Legendary London hotel Claridge’s has debuted a spa crafted by Hong Kong-based André Fu Studio. Spread across five floors and 7,000 square feet, Claridge’s Spa serves as a mecca for tranquility, comprising a swimming pool, sauna, steam rooms, and seven treatment rooms.
“Wellness is the focus of the design of Claridge’s Spa—this demonstrates a more general societal trend towards looking after the wellbeing of ourselves and the environment,” André Fu, founder of his namesake firm, says. “The notion of luxury is also evolving to become more holistic, incorporating concepts of wellness. For me, this is all about creating an escape that celebrates mindfulness, and is pure and balanced.”
The spa also nods to the Art Deco legacy of the hotel, while simultaneously channeling an Eastern spirituality through references to Japanese temples and Zen gardens. French limestone lines the warm, contemporary interiors along with natural oak and abundant water features that further promote mindfulness and balance. A full-height cast glass screen infuses the arrival experience with tactility, evoking the silhouette of bamboo groves or reed beds before guests continue into the dimly lit rotunda where a multisensory water installation awaits. Haloed light illuminates a solid limestone counter in another circular space that heralds a long tunnel embellished with a grid of shadows cast across the ceiling on one side, while a linear glass opening frames views of the indoor pool. The pool serves as the nucleus of the subterranean microclimate, accentuated by two rows of limestone columns and a multi-vaulted ceiling.
Reminiscent of bamboo silhouettes, treatment areas are distinguished by interlocking oak posts accented by bonsai trees installed to reinforce the soothing calm of nature. Full-heigh oak paneling adorns each of the seven rooms as well.
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