Montcalm Mayfair, an Autograph Collection hotel, has opened its doors in London after a two-year renovation of the Grade II-listed Georgian building, offering guests a new genre of hospitality it calls ‘sensitive luxury’.

The concept is demonstrated by the brand’s aim of providing welcoming, intuitive service as well as the hotel's softer, yet classical design.

Each Montcalm hotel in the collection has a ‘Mark’ – a central theme running through its design and service. The new London property’s is ‘The Garden’, honouring the ancient forest that once existed where the hotel now stands.

Architects Holland Harvey worked on the refurbishment of the 151-key property, alongside Studio Mica (interior design for guest rooms) and Studio Est (interiors for the spa and public spaces).

The flagship Yātrā Spa

The property’s new 360sq m spa is called Yātrā, derived from the Sanskrit word for ‘journey’ and is the Montcalm Collection’s new wellness retreat concept and will be used in various forms across all its properties.

It blends Ayurvedic culture, East African influences, holistic rituals and cultural immersion experiences to celebrate the multi-cultural nature of the city. The spa will offer rejuvenating experiences designed to influence the five senses of touch, sight, sound, smell and taste.

Full service spa management company Cocon designed the concept and will operate the spa, which has three single treatment rooms and one double, a relaxation space, infrared sauna, traditional wood sauna, steamroom, experience shower, hydro pool and hot tub.

There is also a fully-equipped gym with Technogym equipment, plus a movement studio that can accommodate six people and a trainer.

In keeping with the hotel’s garden theme, a signature soundscape of British woodlands and forests was created for the spa by wellness audio consultancy MindFidelity. The soundscape now also plays as part of the turndown service in guest rooms.

Products in the spa are by Mauli Rituals, QMS Medicosmetics and Camellia’s Tea House. The wet facilities have been supplied by Alkaline Wellness Solutions and furniture is by PS Interiors.

Treatments

Signature treatments include bespoke Ayurvedic therapies:

• Cultural integration rituals – ‘Ojas Rejuvenation’ and ‘Chakra Body Realignment’ are two treatments that use personalised dosha oils, blending traditional practices with modern wellness techniques.

• Holistic healing practices – ‘Savasana muscle-warming polti massage’ is a treatment that draws from Ayurvedic and East African methods using guided breathwork, sound healing, yogic twists and mindful meditation.• Ayurvedic rituals – ‘Kansa’ is a marma point massage on the menu for the body and face – using a special massage wand – designed to focus on specific points of the body to stimulate energy flow and promote healing. ‘Shakti’ is an acupressure massage using Himalayan salt stones for lymphatic drainage and deep tissue manipulation.

Cocon

Cocon is a global spa and wellness operator, specialising in concept development, design, management and holistic hospitality. The company, which has a presence in Europe and the UK, partners with hotels, resorts and hospitality brands to create and fully operate wellness experiences.

The roll-out and operation of this new wellness concept is led by veteran Jaunita Quadros, Cocon’s vice president of hospitality and spas for the UK.

Montcalm Collection

The Montcalm Collection is a group of luxury London hotels located across the city, revealing a different chapter in the capital’s history. For example, Montcalm Brewery is in an 18th Century brewery and Montcalm East has a photography Mark and is based within a diamond-shaped skyscraper in the artistic quarter of Shoreditch.

Both Montcalm East and Montcalm Mayfair are part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection. The rest of the Montcalm Collection are not. They remain independent boutique hotels.

Autograph Collection Hotels

The Marriott brand Autograph Collection Hotels has more than 300 independent hotels on its books in desirable locations across 50 countries and territories. They are each selected for their individuality, offering guests an experience that meets the brand’s requirements for a stay that is ‘exactly like nothing else’.