9 August 2005

From Russia with Love

Russian Bath Besom at Spa Le La Le Lei

Black rubber, PVC and a few red marks across your backside: not everyone’s idea of fun.

But if there’s one thing we should all agree upon, it’s that getting whipped with a handful of birch twigs is a good thing.

Not convinced? Check yourself into Spa Le La Le Lei for a Russian Bath Besom and you’ll get a decent slapping from a friendly man called Eugene.

It’s not as disturbing as it sounds. For one thing, you won’t be naked. For another, it isn’t just pain for pain’s sake, but a powerful detoxifying treatment.

First, your body is smothered in honey and sprinkled with zinging sea salt and fresh lemon juice. Then you sweat it out in a sauna whilst the attentive Eugene gently ‘taps’ you with birch twigs (to bring poisons out of the body).

Afterwards, you’re wrapped in warm towels, treated to an intense foot and scalp massage and invited to plunge into a freezing pool. Hardly a relaxing finish, but you’ll feel wholly alive when you’re done. And Eugene will even ply you with cleansing fresh fruit and peppermint tea whilst you recover.

Try getting that kind of service from your local dominatrix.

Russian Bath Besom at Spa Le La Le Lei, Hotel 82, 82 Gloucester Place, W1 (020 7486 3679 or hotel82london.com).