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USP Set in the basement of the Landmark Hotel, a massive and lavish hotel in Marylebone which was built in 1899 as The Great Central Hotel at the terminus of the then Great Central Railway, this spa is both intimate and discreet with excellent, friendly staff. The hotel itself is a masterpiece of 5-star splendour, with more marble and walnut than you could shake a stick at. The hotel is immediately adjacent to Marylebone station, of which, according to the late Poet Laureate John Betjeman, Monseigneur Reginald Knox said that this was the only London Terminus in which one could hear birdsong.

QUALITY OF EXPERIENCE The massage was absolutely first-rate, with my Japanese masseuse, Shiori, proving her worth through her expert pummelling and kneading, accompanied by soporific chanting wafting through the speakers in the treatment room. Although at times I wondered if she was mistaking me for a lump of dough, she managed very effectively to rid my back of the strains imposed by being slumped over a computer every day. If I had one gripe, it would be that the saunas and steam rooms off the changing rooms (separate for men and women) are rather small and in need of some updating, as are some of the fittings of the changing rooms. They are not quite up to 5-star standards. Free fruit and orange juice were provided in the relaxation area. Treatments include: skin brightener, holistic hot stone total body care; holistic back, face and scalp hot stone treatment; jet-lag reviver; full body massage; aromatherapy massage; back, neck and shoulder massage; aromatherapy sports and fitness massage; holistic total body care; an amazingly comprehensive assortment of facials; “body exfoliation”; pre-natal treatment and “stimulating hip and thigh treatment”.

AMBIENCE Quiet. Discreet. The spa isn’t particularly large, but the treatment rooms, sauna, steam room, swimming pool and Jacuzzi should be sufficient for most tastes. The staff are notably polite and professional. I was the only person using the swimming-pool for most of the time I was there. A member of staff quietly but effectively silenced a small child who decided that the best way to learn to swim was to run along the side of the pool and jump in with a big splash.

IN CROWD Both the hotel and its spa suit well-heeled Jag-driving clients from the home counties who want to pop in for an hour or two before catching the train home. As I entered the hotel I literally bumped into two young veiled Arab women clad in black from head to toe making their way to their chauffeur and Mercedes, accompanied by an army of porters. There were one or two young families having breakfast – the hotel is lavish, but not stuffy, and they seemed perfectly at home.

FOOD You can eat in the Winter Garden Restaurant in the atrium, with its spectacular high glass ceiling and The Landmark has recently opened its elegant new Mirror Bar, offering champagne, cocktails, sundry whiskies and cognacs. Designed to reflect the original decor of the hotel, which was built during the golden age of steam, the Mirror Bar is large and opulent.

WALLET WATCH The spa is free for hotel guests; otherwise the cost is steep, but not too bad for a luxurious Central London hotel. For non-residents, the health club and spa can be used for a cost of £25 per day, or £10 for those under 16. Full annual membership is also available to non-residents for £1,650 or £140 per month; this gives full access at any time. Off-peak membership (9-5pm weekday; any time at the weekend) is £1,245 or £105/ per month. Eccentrically, but rather excellently, “Night Membership” is also offered for jaded executives which gives access from 6pm-10pm on weekdays for £800 or £70 per month. However a massage treatment late at night must surely run the risk of falling asleep on the Marylebone commuter service on the way home. During August, if you book any 60-minute treatment, you will receive a free mini facial, and complimentary use of the health club facilities.

NEED TO KNOW The Landmark London, 222 Marylebone Road, London (020 7631 8010; www.landmarklondon.co.uk).

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