LONDON
SERENITY IN THE CITY AT THE PAN PACIFIC LONDON
INTERNATIONAL HOLIDAYMAKERS EXPLORING OUR VIBRANT CAPITAL , STAYCATIONERS CHECKING OUT LONDON ’ S SPIRITED CHARACTER , OR OVERNIGHTERS SIMPLY WANTING A RESTFUL GETAWAY – THE ONE THING THEY ALL HAVE IN COMMON IN TODAY ’ S FAST-PACED WORLD ? A NEED FOR WELLNESS ; FOR THE OPTION OF PEACE , QUIET AND PAMPERING ALONGSIDE EXCEPTIONAL BED AND BOARD . BY POLLY HUMPHRIS
In fact , the Global Wellness Institute forecasts that the wellness travel market will soar to over £ 1 trillion by 2025 , a point not lost on the Pan Pacific London , whose brand-new wellness sanctuary , SENSORY , is a faultless lesson in holistic wellbeing
Firstly , let ’ s talk about the location of this incredible hotel that itself alludes to its multi-aspect personality . Tucked away on Houndsditch , which appears like an intriguing enclave right at the convergence of the City of London as it snakes into hipper Shoreditch territory , it ’ s all at once in the heart of the action , but set back enough to stand independently , watching the world go by . A giant of a hotel with 237 luxuriant one- and two-bedroom suites and a modern glass and steel façade that towers upwards , slotting in seamlessly with its shining skyscraper neighbours , inside , the atmosphere entirely belies its central London location and is an instant oasis of calm filled with light and plants , curved , clean lines and elegant natural wood .
The Pan Pacific group itself originates from Singapore , and although the brand now has characteristically minimalist counterparts in Africa , Asia Pacific , Europe , North America and Oceania , the core design principles have always remained true to its roots . This particular hotel ’ s aesthetic feeds off the richness and history of London while layering in the contemporary , cool and free-spirited energy of its Southeast Asian origins through its style , ethos and menus without ever falling into cliches . In this way , Pan Pacific are very much a zeitgeist group ; what this particular hotel offers clearly isn ’ t influenced by passing trends or pretension , but very much by the defining mood and beliefs of the modern traveller – they just ‘ get it ’.
Which brings me back to SENSORY , their boundary-pushing , world-class wellness floor ( yes , they converted the entire fourth floor of the hotel to accommodate their vision ), which is exclusively dedicated to holistic health . Tailored to the individual needs of each guest , the facilities include the UK ’ s most technologically advanced hotel gym , two indulgent treatment rooms , individual relaxation pods , sauna and steam rooms , a unique mindfulness studio and a dedicated drawing room with nutritional dining . The trump card , however ? A signature 18.5m infinity pool with incredible views over Bishopsgate Plaza and St Botolph ’ s Aldgate , a medieval 12th-century church with a striking obelisk spire . I had no idea how meditative it would be to be perched on the edge of an infinity pool watching London ’ s frenetic pace unfold below while framed in absolute silence from my unique standpoint . It ’ s synchronously highly engaging and hugely relaxing , so much so that I had to be personally collected for my signature holistic massage , a soothing 60-minute treatment blending ancient Eastern and Swedish therapeutic techniques to help reduce tension , promote circulation and induce calm and relaxation .
In the first hotel partnership of its kind in the UK , Pan Pacific London have also partnered with stylish lifestyle brand , Bonpoint , to deliver a refined , but very warm and welcoming family spa experience to SENSORY . Designed for kids aged 6 to 16 , dedicated children ’ s swimming hours at the hotel ’ s infinity pool alongside a gorgeous afternoon tea and a range of unisex skincare treatments and packages are now available , providing an opportunity for parents to spend quality time with their little ones and to treat them to a spot of pampering .
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