Meet Jess, the founder of The Soirée Planner at Mercedes-Benz World
Meet Jess, the founder of The Soirée Planner, lover of sunsets, matcha...
Pampering time! Olivia Gibson reviews AIRE Ancient Baths London
Editor Olivia Gibson reviews AIRE Ancient Baths London to discover the tranquil spaces in person - here's what she has to say!
I'm always looking for the best spots around London without the large crowds to achieve that five-class service away from the busy streets. So, you can imagine my excitement when the AIRE Ancient Baths London team invited me to the secluded setting on the edge of Covert Garden and Leicester Square.
AIRE Ancient Baths began in Seville in 2004 before expanding to Barcelona, New York, London, Chicago, Copenhagen, Vallromanes and Almeria to provide serene settings to escape the outside world. The London site is based in an 18th-century townhouse initially designed by Architect Robert Adam. It offers an exceptional example of Neoclassical construction which, much like AIRE, took great inspiration from the Greek and Roman empires.
|
As I stepped inside the historic building, I was greeted by the scent of orange blossom and the friendly team who welcomed me to this sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of the City. After filling out a short medical questionnaire, I headed downstairs to find a modern changing room with all the necessities needed. Inside our lockers were bathrobes, towels, and comfortable slip-on water shoes to be worn throughout the spaces as well as the baths.
As we wandered down candle-lit stairs, we emerged into the softly lit main area with a relaxing atmosphere highlighted by the calming music and the sound of water. The rustic space features exposed brickwork, a labyrinth of pools, brown leather Chesterfield sofas and wooden accents.
After being given a tour of the different baths, it was time to put the spaces to the test! We started with the Tepidarium, a warm water bath at 36 degrees with hidden knocks and crannies to relax and soak up the tranquil environment.
|
Next was the hot 40-degree Caldarium before building up the courage to enter the Frigidarium's cold-water bath at 14 degrees and the ice bath at 10 degrees – it's safe to say I didn't last very long! My favourite space was the Floatarium, a unique bath with a high salt content, which allowed me to float effortlessly. I've never felt so at peace and free like there wasn't a worry in the world, and I could have genuinely spent hours staring at the beautiful ceiling. The space was complete with a salt exfoliation area, which left my skin silky smooth for days!
Let's not forget The Vaporium, a steam room infused with mint and eucalyptus that helps promote circulation, loosens stiff joints, reduces stress, clears congestion and more. My partner's favourite spot was the Bath of a Thousand Jets, a hydrotherapy jet bath that gave our whole body a massage while relieving aches and pains.
|
The friendly team were always around to help guide us through the spaces while blending into the background to ensure we achieved the perfect experience from start to finish – it was really impressive.
Halfway through the experience, I enjoyed a 45-minute full-body massage from head to toe. I felt completely at ease with my masseuse, who was highly professional and ensured I was comfortable throughout. Thanks to the combination of music, dimmed lighting and skilful hands, I entered a complete state of relaxation and may or may not have dozed off a few times!
I had a fantastic experience at AIRE Ancient Baths London thanks to the knowledgeable team, exceptional facilities and tranquil setting. The site is perfect for romantic pre-wedding pampering, escaping the stress of wedding planning, and enjoying special moments with loved ones – I will definitely be returning!
Discover more about the iconic setting and the array of experiences here: https://beaire.com/en/aire-ancient-baths-london
