From fat dissolving body wraps to digital mirrors in the gym, ‘techcercise’ meets holistic wellness at the Pan Pacific hotel in London. Lotte Jeffs reports
Every now and then it’s good to get a new perspective on your city. It keeps you curious and can make you fall in love with home all over again. One of my favourite ways to keep urban life feeling fresh in this way is to check in to a hotel that might only involve a short journey to reach but can feel like miles away from your normal routine or view.
It was in this spirit that I checked into the Pan Pacific London near Liverpool Street station. This is an area I traverse often. The emotion I associate with it as a locale is mainly stress – running to catch a train, powering along Bishopsgate for a meeting in Shoreditch, or barging my way through throngs of people.
It was a refreshing reprise to walk into the lobby of this hotel and instantly be transported to a world of calm. Instead of being shouted at to “move to the side please!” by a Pret barista, I was being welcomed by a charming and efficient reception team.
I was here to enjoy a short stay on the Sensory Wellbeing floor of this 43-storey tower.
My room certainly gave me a new view of a familiar slice of London. Located on the 21st floor, at the sharp corner of the building – floor to ceiling windows allowed me to peek into off-duty office blocks, The iconic Gherkin, the “Cheesegrater” and sail-shaped One Blackfriars.
The urban vista did most of the talking design wise, and the interiors were subtle and not particularly memorable. However, the king bed was exceptionally comfy and I was thrilled to find Diptyque products in the bathroom along with a Dyson hair dryer.
The visual concept for the rooms was to evoke the charm and serenity of English and Asian gardens, using layers of colour and texture. I was just pleased to find a gorgeous teapot, bone china teacups and choice of teas in the minibar.
First stop was the infinity pool, which stretches 18.5 metres along the length of the building with views over Bishopsgate Plaza. I must say I enjoyed watching people rushing to the office in the morning as I took some leisurely lengths.
The pool, which is a balmy 30°C, is surrounded by luxurious loungers so you could really set up camp for the day here. Just ask reception for the child-friendly hours in advance if you want to avoid the splashing of other people’s toddlers, or perhaps bring your own little ones.
I then had a 90-minute full body “Holistic” massage which was excellent, though interrupted with a fire alarm test half-way through.
This was a pretty standard choice of treatment compared to some of the other more leftfield options. Rhythmical bamboo massage, infrared sauna blankets, a fat dissolving body wrap, a Lifting and Elasticising Lifto HD Anti-Wrinkle facial, among a number of other exciting sounding treatments.
The spa offering here really is superior and if the array of treatments isn’t enough, just step foot in the gym to be wowed by the state-of-the-art equipment. Many hotels refer to their gyms as state of the art, meaning their machines count reps and might link up with your FitBit. This was another level. In fact it is one of the most technologically advanced hotel gym in the UK.
I was most impressed by the D-Wall (pictured at the top of this story) which wasn’t something I’d come across before. The hi-tech digital mirror not only allows you to perform each motor gesture with maximum control, but also makes it possible to analyse the performance in real time according to precise parameters.
There is a pre-programmed screen to the right of the mirror from which you can choose from hundreds of exercises and programs to try. They focus on specific posture, functional training, balance and strength exercises. Through a 3D camera and a force platform, D-Wall recognises in real time up to 16 body articulations and every movement performed in the operative area. Every action, in front of D-Wall, provides an immediate bio-feedback.
I was somewhat embarrassed that it kept beeping loudly every time I messed up a kettlebell swing but I quickly got the hang of it and found the feedback useful in improving my technique.
After an intensive wellness session, it was time to redress the balance at the restaurant Straits Kitchen, which describes itself as a melting pot of vibrant South East Asian cuisine. I met a friend who lives locally and was delighted to discover this restaurant on his doorstep. The vibe is designed to reflect the rich essence of multicultural Singapore.
I was relieved that it was buzzing and upbeat on a Sunday night, as sometimes dining in such hotel restaurants can be lacking in ambience. But not so here – the place was full of a lively, sophisticated clientele. I loved the Lotus Rolls with dragon fruit syrup, mango, green papaya, pineapple and honeydew. My friend had the Umami Black Cod with marinated miso teriyaki sauce, edamame, wasabi, seaweed, snow fungus. We were both extremely impressed with the food.
That night, after a day of pampering, exercising and eating well I slept better than I had in years.
VERDICT:
Whether you’re a London resident or checking in for business or leisure while travelling the Pan Pacific London is perfect for the discerning “techcercise” aficionado.