Chuan Body and Soul at The Langham Hotel

Like to work up a sweat before you unwind? The Langham’s fitness studio is kitted out with state-of-the-art cardio machines, free weights and even two Peloton bikes for a live or on-demand class. Then step outside for more ways to get active, right on the doorstep.

Head north up Portland Place and you’ll soon reach Regent’s Park, one of the capital’s most beautiful green spaces. Lace up your trainers for a jog around the Outer Circle, a loop of roughly 4.5km, or slow things down with a stroll through Queen Mary’s Gardens, famous for its roses. Feeling energetic? Carry on to the top of Primrose Hill for one of the best views of the London skyline.

Prefer two wheels to two feet? Santander Cycles, London’s public bike hire scheme, has docking stations dotted around the neighbourhood, with pedal bikes costing just £1.65 for 30 minutes. Pedal through Regent’s Park, or follow the Regent’s Canal towpath for a scenic ride with a breeze in your hair. Just remember to dock up in time for your treatment!

Many spa days at Chuan Body and Soul come with a delicious bonus – a three-course Chuan lunch served in Palm Court. But if your package doesn’t include lunch, the hotel’s restaurants and bars are well worth a visit in their own right. Just be sure to book ahead – they’re incredibly popular!

Palm Court is famous as the birthplace of afternoon tea, first served here when the hotel opened in 1865. Today, it’s open from breakfast through to the afternoon, with menus created in collaboration with culinary icon Michel Roux and Executive Pastry Chef Andrew Gravett. Live piano music fills the room every day from 1pm, adding to the sense of occasion. 

Fancy staying on for a cocktail? Artesian is a legend of the bar world, where the team pushes the limits of cocktail creativity with bespoke originals, reimagined classics and plenty of showmanship. For something more laid-back, The Wigmore serves up hearty British comfort food in a refined tavern setting. And if you’re craving a taste of the Med, Sale e Pepe Mare brings the flavours of the Italian Riviera to Regent Street, with fine crudo, fresh pasta and its signature Milanese, perfect for sharing.

There certainly is, and it’s a real showstopper! Winding stone steps, flanked by giant bamboo, lead down to a 16m pool set in what was once a bank vault. The deep, sapphire-blue water glows beneath warm lighting, framed by mosaic tiles and layered stone walls that were once part of the old bank. Swim towards the striking bonsai tree mural at the far end, or simply float and soak your worries away. 

When you’re ready to dry off, sink into one of the rattan armchairs at the poolside, then warm up in the sauna or steam room in the separate changing rooms. Finish in the contemplation lounge with a seasonal elemental tea for the perfect way to let the calm sink in.

In the spa itself, it’s all about comfort. You’ll be given a robe, towel and slippers to use during your visit, so all you need to pack is your swimwear for the pool. 

If you’re heading upstairs for lunch in Palm Court, though, you’ll want to swap your robe for something a little more polished. The restaurant has a smart-casual dress code, which means sportswear and flip-flops aren’t allowed. So if your package includes the three-course Chuan lunch, or you fancy making an afternoon of it, it’s worth bringing an outfit to change into after your treatment.

Fancy making a night of it? With 380 elegant rooms and suites, The Langham has plenty of choice, from stylish rooms to sumptuous suites with views across the West End. For an extra touch of luxury, Club rooms come with access to the Langham Club Lounge, and the Sleep Matters by Chuan programme offers bespoke amenities and soothing treatments to help you drift off.

The hotel is full of history, too. It was home to England’s first hydraulic lifts, and its grand exterior even made an appearance in the James Bond film GoldenEye.

Check-in for hotel guests is from 3pm, and check-out is at 12 midday, leaving plenty of time for a leisurely breakfast. If you’re booked in for a spa day, the spa will call or email you to arrange your treatment times, so keep an eye on your inbox.

You’ll find it at 1c Portland Place, at the top of Regent Street, right in the heart of London’s West End. Oxford Circus Underground station is just a five-minute walk away, and BBC Broadcasting House sits right across the road.

It’s a brilliant base for shopping and sightseeing. The likes of Oxford Street, Liberty and Selfridges are close by, the boutiques and cafés of Marylebone are just around the corner, and Regent’s Park is a short stroll north. Culture vultures can head to the British Museum or catch a show in theatreland, too.

While The Langham’s main entrance sits on Regent Street, the spa has its own dedicated street entrance just around the corner at 2 Cavendish Place. But if you fancy soaking up a little Victorian grandeur, there’s nothing stopping you from heading through the main hotel instead. Step past marble pillars and fresh floral displays, and take the lift down to the spa.

The Langham has been welcoming families for over 160 years, so little ones are in good hands. Children under 16 can use the pool between 8am and 12pm and from 4pm to 6pm, as long as an adult joins them – although they can’t use the sauna or steam room.

There’s plenty to keep younger guests entertained outside the spa, too. Palm Court serves a special children’s afternoon tea for those aged 12 and under, and Regent’s Park, with London Zoo at its northern edge, is just a short stroll away.

Yes, it is. The spa has step-free access, accessible changing and treatment rooms, and handrails for the pool and sauna. There’s also a chair lift for pool access. Around the hotel, you’ll find step-free entrances, spacious lifts and accessible toilets in the restaurants, bars and public areas, plus induction loops at reception for guests who are hard of hearing.

Accessible guest rooms include roll-in showers, grab bars and handheld showerheads, and amenities such as vibrating pillows and lamp flashers are available on request. Wheelchairs are available for guest use, too.

The hotel is! Dogs weighing up to 20kg are welcome to stay, with a maximum of one dog per room and a fee of £100 per dog, per stay. Your four-legged friend can even join you in The Wigmore and Sale e Pepe Mare. They can’t come into the spa, though (with the exception of assistance dogs), so you’ll have to enjoy your treatment solo.