Spa review: A 24-karat gold facial to make your skin glow
WE try out the unapologetically indulgent Golden Maharani Facial Treatment at Thai Square Spa in Covent Garden
Relax and indulge in luxury treatments at the Thai Square Spa in Covent Garden
The spa:
You may have to elbow your way through sleepy, meandering throngs of tourists to reach Thai Square Spa, which is tucked down a side street in Covent Garden.
But, immediately upon stepping through the doors, all that stress melts away in a balmy haze of jasmine blooms, low lighting and warm copper tones. Only the soft padding of slippered feet threatens to break the silence.
Delve into the serene relaxation room with copper baths
The spa is housed in a converted Victorian warehouse, with a few steps up to the reception area and a comfy seating area to the side. After filling in a form, guests are led down a staircase, seated and given a box in which to deposit shoes and socks (swapped for slippers) before entering the even more serene relaxation room.
There are 14 treatment rooms, including five Thai massage rooms and two individual treatment rooms with copper relaxation baths.
There is also a steam room, and you can book a session here free or for a reduced price, depending upon your treatment.
There's a small changing room with lockers for your clothes, which you swap for a soft cotton robe before beginning your treatment.
Try out a Golden Maharani Facial inspired by Siamese history at the Thai Square Spa
The treatment:
The Golden Maharani Facial is inspired by Siamese history, in which gold has always represented prosperity and auspiciousness. In the era of Ayutthaya (dubbed “City of Gold” by European missionaries), Thai royal consorts would enshrine their bodies and faces with gold before royal ceremonies.
Here, the treatment is designed to moisturise, hydrate and rebuild collagen for firmer skin, while leaving you with a subtle shimmer.
As with all treatments at Thai Square Spa, it begins with a traditional floral foot soak. Each of my tootsies was delicately doused in softly scented water while I sipped bael fruit tea.
The relaxing massage beds at the Thai Square Spa
Then I reclined on the massage bed for the facial. Although, the word facial is rather misleading. This is an hour and a half of indulgence that leaves you relaxed and revitalised from head to toe.
First, the therapist removed my make-up, intricately attending to each individual eyelash, and cleansed my skin before exfoliating and applying a herbal compress. This is to firm the skin, ready for the 24-karat gold mask.
The spa's beautiful interior
After applying the ice-cold solid gel, she sent me into a slumber with a head and shoulder massage.
It seemed just minutes before she softly roused me and manoeuvred my body into a sitting position. But just when I thought it was over, she expertly massaged my back and shoulders, pummelling away any remnants of stiffness and stress.
To book:
Thai Square Spa is at 25 Shelton Street, London WC2H 9HW.
The Golden Maharani Facial Treatment is 1 hour and 30 minutes and costs £125.
See thaisquarespa.com or call 020 7240 6090.