Spa of the week: Kalmar at the Akasha Spa

A calming treatment which combines a stomach massage and reflexology to reboot the digestive and central nervous system 
The serene pool at the Akasha Spa

Luxury resortwear label Kalmar, known for its chic printed kaftans and swimwear, has made its first foray into skincare, and the result is some truly divine smelling products that will make moisturising no longer a chore.

The collection is rooted in scent and each product contains a blend of soothing and calming ingredients, including bergamot, frankincense, lavender, ylang ylang, patchouli and rose, to represent four sensations: joy, peace, calm and love. They are designed to help you re-align and connect to the present, according to the brand.

In celebration of the launch and in the lead up to Christmas, Kalmar has opened a pop-up in partnership with Akasha Spa at Hotel Café Royal, where it is offering a menu of holistic treatments designed by Kalmar founder Karen Ruimy and intuitive healer Sinéad de Hora. The treatments are available every Wednesday from 11am to 7:30pm.

The treatment

I arrive after a long commute on a Wednesday evening for the ideal hump day treat. Making my way down to the serene subterranean spa, the manic-ness of Piccadilly Circus, where the hotel is based, begins to slowly melt away.

Kalmar's debut skincare range (Kalmar)

My therapist, Cristina, talks me through all four Kalmar treatment but says she can sense my stress levels are high so recommends Calm, which is designed to rebalance chakras, provide relief from daily stresses, encourage healthy digestive function and give overall energy levels a boost – in other words, just what the doctor ordered.

Cristina begins by gently pressing two of my chakra points, first my third eye, between my eyes, and second, my solar plexus, which sits between the navel and breastbone, to ground and prepare me for the treatment.

She then starts to massage my stomach, this treatment is heavily based around the gut-brain connection, and the belief that the two are closely linked. Some believe abdominal massage can not only aid digestive function, but also boost your overall emotional wellbeing. Sometimes this can feel uncomfortable as the stomach is a sensitive area, particularly if you tense up, but I was so relaxed in the candle-lit treatment room filled with Kalmar scents that it didn't hurt at all.

Reflexology is next, a therapy which is also thought to help aid digestion and ease stress and tension. Using a good amount of pressure, Cristina massages points on my feet that correspond to organs, including the stomach, liver, kidneys and lung – this part is incredibly relaxing. Finally, the treatment ends with a soothing back, neck, shoulder and scalp massage, during which she irons out all of the knots I've acquired from spending most days hunched over a computer. Bliss.

Treatment room at Akasha Spa (Cafe Royal)

Verdict

For those feeling bloated and are curious about reflexology, but find it hard to resist the lure of a massage, this is the ideal treatment. A good night's sleep is guaranteed.

You'll leave feeling...

Restored, healed and rebooted.

Details

The Kalmar Calm treatment costs £180 for 60 minutes and £210 for 90 minutes.

Kalmar at Akasha, Hotel Café Royal, 50 Regent Street, London W1B 5AS

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