5 Urban Retreats: London’s Best Holistic Wellness Centres

No need to suffer the angst of trains, taxis, flights and unforeseen delays; the things that often make escaping the city to relax and rejuvenate, hardly worth the effort. We set out to discover the best of London’s urban retreats, where you can sip cold-pressed juice, practice yoga and meditation, and enjoy all the benefits of an offshore experience, without even leaving the city.

Whether you’re looking for somewhere to indulge for the day, or wanting to join a community of like-minded people in a healing and nourishing space… look no further. Your guide to London’s best urban retreats…

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Grace Belgravia

A haven from the frenzy of everyday life, Grace is a visionary health and wellness club in stunning Belgravia, designed specifically for women. Sophisticated, spirited and health conscious women at that. The vision of businesswoman Kate Percival, the club has been a driving force behind London’s blossoming wellness community, hosting supper clubs with Madeleine Shaw and Ella Woodward. Grace is an evolving hub, constantly responding to industry trends by engaging with experts across health and fitness, like Nutritionist Vicki Edgson and Personal Trainer Matt Roberts.

With ‘inside out beauty’ as the underlying mantra, Grace boasts a team of internationally recognised doctors, experts and therapists. The Club also includes a spa, treatment rooms, hammam, luxury gym and fitness studio (with a full timetable of classes including barre and yoga), and a restaurant serving up Californian-style cuisine. From cold-pressed juice to superfood salads, the delicious menu supports any dietary requirement and encourages a balanced approach to food. Experiencing Grace is essential to discovering London.

Full, weekend, business and out of town memberships are available, plus a range of other special options for pre and post pregnancy and brides-to-be. More information can be found here.

Grace Belgravia, 11c West Halkin St, London SW1X 8JL 

www.gracebelgravia.com

London’s Best Holistic Wellness Centres
Image: Grace Belgravia

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Akasha Holistic Wellbeing Centre

Entering from the chaos of Piccadilly Circus into the complete serenity that is Akasha Wellbeing Centre, this urban retreat ticks all the boxes. The intention is to unite the four basic elements of nature; earth, water, fire and air.

If the 60ft indoor lap pool and Hammam isn’t enough to lure you into this luxury oasis, then perhaps the steam room, Jacuzzi, nine treatment rooms, meditation room, yoga and fitness studios, and a watsu pool for guided meditation might!

Zoe Stirling, Nutritional Therapist at Akasha Wellbeing, also offers 1-to-1 consultations to members as well as private clients. With the understanding that everyone is different, Zoe approaches each client’s story with a targeted and tailored programme that incorporates nutrition and lifestyle advice, as well as a comprehensive supplement plan.

Memberships are bespoke and can be priced on enquiry. Day visitors are also welcome with packages from £70 (that’s a £25 discount until the end of February, 2015).

Akasha, Hotel Café Royal, 68 Regent Street, London W1B 4DY

www.hotelcaferoyal.com/spa-and-gym/

London’s Best Holistic Wellness Centres
Image: Akasha Wellbeing Centre

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Wakeman Road

A little something for the North West… Founded by serial Entrepreneurs Emma Sinclair and Richard Lamballe, Wakeman Road is described as ‘a haven from the mediocre’. Tucked away in Kensal Rise, north of Notting Hill, it’s an artisan health and wellbeing space where members can indulge in treatments, enjoy inspiring workshops and events and benefit from the private sale of some of London’s finest wellbeing brands.

Much more focused on treatments and natural therapies by some of the UK’s leading experts, including Nutritional Therapist Eve Kalinik, Wakeman Road is an oasis for restoration and reversing the negative affects of life in an urban jungle.

Membership starts at £29 per month and applications are accepted via the website.

Wakeman Road, 4 Wakeman Road, London NW10 5BN

www.wakemanroad.co.uk

London’s Best Holistic Wellness Centres
Image: Wakeman Road

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South Kensington Club

Possibly the most decadent of all, The South Kensington Club is the vision of Luca Del Bono, and will be open to members for a soft launch in March. “A place for you to feel at home,” says Luca, who wants to inspire a culture of adventure and multiculturalism. Fresh off the drawing board, SKC is currently receiving the final touches to its skylit gym, sea water watsu pool, restaurant and bath house. Described as ‘your country club in the heart of London’, the South Kensington Club will be a hub for culinary and wellness traditions from around the world.

The objective is to inspire and encourage members to live well, travel more adventurously and engage with one another. With a mid-century Americano, country club vibe, expect indoor cacti and luxury leathers, fully equipped gym and some of London’s top trainers and therapists.

With a price tag to match its extravagance, non-members can look forward to sipping in-house cold pressed juice and enjoying a taste of the club from the comfort of Iddu, a public café on the ground floor – which opens on Valentine’s Day.

Membership require a formal introduction and enquiries can be made here.

South Kensington Club, Queensberry Mews, London SW7 3ND

www.southkensingtonclub.com

London’s Best Holistic Wellness Centres
Image: South Kensington Club

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The Berkeley Health Club & Spa

Again, country meets city at The Berkeley with a secret garden and stunning views across Hyde Park. From the 7th floor, members and guests can enjoy incredible views of London, even from the swimming pool. Working out in the gym, with some of London’s best trainers, is an experience in itself – and topped off with a sauna and steam room to follow.

The Bamford Haybarn Spa is the goji berry on top! With a holistic approach to wellbeing and a menu of incredible natural treatments, this British brand is organic where possible – a therefore receives the welltodo stamp of approval!

Options exist for day visits and gift certificates, and membership enquires can be made here.

The Berkeley, Wilton Place, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7RL

www.the-berkeley.co.uk

London’s Best Holistic Wellness Centres
Image: The Berkeley

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