Above image courtesy of The Dorchester Spa.

There’s no doubt that the anticipation for the 2012 Summer Olympics has hit a fever pitch. If you happen to find yourself in London and in the midst of Olympic fever, you may want to take a minute (or few hours!) to escape it all. What better way to do that then with a relaxing trip to one of the best spas in town? From the upbeat Bliss Spa London to the swanky Ushvani, take your pick from our roundup of the best spas in London.

LONDON SPAS: THE UPSCALE ESTABLISHMENT

The Dorchester Spa
The Dorchester
Park Lane, London, W1K 1QA, United Kingdom.
Tel: 44 20 7319 7109. (www.thedorchester.com/dorchester-spa)

Reportedly supermodels Elle Macpherson and Sophie Dahl love a trip to the Dorchester Spa and who can blame them? Situated in the historic luxury hotel The Dorchester, The Dorchester Spa was refurbished and reopened in 2009. Since then it has quickly earned the reputation of being one of the best spas in London. The interior is a mix of 1930s Art Deco glamour and contemporary interior design. It features nine treatment rooms, which include “two double suites, a manicure-pedicure suite, a sleek relaxation room, male and female aromatic steam rooms and male and female experience showers” as well as a fully equipped gym facility. When you’re there, get the Carol Joy London Signature Facial, which consists of “a facial steam, FACIALSpure collagen mask and IV Lifting Mask” and will leave your skin feeling firm and radiant.

LONDON SPAS: THE UNCONVENTIONAL

Lush Spa
123 Kings Road, London, SW3 4PL, United Kingdom.
Tel: 020 7349 9648. (www.lush.co.uk/spa)

You may not have known it but yes, everyone’s favourite retailer of fresh, handmade and ethical cosmetics has it’s own chain of spas in the UK as well as locations in Paris and Tokyo. By all accounts, a visit to the Lush Spa in London is definitely unconventional spa experience with an English twist. The newest Lush Spa treatment is The Sound Bath. Along with a deep massage, facial and ear candling session, this one-hour treatment uses the power of sound (singing bowls, tuning fork vibrations and a made to measure soundtrack) to help clear and cleanse the mind. Other Lush Spa treatments include the signature Synaesthesia massage, Validation Facial, The Good Hour massage, Tailor Made massage and The Spell foot treatment.

Read the next page for three more of the best spas in London.