The Grade-II listed Whiteleys building in Bayswater has reopened as Six Senses London, the brand's first UK property, following a £1.5 billion renovation by Foster + Partners. The hotel features 109 rooms and suites, a spa, a biohacking lounge, a fermentation lab, and an exclusive members' club called Six Senses Place.
Six Senses Hotels CEO Neil Jacobs has described the property as 'unlike anything we have seen' in the British capital. The hotel is located at The Whiteley, 1 Redan Place, Bayswater, West London, with the nearest Tube station at Queensway.
A £1.5 Billion Transformation of a Historic Department Store
Whiteleys was originally a department store in its 18th-century heyday but lost its sparkle in later years. The renovation by Foster + Partners has given the landmark a new lease of life as a cutting-edge wellness hotel. The global wellness economy is now valued at $6.8 trillion and is forecast to account for nearly 7% of global GDP by the Global Wellness Institute, according to the source.
Six Senses was founded in 1995 with an ethos to 'take people beyond destinations and reawaken their senses so they can disconnect yet be reconnected … to themselves, others, and the world around them'. The brand has been writing the script on wellness long before it became a mainstream trend, the article notes.
Wellness Offerings and Spa Experiences
Guests at Six Senses London can have a consultation with a 'medical herbalist', spend time in a cryotherapy pod, have a full body MOT, or enjoy spa treatments. The reviewer had a 60-minute sculpting facial, which they described as 'one of the most relaxing experiences' in a while, leaving them with a new complexion.
The spa features poured-concrete tunnels with low lighting, state-of-the-art facilities, and Romanesque ceilings. The 20-metre pool is described as 'one of the best in the city'. The Alchemy Bar, inspired by traditional European herbalism, offers consultations where the herbalist designs a unique blend of tea or tincture for guests to take home.
Rooms, Dining, and the Members' Club
The junior suite features soft lighting, muted tones, and a comfortable bed with sleep mist. The bath is encased in Crittall glass in the middle of the room, which the reviewer found 'sexy as hell' but noted some might find it less practical for privacy. The minibar is not included, with items like a small container of pick 'n' mix sweets priced at £8.
Dinner at Whiteley's Bar was rated '10/10' by the reviewer, who praised the 'trust the chef' option that creates a bespoke menu. Dishes included tuna tartare, Oxford Sandy & Black pork chop, and crispy smashed potatoes, paired with wines selected by director of wine Eugenio Egorov. Breakfast and dinner include pickles, kefir drinks, and ferments designed by the in-house fermentation specialist.
Six Senses Place, the members' club within the building, extends the wellness philosophy beyond the hotel. After check-out, guests receive an email that signs off with: 'London moves fast, but our doors are always open whenever you feel like returning for a different rhythm.'
Pricing and Accessibility
Rooms at Six Senses London start from around £600 per night, depending on the time of year. Spa treatments and immersive wellness experiences are charged separately, with current packages starting at around £425 per person. With dinner and drinks, a stay can easily reach four figures, the article states.
The reviewer concludes that while slowing down and investing in yourself can be wonderful, it comes at a price, and this kind of living is only accessible to those with the budget.
