Kate Morfoot, leading travel writer from Love To Eat To Travel, checks into K West Hotel & Spa…..
Away from the hustle and bustle K West Hotel & Spa, a four star hotel just off the main high street in Shepherd’s Bush, boasts the award-winning K Spa with The Nail Bar, fully equipped K Fit gym and a trendy vibrant vibe echoing its past as former BBC Recording Studio.
If you want retail therapy, just a stone’s throw away is the Westfield shopping centre where you can shop till you drop with over 240 shops to choose from or take the short walk to Notting Hill or Portobello Road.
My Executive Room was more like a suite housing a super-sized bed, a sofa, a work station and a decent sized bathroom with White Company toiletries. (Even the smallest room they offer is just under 300 sq ft) this includes all the modern flourishes such as an LCD flat screen TV, Bose sound system, tea and coffee facilities. On top of this you can use the free ‘Handy’ pocket phone so you can make free local and international calls. You have access to free internet and it has a useful digital city guide. In the room there’s a handy tablet which tells you all you need to know about the hotel and you can order room service and book treatments in the spa.
There’s an arty rock-n-roll atmosphere. In the Studio Bar there are industrial style pendant lamps hanging low over raised tables and textured silver wallpaper giving the bar a modern edge. Up-cycled furniture has been used to create high backed booth seating along the back wall and chic black and white artwork depicting musicians hangs above each booth with punchy contrasting accents of colour adding vibrancy.
Hotels in London are often small and expensive, this isn’t the case at K West Hotel & Spa. Its’ defining character is one of generous space and ultimate luxury. Around the hotel you will see reminders of its past, in The Library where there’s statement Andy Warhol style artwork depicting Amy Winehouse who visited the hotel. Other famous singers have frequented the K West Hotel & Spa including Noel Gallagher, Rihanna, Mark Ronson, Adele and more recently, Fifth Harmony.
Enjoy a Glam Rock Afternoon tea and in the evening relax at the Studio Bar where the hotel’s mixologists create fabulous cocktails and quite a quirky special of ‘Pickleback’ a shot of Jack Daniels whiskey accompanied with a shot of pickle juice.
K Spa is impressive and incorporates a spa journey of heat and ice. I began with The Sun Meadow* which is a light therapy treatment, particularly effective for those who suffer from S.A.D. After being given eye protection I relaxed on the sunken bed, the room lights changed colour after which I was warmed by natural lights mimicking a beautiful summer’s day in the garden! Keeping to the warming journey, I headed for the hot salt foot spa in the Wet Spa, I tried the Scandinavian Sauna and steam room followed by the fantastic hydrotherapy pool in which I bubbled away on one of the three reclining beds.
K Spa’s Snow Paradise was a first time experience for me, so after feeling hot and energized from the hydrotherapy pool, I headed into the cabin which is a chilling -15°. It was incredible to see snow and icicles in what is London’s first ice cabin environment. Needless to say, I was in and out quite quickly! K Spa is different. It offers a wide range of innovative treatments including the Ultra Regenerating Facial and Crystal Clear Oxygen should you wish to breathe new life into your skin. Deservedly it has been awarded ‘Best Spa in London’ and is also winner of World Luxury Spa.
I visited the very sleek K Fit gymnasium and was impressed by the extensive range of the latest high quality gym equipment in addition to the spinning bikes and weights there is a spacious yoga room.
Don’t miss out on breakfast! I had the Full English which was truly delicious. There’s lots of breakfast choice on offer with friendly table service.
K West pulls out all the stops to ensure you will enjoy your stay, whether you are staying for work or pleasure. At the end of the day, you can look forward to climbing into what feels like the largest bed in London!
Prices start from £125 per room per night. Spa packages are also available and include overnight accommodation and treatments. *A session in the Sun Meadow is £20 for 20 minutes. Due to its low intensity, the treatment can be repeated every other day.
Address: Richmond Way, London W14 0AX
Phone: 020 8008 6600
