Stinky buses, jam-packed tubes, hordes of dithering shoppers. That blonde guy preaching on his megaphone at Oxford Circus. (You have to admire his stamina).

Ah, the soothing charm of the West End during sale time.

Cheer up, Miss Grumpychops. Nip round the back of Liberty and take refuge at the new Sanook Spa at the Courthouse Hotel Kempinski. The Eastern-style sanctuary, which has just opened, offers a full range of anti-ageing, de-stressing facials and body treatments. Anyone suffering from department store overload should try the Total Body Meltdown. The chocolate pedicure will put a spring back into any weary step.

Those needing extra relief should book the treatment room that’s suspended above the chic indoor pool (a veritable human aquarium). There’s also a gym, juice bar and sauna, which has a twinkling fibre-optic sky and a selection of jungle and ocean sounds.

Once finished in the Zen den, head upstairs to the private cinema or the Moroccan roof terrace.

Regent Street’s horrors will soon seem miles away.

Sanook Spa at Courthouse Hotel Kempinski, 19-21 Great Marlborough Street, W1 (020 7297 5555 or courthouse-hotel).