Welcome to the third iteration of Vogue’s global spa guide, a compendium of the 100 best spas in the world, compiled based on first-person reviews and careful editing. This year, we’ve renewed our focus on establishments that have established a reputation for exceptional care of body and mind, though there is a great variety in the list. Whatever you are seeking when it comes to wellness, there is something here for you.
Why go here?
Known for its far-flung, exotic escapes, Six Senses’s newly-opened London location is the first in a wave of urban destinations that promise to bring the sensory delights of the great outdoors into the city. The spa itself goes one step further, housing both tried-and-true holistic treatments and the kind of state-of-the-art wellness equipment that’s become popular with well-traveled tech-bros—naturally, there’s an on-site longevity clinic too. “It’s that combination of science and the natural world that we’re all sort of craving right now,” says Taffryn Kinsey, the spa’s director of wellness. In other words, you can pretty much check off all your health/wellness/fitness needs under one roof.
What’s the vibe?
Built across almost 25,000 square feet, the spa has the kind of expansive proportions you rarely find smack bang in the middle of London. That said, all the facilities—including the pool, numerous saunas, extensive fitness center, biohacking suite, flotation room, and maze of treatment rooms (Turkish hammam, flotation pod, the list is endless)—are discreetly tucked away beneath street level, and that cozy, rabbit-hole aspect of the space comes as a pleasant surprise. Everything is exquisitely furnished and softly lit according to the time of day, with a soundtrack specifically designed with the fluctuating states of our circadian rhythm in mind.
The history?
As the site of London’s first department store Whiteleys, the place has a history dating back to the 19th century. After earning a royal warrant from Queen Victoria in the 1890s, Whiteleys gained an illustrious reputation for being a one-stop retail haven. The founder William Whiteley famously boasted that you could buy virtually everything from “a pin to an elephant” here. (Apparently he made good on that claim, too). Along with the historic facade and impressive Victorian glass dome, the original marble staircase has been preserved in its current iteration and makes for a particularly grand entrance to the spa.
What should you try?
If you consider yourself a bit of a wellness nerd like me, then prepare to be dazzled. There’s so many new things to try here (venom back therapy anyone?), that quite honestly the spa menu can seem overwhelming at first. With hundreds of dried flowers hanging from the ceiling and jars of herbs and spices lining the walls, the alchemy bar is, however, an absolute must visit. After a thorough consultation with the in-house herbalist, a custom natural remedy will be formulated in front of your eyes, a truly fascinating experience. If you’re not ready to trade in your conventional supplements just yet however, then start with the signature lymphatic massage, a treatment created in collaboration with cult integrative facialist Annee de Mamiel (Sienna Miller is a fan) who has made aromatherapeutic oils that are exclusive to the spa.
How environmentally friendly is it?
As well as having over 10,000 square feet of wild green rooftop space, Six Senses London works with local organizations dedicated to urban rewilding, planting and the protection of what are known as pollinator corridors: green pathways through the city that serve as essential refueling pit stops for butterflies and bees. There’s a sustainable bent to both restaurants on the property too, with 80% of the food sourced within a 100 mile radius. If you can spare the time, it’s worth booking lunch or dinner between treatments. With all manner of delicious homemade fermented foods on the menu, including miso and kombucha, eating here is also a boon for your gut health.
What else do we need to know?
Though you don’t need to be a member to book a spa treatment here, there is an application-only private social club called Six Senses Place geared toward wellness for those looking to become spa regulars.
Booking details for Six Senses London
Address: 1 Redan Pl, London W2 4SA, United Kingdom
Read more from Vogue’s Global Spa Guide. Read more about Six Senses London at the Conde Nast Traveler Hot List.