There’s nothing quiet as restorative as a massage – and London happens to be home to some of the world’s very best, most soothing masseurs. Whether you’re looking for a bespoke treatment blending aromatherapy with expert kneading in the comfort of your own home, or a knot-busting, stress-melting deep tissue that tackles even the worst case of cricked neck – you’re sure to find someone to pummel, pound and sculpt aching muscles into their most revived, restored and relaxed form. From lymphatic drainage to ayurvedic therapies, these are the best massages in London.
Lanserhof at the Arts Club
As I sip a metabolism-boosting tea in the sleek lobby of the Arts Club’s Lanserhof, I pore over the massage menu, deciding whether to opt for a shiatsu massage (a finger pressure-focused Chinese medicine therapy), Reiki, an ultra-gentle energy transfer therapy that supports healing, or what I hear is a next-level deep tissue treatment. Sports, prenatal, magnesium, lymphatic drainage – the list is long – and when it comes time to note my areas of focus, the answer is a bit of everything. The therapist does just this, creating a bespoke massage that might be the best I’ve ever had, which exceeds the hour-long window because, according to the therapist, there was a lot to fix. Ensuring you’re consuming lots of liquids and healthy foods is key after any massage, so I’d recommend heading down the hall for a vitamin infusion – especially in the winter months. Tamara Southward
Address: Lanserhof at the Arts Club, 17-18 Dover Street, Mayfair, London W1S 4LT
Price: 50-minute massage for £130
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Kama Ayurveda
When Kama Ayurveda popped up in my neighbourhood, on a busy corner of Westbourne Grove, I was immediately intrigued. Ayurvedic wellness has been on my radar since a trip I took last year, and Kama Ayurveda – a skincare brand with its own spa – is the real deal, with ongoing and longstanding partnerships with doctors, and products officially registered in India as being Ayurvedic medicinal. I opted for a facial and foot treatment that specifically targets marma points for relaxation and immunity support. The most popular are the Legendary Lymphatic massage, which addresses fatigue and significantly reduces fluid retention, and the Legendary Body massage, a head-to-toe decompression. The Kansu Bowl foot massage – which is incorporated into my own blended treatment – targets marma points to rebalance the entire body: think reflexology and an ultra-unique massage using a small mixed-metals bowl (it sounds strange but feels like a tangible sound bath). The spa also hosts residencies, from celebrity facialists to host dermatologists like GP Dr Pyal, whose cortisol-relieving glow treatment was a recent hit over the festive season. Kama Ayurveda also has a spa within Harrods, but we love the neighbourhood feel of this location. Tamara Southward
Address: 207 Westbourne Grove, London W11 2SE
Price: 1 hour for £160
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