The best spas in London in 2026 are the Bvlgari Spa in Knightsbridge, with its 25-metre pool; ESPA Life at Corinthia near Trafalgar Square; the spa at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park; Akasha at Hotel Café Royal; and Rosewood London's spa. For a cheaper, historic soak, the Victorian Turkish baths at the Porchester Spa and Ironmonger Row Baths are local favourites.
London's most luxurious spas are in its five-star hotels and nearly all take day bookings from non-guests, usually with use of the pool, sauna and steam rooms before or after a treatment. Expect to pay from around £150–200 for a 60-minute treatment at the top end. For something completely different and much cheaper, London still has two council-run Victorian Turkish baths. Book ahead for weekends.
A sleek hotel spa with a gold-mosaic 25-metre pool.
The spa at the Bvlgari Hotel London in Knightsbridge is one of the city's most glamorous, with a 25-metre pool lined in gold mosaic, a vitality pool and private treatment suites.
It is a short walk from Harrods and Hyde Park.
Good to know: Book a treatment to get access to the pool and thermal areas.
171 Knightsbridge, London SW7 1DW
A four-floor spa with a pool, sanarium and private sleep pods.
ESPA Life at the Corinthia London spreads over four floors near Trafalgar Square, with a vitality pool, an amphitheatre sauna, ice fountain and private sleep pods.
It is one of the most complete spa experiences in the city.
Good to know: Arrive early to use the thermal floor before your treatment.
Whitehall Place, London SW1A 2BD
A serene hotel spa overlooking Hyde Park.
The spa at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park offers the group's signature treatments, a pool and heat experiences in a calm, dark-wood setting beside the park.
It is consistently ranked among London's best.
Good to know: Combine a treatment with a walk in Hyde Park.
66 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LA
A calm subterranean spa a step from Piccadilly Circus.
Akasha, beneath Hotel Café Royal on Regent Street, is a dark, calm spa with an 18-metre pool, a hammam and treatment rooms, surprisingly peaceful for its location.
It is ideal for a break from West End shopping.
Good to know: Book an off-peak weekday slot for the quietest pool.
68 Regent St, London W1B 4DY
A boutique hotel spa in an Edwardian landmark.
The spa at Rosewood London, in the grand Edwardian former Pearl Assurance building on High Holborn, offers holistic treatments and a calm space close to Covent Garden.
It suits a treat between museum visits at the nearby British Museum or Sir John Soane's.
Good to know: Have a drink in Scarfes Bar afterwards.
252 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EN
A polished, intimate spa inside the Art Deco grand hotel.
The spa at Claridge's in Mayfair is small, calm and beautifully designed, with a pool and treatment rooms in keeping with the hotel's Art Deco glamour.
It pairs with afternoon tea in the Foyer for the full Claridge's day.
Good to know: Book a spa treatment and afternoon tea together.
Brook St, London W1K 4HR
A classic Art Deco spa at one of London's grandest hotels.
The Dorchester Spa on Park Lane has long been a London favourite for its Art Deco styling and expert therapists, with treatments ranging from massages to facials.
It faces Hyde Park.
Good to know: Ask about seasonal spa packages with lunch.
53 Park Lane, London W1K 1QA
Victorian Turkish baths with steam rooms and a plunge pool.
The Porchester Spa is a set of 1920s Turkish baths, with tiled hot rooms, a Russian steam room, sauna and an icy plunge pool, run by the council inside the Porchester Centre in Bayswater.
It is one of London's best-value spa experiences.
Good to know: Check the timetable: some days are women-only or men-only.
225 Queensway, London W2 5HS
Restored Victorian Turkish baths with a modern spa.
Ironmonger Row Baths, near Old Street, combine a public swimming pool with a restored Turkish bath and spa of steam rooms, saunas, an icy plunge pool and a heated relaxation area.
It is affordable and well loved by locals.
Good to know: Book spa sessions online; weekend slots fill up.
1-11 Ironmonger Row, London EC1V 3QF
The Bvlgari Spa in Knightsbridge and ESPA Life at Corinthia are the two most celebrated, both with large pools and extensive thermal areas.
Yes. Most London hotel spas welcome day guests who book a treatment or a spa day, which usually includes access to the pool and thermal facilities.
Luxury hotel spa days typically start from around £150–250 with a treatment. The Porchester Spa and Ironmonger Row Baths offer thermal sessions for a fraction of that.
Yes. The Porchester Spa in Bayswater and Ironmonger Row Baths in Clerkenwell are historic Turkish baths with steam rooms, hot rooms and plunge pools. The Porchester has women-only and men-only days as well as mixed sessions.
Yes, especially for weekends. Hotel spas often book up a week or more ahead.