DAMU Spa at The Mandrake Hotel – A Unique London Spa Experience
As soon as I saw The Origin Pool at DAMU Spa (inside The Mandrake Hotel, London) featured in The Sunday Times Travel section a few months ago, I knew it was somewhere I wanted to experience.
While staying at the Sanderson for a London weekend break, I remembered how close DAMU is — literally just a couple of minutes’ walk away on the next street. It felt like the perfect time to finally visit.
Although I was intrigued by the Mud Caves as well, on this occasion I decided to focus on the Origin Pool, a treatment that had captured my imagination ever since I first read about it.
Read on to discover my full bathing experience in the Origin Pool at DAMU Spa London — a multi-sensory journey that combines flotation, light, sound, and vibration therapy for complete mind-body renewal.
Damu Spa London at The Mandrake Hotel
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Inside The Mandrake, 19–21 Newman Street, Fitzrovia, London W1T 1PG |
| Contact | +44 (0)20 3146 7821; enquiries@damu.uk |
| Opened | January 2025 |
| Treatments | Origin Pool, Mud Caves, Tranquillity Space, multi-sensory Wavess Wellness Pool, Mur Rasul, massages, facials, advanced skin therapies (BBL, Moxi, Dermapen) |
| Cost | Origin Pool – £180 (45 min solo) or £290 (duo); Mud Caves – £130 (60 min solo) or £220 (duo) |
| Time | Open daily, approx. 9 am–9 pm |
| Spa Website | damu.uk |
| Hotel Website | themandrake.com |
| Wellbeing Facilities | Multi-sensory flotation pools, candlelit mud rituals, serene lounge & Tranquillity Space, advanced skin tech, spiritual healing sessions |
| Visited | September 2025 |
Spa Sanctuary in the Heart of Fitzrovia
At DAMU Spa London, the atmosphere strikes a perfect balance between serene indulgence and healing innovation—from sensory pools and mud rituals to advanced tech-driven facials and holistic bodywork.
“Where ancient healing rituals harmonise with modern innovation to create a sanctuary of renewal and vitality.”
Photo Credit @damu.uk
Spa treatment selection at Damu Spa London
At DAMU Spa London, the treatment menu blends immersive rituals and multi-sensory pools, restorative body and massage therapies, luxury facials, and cutting-edge skin technology. Guests can choose everything from mud caves and flotation experiences to holistic Reiki and Thai bodywork, or opt for advanced rejuvenation with BBL, MOXI™ and Dermapen therapies.
Immersive Rituals & Pools
The Mud Caves – mineral-rich mud, heat, steam & rain showers
The Origin Pool – zero-gravity flotation with sound, light & vibration therapy
Body & Massage Rituals
The Renewal Ritual – bespoke healing massage
The Signature DAMU Experience – exfoliation, massage, facial, and scalp/foot massage
Pre & Post Natal Therapy – nurturing massage for pregnancy & beyond
Volcanic Thermal Stones Ritual – heated basalt stones with aromatic oils
Sacred Thai Bodywork – deep-stretching and compression techniques
Reiki Healing Ceremony – energy healing through touch
Facials & Skin Rituals
The Radiance Ritual – facial massage with LED therapy
The Sacred Eye Lift – targeted rejuvenation for the eye area
The Divine Sculpt & Glow – sculptural massage with lymphatic drainage
Advanced Skin Technology
BBL Heroic – light therapy for pigmentation, redness, acne & collagen boost
MOXI™ – fractional laser treatment for tone & texture
Forever Young (MOXI™ + BBL Heroic) – combined therapy for long-term rejuvenation
Dermapen (with optional Exosome Therapy) – microneedling for scars, collagen & radiance
Credit @damu.uk
Damu Spa London Review
Hidden within the artistic, bohemian setting of The Mandrake Hotel in Fitzrovia, Damu Spa London is one of the capital’s newest wellness destinations — and it offers something truly different. Opened in early 2025, the spa blends ancient healing traditions with modern innovation, creating a sanctuary where you can move seamlessly from candlelit mud rituals to futuristic multi-sensory therapies like the Origin Pool.
I visited during a London weekend break, staying at the nearby Sanderson Hotel, and couldn’t resist making time to explore this new spa, located literally just a few minutes’ walk away. With its serene spaces, holistic treatments, and advanced skin technologies, Damu Spa is already redefining what a luxury urban spa experience can be.
Changing facilities
On checking in, I was shown to a compact changing area with a large vanity counter, a single cubicle shower, and a few individual lockers. I don’t think these were strictly private (there seemed to be three in total), but I was the only person using mine during my visit and was advised to shower before entering the Origin Pool.
I was given a locker with an electronic wristband key, which contained a robe, flip-flops, and a pair of large disposable boxer-style shorts to wear instead of swimming trunks.
The shower was well stocked with quality toiletries, and there were plenty of towels provided. The spacious vanity area was equipped with everything you might need to freshen up afterwards, making the experience feel both convenient and thoughtfully prepared.
Relaxation Space
Once showered and changed, I was guided to a beautifully designed relaxation lounge. Set beneath a striking domed glass roof, the space is filled with lush greenery and dotted with comfortable daybeds and loungers, creating a serene, almost garden-like atmosphere indoors.
Before my treatment, I was offered a choice of chamomile tea or water, the perfect way to settle in and begin the transition into a slower, more mindful state. The combination of natural light, plants, and quiet calm made it an inviting space to pause before the main experience.
My Treatment Experience
I was shown into a private treatment room, where sliding doors revealed the Origin Pool. At first, the space appeared almost pitch dark until my eyes adjusted to the dim lighting. Subtle coloured neon glowed faintly around the edges, creating an otherworldly ambience. For orientation, the therapist briefly turned up the lights so I could see the futuristic layout of the room more clearly.
To one side was an open overhead shower area, while opposite stood a sink and illuminated mirror, both adding to the sleek, almost space-age design of the environment.
The therapist explained that my journey would begin with chromatherapy — the use of coloured light to influence mood and restore balance to body and mind. The pool itself integrates shifting tones of light, each chosen to promote relaxation, vitality, or clarity.
Once immersed in the warm, Epsom salt–infused water, the sequence included a series of sensory stages: gentle vibrations and flowing water movements that felt almost like an underwater massage, all set to ambient music that filled the chamber. The ritual concluded with a simulated rain sequence, cascading from above in a soft downpour to complete the cycle of renewal.
The Mandrake Hotel
Nestled in the heart of Fitzrovia, just moments from Oxford Street and Soho, The Mandrake Hotel is a surreal and stylish boutique escape that feels anything but ordinary. Located at 20–21 Newman Street, this art-filled hideaway features approximately 33 luxurious bedrooms, including three opulent suites and a showstopping penthouse, all arranged around a lush, jasmine-draped courtyard.
Damu Spa London: The Highlights
This visit to Damu Spa London was filled with thoughtful touches and memorable details. Here are the highlights that stood out most during my experience:
Location – Ideally placed in Fitzrovia, just a couple of minutes’ walk from The Sanderson (which no longer has its own spa), and of course perfectly convenient if you’re staying at The Mandrake Hotel itself. It also makes a great wellness stop while exploring central London.
Warm Welcome – A smooth, friendly check-in process, with the team quickly showing me to a well-equipped changing suite and explaining how the visit would unfold.
Relaxation Space – A light-filled lounge beneath a domed glass roof, complete with plenty of daybeds, greenery, and calming touches. I was offered chamomile tea or water here before my treatment — a lovely way to settle in.
The Origin Pool – A truly unique, multi-sensory treatment. I especially appreciated the option of a float ring beneath my head, which made it easier to relax once the water jets started to move me around the pool at speed. The blend of flotation, light, sound, and water pressure was unlike anything I’ve tried before.
Areas for Improvement
While my overall experience at DAMU Spa London was excellent, I always like to note any small areas where things could be improved to make a great visit even better.
The only small drawback during my visit was a little uncertainty around the end of the treatment. After the rain cycle finished, I wasn’t entirely sure whether the therapist was planning to return straight away. She had mentioned checking in before I moved on to the shower (to rinse off the salt), but for a few moments I found myself wondering if I should get out on my own.
Once I had taken the shower and changed back into my robe, there was a similar pause where I wasn’t sure if I should wait for her to return or simply exit myself. The door release button didn’t seem to work, and it felt wrong to press the emergency exit, so a touch more guidance at this stage would have been helpful.
Final Thoughts on DAMU Spa London
This was an experience I had been really looking forward to — and it didn’t disappoint. Its location was ideal for where we were staying, and the atmospheric entrance to The Mandrake Hotel, with its subtle signage and hidden-away feel, made me want to return and experience a full stay there too. Whether you come to DAMU Spa as a day visitor or as a hotel guest, it’s well worth it either way.
I’m not sure I had the full “experiential journey” that some might describe in the Origin Pool, but once I allowed my mind to settle, I found it deeply relaxing. The sequence of light, sound, and movement unfolded gradually, and I was surprised at just how much motion the water jets created. It wasn’t quite being spun around the pool, but shifting from stillness to a gentle whirl was unexpectedly enjoyable. (Just watch out for the edges!)
Overall, DAMU Spa is a place I would highly recommend — an innovative, luxurious experience that feels genuinely different from many other urban spas. It would be a memorable addition to any stay at The Mandrake, and a great wellness destination in its own right.
Plan Your Next Wellness Journey with The Private Traveller
As someone who has experienced some of the world’s most renowned spas and wellness retreats, I love helping clients find the right balance of relaxation, luxury, and personal wellbeing. Whether you’re planning a short city break or a full wellness retreat, I can curate the perfect experience through The Private Traveller x Fora Travel, with access to exclusive VIP booking perks at leading hotels and spas worldwide. Explore more at theprivatetraveller.com.
