When our Lead Product Designer, Jas, took a trip to Guerlain Spa at Raffles London, she discovered a London spa hotel that takes luxury spa experiences to a whole new level.
Guerlain Spa at Raffles London is located in an illustrious building in the heart of London. What was once Whitehall’s Old War Office building is now a five-star hotel, and following an expansive, 12-year renovation, it's complete with a game-changing luxury spa as well.
Spanning 27,000 sq ft and four floors of The OWO, the Guerlain Spa opened in early 2024 to high praise and great applause. Vogue wrote that it's:
"every bit as breathtaking as it had been billed during renovation."
Set within the Grade II-listed Edwardian Baroque building, it embodies opulence and timeless Parisian elegance, in what they themselves have accurately hailed as a “cathedral of relaxation”.
My first impressions were twofold. Firstly, I was struck by how the staff immediately envelope you in a warm welcome. From the moment you step in you feel as though nothing is too much trouble. You're guided to the changing rooms and shown around with ease - as if you were the most important person in the world.
The second thing you notice, is the sheer magnificence of the design, achieved in partnership with interior design studio Goddard Littlefair. Not only is everything exquisite, but it's evident how well considered it is as well - the shapes, the precision - everything has been chosen with care. It's nothing short of awe-inspiring.
The sense of space is striking in every part of the spa. Naturally, space is at a premium in London, and this spa has it in abundance. High ceilings add to the sense of rest and relaxation, and nowhere is that decadent capaciousness more evident than in the treatment rooms. As soon as you enter you feel like a VIP.
Each one is equipped with private showers and changing facilities, while the dedicated VIP treatment suites (one single and two double) have private showers, changing facilities and soaking tubs as well. Spacious as they are however, there's a sense of intimacy throughout the whole experience, making it the perfect destination for a romantic, couples spa break.
Naturally, treatments use the Guerlain product collection, and to make sure you journey through an entire experience there's a Guerlain Atelier offering express beauty treatments, make-up and fragrance as well.
As we were led through the different spaces and facilities, travelling deep underground to the different floors, our guide spoke to us about the history of the building.
This is a place where Winston Churchill and Mansfield Cummings (Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service and the inspiration for ‘M’ in Ian Fleming’s James Bond), amongst other legends, would have once roamed the corridors. The halls span two-and -a-half miles across the property, and link more than 1,000 rooms that have now been repurposed from the offices of spies to treatment spaces and spa facilities.
Somehow, knowing that, makes it feel all the more exclusive.
The facilities throughout the Guerlain Spa are second to none. There's a 20-metre indoor swimming pool, a Vitality pool, sauna, steam room, experience showers, and a state-of-the-art gym and movement studio. Every area beckons you to take your time to luxuriate in it, feeling a million miles away from the world outside.
The sense of exclusivity is enhanced by the fact that many of the areas are only accessible with specific bookings, so it remains tranquil and numbers are always limited.
They have also put a lot of thought into the experience that each guest has. It's not about an abundance of activities, but carefully curated spaces and options - holistic wellbeing that provides meaningful support, alongside total decadence. This is a destination that's intended for relaxation and indulgence, taking your time, and almost treating it as an alternative to a holiday.
Amongst its unique facets, I had the opportunity to try compression boots, which are intended to aid blood flow and muscle recovery. As I have been recovering from a torn ligament, they were a real pleasure to use and provided the relief I needed in my legs and ankles, which I hadn't been expecting.
Ultimately, I have nothing but wonderful things to say about Guerlain Spa at Raffles London. From the moment we arrived, we were warmly welcomed by the team. Their passion for the Guerlain Spa was evident as they shared stories about its journey to completion, and the treatment rooms in particular took my breath away. It's a total treat of a destination and I can't wait to go back.
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