Elemis at The Intercontinental

The Intercontinental on Park Lane has undergone something of a facelift of late. Not only has Theo Randall’s restaurant on the ground floor enjoyed six proud months of packed tables and critical praise since it opened at the end of last year, but now a spa to rival the best in the world has joined it as part of a £76 million refurbishment.

It took three years to complete with no expense spared: a dark interior palette features Bisazza mosaic tiles in shades of rust and gold leaf, black glass and stone worktops. Interior design practice RDD has kitted out the therapy rooms in contrasting lighter shades, with quartz surfaces and high-gloss cupboards.

The spa contains one of the few steam temples in the UK, which allows lemongrass, lavender and other herbal steam infusions to liberate the pores, while a selection of natural muds can enrich the skin with their high content of minerals.

In the dry flotation room you can lie back and at the touch of a button, a comforting, warm surge of water fills the bed, aiding relaxation by rendering the body completely weightless.

15 May 2007 | Travel