USP Mayfair ladies and gentlemen will feel at home in this elegantly designed spa in the streets behind Green Park tube station. It’s a quiet haven of pampering in one of the smartest areas of central London but prices are reasonable, at well below the £1/minute average for some treatments.

AMBIENCE The beige and natural shades throughout are soothing and sophisticated, with interesting additions such as elegant glass light fittings and furniture from south-east Asia. Two hide-topped drums are used as tables, the pedicurists sit on dark wooden carved stools and – my favourite accoutrements are two intricate silver necklaces displayed in glass cases.
There’s also fresh flowers, potted orchids and a backdrop of music that varies from ethnic beats to piano to easy listening.

EXPERIENCE I started with a Crystal Clear Oxygen Treatment with microdermabrasion facial in one of the treatment rooms downstairs. It had the same spotless, stylish décor as upstairs, with good temperature and light controls, a comfy bed and soft music.

I had to go to the spa a couple of week’s in advance for a patch test which took five minute’s and ensures your skin doesn’t react to the mild abrasion.

The 10 best facials in London

From budget to luxury, our guide to the city's top treatments for refreshed skin

• Time Out's best 20 London spas

• Need expert beauty advice? Send in your pictures

Top 5 New York spas

We've hand-picked five of the Manhattan's best spas

• The high guide to New York nightlife

• Cut-price New York fashion

• Dorit Baxter's spa, Manhattan, New York

Related Links

• Natura Day Spa, Hampstead

The treatments starts with a facial cleanse followed by gentle skin resurfacing using a sort of wand to which a bottle of exfoliating beads is attached. It is gently rubbed over the face and neck like a pen, with the aim of exfoliating and plumping up the skin with oxygen.

Crystal Clear Microdermabrasion is a treatment I’ve had before and would recommend for a variety of skin complaints including mild acne, light scarring and other blemishes.

It’s not as relaxing as some other facial treatments because of the whirr of the machine, but it was finished with a heavenly cooling mask that is peeled off and followed by a light application of moisturiser.

My second treatment was a pedicure at one of the impressive pedicure stations upstairs. Clients sit in an oversized leather armchair and are offered a magazine and cup of tea. There’s a foot bath and ledge below to rest your feet on while you're being pampered.

I had the Tutti Frutti Tootsies, which sounds a little sickly but was bliss – a nail trim and shape, foot soak, cuticle neatening, skin filing, scrub and finally a moisturising foot massage and nail varnish. My feet haven’t looked and felt so good in months.

My South African therapist was professional throughout – offering just the right amount of chat, but leaving me also to relax, but periodically checking I was happy with the room temperature/magazine/pressure.

FOOD There’s no food offered here, but an exquisite range of teas, served in generous mugs with a neat lid to keep the tea warm while you’re having a treatment.

IN CROWD The spa is clearly catered to the working crowd – it’s closed at the weekend and is open until 8pm two days a week (6pm on Monday, Tuesday and Friday). Smart young women come here for a lunchtime or post-work treat, while well-heeled residents take the daytime appointments and I was told men also pop by – particularly for manicures and pedicures.

WALLET WATCH Crystal Clear Oxygen Treatment with Microdermabrasion for the face costs £65 and lasts 45 minutes. You can also get Crystal Clear treatments for the body, face and feet.

Tutti Frutti Tootsies lasts 45 minutes and costs £30. There’s also an express pedicure, one for summery sandal-totting feet and an indulgent 90-minute procedure including a paraffin wax dip.

NEED TO KNOW Natura Day Spa – Mayfair, 17 Queen Street, Mayfair, London W1J 5PR (020 7493 7800; www.naturadayspa.com)

Times recommends

• Same flight + different airline code = £225 out of pocket
• The UK and Ireland's 25 best Christmas events
• Book 2010's best holidays now