer a range of male grooming services including haircuts, traditional cut-throat shaves, and hot waxing.
View this post on Instagram
The array of services offered at The Retreat is completed by Brixton’s Nails by AMA. One of the most sought after nail salons in London, the company have opened their second salon at The Londoner with guests set to benefit from co-founder Ama Quashie’s incredible skills as a manicurist.
Premium and traditional manicures and pedicures will compete with “Free From” treatments featuring gel and polish brands that are up to 90% natural, 10- free, vegan and cruelty free.
State of the art gym
The Londoner will not just be a place for pampering, however. The venue will also play host to a world class gym facility – all the better to work off those extra pounds after a trip to one of the hotel’s main tempting eateries!
The venue will offer a carefully selected range of weights and fitness machines with bespoke programmes for individuals who need something a bit more tailor made.
View this post on Instagram
The Londoner will also hosts a range of fitness sessions in its Courtyard. Described by the hotel as a ‘beautiful and airy space’, the venue is nestled right in the heart of 16 storey building. Guests can expect a range of morning classes in the Courtyard, including Sunrise Yoga, Core Strength Session, Energising Moving Meditation Session and Sunrise Pilates.
The Retreat is the Londoner hotel’s subterranean wellness floor. A place to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of urban living, the venue will provide the perfect tonic for stressed out Londoners and indulging visitors alike.
More information about the Retreat at The Londoner can be found here.
For information about other great hotels in London, please click here.
