Just the ticket for high-flyers
Source: Times Online ()
Mission A jet lag-beating express preening to be smart enough to melt
into the New York crowds on touchdown and relaxed enough to make the most of
the Big Apple.
USP The Cowshed spa, at the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, Heathrow
airport, sells itself: a hip, compact spa, in its own stylish lounge, for
preflight pampering; ideal for soothing nerves after a frazzled dash to the
airport and before flying. This is a mini version of the original Cowshed at
Babington House, the Somerset outpost of the trendy members’ club Soho
House.
Ambience Redstreaked marble stairs, lit by a chandelier backed by
patterned boutique hotel wallpaper, lead from one world (departures: brashly
lit retail central) to another (Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse: a well-designed
space, with everything from champagne to hot tub on tap). A shoeshine and
personal flight-call service immediately set the tone. I swapped my scuffed
shoes for white spa slippers (which look a bit silly with red-tipped socks)
and headed through suspended pods filled with magazine-browsing,
wine-sipping, upper-classers for the Cowshed outlet in the corner. The spa
has black-clad staff and decor: mosaic tiles, textured slate walls and
floors. Out front are four massage chair stations and four beauty treatment
rooms for facials, wet shaves, manicures and pedicures. Each room has a
black veil rather than a door, a foot basin filled with rose petals, and
flash leather chairs that recline and warm your backside. Behind these
Cowgroom rooms is a darker, more private space, comprising six personal
steam and shower rooms (bliss after coming off a redeye night flight) and a
small wet area with whirlpool bath, sauna and two relaxation beds enclosed
by orange glass walls and mottled water streaming down the window.
Experience After filling out a brief consultation form, Karen gave me a
15-minute back, neck and shoulder massage with my T-shirt on. No oils, no
unguents. It all happened so quickly that it was the first …