Man for Himself

Spa Playground | Mondrian Agua Bathhouse & Spa

In short: This place is epic. Men, you need to go! With one of the worst hangovers of my life (seriously, don’t drink Jaeger and Jack Daniels on a Wednesday night), I slapped on my quiff...

In short: This place is epic. Men, you need to go!

With one of the worst hangovers of my life (seriously, don’t drink Jaeger and Jack Daniels on a Wednesday night), I slapped on my quiff and took myself off for the launch of the agua Bathhouse & Spa in the Mondrian London at Sea Containers.

With a cucumber and gin-infused champagne cocktail in hand (the perfect hair of the dog), I met with Spa Director Jacqueline Kneebone who told me all about her spa concept and how men were at the forefront of her mind when creating the agua spa experience. With larger changing rooms than the women’s and a full menu devoted to men, I can safely say that Jac has ensured that we haven’t been forgotten and are fully catered for.

Located in the basement area of the hotel, the spa has been designed by the same designer as the hotel, Tom Dixon, and is all about late 1970s influenced ‘Glamrock’. A floor-to-ceiling copper teardrop installation reflects Roman water vessels in the Spa Lounge, while a custom-designed sofa fills an entire corner of the room. Further Roman touches can be found throughout agua including the Tom Dixon commissioned nude ‘Renaissance Man’ sculpture. Based on a Neo Classical Roman bust, the wood-sculpted nude is the personification of agua’s new ‘rebellious’ playground concept: relaxed, body-confident, professional yet spirited.

The spa offers a core range of fully curated signature treatments, featuring exclusive collaborations with experts and niche wellness brands that include GLAMGLOW, SOVERAL, Dr. Jackson’s Natural Products, Estelle & Thild, Natura Bisse, CIATÉ, de mamiel, Billion Dollar Brows, Lola’s Apothecary, I Love My Muff and Lycon Waxing. Each brand has been carefully hand-picked by a team of experts to continue agua’s medicinal and sustainable approach to therapy that ensures its guests are treated holistically and leave looking – and feeling – uplifted and refreshed.

While there, I was lucky to induldge in the agua signature facial by SOVERAL. My therapist Motoko was an absolute god, working into my tired, tight and very dehydrated (blame the JD and Jaeger) skin. Lifting, firming and balancing, the SOVERAL oils and GLAMGLOW face mask gave my skin a new lease of life. I don’t think my skin has ever looked so good after the treatment and I received loads (seriously!) of compliments the next day.

With treatments starting at £20 (15 minute massage) up to £235 (a full 170 minute mixture of treatments), there’s definitely something for everyone. And what’s more, you also get the use of the wider spa facilities – including the steam room, sauna and spa lounge.

This place has definitely become one of my new London faves. Let’s keep it our little secret.

  • See the men’s treatment menu here
  • The spa is open 9am – 9pm on weekdays and 10am – 7pm at the weekend.
  • Mondrian London, 20 Upper Ground, London. SE1 9PD.
  • For reservations, call 020 3747 1010
  • For more information on Mondrian London at Sea Containers click here