Ajala Spa, London

Ajala Spa's oriental-inspired relaxation room

Ajala Spa

Never one to shy away from a day of pampering, I head to London's Ajala Spa on a grey Sunday morning, hoping to unwind and forget about the depressing, cloudy weather. Located strikingly close to St Paul’s Cathedral and beneath the 5-star Grange St Paul’s Hotel, Ajala Spa feels like a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

A Buddha statue greets you as you enter the spa
Ajala Spa

The warm and serene interior, complete with Buddha statues, wood-panelled screens and exotic plants, is instantly relaxing. You feel like you’ve just stepped into a haven of tranquillity. I slip into a super-comfy bathrobe and slippers before my therapist shows me to my treatment room.

The room itself is gorgeous: two pristine beds lie next to a freestanding bath, and dark-blue mood lighting and relaxing music add to the already peaceful atmosphere. My Ajala Spa Signature Massage starts with an argan oil and rice grain exfoliation to remove dead skin and prepare my body for the chakra-balancing, hot-stone massage that will follow.

Hot stones are a first for me so I ask my therapist, Nassera, to explain how they work. The heat from the basalt volcanic stones warms and relaxes muscles, improving circulation and calming the nervous system.

After a quick shower, my therapist starts applying oil before using the smooth, flat stones to massage my body. The hot stones gliding smoothly along my muscles feel like a stream of hot water running slowly down my body. The sensation is extremely soothing and comforting. I turn around to lie face down. The stones are then placed on my spine and under the palm of my hands while the therapist continues the massage with her hands. I nearly fall asleep as I’m so comfortable.

The spa also has a stunning swimming pool
Ajala Spa

After an hour or so, I feel smoother and more relaxed than I've been in a while. I’m told to drink water and take my time before getting up and leaving the room. After a stint in the relaxation lounge, which has an amazing range of fresh teas and juices, plus some posh chocolate I can’t resist, it’s my turn to try the ‘real sunlight room’.

I’ve now changed into my swimming suit and, magazines in hand, I’m ready for some much-needed sunshine. The only commercial one of its kind in the UK, Ajala Spa’s unique sunlight room recreates natural sunlight but with a reduced UV, meaning no harmful rays but no tan either! The beneficial effects apparently include reducing aches, producing D3 vitamins and helping fight against SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).

Essentially, it's a room with three beds and an oversized lamp which can be programmed to create sunrise, full daylight and sunset. You do actually feel the heat, which is nice, but I wouldn’t swap it for the real thing, although I understand why it is so successful in a country with an average of only 56 days of sunshine a year. I can't say if it boosted my mood - I was already pretty chilled - but I did enjoy my 30 minutes in there.

The Sky Bar is perfect for a cocktail after your treament
Grange St Paul's Hotel

I’ve got the rest of the afternoon to enjoy the spa’s other luxury facilities with my other half, including a stunning 18m (59ft) swimming pool, a sauna, Jacuzzi and steam rooms. I feel pampered and energised and after an indulging day at the spa, a cocktail at one of the hotel’s bars followed by dinner for two sounds perfect.

The Grange St Paul’s Hotel, situated just above the spa, offers not one but four super-cool bars, including a sky bar on the seventh floor with views of St Paul’s Cathedral and a 24-hour bar on the ground floor. Cocktails are especially good and not pricier than at any other luxury hotels in central London.

Dinner at the Globe Restaurant is excellent. I recommend the deliciously creamy lobster and pea risotto for the main course, and the raspberry and almond soufflé for dessert. The only downside has to be the pop music – Rihanna and Lady Gaga don’t quite complement the elegance of the place. It’s not very relaxing either.

Bedrooms are comfy and luxurious
Grange St Paul's Hotel

To round off a near-perfect day, we have a room booked at the hotel. Room 301 is cosy and spacious with stunning views of St Paul’s Cathedral itself. It oozes comfort and luxury, with Molton Brown toiletries, cotton linens and all the latest technology, including mp3 station, flat-screen TV and free WiFi. The best rooms are definitely the 01s and 02s which are the only ones with views of St Paul’s.

Breakfast is served on the first floor. Ask for a table on the mezzanine, which overlooks the ground floor and is in the atrium – airy and bright, it offers a unique sense of space. English and continental breakfast buffets have everything you need and you can also order waffles or pancakes if you fancy. The place is abuzz with men and women in suits, as being so closely located to the city’s financial district, the hotel is of course extremely popular with business people. And it’s Monday morning. It’s time to head back to reality.

The hotel's impressive atrium
Grange St Paul's Hotel

I would definitely recommend Ajala Spa. The wide range of treatments combined with oriental practices and traditional therapies makes it unrivalled from other spas in London. With Mother’s Day just one week away, experience it for yourself with Ajala Spa’s Mother’s Day package (from £89). You won’t regret it.

Ajala Spa
1 New Bell Yard
London EC4V 5AJ
Tel: (020) 7074 1030.
Website: www.ajalaspa.com
Price: The Ajala Spa Signature Massage costs £135 for 1 hour 30 minutes. The Real Sunlight Therapy costs £20 for 30 minutes or £35 for 1 hour. Prices for a double room at the Grange St Paul’s Hotel start from £190.