Amara Spa
18-20 Fulham High Street
London
SW6 3LQ
020 7384 9111
www.amaraspa.co.uk
Who: Jackie Kearney
“We opened just over two years ago. I used to run a cleaning company with my partner. But I got breast cancer in May 2002. I couldn’t really do anything when I was having my chemotherapy. I really felt like having a bit of pampering. I hadn’t really spent time in spas before I was sick. I always thought it was a bit naughty to do that kind of thing. There were one or two places I really enjoyed visiting but I found quite a few spas just didn’t make you feel very welcome. I even once had a girl who acted as if she really didn’t want to do the treatment. I couldn’t believe I was going to have to pay for it, when she was so rude. On the whole the places I visited didn’t make you feel very welcome. I decided I could do it better! So we decided to sell the company and start Amara Spa.
I wanted my place to have fantastic customer service as well as fantastic treatments. Hopefully that’s what we’ve achieved. It’s all about the staff. We have very high standards and are looking for someone who will fit in with the team. I can’t have someone who’s not a team player. The atmosphere is created by the people. Lots of our clients have said they love the atmosphere in here.
A lot of people come for our Dermologica facials. We also do a product line called Environ, which isn’t sold in many places. It’s the next step up from Dermologica. It’s more remedial. Dermologica is fantastic for break-outs and deep cleanses – it will clear most problems. But we use Environ for anti-ageing, pigmentation, scarring, acne, it gives great results. People come specifically for this.
We do hen days. We’ll have a group arrive in the morning. We provide a continental breakfast – tea, coffee, croissants. Come lunchtime they can have a bottle of bubbly and sandwiches. It’s really good because it’s a nice relaxed way for people to meet each other and spend time together. We can do four treatments at a time, so while people are having treatments others are sitting around nattering. We also have a double treatment room where people can have massages at the same time. We get husbands and wives in at the same time, or mother and daughters.
The majority of our clients are between 26 and 34, all young professionals. I love talking to my clients, they’re all really lovely. I’m very lucky that I have the kind of job where I can just natter all day."
What: A tranquil spa offering a wide range of beauty treatments. For your skin: mini or full length deep-cleansing or exfoliation facials, an in-depth half-hour prescriptive skin consultation, a whole range of masks, and deep cleansing for the back. Massages include aromatherapy, hot stone, Indian head and cellulite treatments. Waxing, St Tropez spray tanning, eyebrow shaping and tinting and treatments for gentlemen round off the comprehensive service. You can book in for individual treatments or go for some of the special packages – The Ultimate Spa Experience, Relax Me, and Total Serenity.
Why: Amara Spa is one of the few genuinely welcoming and friendly spas, making you really glad you popped in. You can immediately start to relax and feel good about the fact you are taking some time out to pamper and indulge yourself. The décor is both fresh and clean, and inviting and luxurious with crushed velvet cushions and deep red curtains. Go for a Dermologica facial to clear away the city grime, and if you need something more intensive try the Environ treatments – Amara Spa is one of the few spas in the area to use this product line.
When: Monday-Tuesday 10am-8pm. Wednesday-Thursday 10am-9pm. Friday 10am-7pm. Saturday 10am-6pm. Sunday 10am-4pm.
Where: Nearest tube is Putney Bridge, on the District line. It’s just five minutes to Fulham High Street which is quite a short road running towards the roundabout that meets Fulham Palace Road and Fulham Road. Amara Spa is on the left-hand side of the street.
