A subterranean slice of serenity in the heart of the city – Sophie Ritchie spends the afternoon at YĀTRĀ, Montcalm Mayfair’s brand new spa
Central London is not often the first place that springs to mind when I think of relaxation. The heaving crowds, the noise, the eccentric everyday encounters, the fast-paced ambience that speeds up my walking so much I practically jog through the streets from place to place. Excitement and adrenaline, yes. But calm? That’s not usually the case.
At Montcalm Mayfair near Marble Arch however, it’s another story entirely. I step across the glossy threshold into the bustling lobby, a little frazzled from battling the tourists meandering through Oxford Street, and find myself immediately immersed into a world of sophistication.
Someone greets me immediately and leads me with a smile over to a lift, leaving me with instructions of how to find the hotel’s spa and of course, to enjoy my visit. The sense of urgency that swathed my thoughts has somehow evaporated by the time I’ve emerged downstairs and given my name at reception. The calm atmosphere filtering through these stylish walls already envelopes me and I haven’t even found the robe yet.
YĀTRĀ, opened recently in May, aims to redefine the concept of city wellbeing – offering a seamless blend of culture, holistic wellness, and refined rituals. Drawn from the Sanskrit word for ‘journey’, YĀTRĀ draws inspiration from the ancient Indian wisdom of Ayurveda, the resilience of the East African spirit, and the multicultural legacy of London; blending these elements together to deliver a transformative experience for all who visit.
Created specifically for Montcalm Collection by COCON, and designed by Studio Est, the cocooning, subterranean setting is dedicated to pampering, using pastel tones to create sophisticated and tranquil spaces. It’s been carefully curated to be easy on the eyes and soft on the senses – I drift from space to space like a towel-clad ghost, padding slowly through the areas in my bio-degradable slippers where windows and natural light are replaced with long corridors and soothing music.
The treatment
The wellbeing retreat features four luxurious treatment rooms, including a double treatment room that’s ideal for couples or girly pampering sessions. It’s within one of these four rooms that I enjoy a truly exceptional massage, where therapist Sarah spoils my tired muscles with a BODY REJUVENATION RITUAl. This multi-layered full-body signature ritual begins with a Kansa foot massage, initiating the detoxification process and grounding a guest into the treatment.
A rejuvenating full-body marma point massage is then performed using personalised dosha balancing oils and Mauli Rituals’ skealer body sculpting technique to restore balance and vitality. For those not in the know, this useful little curved tool works by applying gentle pressure to stimulate circulation, helping to release toxins while bringing fresh oxygen and nutrients to strengthen skin and mind.
Other signature treatments include bespoke Ayurvedic therapies that blend time-honoured rituals and sustainable, natural products, developed in collaboration with QMS Medicosmetics and Mauli Rituals, to deliver results-driven skincare.
The extensive range of rituals and signature treatments provide a sanctuary of expert luxury, including lymphatic drainage, deep tissue, holistic therapies and results-driven skincare. If I could stay for the week and try them all, I’d be squeezing my suitcase into one of the petite lockers in no time.
The facilities
A visit to YĀTRĀ is about much more than just a few scented bubbles and soothing background background – it’s been curated to provide a visitor with a space that leaves them rejuvenated and more in touch with their inner selves by the time they hand back the towel.
This is achieved with the spa’s small but beautiful wellness area, which features a range of infrared and traditional wood Saunas, plus a hydro pool and jacuzzi. The space, suited best for one or two individuals at a time, can be used like a soothing circuit loop of different sensations. I dip into the steam room, sink into the jacuzzi, try out the sauna and stand in the season-inspired rain shower on rotation until the stress that surged through my body upon arrival feels like a thing of the past. Small details complete the space, like a thoughtful stack of extra towels and handy water dispensers.
Nearby, there’s also a gym fitted with the latest TechnoGym equipment, for those that want to ramp things up a notch – plus a dedicated relaxation space that offers tea rituals in partnership with Camellia’s Tea House to enhance post-treatment relaxation.
The Wordrobe Verdict
Ideal for a few hours of serenity without needing to leave the city, YĀTRĀ provides guests with a sleekly holistic wellness experience, inspired by the ancient Ayurvedic wisdom and London’s multicultural heritage. The treatments are excellent, the interiors are swish and the fiery saunas are well worth any makeup mishaps. Bring a friend or simply indulge in some solo time – this spa is well worth its (Himalayan) salt.
Make it happen
How: For further information and bookings, please visit montcalmcollection.com
Where: Wallenberg Place, London W1
Wallet: From £500 per night
Words by Sophie Ritchie, editor
