The Hilton London Syon Park Review: Kick Back And Relax With A Lava Shells Massage

If you’re tired of city life and craving some fresh air and relaxation, the Lava Shells Massage at the Hilton London Syon Park might be JUST what the doctor ordered, without actually having to leave town.

The space: Located on the outskirts of West London, the newly re-launched Kallima Spa at the 4-star hotel provides peace and quiet within the tranquil surroundings of the Syon Estate.

The vibe

: The hotel itself is a welcome retreat from the hustle and bustle of the capital - while the spa (situated on the ground floor) is the epitome of relaxation. The fact it’s within 200-acres of beautiful woodland makes it the perfect urban retreat to escape the rat run. Bet you didn't expect that in zone 4.

The brag: Nestled up in The Snug after a dip in the hotel pool. #DontWantToLeave #CantWaitForDinner

The Instagram shot:

The hits:

The Lava Shells massage in the hotel’s spa is in one word, amazing. The therapist uses the warmed Filipino lava shells to gently massage your body, with the heat of the shells soothing and comforting achy limbs.

It’s that, combined with their silky-smooth texture, that provides total relaxation and it’s no wonder I fell asleep in my session – rare for someone that finds it hard to switch off.

My other half and I also went for a treatment in the VIP couple's room which is quite a treat, particularly if you're not keen about being stuck in a room on your own with a therapist for an hour. It makes a nice change.

The rest of the spa is also completely designed for chilling out. The Snug area was a particular highlight,  filled with cosy beds, fluffy pillows, blankets and sofas – the perfect place to unwind before and after treatments away from distractions.

After (if!) you grow tired of a day at the spa, The Capability restaurant is the ideal place to indulge in a hearty three-course-meal.  The white wine was fresh, crisp and rather moreish, and was accompanied by baked camembert, sausage and mash like you’ve never tasted before and a big bowl of apple crumble. The fact we had room for a fry-up the next morning still astounds me – and our waiter Nick deserves a special shout-out for catering for your every need.

Chef Marco Pierre White has also recently opened a Steakhouse Bar and Grill Restaurant at the hotel so there's plenty to choose from when it comes to quality, wholesome food.

In the bedrooms, the 40” HD TVs provide the perfect canvas for a late-night movie – while the television in the bathroom is perfect for watching telly in the bath as well. Yes, a lot of our weekend (bar the spa and restaurant, of course) was spent glued to the remote.

The misses:

The spa does get very busy and at the time we visited (Saturday afternoon), there were no beds left and we had to make do with metal chairs. A mid-week visit might be a better idea – or get there earlier in the day to ensure a bed.

The hotel also charges £14.99 for WiFi which is a little excessive – although perhaps it’s an incentive not to ‘check-in’ online when it would be worthwhile to completely switch off from the outside world.

The deets and damage: Lava Relax at Kallima Spa at Hilton London Syon Park is £75.00 for a 1hr treatment. Transport to the accomodation was provided by Climate Cars, the eco-friendly alternative to black taxis and minicabs.

[The Malvern Spa review: A relaxing retreat perfect for couples or a weekend away with the girls]

[St Moritz Hotel and Cowshed Spa, Cornwall: Review]