Knightsbridge may be one of London's most exclusive areas, but it's also one of its busiest. If you want to escape the Harrods shoppers and bus fumes, then this hidden gem in the heart of the city is your answer. As you'd expect from a hotel that boasts the name of the legendary Italian luxury brand, the Buglari Hotel is a masterclass in attention to subtle, but exquisite, high-quality detail. And it's finest moment comes five floors below ground, where you'll find tranquil haven that is the spa.
The Spa
You'll step out of the lift and straight into a scented-candled oasis of calm and quiet. Set over two floors, the spa feels indulgently spacious, with huge changing rooms and relaxation areas. The treatment menu is impressively extensive with a heavy focus on holistic wellbeing and health - including naturopathy, acupuncture, reflexology and emotional healing with a "modern day wizard". Happily, there's no shortage of more traditional pampering on offer too, with a vast range of massages and facials using the highest quality and newest products. This includes Swiss Perfection Cellular Skincare treatments, a high-performance new anti-ageing range, currently exclusive in London to the Bulgari. Other advanced therapies including laser and peels, so whether you want prettifying, pampering or more long-term, results-driven treatments, you'll find it on this menu.
The Treatment
After too many hours slumped over a keyboard lately and with my first ever half-marathon a week away, a personalised massage (60 minutes, £130) seems the smart choice. Having listened to and noted my concerns about knotted shoulders and training-weary legs, my therapist sets to work with ESPA oils. With satisfyingly just-hard-enough pressure, she expertly kneads my desk-bound lifestyle out of my back and identifies the tightness in my hamstrings that has made running feel like a chore. I am left not only feeling reinvigorated and refreshed, but also with silky soft, fragrant skin.
Activities
Feeling energetic? Then make the most of the state of the art gym. Not so much? Then, once you're done with swimming, head to the Neville hair salon for a new do.
To Eat
Rivea restaurant is the brainchild of super-chef Alain Ducasse, and is the perfect mix of fine dining and relaxed atmosphere. The lunch menu is predominately small plates of Mediterranean-inspired fare, which offers a feast divine flavours and ingredients, but is also light enough to avoid the bloat if you want to eat pre-spa.
Don't Miss
A swim in the pool. The hotel boasts the largest indoor pool in London and has loungers for post-treatment relaxation. And then there is a vitality pool, with a variety of full body massage jets, if you need livening up after your snooze.
The Deal
Spa day programmes start at £290
Words: Lindsay Frankel
Lindsay is assistant editor at Glamour magazine. Follow her on Twitter @Lindsayfrankel