I have just written about Grace Belgravia the newly opened women’s members’ club, for Vogue Japan‘s February issue, which is out now. It’s an inspiring place – as is its co-founder, Kate Percival. It would be interesting to see the concept rolled out globally – a luxury members’ club for women in every major capital across the world? Inter-connected, a global sisterhood or sorority (a buzzword for 2013). A thought: would the concept (private all-women space; intellectual hub for learning about stuff; private spa with integrative wellness approach) translate into a less luxe, and so more universally accessible concept across cities?
Meantime here’s a little on the place -
‘We wanted to create somewhere where women could come and not worry about how they looked, somewhere where they could relax and be themselves,’ says co- founder, Kate Percival. As you might expect of a women-only club, wellness plays an integral part and the roster of experts takes some beating. Dr Timothy Evans is medical director and co-founder alongside Percival, and also apothecary to the Queen. Head of fitness is the trainer, Matt Roberts, who trains the prime minister, David Cameron and his wife. Members are offered assessments in nutrition, general medicine, skincare and physical fitness. The results are put together in a bespoke lifestyle programme.
The spa is as state-of-the-art as a top, hotel spa (waft around in Havaina flip flops to size and a soignée sarong). There is a hamam, a sauna, steam room and tropical rain shower and facial, massage and body treatments are extensive. Highlights include dry flotation treatments using organic oils, masks and scrubs, or therapies using the ‘affusion’ shower room, such as Grace Energising Affusion Water Therapy With Magnesium (£195 for 90 mins). This includes salt scrub, immune boosting magnesium-infused steam, and deep tissue body massage under the soothing mist of the affusion shower, which spans the length of the body.
Therapists have been selected for their individual and integrative approach. Mikiko Hayano combines massage and cranio-sacral work with Oriental and Western traditional therapies in a four-hand Integrative Therapy treatment (120min, £500). Monika Skrzydlewska conducts deep, healing body massage using aromatherapy oils by Micheline Arcier (120min, £255). I was lucky enough to experience her magic touch – utterly soothing yet reviving. Dr Henri Chenot Facials (£145) combine massage, lymphatic drainage and micro-current therapy. For more see here.
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