I’ve already tested my solution for Valentine’s Day, and it worked surprisingly well. I enjoy travelling more than anything in the world, and will happily put my payslip towards it, but I’m equally interested in finding ways to mark an occasion without turning it into a costly performance. Sometimes the most satisfying plans are the ones that already exist, waiting to be used well. That’s how we ended up spending a Saturday at the Mayfair Virgin Active.
We arrived late morning after a lie-in, and let the day play out slowly. A yoga class first, simply to settle into the space, followed by a swim. The gym is genuinely huge, no waiting for equipment to become free. So if that’s your thing – do what feels right and stop when you’ve had enough.
But for us, the spa naturally became the focus. It’s laid out so you can move without thinking, drifting from one space to the next. We spent most of the time between the jet pool and the Finnish sauna, sitting back on the jet seats and letting the heat build properly. The sauna is spacious and quietly run, with the team coming in to pour löyly so the temperature deepens rather than spikes. You can feel the heat across your shoulders and back rather than just your face.
A personal favourite, the cold plunge acts as the perfect circuit breaker. In and out, long enough to reset, short enough to want the warmth again straight away. Knowing your towel is sitting on the heated slab nearby changes the experience completely. After that, the infrared sauna feels slower and more forgiving, an easier heat that you can stay with while everything settles.
Lunch came from Kauai, so no sudden jerk from relaxation and health. Protein smoothies and coffee to ease in. A Peanut Butter Bomb smoothie – peanut, banana and cacao alongside wraps was the perfect way to feel good on the inside after rejuvenating the outside. The sriracha chicken brought heat with toasted coconut shavings for texture, while the Princess wrap was lighter, with feta and crunch. They have a complete all-day breakfast menu if you’re looking for something more sizable, too.
Before heading off, we finished in the recovery zone. Lymphatic drainage, hydro massage, thera-equipment, and the peace to control it yourself. By the time we left, it felt like a weekend away had quietly taken shape. Not a replacement for travel, but a reminder that sometimes the best plans are already built into your life – ready when you need them.
