Inside DAMU, The World’s First Immersive Spa
By
19 hours ago
Is this London’s most unique spa experience?
Boutique hotel The Mandrake has been a longtime favourite of art afficionados, culture vultures and those seeking something a little different. The chaos of the West End melts away as soon as you enter the hotel’s doors and into its dark, eerie reception area – an experience akin to crossing a threshold into a different dimension. This ‘portal to a new world’ feeling is exactly what art collector and hotel owner Rami Fustok envisioned when he opened the hotel in 2017, creating a brand concept that’s become known for its hedonism and mystery.
Unsurprisingly, when The Mandrake opened its new spa earlier this year, it promised an experience totally unlike anything in the London wellness scene. Enter DAMU. Launched as the first multi-sensory immersive spa in the world, it’s built on the holistic principles of ritual and renewal while leveraging modern technologies. Ina Yulo Stuve tries out two of the spa’s hero treatments, the Origin Pool and the Mud Caves, to see what visitors can expect.
Spa Review: DAMU at The Mandrake
The Origin Pool
After a quick shower in the locker room, I’m led to the Wavess Origin Pool, a shallow, circular pool illuminated in the centre of the dark room. I had heard of flotation therapy before, but my DAMU guide tells me that zero gravity flotation is just one of the features of the pool. She explains that chromotherapy, sound and vibration therapy will all come together to encourage my mind and body to fully relax.
The Origin Pool
When the show starts, I’m surprised to find that the multi-coloured lights dancing on the ceiling really do melt my senses. Each colour is selected to help rebalance your energy and coax you into a more relaxed state of being. Floating in the warm Epsom salt bath – which helps to reduce inflammation and promote muscle relief – takes some getting used to. But once I allow myself to let go, welcome the choreographed vibrations created by the haptic drivers in the pool and focus on the calming sounds around me, I notice how much tension I had been holding in my neck and back. A polite knock on the door signals the end of the treatment and I wash the salt off my body in the standing shower next to the pool.
The Mud Caves
The Mud Caves are a short walk away and, just like when entering The Mandrake itself, it feels like being transported to a different world. Up to eight guests are allowed in the caves at a time, but on my visit, I have them all to myself. The candles scattered throughout cast my shadow onto the terracotta walls and I immediately feel my pores opening up to the warmth of the space.
The Mud Caves
The attendant shows me to a table where the Austrian-sourced mineral-rich muds are on display – a delightful selection of textures and colours, each with their own respective healing properties. She points at the different coloured pastes and explains how some are used as exfoliators while others have detoxifying elements. I’m encouraged to use the steam and rainshower rooms as I please and am soon left to enjoy the caves on my own. Mixing the muds with the pulverised elements and using my hands to rub my face and body with my concoctions give a childlike sense of pleasure to the whole experience.
Sitting on the warm stone benches while the gentle heat surrounds me, I find myself closing my eyes, breathing deeper, and taking it all in. After an hour, my attendant is back and I make my way from the caves to the Tranquility Space, a jungle oasis designed by landscape architect Bas Smets, where I’m treated to a soothing cup of tea.
The Tranquillity Room
Where Is It & How Much?
DAMU Spa is located inside the The Mandrake in Fitzrovia (20-21 Newman Street, London W1T 1PG). The 45-minute Origin Pool experience costs £180 for one person or £290 for two, while 60 minutes in the Mud Caves is £130 for one or £220 if you go with a friend.
Is the the DAMU Spa Worth It?
The two treatments I had at DAMU were unlike any I’d ever tried. Some might hesitate at the thought of more ‘woo-woo’ treatments, but I left the spa with baby soft skin, soothed muscles, a clear mind and a reminder of the importance of finding time for stillness and reconnecting with myself. This could be one of the new best day spas in London.
