Places

Just before Christmas. we planned a ‘day date’ in London (without the children, as obviously it ain’t no date with kids in tow) and we were asked if we would like to visit the South Kensington Club.  It is a luxury, private members club in the heart of London, so obviously we jumped at the chance to visit and try out the newly opened Bathhouse…

Quick snap of the outside before we went in!

We were welcomed by delightful receptionists who looked like they had just stepped off the Ralph Lauren runway.   They guided us to the luxury changing rooms, were we put on our swimming costumes, adorned a bath robe and sexy flip flops.

Couldn’t take the camera in to the Bathhouse so this is as far as it goes…

We then headed to our private Banya suite for our Russian style sauna.

We were advised to only stay in the sauna for a few minutes at first to acclimatize but once we used to it we upped it by a few minutes each time, interspersed with a freezing plunge pool. Incidentally I only went into the plunge pool up to my waist but Alex immersed himself fully, making the most of an opportunity to feel fully refreshed and invigorated!

The South Kensington Club is also home to the “grotta” London’s most beautiful saltwater Watsu pool, allowing members to integrate the primordial element of the sea into their daily workouts. Members can either unwind in the pool that is lined with powerful jets, or enjoy it exclusively while taking a therapy treatment – or “Aquatic Body Work”. The aim is to always feel good and to learn to include fitness and wellbeing in our every day lives.  After our sauna experience, we went to this beautiful mini ‘swimming pool’ (where the water is actually imported from Sicily via truck every fortnight) and relaxed even further.

We then had a super duper brunch in the quiet and cosy restaurant. Children are allowed although we went midweek in the morning so we didn’t see any (shame 😉

Loved the juice bar.

Entrance to the roof terrace – the panamas were a nice touch.

Over looking the heart of London from the roof terrace.

The South Kensington Club also provides unparalleled fitness and well-being facilities. SKC’s three studios provide an ideal environment for yoga, hot yoga, pilates, barre, hot barre, cardio, boxing and high-energy dance classes, as well as private fitness assessments. The first floor fitness studios also include personal and functional training areas. Leading trainers are on hand to assist members, explain how to use the machines in the safest and most effective way, create fitness initiatives and give personalised one-to-one sessions to those who require it. To create more holistic and bespoke programs, health and fitness assessments will be available to members by using VO2 Max and spirometric testing. Programs include: “Marathon Fit”, “Ski Fit”, “Hiking Fit” and more. Osteopaths, acupuncturists and physiotherapists will also be available to support members in reaching optimum results.

The Club has been designed with its members every desire in mind. From the cultural and culinary, to the physical and philosophical, they have access to the best services, including exclusive social and travel opportunities as well as a pioneering centre for fitness and well-being. Whether you are visiting for a cocktail, taking a dip in the salt-water Watsu Pool, seeking a moment of calm in the bathhouse or inspiration from the Voyager Programme the South Kensington Club offers excellence in every field.  The elegant, unpretentious, homely environment of the South Kensington Club’s interior has been thoughtfully executed to provide a place for reflection, relaxation and respite for its guests.

It does just that!

southkensingtonclub.com