Tucked discreetly inside The Milestone Hotel & Residences, directly opposite Kensington Gardens, a new wellness sanctuary has quietly opened its doors. Known for its warm, old-world hospitality and red-brick elegance, The Milestone has always felt like a private members’ club that just happens to be a hotel. Its new spa builds perfectly on that legacy, intimate, refined and deeply restorative.
The space itself is beautifully serene: softly lit, with stone accents, neutral tones and the faint scent of essential oils in the air. At its centre lies a resistance pool, offering a gentle, meditative swim, or indeed something more energetic if you decide to up the resistance, while a sleek gym and tranquil treatment suite complete the experience.
I meet Jana Watson, the spa’s resident therapist – a posture and movement expert with over two decades of experience. Her treatments go far beyond relaxation; she specialises in easing muscular tension, circulation and postural alignment, blending advanced massage techniques with a holistic understanding of the body. Many overseas guests book with her months in advance, drawn by her reputation for precision, intuition and lasting results. Jana offers massages and a facial that can help with the symptoms of jet lag, and I can’t imagine a better antidote to the stress of a long journey than an hour in her care.
During my session, Jana quickly picks up on the tendonitis in my knee and offers a few simple, practical tips to ease strain and improve mobility. Her knowledge of body mechanics is impressive, delivered with both warmth and quiet confidence. I opt for a deep tissue massage as my knee has been causing me pain in my hips too, and her what can only be described as magic fingers, set to work to help relieve some of that pressure. It’s a blissful hour, ending with a gentle facial massage, and I feel looser and taller when I reluctantly roll off the massage bed.
The spa also features an infrared sauna and cold plunge – an invigorating thermal ritual designed to boost circulation and mental clarity. I have to confess, I’m not quite brave enough for the plunge on this occasion, though those who are emerge positively glowing apparently.
Excitingly, the team plans to expand the treatment menu to include a curated range of bespoke facials, all using Natura Bissé – the award-winning Spanish skincare line beloved for its results-driven formulas and luxurious textures. It’s the perfect complement to the spa’s philosophy of mindful, intelligent beauty, and more than that, smells incredible. I opt for a grapefruit scent, said to have slimming qualities, so I’m fully on board with that.
Afterwards, I sit quietly in the lounge with a herbal tea, watching London life move just beyond the window. It’s remarkable how peaceful it feels here, mere steps from the bustle of Kensington High Street. I can only wish I have a room booked for the night as it’s tough to tear myself away.
Open to both hotel guests and locals, The Milestone Spa is that rare thing – a wellness space that feels genuinely personal. Small, discreet and exquisitely considered, it’s less about spectacle and more about stillness on one of the city’s most elegant corners.
