USP Synchronised with the release of Casino Royale, the Be Bond Girl Beauty Experience will, according to the Spa at Chancery Court, in Holborn, London, "leave guests feeling relaxed, radiant and simply gorgeous, much like the glamorous and beautiful Bond Girls, from Pussy Galore to Giacinta 'Jinx' Johnson."

AMBIENCE Feeling rather more like Rosa Krebs (From Russia With Love) than Ursula Andress (Dr No), I was really looking forward to being transformed by The Spa’s Bond-Girl Beauty treatment. I arrived mid-week, late in the afternoon, headachy and irritable, and found myself in an environment that immediately soothed my jagged edges. The Spa has a sauna and steam room, and features six individual treatment rooms, a couple’s VIP suite and a Relaxation Room. The complex has a strong oriental flavour and is panelled in bamboo and teak with candles, orchids and stands of bamboo dotted about the underheated slate floors. On arrival at reception, deep underground, I swapped my shoes for plastic flip-flips (delivered on a wooden tray) before entering the spa itself. After changing into a cream towelling gown, I followed the pebbles to the round Relaxation Room. My initial impression of being in South East Asia was confirmed when the only other person in the room appeared to be a Dalai Lama lookalike albeit, in cream towelling rather than saffron robes. (His light snores were a good indication of just how relaxing the room is.) You are advised to arrive half an hour early for your treatment so you can experience the Relaxation Room: take it. The room has the same panelling as the rest of the spa with copper columns to the ceiling which itself is a coppery colour. Wooden slatted beds covered in cream towels surround a central table carrying fresh fruit and water. The beds can be operated electronically to raise or lower the foot or the head, and small halogen lamps are thoughtfully placed half-way down the bed so they throw a pool of light on to your book or magazine without disturbing your neighbour. The impression is of warmth, stillness and comfort - a good place to empty your head.

QUALITY OF EXPERIENCE My therapist, Samera, started off by washing my feet in a small bowl filled with pebbles and steaming, perfumed water, while I drank green tea — heavenly. Afterwards, talked me through what she was going to do and how I should expect to feel. She then asked me to choose which oil I wanted for my massage: one that smelt of minerals and sleep and the other, astringent and lively. After the welcoming ritual and introduction, I lay on the masssage bed waiting for Bond fever to kick in. It did not take long: Samera started off by giving me a lymphatic skin brushing, alternating brush strokes with those of a (fake) mink glove (Moonraker). The exfoliation, which seemed to last ages, left me glowing and invigorated and ready for the bodywrap. Instead of the usual marine-based algae, Samera used a type of mud mixed with mustard seed because of the time of year and the weather. It really warmed me up and I felt so snug and cosy in my clingfilm suit that I soon began to drift off. Every now and then I could hear the rumble of trains on their way to Holborn underground station but it just served to remind me how far away from it all I was. While I was drifting off, Samera massaged my head with another type of mud, increasing my dreamy state. After what seemed like hours I was unwrapped and prodded towards the shower (Samera had thoughtfully dropped the showerhead so the water sprayed me from the shoulders down). Mud free I was now ready for the hot stone massage. I have to say it was almost exquisitely painful. I have a problem knee and the combination of warm oil and hot stones on the muscle was almost unbearable. I had never had one before and as far as I was concerned it could have gone on as long as it took to heat every pebble on Brighton Beach. I have had many massages that would fail the Trades Description Act but Samera really knows her stuff. Another shower later and I was ready for more R&R in the Relaxation Room. I lay down with a bunch grapes, more tea, and thought: my white bikini moment (Dr No) is now or never.

IN CROWD Stressed-out professionals; ideal for after work but navigating the crowds, noise and traffic afterwards is a little daunting, not to mention tackling public transport. Order a cab, if you can.

FOOD Fresh fruit and herbal teas in the relaxation room: mint, chamomile and green. All served in a teapot with a matching cup and tray; mint has a tiny jar of honey to accompany it. The downside is the cups have no handles, which is tricky as they get very hot.

WALLET WATCH The Bond girl treatment costs £125 for two hours. Other treatments include: Musical Energy Balance - energy point cleansing synchronised to music; the long flowing massage strokes combine with the music to synchronise and balance the senses (55mins; £80). Ashtaang (eight-hand) massage: four therapists work together on two guests in a combination of deep and light pressure, stretching and stroking movements. Based on the Hawaiian lomi-lomi approach; lomi-lomi means loving touch (1hr 55mins; £540). Thai Herbal Heat massage: Thai herbal heat compressors are used to soothe aching muscles in conjunction with a full body massage (55mins; £80). Indian Ayurvedic Head massage: specially designed for Chancery Court (55mins; £80).

NEED TO KNOW The Spa at Chancery Court 252 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EN (020-7829 7058; www.spachancerycourt.com) Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8am-9pm; Sat & Sun: 10am-7pm

The award-winning spa (Best Day Spa of the Year 2004, British Beauty Awards) is very popular at the weekend and booking is essential.

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