Welcome to the second iteration of Vogue’s global spa guide, an index of the 100 best spas in the world, built from the expertise of our global editors and trusted contributors. There is a lot to choose from in the world of wellness, and no matter how far you’re planning to travel—from a subway ride to a trans-Atlantic flight—we want to make sure it’s worth the journey. Whatever your path, let us be your guide.
Why go here?
This is a hidden jewel: a destination spa in the heart of London’s Mayfair and the only Aman spa outside of an Aman resort in the world.
What’s the vibe?
Two floors underneath London’s exclusive Mount Street and its much-loved residence, The Connaught, this is a small, but perfectly formed, example of the high-end luxury you would expect from the Aman group and Maybourne. A surprisingly large pool is the central feature on arrival, complete with a cascading waterfall and seriously zen vibe. Eating what can only be described as the most succulent date I’ve ever encountered, I could have been in the most exotic of locations, rather than a stone’s throw from the office.
Photo: Courtesy of Aman Spa at The Connaught
The history?
The Connaught itself is a cherished London landmark, named after the Duke of Connaught, Prince Arthur, the seventh child and third son of Queen Victoria. A hotel documented to have been visited by British royalty throughout its history, in 2007, it underwent a £70 million restoration to be the heritage-preserved modern hotel that it is today, with the Aman spa a key focus of its makeover.
What should you try?
As you might expect from the global spa authority that is the Aman group, the treatment menu has a diverse range of therapies from around the world. You can expect Swedish, Thai, shiatsu, Chinese meridian, deep relaxation, lymphatic drainage, reflex zone, and hot stone massage. The Adaptogenic Muscle Release Massage, which draws inspiration from traditional Chinese herbal practices, marked the first time I have seen mushrooms on a treatment menu, but after one hour of firm massage, I was sold as to their potency. Should it be more of a face treatment that piques your interest, the Aman Advanced Facial harnesses the power of beauty tech to deliver serious results. It commences with an ultrasonic scrubbing device that helps loosen and remove debris from the pores—so effective, there was no need for anything more abrasive. They then use electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) to target muscles for a lifting effect and to help the skin absorb the serums. We finished with an algae mask—at least, I think we did: By that point, I had dropped off to sleep and had to be woken by my therapist. Either way, I floated out of there less stressed that I have been in some time, and with noticeably smaller pores.
How environmentally friendly is it?
The spa’s eco credentials include the thoughtful touches that you might expect from a serious spa conglomerate: compostable swimming bags for your wet swimsuit, a water bottle made out of recycled sugar cane (which made its way into my handbag, where it remains). They have also partnered with the world’s first carbon-neutral and B-Corps certified laundry provider and enrolled in a recycling program for the spa flip-flops. Menu offerings include plant-based facials, massages, and nail options.
What else do we need to know?
A special mention goes to how comfortable the treatment beds are. While a heated bed has become fairly standard, this was my first encounter with a heated bolster, placed gently under my knee for ultimate comfort.
Who can go?
Anyone can book into the spa as a guest. Access to spa facilities is included with any signature treatments or bookings of two hours or more and includes the usage of the swimming pool and steam room. They also have a membership program for those who wish to become regulars.
Booking details for Aman Spa
Address: The Connaught, 16 Carlos Pl, London W1K 2AL, United Kingdom
Read more from Vogue’s Global Spa Guide.
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