The most striking feature of the tower's exterior is the bedroom windows which are faceted at 45° angles allowing guests to look straight down onto the street (not advised for vertigo sufferers!). The building's uprightness and brilliance is a tribute to the experience one lives within its walls. As you enter the lobby you will be greeted by the doorman and taken to the backlit, amber onyx panelled, black marble welcome desk where a charming receptionist will check you in and introduce you to your personal assistant (who has their own desk just to the right). Any one of the aforementioned members of staff is able to answer questions and will go out their way to make your stay comfortable. They manage with sophistication to find that fine line between being friendly without intrusive. Tall flower arrangements at each end of the reception desk give a theatrical sense to proceedings while opposite, the sublime art piece 'Falling Rain' by Santiago Villanueva hangs down, enwrapped by a circular staircase. As is the case throughout the hotel, the design makes use of clean, angular, horizontal lines which really underline the already spacious spaces.
The entire fourth floor of the hotel is given over to Auriga, the hotel's spa, and its fitness room. An equally warm welcome awaits you here too as does an impressive array of facilities and treatments. The centre boasts eleven treatment rooms, including two for couples, stunning, luxuriously appointed male and female locker rooms with sauna, steam room and ice cove, a mixed sex hammam, plunge pool, television area and a common area for pre- and post-treatment relaxation with complimentary drinks and snacks. Throughout the facility are small niches to rest and it features stylish, contemporary furniture, artwork and décor in line with the rest of the hotel. The treatments, carried out using natural products from The Organic Pharmacy, are designed to reflect the energy of the moon's universal rhythm and each one is dedicated to a particular phase of the moon. As well as these signature treatments, guests can indulge in massages, body wraps, exfoliations, facials and slimming and cleansing cures. For those in a hurry, 15/30 minute treatments are available too. Julien Farel has a feng-shui inspired salon within the spa offering hair, make-up and nail care, while the impressive fitness centre with official Olympic equipment also has a yoga studio for private classes.
Other services offered at the Setai include a business centre, complimentary wifi in public spaces, complimentary pressing service for up to five items upon arrival and a free shoe shine. Finding your way around the hotel is simple as well as pleasurable and there are several large lifts to get you to your room.
Amy Adejokun
Section editor
