South West London has a new day spa, The Dolphin, although if you led someone inside blindfolded, they could easily be fooled into thinking they’d been kidnapped and dispatched to Morocco. It is beautifully designed, your senses are delighted with a musky rose fragrance, twinkling lanterns lining the halls and walls, the sound of beautiful Arabian music drifting through the air, and an incredible choice of tea blends from the Moroccan tea bar. A good start.
Aforementioned teas are served in the courtyard waiting room, modelled on a traditional riad, which is a typical Moroccan home with an internal walled courtyard garden. Sadly I didn’t get to experience it in full thanks to the grim British November afternoon. I bet it’s lovely out there on a warm sunny day though…
The Dolphin Spa specialises in the ancient cleansing Hammam and Rhassoul rituals, which, for male visitors can include a traditional wet shave by a highly trained barber. The location houses 5 treatment rooms, 2 studios and a Salt Steam Infusion room for an authentic Moroccan experience. It’s personal preference of course, but I’ve never been a fan of the Hamman ritual myself, so I opted for the 70 minute Arabian Back, Scalp & Face Ritual. And I’m SOOOO glad I did.
“Using exotic Moroccan fragrances and Arabian influenced movements, this treatment commences with a warm oil back massage to relax and indulge, followed by a full facial with a hypnotic face, scalp and foot massage, ideal for generating energy in tired bodies.”
I can honestly say this was one of the best spa treatments I have had in a very long time. The therapist was excellent and the treatment was so intensely relaxing that I fought hard against sleep – not wanting to waste a single moment of the experience – however it eventually got the better of me. The Aromatherapy Associates products are perfectly suited to a Moroccan spa thanks to the use of rose oil in many of the blends. Blissful.
Of course with it being so recently opened, the towels and robes are uber-fluffy, and everything is shiny, sparkly and new. The relaxation room is dark and warm with more tea on offer, and there are heated beds that I would sell my right arm for in order to have one at home.
My only complaint is that guests of the spa are not allowed to use the lovely, large swimming pool which is the very first thing you see when you enter the building. Whenever I go to a spa, I really like to make the most of the experience by doing some gentle exercise, and I felt a bit cheated that it was sitting there, invitingly, but only open to members of the gym next door. If I were the owner of the Dolphin Spa, I would have negotiated a pass to use the pool as part of the package. But overall it’s a very small complaint. There is free parking outside on a Sunday and this made me incredibly happy, as I hate to get on the tube after such a relaxing experience. The Dolphin gets a double thumbs up from me.
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I’m staying at Dolphin House next month so might have to pay a visit, it looks lovely.