Like a tiny cavern of happiness, the Spa at the Athenaeum is hidden away in the basement of this old school London hotel. Designed for pygmies or thin people, space is at a premium but the friendly staff and beautifully tranquil treatment room almost make up for it. I wouldn't go there to 'hang out' in the spa area but for a quick couple of treatments followed by a dip in jacuzzi, steam and sauna it's not a bad spot at all.

My back massage was lovely, in a 'lot's of fragrant oils and stroke-age without too much pressure' kind of way rather than a 'vigorous deep tissue, will see my troubled back right for a month' kind of way but I didn't mind. Similarly, the facial relaxed me but didn't quite deliver the rigour needed to purge my skin of city badness.

We went on a 2 for 1 offer and for 50 each this is really good value as you'd probably pay the same at some average high street salon and miss out on the gentle chanting music and the special feeling you get when you go into a posh place and the staff treat you nice.