xineh's Qype profile

Really great classes that are challenging without being too difficult. The trainers are all really friendly and enthusiastic, and the support staff give great customer service.
Price is very reasonable, especially considering the great locations, and I love the flexibility of the tokens which can be used to purchase personal training sessions or to attend group classes.

Thumbs up!

I love the Porchester Spa, it is as close to a proper hammam as you will get in London.
The building is beautiful, but some areas (thinking about the staircases down to the toilets in particular) are more like you would expect from an old chuch hall than a chi chi spa. The steam room and saunas are fantastic, they are actually hot! I love the Turkish warm rooms for relaxing and the cold plunge pool is really invigorating.

I've been here twice so far, once for the ladies only Thursday night session and once for the Sunday afternoon mixed session (which has special reduced rate for couples) - the vibe at both is very chilled and relaxed, and people are friendly but not intrusive. Swimsuits are compulsory for mixed sessions but not in single-sex sessions so if you go on one of those nights there will be people wandering around naked. It didn't bother me but just a note for spa/hammam-newbies!

I've had two of the exfoliation treatments - the Citrus Salt Scrub which is a signature treatment and an amazing exfoliation, probably the best that I've had outside of a traditional hammam and very good for cellulite - and the pomegranate scrub which was an exfoliation with the added bonus of a mini massage and the perfect antidote to dreary winter weather.

Prices are excellent - particularly the reduced rate for Couples on Sunday (£33 for both, instead of £26 each) and it is even cheaper if you have a local residents card. You have to pay extra for treatments, but these start at £15 - BARGAIN! Entry price includes hire of two large, clean towels. Refreshments are incredibly cheap.
There are signs saying no outside food and drink can be brought in, but I've had no problem taking my own water bottle into the sauna or steam room just to stay hydrated.

Notes for first timers: bring flip flops (some of the rooms get very hot underfoot, particularly the sauna) and a dressing gown or some lounging clothes for AFTER your spa session when you want to laze around on the loungers upstairs and enjoy a snack.

Don't bother bringing a dressing gown INTO the spa area, it will get completely soaked from the steam rooms.

If you are booking a treatment, I'd recommend arriving early and spending a good 1-2 hours enjoying the swimming pool, sauna and steam rooms. Once you have finished the treatments, you might not want to go back into the spa area and wash off all the gorgeous essential oils.

Public transport links are good, but there isn't much in the way of on-street parking around the spa. There is a NCP carpark very close by - this is quite expensive however (I think I paid £12 for 4 hours on the Sunday session).

I can't comment on things other reviewers have mentioned, but I didn't notice any mould, dirt or cockroaches! I'm a very fussy customer and not afraid of leaving a negative review so if I had noticed these things I would definitely say so. I visited the Porchester Spa in November 2012 (twice!)

Good Vibes offers powerplate, spinning, yoga and Pilates classes in a warm, welcoming environment.

The Glow Yoga studio in the basement of the Covent Garden location is quite simply the best yoga studio I have been to in London. The teachers are all incredibly knowledgable (I especially like the specialist classe for Runners and Cyclists) and really help you to get the most out of your workout without turning the class into an over-competitive stretching session. I always leave feeling recharged, rejuvenated and completely blissed out!

I went for a spray tan appointment at Sunshine Factory yesterday. I received a truly excellent service, very helpful and friendly and asked me to call if there were any problems with the way the tan developed.
The tan looks really beautiful, a lovely natural colour and even coverage. The service and price at Sunshine Factory make this salon a winner, well worth the 2 hour journey from home – I will be back again (and again and again). Well done!

Awful!

Despite having pre-paid for six microdermabrasion facials, the manager refused to let me book my appointments and said that he "didn't care" if I was able to use them all by the time the voucher for the appointments expired.

The one treatment I managed to have was rushed and overpriced, I have had better treatments at my local beauty college.

AVOID! Save your money and go elsewhere!