USP Water. Despite its Central London location, this spa is all about water. And forget about mind, body and soul, this place has a more prosaic focus. Its slogan is mind, body and lower digestive tract. For the mind there are float tanks, where they claim the sensory deprivation leads to profound relaxation. For the body there are facials and body wraps, and for the digestive tract – colonic irrigation. My colon was fine, thank you very much, and I didn’t fancy a float, despite the fact it’s not in claustrophobic capsules with Epsom salts but in open pools with Dead Sea salts, so I opted for a massage. All the products are organic, chosen by the founders of the spa, Amo and Vim, both pharmacists. "Harsh ingredients often hide inside fancy packaging so our criteria is strict, no harmful or toxic ingredients, no impossible product promises and no bewildering or demoralising messages," they say. How refreshing.

AMBIENCE A clean bright shop on a fashionable Notting Hill street, with white façade and blue lettering. Once inside an unfussy slightly clinical reception greets you, indicating the pharmaceutical background. Behind that are some chairs and a table where you can sit down and fill out the client questionnaire. In fact it was more like filling out a mortgage application than a pre-treatment form: Am I single, do I have kids, am I HIV positive? Do I check my breasts for lumps? How many years have I spent in my job? I asked if I could leave most of the questions unanswered as I felt uncomfortable giving such personal info to complete strangers, and they replied that that was fine, it was just to ensure they could give me the best possible treatment. The treatment rooms are a decent size and have a shower within them.

EXPERIENCE To be honest, I find it difficult to recall much of my treatment as I was unconscious for most of it, which is always a good sign. I had the hydrocleanse – £90 for 80 minutes - with massage, which involved lying on a gel mattress which is usually heated up, but as the weather was so hot it was left cold, which was lovely. I was then cocooned in a steam envelope to open my pores while I was given a blissful head massage, which is where everything goes a bit hazy. Then I was given a comprehensive scrubbing with salt, after which I showered. Then the massage began. Strangely, I had to lie on the gel mattress on my back for the whole thing, but amazingly the excellent therapist still managed to give my back and neck a good going over, along with the rest of my body. Amo explained that it was an effective way to massage because the body weight on your back makes the massage more intense. Whatever the logistics, it felt great.

IN CROWD I didn’t see anyone else there, except a plumber who was trying to sort out one of the float rooms. I imagine the usual customer is a Notting Hill-ite with money and spare time, judging from its location near shops like Coco Ribbon selling expensive fripperies and restaurants which were still full at 3pm on a Friday afternoon.

FOOD It’s not that kind of place, but lots of chilled water on offer.

WALLET WATCH A float is £50 for 60 mins, although you can buy a series of three for £115. A hydroblitz, which they claim promotes lymphatic drainage, increases circulation and diminishes cellulite, is £65 for 60 mins.

NEED TO KNOW Hydrohealing, 216 Kensington Park Road, Notting Hill, London, W11 1TR (020 7727 2570; www.hydrohealing.com)

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