The cheese is gone, the bubbles are drank, and what remains is a renewed attitude to be a better version of yourself. My advice? Sack off the pressure, and head for a spa day. Here, when sat amidst another kind of bubbles (the jacuzzi kind), you’ll be forced to sit back and think about good stuff. Like travel plans for the future, or what will feature on the afternoon tea menu. I headed to the – aptly named – Chilworth Spa at Paddington Hotel to do just that.
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1 The venue
The spa sits inside The Chilworth, a London-based townhouse, right by Paddington. It’s easy to find (praise be for my non-map-savvy mind), and is seriously inviting once you spot it. I’m talking red carpet. Inside, the hotel is a treat – think vintage feel, peppered with modernity. I was taken straight to the spa – a small hideaway on the hotel’s lower level – and shown to the important stuff: my fluffy robe and slippers.
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2 The facilities
The Chilworth’s facilities are pretty simple, offering a dose of relaxation in their quaint spa area. Described as an ‘immersive urban spa’, it’s definitely a spot I’d be happy to head to solo. Though there’s no designated space for relaxation, it’s easy to unwind in their jacuzzi and steam room. Save reclining with a magazine for being back on your sofa, chilling. For guests, there’s also a private gym, with cardio equipment and free weights for resistance training. Or you can just stay in the jacuzzi. Like me.
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3 The treatment
We’ve existed in 2019 for a mere two weeks, and this was my third massage. Safe to say, I know what makes a good one. I was treated to a half an hour ‘taster’ back and neck massage (shoulders included too). The oil was lovely, the pressure was firm, and it felt like I was in the room for a really long time. Winner. The best kind of massage is when the therapist finds a knot, and tailors the treatment to relieving it – it worked. I felt so great post-massage.
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4 The food
Should you judge a restaurant based purely on the satisfaction of cutting open your poached egg? Potentially not, but here we are. Post-treatment and steam, I headed to the restaurant – a real showstopper of a room – where I was treated to the most delicious spread of food. To start, eggs benedict, with a 10/10 hollandaise sauce. Sufficiently stuffed, a taster of the afternoon tea menu followed. Eclairs, macaroons, key lime pie, carrot cake, choc mousse, and fruit scones with all the trimmings. I repeat: ‘taster’ menu. In short: I’d eat here everyday if I could.
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5 The experience
The experience was super relaxed (not just relaxing), and I felt welcome from the second I stepped through the (very Instagram-able doors). Staff were on hand to help with anything and everything, smile in tow, from catering to a nut allergy, to providing extra towels. If you’re staying at The Chilworth, it would be criminal not to visit the spa. If it’s just a break you fancy, book afternoon tea too, to make it a proper ‘spa’ day.
With Treatwell, you can book spa days and breaks online at all your favourite spas – simple, hassle-free, and you can do it on the go.