Six Senses retreats have a tendency to show up in the world’s most remote destinations—the mountains of Bhutan, the deserts of Saudi Arabia, or the beaches of the Seychelles, for instance—where majestic natural landscapes are as intrinsic to the healing experience as a menu of sound baths, cryotherapy, and acupuncture. Trading the tropics for the heart of London may seem like an unlikely backdrop for the brand’s 27th opening, but there’s also something to be said for arriving at the Six Senses London without a multi-leg, multi-day journey that requires, say, a wellness retreat to recover from.
It’s easy to forget you’re in one of the world’s busiest cities when you enter a lush lobby brimming with more than 1,000 plants, and the 109 rooms, with bleached-wood floors, sage and blue accents, cloudlike beds, and fixtures that are a nod to the building’s Art Deco heritage, manage to deftly block out the tourist hordes of Notting Hill not far away, making for a surprisingly soft landing for an urban retreat. In the historic Whitely Building, the city’s first department store, tailoring now comes in the form of personalized itineraries incorporating massages, facials, ice baths, sleep tracking, quartz crystal beds, and much more, depending on what your biometrics reveal about you. But Londoners don’t have to book a staycation to reap the benefits: The opening also marks the debut of Six Senses Place, the brand’s first members club, drawing residents who may want to incorporate visits to the hammam, red-light therapy chamber, cutting-edge gym, Place restaurant, Alchemy Bar, or floatation pods into their own after-work or weekend regimens.
And it’s easy to extend that idea of wellness after leaving the hotel for the day. Located in one of London’s most iconic corners, the regal Hyde Park is just a stroll away, making it the perfect place to unwind during a full day of strolls, picnics and more (don’t miss a stop into the phenomenal Serpentine Gallery). And should you feel like dipping into classic London, Notting Hill, with its quaint shops, pubs, markets and more, shoulders up to the park. Combining both the park and Notting Hill is a quintessentially perfect London day. Be sure to wear sensible but fashionable footwear to keep you comfy for a day of pounding the pavement and the park. In London, a light but sturdy jacket is always a must. And a tip: always pack a sleek pair of sunnies or a foulard in your handbag. The weather in London is famously moody, and access to either will help elevate your outfit to instant urban chic.
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