The Tamesis
How is the atmosphere?
The building is widely regarded as one of London’s greatest architectural masterpieces. Designed by Eero Saarinen in the 1960s, the building celebrates American modernism with some of its more ornate details, such as the giant gilded eagle that sits atop the building (now the centerpiece of the rooftop Eagle Bar), and the rhythmic, zigzag concrete that gives the facade a dramatic sparkle. It was upgraded yet again with the help of David Chipperfield: the legendary British architect worked hard to open up its vast interior spaces and make them feel light and airy. No mean feat for a former bureaucratic building, but judging by its jaw-droppingly dramatic lobby, it has been achieved.
Meanwhile, the design of the Asaya Spa was overseen by Yabu Pushelberg, a Canadian design studio known for its work on the Four Seasons and Peninsula hotels in New York. The end result is a complex that feels less like a spa and more like a private members’ club: Think vast expanses of plushly padded walls, brass accents and soft lighting that will make you look like you’ve slept for a full eight hours, even if you’ve just stepped off a long-haul flight. Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the treatment rooms is equally moody, with wood paneling and miniature sculptures on the shelves, and plush marble bathrooms for a decadent post-treatment soak.
Photo: Ben Anders/Courtesy of The Chancery Rosewood
What should you try?
Developed in partnership with beloved aromatherapy brand Moods, these massage options offer eight “neuroaromatic” blends designed to alter your emotional state. Apparently my therapist, Divah, noticed that I was feeling a bit glum in my own mood – probably at least partly due to the heavy London rain that soaked me on the road – and after a quick consultation, which included blind testing a number of formulas to see which ones appealed to me the most, suggested Euphoric, a floral, citrus scent with notes of orange blossom, geranium and petitgrain. It’s just a ticket. While Divah also gave me a brief overview of the various techniques involved in the upcoming massage—myofascial release, lymphatic drainage, stroking, and pressure point work—once things got going, it felt like a really, really good deep tissue massage, with all the dull rhythms ironed out and that loose, slight tingling sensation in your shoulders post-treatment that tells you something has shifted. Afterward, I drank a cup of chamomile tea by the crackling fire before heading to the couch in the jewel-box pool room, feeling very relaxed.
