It’s one of the most bustling spots in Islington, with its restaurants, shops and thriving antiques market.
But Camden Passage can also be a place of sanctuary – as I discovered on a recent afternoon of indulgence at Kimantra Urban Spa.
Although appealing, it’s relatively unassuming from the outside, with its simple and modern ground floor interior home to a nail bar and hairdressing studio.
But up on the first floor there’s a sumptuous and cosy candlelit haven which doesn’t just offer a spot of pampering, it leaves you forgetting the outside world altogether.
Our spa day began with a glass of bubbles before a full body massage, as I’m sunk into fluffy towels with soothing oriental music playing in the background.
The therapist started with my feet, working away the soreness from a morning spent shopping before easing the tired muscles in my legs.
But as someone who spends most of their life sat at a desk in front of a computer, relieving the tension in my back and neck is always the biggest appeal of any massage. A perfect balance of gentle pressure and deeper tissue kneading melted away any strains, with the muscle knots around my shoulders carefully manipulated free – an hour of pure bliss, which left me deeply relaxed and hovering on the brink of sleep.
Next up was a nourishing facial. Using products from skin specialists Environ’s premium Ionzyme range, the treatment is designed to inject essential vitamins, antioxidants and peptides into your skin, through various layers of cleansing, exfoliation, toning and moisturising penetrating the different layers of skin.
As the products were worked into my tired and dull skin, the therapist paid attention to relieving the tension she detected around my sinus area before firmly massaging my temples and skull down to the tip of my spine, leaving any stress a distant memory.
Once the treatments were over, I felt instantly healthier and reinvigorated, and my complexion was noticeably plumped, smoother and fresher.
With my inner well-being, sore muscles and skin taken care of, it was time to continue the pampering downstairs in the salon to ensure I looked my best as well as felt it.
A blow dry was first on the list, and my lifeless, straight locks were transformed into a bouncy, shiny head of hair full of volume and movement – and the wavy style stayed looking salon fresh until the next day for my friend’s wedding.
The finishing touch was my nails. After they were shaped and buffed, they were perfectly coated in thick and glossy red nail lacquer from renowned brand OPI – with not even the teeniest flick of the brush out of place. And while I wait for them to dry and observe the activity around me, I overhear several locals coming in with urgent beauty crises that the friendly staff do their best to accommodate. The conversations sound like that between old friends, and the personal touch you get at this small and independent spa is what makes it stand out far beyond the mass turnaround of an out-of-town or larger destination.
The loyal following it’s garnered among locals over its 10 year existence is no surprise – and it has one more happy customer now.
Find out more about Kimantra Urban Spa here
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