Designer luxe : to stress or not to stress

helena · 09-11-2005

The high life

Does luxury really help you de-stress? Jess Cartner-Morley joins a smart spa to investigate

Saturday November 5, 2005
The Guardian

I have often thought how nice it must have been to be a moneyed gentleman in the golden era of the St James's clubs. Overstuffed armchairs, comfort food, familiarity and peace: in my imagination, the concept is a bit like an upmarket Starbucks, without the hazelnut syrup and bleeping mobiles. Well, I have found something even better. Forget being a member of a club; the X factor that makes modern life perfect is to be a regular at London's May Fair Spa.
The May Fair Spa is just around the corner from St James's, in the Radisson Edwardian hotel near Berkeley Square. For two weeks, I was looked after by the adorable Liandi. (I became so attached to her that early in the second week, I looked in the mirror and realised I was subconsciously copying her hairstyle.) On my first visit, Liandi performed a diagnostic reflexology treatment and skin analysis, then an Indian head massage. On the basis of this, my programme for the fortnight was mapped out: three personal training sessions, two facials, two massages, a remineralising body wrap, and another reflexology treatment.

But the most luxurious part was being able to hang out in the spa. It is not difficult to find good treatments in London, but it is hard to find spas where the experience adds up to more than getting undressed, having a facial/massage, getting dressed again and coughing up. Here I was encouraged to arrive an hour before each treatment to take advantage of the sauna, steam room, and - for the brave - "plunge pool" shower, in which a bucket of icy water is emptied on your head. (What's that like? Who knows? Like I said, it's for the brave.) After treatments, you are led to heated marble loungers and served reviving herbal tea and sorbet.
Personal training was a revelation: I worked much, much harder than I ever would alone; an hour passed in a flash. (Knowing a facial or massage followed eased the pain.) By the end, I had rediscovered my motivation and had a whole new routine. Following Liandi's advice - her reflexology diagnosis suggested that my digestive system was overloaded, not surprising since I am legendarily greedy - I gave up wheat, and felt bouncier within a week. After microdermabrasion, oxygen treatment and vitamin-packed masks my skin glowed like never before; knots under my shoulder blades melted away under Liandi's hands. When I opened the email offering me this assignment, it was in a Paris hotel room on the last day of a month of fashion shows. I was staring at my computer, bleary-eyed, eating minibar peanuts and drinking Coca-Cola in lieu of another missed dinner. Yes, I thought two weeks later, as I lay on a marble lounger, lingering over my final sorbet - yes, life has changed.

what do you think?

I think this is the right place for this thread...either here or shopping. happy to move if people think its the wrong place.

**Meg** · 09-11-2005

ugh I read this. it's an alright article for her. H, I knew you like Jess C.M. but I absolutely can't stand her. She writes like everything she finds out, is the fashion revelation of the century when in fact, she's usually behind. ah well

helena · 09-11-2005

I know this article is about Spa's but do you think buying designer is a stress releiver or a stress inducer? I think the latter actually. I get much more stressed because of the monetary implications of making the wrong choice. i.e. I am skint!

helena · 09-11-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meg

ugh I read this. it's an alright article for her. H, I knew you like Jess C.M. but I absolutely can't stand her. She writes like everything she finds out, is the fashion revelation of the century when in fact, she's usually behind. ah well

no i agree Meg - I am not her biggest fan (I used to moan to Kit about her) but it sometimes gets us talking about interesting things rather than just blah blah Lindsay Lohan/kate moss/ models/celebs etc

**Scott** · 09-11-2005

Oh Helena,I do agree with you to a certain extent about buying designer. I just think it depends really if you've already spotted something you want....usually when I go into a shop I know exactly what I'm looking for. It's when I get indecisive....you know,spontaneous shopping....that's when I get stressed. Not to mention the shop people constantly harassing you rather than helping.

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09-11-2005	1
helena Swim Upstream Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: europe Gender: femme Posts: 6,457	Designer luxe : to stress or not to stress The high life Does luxury really help you de-stress? Jess Cartner-Morley joins a smart spa to investigate Saturday November 5, 2005 The Guardian I have often thought how nice it must have been to be a moneyed gentleman in the golden era of the St James's clubs. Overstuffed armchairs, comfort food, familiarity and peace: in my imagination, the concept is a bit like an upmarket Starbucks, without the hazelnut syrup and bleeping mobiles. Well, I have found something even better. Forget being a member of a club; the X factor that makes modern life perfect is to be a regular at London's May Fair Spa. The May Fair Spa is just around the corner from St James's, in the Radisson Edwardian hotel near Berkeley Square. For two weeks, I was looked after by the adorable Liandi. (I became so attached to her that early in the second week, I looked in the mirror and realised I was subconsciously copying her hairstyle.) On my first visit, Liandi performed a diagnostic reflexology treatment and skin analysis, then an Indian head massage. On the basis of this, my programme for the fortnight was mapped out: three personal training sessions, two facials, two massages, a remineralising body wrap, and another reflexology treatment. But the most luxurious part was being able to hang out in the spa. It is not difficult to find good treatments in London, but it is hard to find spas where the experience adds up to more than getting undressed, having a facial/massage, getting dressed again and coughing up. Here I was encouraged to arrive an hour before each treatment to take advantage of the sauna, steam room, and - for the brave - "plunge pool" shower, in which a bucket of icy water is emptied on your head. (What's that like? Who knows? Like I said, it's for the brave.) After treatments, you are led to heated marble loungers and served reviving herbal tea and sorbet. Personal training was a revelation: I worked much, much harder than I ever would alone; an hour passed in a flash. (Knowing a facial or massage followed eased the pain.) By the end, I had rediscovered my motivation and had a whole new routine. Following Liandi's advice - her reflexology diagnosis suggested that my digestive system was overloaded, not surprising since I am legendarily greedy - I gave up wheat, and felt bouncier within a week. After microdermabrasion, oxygen treatment and vitamin-packed masks my skin glowed like never before; knots under my shoulder blades melted away under Liandi's hands. When I opened the email offering me this assignment, it was in a Paris hotel room on the last day of a month of fashion shows. I was staring at my computer, bleary-eyed, eating minibar peanuts and drinking Coca-Cola in lieu of another missed dinner. Yes, I thought two weeks later, as I lay on a marble lounger, lingering over my final sorbet - yes, life has changed. what do you think? I think this is the right place for this thread...either here or shopping. happy to move if people think its the wrong place.

09-11-2005	2
Meg inspired contemplation Mod Squad Leader Join Date: May 2003 Location: London by way of North America Gender: femme Posts: 17,056	ugh I read this. it's an alright article for her. H, I knew you like Jess C.M. but I absolutely can't stand her. She writes like everything she finds out, is the fashion revelation of the century when in fact, she's usually behind. ah well

09-11-2005	5
Scott Stitch:the Hand Mod Squad Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Among the trees Gender: homme Posts: 12,447	Oh Helena,I do agree with you to a certain extent about buying designer. I just think it depends really if you've already spotted something you want....usually when I go into a shop I know exactly what I'm looking for. It's when I get indecisive....you know,spontaneous shopping....that's when I get stressed. Not to mention the shop people constantly harassing you rather than helping.