ADVERTORIAL • July 2023

The hotel with healing properties: Pan Pacific London

The vibrant heart of London’s City might not be the first destination that springs to mind for a soul-soothing stay but, just a hop and a skip from the buzz of Liverpool Street, Pan Pacific London likes to confound expectations

Views to soothe

Perfectly at home among the soaring towers of the capital’s financial district, this sleek glass-fronted retreat isn’t short on Zen. Start your days here with a lengthy lie-in to make the most of floor-to-ceiling views: look out for the distinctive silhouette of the Gherkin, or the 18th-century church of St Botolph still standing proud amidst sleek modern architecture.

Lap it up

Once you’ve managed to leave the comforts of your king-sized bed, work up an appetite with a few laps in the 18.5m infinity pool – just the thing to get you in the mood for a sprawling breakfast buffet. Take your pick from fresh pastries, pancakes and cooked-to-order eggs, or get a taste of the hotel’s Singaporean roots with a classic breakfast of buttery, coconut-flavoured kaya toast and slow-cooked eggs.

Neighbourhood perks

At Pan Pacific London, you’ll find one of the capital’s most lively neighbourhoods on your doorstep. Add a dose of East London cool to your wardrobe at Spitalfields Market, Brick Lane or Boxpark – all three are nearby and packed with one-of-a-kind finds. For a culture hit, the nearby Barbican hosts major exhibitions and sell-out performances. Ask your concierge to arrange tickets to the must-see show of the moment. Peckish? Head across the river to Borough Market and spend an hour or three sampling its artisan stalls, upscale delis and bijou wine bars.

Simple pleasures

Or, if you’d rather stay put (and who could blame you?) why not retreat to Pan Pacific London’s Orchid Lounge for a leisurely afternoon tea? As with all of the hotel’s opulent offerings, here it comes with a Singaporean twist: nibble on prawn dumplings, matcha scones and dainty pastries inspired by the city’s gravity-defying Gardens on the Bay. Just be sure to save some room for dinner at Southeast Asian extravaganza Straits Kitchen later.

Healing HQ

The pampering continues with (at least) a few hours at SENSORY, an entire floor dedicated to your wellbeing. It’s equipped with everything you need for a serious workout, from a serene studio for yoga, Pilates and barre to sauna and steam rooms to loosen tired muscles. Book an aqua fitness class in the pool, or a cutting-edge session on the TecnoBody® D-Wall, which delivers biofeedback in real time. Personal trainers are on hand to devise a plan tailored to your goals.

Ancient wisdom

Better yet, make the most of the spa’s two serene treatment rooms, where guests can indulge in body-boosting rituals melding Western science and Asian traditions. Experienced therapist Slavomir Latko offers Chinese medicine consultations on Wednesdays – a unique chance to try out targeted treatments such as energy-boosting cupping, Daoist abdominal massage for digestive health, or soothing sonic acupuncture.

Sweet dreams

It’s all the perfect preamble to a blissful night’s sleep, something Pan Pacific London has put more than a little thought into. Its new Sensory Sleep Programme has been designed for some serious R&R: think high thread-count linen, a temperature-controlled bed, weighted blanket, pillow menu, in-room yoga poses with Spotify playlists, warm bath, bedtime reading, and snooze-inducing herbal teas. All the essentials, in short, to all but guarantee sweet dreams – and the promise of a rested, reinvigorated you at the end of your stay.