USP Micheline Arcier is not a spa as such – there are no wet or thermal facilities - but an aromatherapy clinic, offering massages and treatments.

AMBIENCE Calm and bijou. After the maelstrom of a Saturday afternoon in Knightsbridge, the clinic, which has been running since 1981, is a welcome retreat from the hordes. The treatment rooms downstairs and are small but comfortable and well equipped.

EXPERIENCE I opted for the signature face and body treatment, which claims to works on the “autonomic nervous system and reflexotherapy points along the spine”. I’m not sure what they are, but the treatment also claims to relieve stress. Yes please. I arrived hung-over, sleep deprived and in the middle of a divorce, a flat refurbishment and move to another country. Pauline, my therapist, was white-coated and understanding. She quizzed me for half an hour on my lifestyle, mental state, physical health, and diet. It felt like seeing a doctor and a therapist at once, with a bit of snake oil thrown in. I wasn’t sure, for example, that the fact that I’m an Aries related to anything. But Pauline rightly said I was stressed, and proposed a treatment to both relax and ground me. She used a bespoke mixture of oils – lavender and rosemary for their energising properties, and cedarwood oil for its fortifying ones. A one hour all over body massage followed, with a facial using chamomile and orange blossom for good measure thrown in. The oils smelt blissful, and Pauline’s massage involved lots of broad, sweeping movements, hopefully to sweep the stress away. The facial involved several layers of things being put on and taken off my skin, so was somewhat puzzling, and left my skin slightly blotchy, but it cleared up later.

My boyfriend also had a facial, along with a back and shoulder massage. The facial he dubbed “a bit girly”, but Liz, his therapist, apparently did a sterling job on his back. We both walked out smelling great and feeling relaxed, but I can’t help but be slightly dubious of the quasi-medical spin put on the treatments. I was told to watch out for auto-immune issues, for example, advised to take zinc supplements and was given a theory on some stress-related skin problems I had been having. (Stress can make sweat turn acidic, apparently) Staff are extremely competent and helpful, and the clinic is a welcoming, calming place. But I’m not quite convinced that the treatments aren’t much more than great smelling massages, with some slightly-medical sounding advice thrown in.

FOOD None on the premises, but plenty of choice nearby if you want to make a day of it. Hyde Park has several cafes and is just across the road if you want to stay relaxed whilst you have a bite to eat.

IN CROWD Think Knightsbridge yummy mummies. The boy complained about having to read Marie Claire in the waiting room. Although there are men’s treatments, there wasn’t much evidence of a male clientele.

WALLET WATCH One Hour signature face and body aromatherapy treatment, £60.00, with an obligatory half hour consultation a further £25. One hour men’s deep cleansing facial, £65; one hour aromatherapy manicures and pedicures, £55.

NEED TO KNOW Micheline Arcier, 7 William Street, London SW1X 9HL (020 7235 3545; www.michelinearcier.com)
E-mail: info@michelinearcier.com

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