USP Its romantic Rasul mud bath for two in a Moorish love chamber is guaranteed to evoke warmth and passion in even the stiffest-lipped spa-doubting British male. Rasul is a traditional Arabian cleansing ritual.

AMBIENCE The steam room has burnt orange walls and Moroccan-style furnishings; it leads into a blue-tiled temple with a dome of stars - very Arabian Nights in Mayfair.

EXPERIENCE Although it is a deep-cleansing ritual of ancient origins, simply smearing yourself and your partner from head to toe in glorious mud is laughter therapy and a bit of a turn on. The muds are packed with minerals, such as caolinite and montmorillonite, which draw out toxins. As they dry, you instinctively rub them, which exfoliates your skin leaving it silky smooth.

FOOD No solids, but herb teas, coffee and smoothies are on hand. There are a couple of restaurants in the courtyard.

IN CROWD Yuppie couples grabbing a chill-out “quickie” at lunch or before going out to dinner.

WALLET WATCH A Time for Two Couples Ritual — one hour of treatments comprising a wellbeing back massage and an exotic frangipani body nourish float, costs £190 for two people. There is an extensive list of other rituals and treatments - a 75-minutes Aroma Stone Therapy, for example, costs £90.

NEED TO KNOW The Elemis Day Spa, 2-3 Lancashire Court, London W1 (020-8909 5060; www.elemis.com).

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