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There's a 13.5 metre Exercise Pool which is perfect for swimming a few laps, before a dip in one of the Spa Pools gently bubbles away all your stress and anxiety. Water lovers can also luxuriate in the famous Atrium Pool, complete with a large wooden swing and alcoves where you can pause and unwind. If you prefer sweat to wet, you can opt for the traditional Sauna, the gentler warmth of the Sanarium or the purifying vapours of the Hammam Steam Room. After all that heat and hydrotherapy, you may want to rest on a sofa by the fireplace in the Lounge, or recharge on plush cushions in the Koi Carp Lounge. Grab a drink, a snack or a glass of wine from the bar and watch the majestic fish swim gently by, or adjourn to the more secluded candle-lit Thai Seating Area. Continue reading"The Sanctuary, Covent Garden" The Sanctuary, Covent Garden written by Gigi on March 19, 2008
Treatments in the Skin Spa start with a complimentary Beau Visage skin analysis where a trained therapist takes photos of your face with a special camera to assess your blood flow, collagen, melanin, wrinkles and sun damage level. The sophisticated system even tells you your average skin age - a nice reminder of the ways you've been protecting your skin or a sobering indication that you need to do a bit more to look after it. The therapist will explain your results and recommend services and products for your skin's current condition, as well as giving you more general tips on looking after your skin. All of this is done in a low-pressure, non-blaming way - you won't get a lecture or a sales pitch - and you'll be given a detailed printout of your results and recommendations to take with you. If you decide to embark on a course of treatments, the skin analysis will be repeated at the end so you can see how your skin has improved. Of course, the facials are the real draw here and they include all the latest skin rejuvenation techniques such as microdermabrasion, herbal and glycolic peels, oxygen treatments and non-surgical facelifts. In another setting these might feel clinical, but you'll be treated to the Sanctuary's usual impeccable customer service, and you'll feel more relaxed knowing that your facial has been specially chosen to suit your skin's needs. As the Skin Spa is entirely separate from the main spa, it is possible to drop in without setting foot in the Sanctuary's hallowed halls. But it's hard to resist the lure of the Koi Carp Lounge and the Atrium Pool with its iconic swing, so why not make a booking for some serious pampering after your facial? TIP: If you book a course of five treatments in the Skin Spa, you'll get the sixth free. SANCTUARY SKIN SPA Sanctuary Skin Spa, Covent Garden written by Gigi on March 13, 2008
You really can't go wrong when choosing your food here. For a complete meal, splash out on a Bento box or one of the Rice, Ramen, Soba or Udon dishes, all of which taste fresh and delicious. Or construct your own feast from the Sashimi, Sushi, Maki, Side Dishes and Salads (the Green Leaf Avocado Salad with Miso Dressing is divine!). You can expect quick service, shared tables and cheap prices at this bustling eatery on Wardour Street, but what you'll notice most is the scrumptious food. SATSUMA Satsuma, Soho written by Gigi on February 13, 2008
This chain, started in Osaka, Japan, serves freshly made cream puffs with a light and crispy pastry shell, filled in front of your eyes with a thick, rich filling that is closer to custard than whipped cream. You can opt for the traditional vanilla, or try the flavour of the day from a changing menu that includes chocolate, strawberry, cappuccino, English tea, green tea and very berry. The monthly schedule of flavours (posted in the shop and on their website) is a good excuse to come back again and again. Beard Papa's also has eclairs, chocolate fondant and thin slivers of tiramisu and cheesecake, but I haven't tried any of these yet, as the cream puffs are just too good for me to stray. Beard Papa's has turned me into a cream puff lover after all! BEARD PAPA'S Hours: Mon to Fri 9.00am to 9.00pm, Sat 10.00am to 10.00pm, Sun 10.00am to 8.00pm Beard Papa's, Oxford Circus written by Gigi on October 3, 2007
Try the Pineapple Dream or the Mango Surprise for a tropical flavour, or grab a Burner Boost to kick-start your metabolism. Whatever variety you choose, the satisfying whir of the blender lets you know that your smoothie will be as fresh as possible. For a simpler drink, try a juice or sample one of the special juice cocktails that aim to relieve that hangover, de-stress your day or help you detox. You'll also find a colourful array of fresh fruit salads in the chiller cabinet. They're made hourly with large chunks of melon, pineapple, mango and other seasonal offerings. So at last there's a station food that's fast, fresh and healthy! TIP: There's another branch outside Liverpool Street Station. I'M A SMOOTHIE I'm A Smoothie, Victoria written by Gigi on August 10, 2007
They rotate between 80 different varieties - from Chocolate, Nut and Toffee to Raspberry Banana to Pesto and Feta. Whether you prefer sweet or savoury, there will be something to satisfy your appetite. All the muffins are made by hand, without the use of any machinery, from flour that has been stone-ground at a traditional watermill, and they come straight from the oven to the counter for sale, so you may even get your muffin while it's still warm! If you'd like a little something to go with your taste of heaven, Muffinski's also serves soup, sandwiches, coffee, tea, and other refreshing beverages. In summer, you will definitely want to try their frozen yoghurt. It's freshly blended with your choice of fruit. You can even mix two kinds of fruit if you're feeling indecisive. Whatever flavour you select, you'll end up with a delicious and healthy treat that feels delightfully sinful - just like the muffins! Muffinski's Hours: Mon to Fri 8.00am to 7.30pm, Sat 9.00am to 7.30pm, Sun 10.00am to 6.30pm Muffinski's, Covent Garden written by Gigi on July 2, 2007
Just ring them up or book online with the postcodes of your pick-up and drop-off locations, and they'll dispatch one of their shiny black Volkswagen people-carriers, complete with satellite navigation, air-conditioning, and smartly-dressed driver. You'll get a text confirming the price as well as the driver's mobile number when your car is on the way. And there's no need to hang around outside, as you'll get another text when the car arrives (usually within 20 minutes anywhere in central London), along with the vehicle registration number to ensure you don't get in the wrong car (a real bonus for women travelling alone at night). For this level of service, you might expect a high price, but Addison Lee costs 33% less than black cabs, and they can usually get you there even cheaper than the local minicab firm. If you're caught out without cash, you can pay by card over the phone when you make the booking, or even set up an account if you're going to be a regular customer. So no more nights of waiting on deserted street corners for long-overdue night buses or shady minicabs; instead you can travel in style and comfort. Addison Lee really is the most important number a girl could have. ADDISON LEE Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Addison Lee written by Gigi on May 22, 2007
I usually bypass the tasteful options (simple and elegant Chinese, Japanese metal, trendy polka-dot) and head straight for the novelty pots in the shape of flamingos, lemons, post boxes, and Big Ben. In case this conjures images of a tacky tourist shop, I must assure you that The Tea House is actually very classy - and necessarily so, as it's nestled among the highbrow boutique shops of Neal Street. In fact, the novelty section is sensibly tucked away upstairs, leaving more refined clientele free to browse the ground floor for all manner of tea-related items (infusers, strainers, balls, caddies, tins, bags, bowls, mugs, and cups - and they even have jam for those tea-time treats!). There's also a huge quantity of the good stuff itself - in the form of loose leaves and tea bags. They've got the usual black, green and white teas, as well as decaffeinated options and fruit infusions, but the real draw is the flavoured tea. Jars of leaves on the shelves allow you to smell each variety, to help you choose between flavours like Rooibos Chai, Lychee Black Tea, or Chocolate and Mint Green Tea. All these scents mingle to give the shop its own delightful perfume - it's worth visiting just to experience the heavenly smell when you enter. And while you're there, you might as well head upstairs and get yourself a teapot shaped like a tomato! THE TEA HOUSE Hours: Mon to Fri 10.00am to 8.00pm, Sat 10.00am to 7.00pm, Sun 12.00pm to 6.00pm The Tea House, Covent Garden written by Gigi on April 11, 2007
The ground floor is a public-friendly treasure trove of toys and action figures featuring characters from cult television and film, so it's the perfect place to go for Nightmare Before Christmas bookends, a Simpsons talking ice bucket, a Cyberman bath towel, or your very own Star Wars lightsabre. But the basement is where the serious aficionados can be found, amid countless shelves of comics, graphic novels, and other books - including impressive sections of anime, horror, manga, and fantasy fiction. It's a great place to broaden your horizons or indulge your inner anorak, and since men still seem to outnumber women here, it's a good spot for you single ladies to pick up a geek-chic man of your own! FORBIDDEN PLANET Hours: Mon to Weds and Fri to Sat 10.00am to 7.00pm, Thurs 10.00am to 8.00pm, Sun 12.00pm to 6.00pm Forbidden Planet, Covent Garden written by Gigi on March 23, 2007
Happily, the menu brought its own surprising delights. Herring features heavily, as do salmon, venison, and beetroot, in simple concoctions imaginatively accompanied with ingredients like cloudberry cream, dill stewed potatoes, and red onion marmalade. The aforementioned meatballs are definitely worth a try, both for their own succulence and because they come with the best mashed potato in London - creamy, buttery, and so delicious that we had to order an extra helping! To optimise the taste experience, you may want to try the Grazing menu and sample an assortment of smaller dishes, or you can take the usual starter and main course route. Whichever way you go, be sure to save room for pudding, as these are just as distinctive as the rest of the meal. And don't forget to try a frozen shot of Aquavit, or make a choice from the extensive wine list (complementary varieties are listed alongside many dishes to narrow down the options). Be prepared to linger over your meal, as there's a very carefree style of service here; the gorgeous, smiling Swedish staff have a friendly, laid-back attitude that is so inviting that it erases any sense of impatience. Upper Glas is the ideal place for a leisurely date, a long gossip with the girls, or those special evenings when you want to extend the magic for as long as possible. UPPER GLAS Hours: Mon 5.30pm to 10.00pm, Tues to Sat 12.00pm to 3.00pm and 5.30pm to 10.30pm, Sun 12.00pm to 3.00pm Upper Glas, Islington written by Gigi on March 6, 2007
When drinking a properly prepared cup, the intensity and purity of the flavours are remarkable. For a real taste sensation, try the Juniper Pearls (so called because the green shoots come in balls which miraculously unroll as brewing progresses). These tea plants are grown near blossoming jasmine and absorb the aroma as the flowers open. The leaves are then carefully processed to preserve the special perfume which erupts into a potent bouquet as the tea is poured. This surely is nature at its finest. For an earthier taste, try the Extra Old Tippy Puer which is cultivated using a benevolent kind of mould. Tea purists might want to start with the Red Plum Classic - a high-quality version of unscented tea (named for its colour rather than flavour), and those looking for a bit of spectacle should order the Thistle Blossom and marvel as the green tea buds open to reveal the pink thistle flower within. Or you may want to ask your server to recommend a tea that meets your particular specifications. TeaSmith elevates this simple drink to the level of wine or chocolate. Once you've tried the good stuff, you may never want to go back to your usual cuppa. Luckily all the leaves and brewing equipment can be purchased in the shop, so you can replicate the divine experience at home. Tip: Go on a Saturday afternoon when neighbouring Spitalfields Market is closed and the shop is surprisingly quiet. You can take time to indulge in several varieties, and if you're lucky you'll be served by the amazingly knowledgeable owner, John Kennedy (self-proclaimed "Trainspotter of Tea"), who will reveal the intricate details of each blend and regale you with tales of tea-picking monkeys. TEASMITH Hours: Mon to Sun 11.00am to 6.00pm TeaSmith, Spitalfields written by Gigi on February 24, 2007
It's great to see how regular Londoners have lived in different times, and each room is accompanied by slick, modern multi-media exhibits focusing on a specific aspect of life at the time (like the rise in the popularity of tea-drinking) complete with audio clips from novels, diaries, and period music. The Geffrye is a great educational resource (the museum includes a Domestic Interiors Study Centre for more scholarly types) but it's also a lot of fun. Who doesn't like looking at the changing fashions of home design or hearing the qualities Victorians deemed desirable in a good wife? There's a charming restaurant in the middle of the museum where you can indulge in traditional English food like scones, cucumber sandwiches, or bangers and mash, accompanied by a refreshing glass of nettle ale, beetroot juice, organic beer, or English wine. The light and airy dining room overlooks the period gardens which you can explore in nice weather. And best of all - the museum's free!! GEFFRYE MUSEUM Hours: Tues to Sat 10.00am to 5.00pm, Sun 12.00pm to 5.00pm Geffrye Museum, Shoreditch written by Gigi on February 16, 2007
Many of the items are exclusive to Paperchase, and their ranges are constantly changing so there's always something new to browse and buy. This isn't your usual run-of-the-mill paper shop; it's more like a designer stationery emporium. It's a great place to come if you're looking for a fancy gift-bag, patterned tissue paper, pretty ribbons, indoor sparklers, or origami paper. And they go all out around the holidays; so be sure to drop in around Valentine's Day, Easter and Christmas for some fun and imaginative products. If all the stationery-induced excitement gets too much for you, there's a coffee bar on the first floor where you can rest your tired feet whilst you decide whether to buy the photo album you came in for, or to spring for the toy gun that fires miniature chickens. PAPERCHASE Hours: Mon to Sat 9.30am to 7pm, Thurs 9.30am to 8.00pm, Sun 12.00pm to 8.00pm Paperchase, Tottenham Court Road written by Gigi on February 10, 2007
Breakfast is served all day so you can indulge in a leisurely, boozy brunch. Or grab a snack with your evening cocktail as you sit under the purple lights at the long, glossy bar. On weekend nights, there's more of a party feel and the place fills up with diners and revellers, so arrive early to bag a sofa or table. Because the Eagle staff are happy for you to "eat or drink anything anywhere", you can order whatever combination of food or drink takes your fancy, and you won't feel pressured to have a full meal even if you're sat at a booth. With its classy decor, easy-going attitude, tasty menu and excellent cocktails, this place is pure cool. EAGLE BAR DINER Hours: Mon to Weds 12.00pm to 11.00pm, Thurs and Fri 12.00pm to 1.00am, Sat 10.00am to 1.00am, Sun 11.00am to 6.00pm Eagle Bar Diner, West End written by Gigi on February 2, 2007
Brazilians are known for their love of a good party, and the atmosphere here doesn't disappoint. The music is festive, the staff are always smiling, and the cocktails are outstanding. Think caipirinhas and mojitos - made with the freshest ingredients and finest cachaca. And for the teetotallers among us there's an amazing array of exotic fruit juices and smoothies. The Pineapple and Mint Juice is so light and frothy you'll think you've been transported to a Brazilian beach. If you can make it past the bar to a table at the back or in the dining room downstairs (or even out in the courtyard in good weather), you will be rewarded with food that is every bit as fresh and tasty as the drinks. Their delicious meals have all the best qualities of homecooking, but with exotic ingredients like cassava, palm hearts, and manioc. Try traditional Brazilian favourites like Feijoada (black beans and pork), Moqueta (a fish stew), or Brazilian Cheese Bread. And don't forget the Cassava Chips! When life is getting you down but you can't afford a holiday, Made in Brasil is the next best thing. MADE IN BRASIL Made in Brasil, Camden Town written by Gigi on January 24, 2007
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