Chancery Court's fire, ice and spice massage

The Renaissance Chancery Court is a grand, five-star hotel on High Holborn, so it's no surprise that the spa is a luxurious subterranean hideaway, promising a cocoon of calm and relaxation

The place

As soon as I enter the reception area of the spa, I'm transported to another world. Having fought my way across rush-hour London, I'm a little late and flustered, but both the receptionist and therapist stress that I should take my time. Samera, the head therapist, leads me to the changing rooms, where I change into a cosy white robe, before heading off to the Relaxation Room.

This circular room contains seven therapeutically designed couches on which to recline and admire the warm teak walls and shimmering gold leaf ceiling. Gold symbolises purity of spirit and is believed to ease tension, bring comfort and strengthen energy flow throughout the body, all adding to the spa's holistic approach.

The spa was designed by Susan Harmsworth, founder of ESPA, and is a haven of tranquillity. Limestone walls, soft lighting and wooden bridges over rippling water create an atmosphere of calm, worlds away from the bustle of Holborn. You'll find all the usual suspects in the spa treatments, and head therapist Samera Din develops a new one each month to reflect the hotel's chosen theme. When I visited, the theme was 'Fiesta Fiesta!' to celebrate carnivals around the world.

The treatment

'Carnivals and festivals are invigorating, fun and exciting,' she explained. 'And this inspired the Fire, Ice and Spice treatment.' When she added that it used cool ice pads and hot stones at the same time, I confess I did wonder what I had let myself in for. But I felt better knowing that this helps eliminate toxins and improve cardiovascular efficiency, all without me having to do anything!

It is a strange sensation lying on a heated massage bed, with an ice pack on your back, and hot stones being rubbed up your legs. The idea is that the ice makes your blood vessels constrict, stimulating the nervous system and drawing blood and toxins through your body. The warmth expands the blood vessels, flushing the toxins out, while raising your pulse, giving you a mini cardiovascular workout at the same time.

The spice part comes from the ESPA Fitness Oil, a delicious blend of West Indian Bay (renowned for its antiseptic and pain relief properties), May Chang (valued for its anti-inflammatory and calming properties), Clove Buds (a pungent essential oil that relieves aches and pains and gives the oil its distinctive smell) and Rosemary (another oil that eases muscular pain). A small dish of this oil under your breathing hole ensures that you get all its aromatherapy benefits.

The pressure of the massage was hard, but each time it got to the point of being painful, the hot stones instantly soothed. I quickly gave up trying to work out if I felt hot or cold, and just enjoyed letting go of the knots in my shoulders. The only vaguely unpleasant bit was having the ice pad on my tummy, but it was removed fairly quickly and the overall feeling was lovely.

The damage

The Fire, Ice and Spice Massage costs £85 and lasts 55 minutes. New treatments are added each month so check with the spa for the theme. Facials begin at £70, with treatment packages costing from £105. All clients are encouraged to use the steam room and sauna and the changing rooms are stocked with ESPA shower and body products.

The Renaissance Chancery Court
252 High Holborn
London WC1V 7EN
Tel: 020 7829 9888
Web: www.marriott.co.uk