As published on Times Online
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/good_spa_guide/article7016933.ece
USP
The largest beauty salon in London (by floor space) boasts 14 treatment ‘rooms’ just around the corner from the sights and delights of Oxford Circus.
AMBIENCE
The entrance shows the signs of student life - beauticians in their ‘whites’ milling about outside.
The receptionist was friendly to my sister and I on arrival and directed us swiftly from the modern red and white nail bar reception area (with ten tables ready for action) to the dark waiting area, a throughway to the ground floor treatment room.
What used to be the London College of Music before becoming a private family bank shows some signs of its previous grandeur – with huge chandeliers hanging from the ceilings of its vast spacious rooms.
It is a very busy salon with 28 students working at any one time and capacity to treat 20 clients in an hour. To say it's atmospheric is an understatement. It does not hold the stillness of a typical spa, but it does have a charming energy.
QUALITY OF EXPERIENCE
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/good_spa_guide/article7016933.ece
USP
The largest beauty salon in London (by floor space) boasts 14 treatment ‘rooms’ just around the corner from the sights and delights of Oxford Circus.
AMBIENCE
The entrance shows the signs of student life - beauticians in their ‘whites’ milling about outside.
The receptionist was friendly to my sister and I on arrival and directed us swiftly from the modern red and white nail bar reception area (with ten tables ready for action) to the dark waiting area, a throughway to the ground floor treatment room.
What used to be the London College of Music before becoming a private family bank shows some signs of its previous grandeur – with huge chandeliers hanging from the ceilings of its vast spacious rooms.
It is a very busy salon with 28 students working at any one time and capacity to treat 20 clients in an hour. To say it's atmospheric is an understatement. It does not hold the stillness of a typical spa, but it does have a charming energy.
QUALITY OF EXPERIENCE
My therapist, Charlotte, went through the disclaimer and took a quick health check before my Full Body Massage including Face and Scalp (75 minutes for £25). The lotions used throughout the college salon are LCBT’s own. My desired result to be relaxed and de-stressed was met perfectly, Charlotte used great pressure, massaging evenly and thoroughly and I zoned out almost immediately.
My sister was positively glowing after her Deep Cleansing Facial (60 minutes for £20), a bride-to-be in April she is keen to find somewhere that she can come back to at affordable prices on the run up to her wedding, and she's found it. The dry skin around her mouth and hairline had almost gone post-treatment. The following day she commented on how blemish-free and better balanced the moisture of her skin was and how keen she was to book up again.
You can't choose a therapist when you book an appointment, which is a shame, but you can state whether you would prefer a male or female therapist.
FOOD
It was very tempting to go from salon to West End since you walk out into the heart of it, but we reined ourselves in and sensibly sipped hot chocolates in Starbucks opposite.
IN-CROWD
City professionals and Soho workers in the know fitting in a treatment during their lunch break or after work and the families and friends of the beauty therapy students.
WALLET WATCH
A good variety of face, body, hand and feet treatments to choose from and no matter how hard you try, you cannot spend more than £25 on any treatment.
NEED TO KNOW
London College of Beauty Therapy, 47 Great Marlborough Street, LONDON W1 7JP (0207 7208 1302; http://www.lcbt.co.uk/) email: salon@lcbt.co.uk
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