The Spa at CityPoint Club
On a day when summer is a vague recollection, water clogs up the air and the tube is unnervingly full of people entertaining themselves with every type of annoyance, we may seek a place where we can roam at peace with our thoughts and rid ourselves of the overly hasty pace of London life.
A spa would be the first port of call and for those caught up in the stressful city environment – The CityPoint Club, conveniently a 3 minute walk from Moorgate tube station, is a perfect choice to slip out of your business gear and into your complimentary robe and slippers.
A well kept secret in the heart of London’s financial district, The CityPoint Club prides itself on keeping numbers at a controlled low (25 per day) so that members always feel at ease and the spa never becomes uncomfortably busy. The Club was considerably closer to the tube station than I originally anticipated, resulting in my eager treks both sides of the station to find the club being entirely in vain. Through a deceptively small lobby, clients are transported down to an area that honestly surprises you on arrival. With a healthy eating cafe and restaurant to the left, your eyes are teased over to long glass windows displaying a breathtakingly lit 20m pool. Seconds later you snap back to reality at the central reception desk as two contagiously friendly receptionists are fervent to welcome you in.
After a pleasant greeting and polite introductions I was led over to the restaurant for a complimentary welcome drink, given Club slippers and asked to fill out a medical form. You are unconsciously relaxed by the subtle calming background music (like the warm down section of a yoga class) and instantly at ease in this environment; far away from questions, plans, dates and timekeeping. The second I was left alone my attention was recaptured by the royal blue lights reflecting off the impressively designed swimming pool (complete with 4 spacious lanes) and I had to creep closer for a high quality peek.
Before I was entrusted to roam the various departments and sample The CityPoint Club’s facilities I was given a guided tour and explained that this was the perfect haven for busy workers as well as visiting day guests at weekends, many of which include high-end hen parties and sports groups. I was surprised to learn that employees in high stress jobs use a relaxation room (a dark room with a wall of tropical fish and the subtle tranquillity of the sound of water with recliners) just to catch up on nights of sleep deprivation.
It was then time to strip down to my bikini, slip into my robe and slippers while ignorantly indulging myself in the spacious, well stocked changing rooms, complete with numerous towels, products, hair dryers and even GHDs. The club had not overlooked any supplies needed for an appearance conscious female, again to maintain that stress levels plunge to a minimum – removing the worry of packing all the necessary toiletries and lugging them through your daily routine.
I then followed my feet to the sauna, plungepool and steam room, complete with three relaxation recliners. As long as you’re brave enough to take on the beauty of a naked female body, it’s a haven to eradicate dirty pores, perspire the pounds off and just naturally feel much healthier in your body, mind and soul. The steam room was a personal favourite and I treated myself to two visits as the ecalyptus scent was, to put it simply, divine. The sauna’s scent of souldering wood invited me in but after 5 minutes my upper lip was twitching and the heat became unbearable.
After many inbetween event showers I turned my attention towards the plunge pool, but I’m sorry I just wasn’t woman enough. A fingertip touch informed me the water was Aberdeen Baltic, and a freshened, rejuvenated body informed my brain that this section of the room should be politely ignored.
I continued my afternoon by heading to the pool and Jacuzzi area, the superbly dimmed lighting making the guests feel at ease when stripping down maybe past their comfort zones. With just three people swimming and one man lounging next to me my thoughts drifted (and so did my full concentration) to an Adonis already occupying the jacuzzi, and with a quick confidence push I joined him and let the various jets work their magic all over my body. Heaven.
To end my afternoon I was booked in for a treatment, a 25 minute back, neck and shoulder massage. I slithered between the chocolaty brown silk sheets and let my therapist, Hebe, loose on the nodes that she informed me had built up within my muscles. Using Elemis de-stress massage oil complimented by the music from Anton Hughes’ Amazon Rainforest, my senses were spoilt and I was once again in a world of pure luxury and indulgence. When the treatment finished I was left to relax and then debriefed that I should return every two weeks to continue the breakdown of the lactic acid as it would be too painful during just one treatment. This would be a follow-up appointment that I wouldn’t mind booking. The final ding from the Japanese bell indicated my treatment was over and thus was my day at The CityPoint Club, and as I pampered myself back into my wardrobe, I set off for my dinner date that evening smiling from the inside out.
A retreat spa day (Back massage for 25 mins and unlimited use of The CityPoint Club’s facilities) costs just £80. Next time, when I’m feeling a little more adventurous, I might try the Exotic Escape Spa Day for £275. This includes a prescriptive facial for 55 mins, Tibet or Oloil Exotic Ritual 55 mins and a luxury manicure or pedicure for 55 mins.
The CityPoint Club
1 Ropemaker Street,
Moorgate
London
EC2Y 9AW
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