Experiencing Corinthia London’s newly unveiled Biome feels like stepping into a future-facing sanctuary in the heart of the capital. Citizen Femme takes a first look at the rebrand of one of London’s most-loved luxury wellness destinations.
Biome at Corinthia London marks a clear evolution from traditional pampering spa culture towards a more performance-led, wellness-focused approach. Rather than positioning itself as an indulgent escape alone, it reflects a broader recalibration in how luxury hospitality in the capital is redefining restorative wellbeing. We checked in to find out more.
THE DETAILS
Positioned at the corner of Northumberland Avenue and Whitehall Place, Corinthia London occupies an impressive Victorian-era landmark that once served as the British Ministry of Defence. Despite its central London location, moments from Whitehall and the Thames, the hotel feels distinctly removed from the city’s pace and has evolved into something of an urban sanctuary, devoted to the art of slowing down in the capital.
Behind its imposing façade, the hotel is a masterclass in calm and elegance. Design-led interiors, generous scale, and signature accents – including the now-iconic Baccarat crystal chandelier in The Crystal Moon Lounge – all set the tone from the moment you walk through the door, instilling a sense of calm before you’ve even had chance to set foot in the spa.
THE SPA
Corinthia London’s spa has set the benchmark for luxury day spas in the capital for over a decade. Now, with the debut of Biome by Corinthia London, the hotel introduces a new approach to wellbeing that unites the healing rhythms of nature with the precision of modern science. Designed as a secluded ecosystem two-floors beneath the hotel, it offers guests a vast underground retreat to relax at; somewhere you can move at your own pace with expert guidance on hand to help you reach your wellness goals.
A defining pillar of Biome’s philosophy comes through their newest spa partner, Wildsmith Skin, whose products bring a nature-led dimension to the treatments on offer. Rooted in circadian science and what they call radical botany (the healing power of plants and trees), Wildsmith treatments are designed to work with the body’s nervous system rather than against it. From immersive body rituals to targeted facial therapies, the focus is on recalibrating the skin and senses, returning the body to a more harmonious state and regulating the nervous system through botanical formulation and rhythmic massage techniques.
I opted for the Wildsmith Radical Botany facial – a treatment designed to restore fatigued skin and calm an overstimulated mind (which felt fitting for someone guilty of both). Myofascial release was delivered through targeted pressure-point work to ease tension held across my jaw, before moving into deeper facial massage techniques designed to stimulate circulation and encourage lymphatic drainage. Targeting my skin concerns – dryness, pigmentation and congestion – Wildsmith’s dual-action exfoliating treatment with skin refining pineapple enzymes was applied while the therapist set to work with a series of calming craniosacral holds. A calmer complexion – and calmer mind – were only reinforced as I made my way to one of the sleep pods: impossibly cocooning spaces with beds made for lingering, tucked behind gauze curtains for privacy and lit primarily by the central hanging fireplace. Here, as I sipped on a blend of rooibos tea, I quickly understood why they were called sleep pods. Lulled by the glow of the fire, and with jetlag already working against me, it would’ve been all too easy to drift off entirely. Determined not to sleep through the rest of my wellness journey, I reluctantly pulled myself away and made my way down to the thermal spa.
Guests that already know and love the space will be familiar with the spa’s celebrated thermal experience; the swimming pool and vitality pool has various bubbling stations ready to work out kinks and knots plus there’s an amphitheatre-style sauna, a steam room, and experience showers. Sleek and dimly-lit, it’s all too easy to while away hours cycling between the sauna and pools – and not forgetting the heated marble loungers (that also tried to beckon me back to sleep). A new addition to the thermal floor, and one that’ll wake you with a jolt, is the ice bath. Here, Biome offers guided heat and water therapy to restore balance through expertly curated sequences of steam, sauna, icy plunge and recovery, working to stimulate the nervous system through hot and cold exposure, with benefits including enhanced mood regulation and a reset of stress responses.
Within its reimagined framework, Biome is more than just a destination spa. Wildsmith’s nature-led rituals, advanced clinical insight, and performance-driven therapies coexist within a unified philosophy that restoration is not a momentary indulgence, but an ongoing process of renewal. And if that process involves going back for more: count me in.
Looking ahead, future phases are set to introduce further specialist collaborators and expanded programming, spanning movement, recovery, longevity, and holistic lifestyle support – ensuring Biome continues to evolve as a forward-thinking destination within contemporary wellness.
THE ROOMS
For those looking to extend their stay past the spa day (and, let’s face it, why wouldn’t you?) the rooms at Corinthia London are notably spacious for London. With 279 rooms and suites in total, including 55 suites and seven penthouses, thoughtful details come as standard – from Hypnos beds to marble-clad bathrooms with rain showers and deep-soak tubs stocked with Wildsmith Skin toiletries – creating an escape that feels worlds away from the city outside. Spa-goers will love the Whitehall Suite, conveniently located next to the spa lift, meaning you can slip from your room to the spa in your robe and slippers without having to see another guest.
THE DININGÂ
The Biome Lounge, with plush booths and a mesmeric fire, sits at the heart of the two-level subterranean spa – a calming spot to restore and replenish between treatments. Freshly pressed juices, detoxifying smoothies, and protein-rich shakes are complemented by a considered menu of light, mineral-rich dishes designed to support the gut microbiome and digestion. Expect hormone-balancing salads packed with nutrient-dense superfoods, alongside warming broths and kimchi-laced avocado toast – all created with a focus on nourishment and wellbeing.
For those seeking the light, and something a little more indulgent, head back up to ground-level for the newly revived The Garden. This month sees the al fresco space transformed into an English garden in full bloom, jam-packed with colourful flowers and a menu that takes inspiration from all things British. Seasonal and locally sourced ingredients shape the menu, and if you’re not counting your macros, the native lobster brioche roll doused in Marie Rose sauce is a must, and is best followed by icy slushie cocktails that feel deliciously rebellious after a day spent in wellness mode.
THE LITTLE EXTRAS
Save packing space for the carefully curated edit of beauty and wellness products displayed across backlit mirrored shelving within Biome’s sleek reception space. From spa partners such as Wildsmith Skin and Augustinus Bader to Oribe hair care, the selection is designed to extend the experience beyond the treatment room, making it almost impossible to leave empty-handed.
THE GYM
Tucked within the wellness offering at Corinthia London, the AMP x Corinthia London Gym brings a performance-led edge to the hotel’s broader approach to wellbeing. Designed in partnership with Athletic Medical Performance, the space is built around strength, conditioning and intelligent training, with high-spec equipment from the likes of Technogym and Peloton ready and waiting for a serious workout. Rather than a traditional hotel gym, the concept is structured more like a private training studio, with small group personal training sessions led by expert coaches throughout the day. AMP’s methodology blends strength, cardio, and mobility work, with a strong emphasis on progression and measurable results. High-intensity sessions push endurance and conditioning through circuits, sled work, and explosive functional training, while recovery draws on yoga, stretching, and breathwork to restore balance and support mobility.
Alongside bookable personal training sessions, a curated timetable of complimentary classes for hotel guests and members adds another layer to the wellness offering. Vinyasa-flow yoga, reformer Pilates, and run club sessions – taken outdoors during the summer months – extend the experience well beyond the gym floor. Be sure to take full advantage of the well-stocked fridge between sets, where cooling cucumber-infused water, coconut water and a zingy lemon and lime electrolyte drink are on hand to rehydrate after a sweaty session.
Lead image credit: Brave New World / Corinthia London
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