It’s been a long year for the discerning gent. You’ve endeavoured to work hard in the job you do, maintain impeccable style and stick to a rigorous fitness regime to keep the mind and body sharp. Approaching the final hurdles of the year and the Christmas party circuit that December inevitably is, it’s time to think about gifting yourself some time out heading into the final straight. One such possible way is through spa packages designed for the modern man. Elysium thought it was only right to don the dressing gown and put our body to the spa test.
We visited the Como Shambhala Urban Retreat spa at the Metropolitan Hotel London to check out the ‘Complete Man’ package. Designed to relax and rejuvenate a discerning gent, it was time for this chap to get pampered.
The Metropolitan Hotel London (reviewed here) is located on Park Lane, centrally based and very easy to find. Upon entering the hotel, you’re guided up to the spa on the second floor. It’s a very calm setting, but everything looks contemporary and modern. There are numerous treatments available for one to indulge in, either for you or with a partner. The spa is holistic, so all its products are based on natural ingredients. After filling out a quick questionnaire on your general health and enjoying a cup of ginger tea you’re guided to the changing rooms to get ready for your treatment.
The Discerning Complete Gent
The ‘Complete Man’ package involves a 30 minute deep tissue back massage, 30 minute facial and finishes with a hand scrub and nail tidy. You start with the back massage and given the choice of oils to use dependent on how you want to feel after the session – options include calm, invigorate, purify, and harmony for example. Having chosen to feel invigorated the therapist then gets to work on easing the knots and tension out of your back and will tailor the pressure to suit. Aside from the feel-good factor of a massage, it plays an important role in muscle manipulation. Anyone who enjoys strenuous workouts or highly active sports will no doubt have developed a build up of lactic acid and overlaps in the muscle fibres which can cause stiffness. This is where a deep tissue massage helps to correct any irregularities. The relaxing sensation is also great for anyone feeling too highly strung.
Next is the facial. The manliness factor dropped a few notches but you have to remember that this will help rejuvenate your face – so embrace it. A series of oils, scrubs, creams and brushes are used in a rhythmic fashion to cleanse the face and remove toxins. The facial lasts around 30 minutes as well and you’re recommended not to wash after your treatment to really benefit from the essential aromatherapy oils working its way into your skin. The final phase is the hand scrub and nail tidy. The scrub is actually pretty good for anyone who weight trains. The gym-goers giveaway of hard callous skin on the palms can be reduced with a good scrub. While those of a nervous disposition and bite their nails watching the football can have them filed down to aesthetically pleasing curved edges again. And so the complete man emerges from the towels of luxurious pampering looking and feeling relaxed and refreshed.
The modern man needs to tap into this secret women have been enjoying for years. Spa treatments and breaks have worked wonders for them helping to flush out toxins and soothe aching muscles. As a discerning gent who works hard and plays hard, booking a monthly/bi-monthly spa treatment can work wonders as a pick-me-up ahead of key periods in the year. This could be before a holiday or ahead of a hectic season of client entertainment and office parties. Or just simply to supplement a fitness routine where rest and recuperation is just as crucial as the workout. There is range of treatments available to suit so you can tailor to your own individual needs. Highly recommended is the view from Elysium – we’re ready for the Christmas party season!
The Details
Como Shambhala Urban Escape
Metropolitan London
Old Park Lane
London
W1K 1LB
Tel: 0207 447 5750
The Complete Man package: 90mins £130 / 120mins £175