London’s best Ayurvedic clinics, spas and treatments
The best Ayurvedic spas, clinics, treatments and practitioners in London
What is Ayurveda?
If you're looking for luxury Indian spa therapies in London, then read on.
Ayurveda, the ancient Indian practice of holistic wellbeing, focuses on refining the delicate balance between mind, body and spirit. Maintaining and sustaining this perfect harmony is seen as the crux of a healthy lifestyle, and the benefits (both internal and external) are boundless. Welcome to 360-degree self-care.
Unsurprisingly, its popularity in the West is soaring – you can now stock your bathroom shelves with UMA’s luxurious oils, all handcrafted in Ayurvedic tradition, and transform not only the skin but overall wellbeing. Luxury beauty brand Ranavat’s range of modern Ayurvedic skincare champions the connection between person and product.
This modern uptake on a centuries-old tradition has also found its way into some of the best spas in the world. In identifying your dosha – your energy/body type – treatments are precisely tailored to your needs, inner and outer selves are healed, and radiance is restored.
Here’s our pick of the best Ayurvedic spas, clinics, and treatments to be found in London.
Aire Ancient Baths, Covent Garden
Salt is used throughout Ayurveda treatments both inside and out, particularly in cases where vata dosha has gone out of balance and can create emotional and physical imbalance.
So, incorporate it into your wellness protocol by booking for the Himalayan Salt Ritual at Aire Ancient Baths, Covent Garden. This 80-minute ritual includes a 20-minute body wrap with Himalayan salt crystals, a relaxing 60-minute full body massage applying different levels of pressure with hot Himalayan salt stones, and continuing to relax the tensest areas of the body with massage oils. Plus, use of the facilities transports you to another world – miles away from the hustle and bustle of London.
Aire Ancient Baths, 2-3 Robert Street, Covent Garden, London WC2N 6BH – book here
From £280
The Bulgari Spa, Bulgari Hotel London, Knightsbridge
The incredible Ayurvedic-inspired Mauli Rituals treatments based in the luxurious Spa of the Bulgari hotel use rare and refined Indian botanicals for treatments that infuse hair, skin, and body with an indulgent cocktail of vitamins and minerals to leave you glowing inside and out.
Our pick is Natalie Eve’s fully bespoke treatment, which blends chakra balancing, deep tissue massage, crystal massage and hot oils.
The Bulgari Spa, Bulgari Hotel London, 171 Knightsbridge, London SW7 1DW – book here
From £290
Triyoga, various London locations
Try the oil-fuelled experiences, like abhyanga, kati basti, shirodhara and uzhichil massages, where generous amounts of oil are poured over tense limbs, your third eye or used to treat everything from sciatica to general aches and fatigue.
It enhances the circulation of the bodily fluids and activates the lymphatic system to further aid the detoxification. Uzhichil Kalari massage strengthens the body by relaxing it and opening up its energy pathways. There’s also a decent Indian head massage – which is great for a quick tension release for the time-poor.
Triyoga, various London locations – book here
From £50
Niod Sanskirt Saponins Cleanser
Niod Sanskirt Saponins Cleanser, £24
Akasha Holistic Wellbeing, Hotel Café Royal, Piccadilly
From this entirely holistic treatment menu, plump for the Relax and Balance Ayurveda massage: a regular back-and-shoulders rub, this is not.
Instead, the traditional Indian treatment uses warm oil to lavishly massage the body in long, flowing strokes, leaving even the very tense deeply relaxed. A head massage follows, and finally, oil is poured onto your ‘third eye’ to promote focus and calm.
Akasha Holistic Wellbeing, Hotel Café Royal, 10 Air Street, London W1B 5AB – book here
From £226
The Lanesborough Club and Spa, Deep Tissue Portali Massage, Knightsbridge
This plush and palatial spa offers only the most divinely soothing treatments, and its Ayurvedic-inspired deep tissue massage is no different.
Oils are rubbed and stroked into the body while heated volcanic stones settle muscles. Herbal potali bags saturated with pine, amber and frankincense are worked in rapid movements up and down the spine to restore balance in the body.
Wellness Centre, Nobu Hotel London Portman Square, Marylebone
Aesthetically, this is one of the sleekest spas we’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting, and its advanced Ayurvedic treatments echo this tone.
Once your dosha has been diagnosed, opt for the Portman Signature Fusion massage, and begin with an Ayurvedic oil-pouring ritual. Hot-stone therapy, acupressure and bamboo rolling follow, all working at the body’s subtlest layers to nourish both your physical and emotional state.
From £225
Mind Like Water Music and Wellbeing, various locations
Offering both Ayurvedic massage and Sound Healing, at MInd Like Water we recommend you opt for the treatment that gorgeously combines both practices.
Various instruments are used, including rain sticks and Tibetan singing bowls and your brain will align to their beat, making a meditative state easier to achieve. Resin is burnt to cleanse energy and essential oils are lovingly rubbed into tired muscles. You’ll leave revived and rejuvenated but deeply relaxed.
Mind Like Water Wellbeing, various locations – book here
Anuja Shandilya Functional Medicine & Ayurveda Clinic, Marylebone
Anuja’s clinic is one of the only ones in the world to offer cutting-edge science alongside the ancient wisdom of Ayurvedic practice.
With 20 years of experience in holistic medicine under her belt, she helps women find their optimal state of wellbeing and deals with a wide range of issues, including hair loss, stress, sleep disruptions and fertility problems.
Anuja Shandilya Functional Medicine & Ayurveda Clinic, Marylebone – book here
And for those wishing to venture out of the capital? Try…
The Scarlet Hotel and Spa, Cornwall
The Scarlet Hotel and Spa’s entire treatment philosophy is inspired by Ayurveda and its ability to lead us to a complete self-understanding.
Set against the rugged backdrop of the wild Cornish coastline, the hotel offers a Solo Journey. This four-hour treatment begins with a personal Ayurvedic consultation followed by a clifftop hot tub, guided meditation, a bespoke body massage before drifting off in a hanging cocoon pod – sheer bliss.
The Scarlet Hotel and Spa, Cornwall – book here
New for 2023
The four-night Restoring Ayurveda package is designed to support you to find a natural balance and rejuvenation.
Following an initial consultation with an Ayurvedic specialist, you will be provided with a bespoke programme of treatments unique to your wellbeing needs and doshas (energy in the body).
The stay offers a four-hour Solo or Couples Journey: a tension-releasing bathing treatment, a therapeutic massage in a tented treatment room, and time to simply be near the crashing Atlantic waves to promote deep relaxation and inner harmony.
The package also includes a three-course dinner on two evenings and each morning with a leisurely breakfast paired with breath-taking views of the Atlantic Ocean, setting the tone for a day of relaxation and renewal.
Four-night Restoring Ayurveda starts from £1,980 for two people sharing a Just Right Room.
Champo Hair Range
Champo Hair Range, from £18
Ayush Wellness Spa, Hotel de France, Jersey
Ayush’s treatment menu is packed with authentic Ayurvedic therapies and luxurious spa treatments that have been adapted to align with Ayurvedic philosophy.
For those looking for something a little different, we recommend the Padaghata or ‘pressure by foot’ massage, where a highly skilled therapist works your entire body using only their feet. Consider muscles and minds fully relaxed.
The Ayush Spa, Hotel de France, Jersey – book here
Assisted by Clare Pennington