Beneath the Cafe Royal Hotel, away from the hustle and bustle of Piccadilly Circus, sits Akasha Holistic Wellness Centre, you would never know such an oasis of calm was beneath that crazy part of London. This secluded spa is built around the four elements, and the restorative properties each one offers. Guests can sample a range of nutritious foods and drinks at Akasha’s Earth lounge bar, take a dip in the Jacuzzi or lap pool, and relax in the steam room or sauna. If you feel like having a workout too Akasha offers a high tech gym area where you can feel the burn in a solo workout or group class, and a variety of private, airy studios for practicing yoga, Pilates, tai-chi and meditation spaces are available too, this is a very well laid out spacious spa that feels so relaxing as soon as you enter.
Akasha is home to nine treatment rooms where guests can choose from a variety of massages, facials and treatments including The Four Elements signature package, which includes four reflexology and massage sessions designed around the earth, water, air and fire. They use the fantastic range of products by Elemental Herbology, all 100% free of sulphates, parabens and mineral oils. After I had relaxed in the steam room and jacuzzi I had an Aroma Massage using the Elemental Herbology oils, after smelling all of them I decided on Wood, with its gorgeous lemongrass and rosemary aroma, it smelt divine. I kept sniffing my arm all the way home I smelt so good. The massage rooms are spacious with the most enormous beds and my therapist was excellent, the right combination of firm but relaxing pressure. I floated out of that room all the way home in a blissful daze.
The spa also boasts a Watsu pool, where guests can experience treatments that combine Shiatsu therapy and massage done while floating in the pool. Akasha uses products from Elemental Herbology for facial and body treatments, an all-natural skincare brand made in England from only raw, fair trade ingredients.
Akasha’s treatments and services range from £25 for an eyebrow, lip or chin wax, up to £990 for the spa series, a course of 10 50-minute sessions. For more information and reservation bookings, call +44 (0)20 7406 3360, or visit hotelcaferoyal.com
For details of all treatments and bookings, see the site hotelcaferoyal.com.