A warm and approachable therapist greets me from behind a curvy, brushed metallic desk. I always feel self-conscious entering a spa for the first time – perhaps because the calmness I am suddenly surrounded by is such a jarring departure from the commotion inside of my head. So I am grateful for the kind and easy professionalism upheld by all of the staff that I encounter. I’m handed a bright orange “detox” juice of turmeric, carrot, and ginger while filling out a waiver. The environment is clean and comfortable.
Away Spa Earth Suite (Image: W Edinburgh)
The treatment rooms are named and decorated after the elements: water, fire, earth, and air. As my assigned therapist leads me down an ultra-modern-looking, polished white hallway, he shows me inside two of the unoccupied rooms. Each of the rooms is designed to evoke the feeling of its corresponding element and has its own changing area, shower and bathroom.. The most striking is the Earth Suite, which features a unique warm quartz sand bed. Elsewhere, the Air Suite is described as “reminiscent of a Highland meadow” and the Fire Suite, inspired by Edinburgh’s volcanic landscape, is lit in a glowing, fiery red. Later, I will be in the Water Suite.
Opened in 2024, the award-winning spa inside the five-star hotel has recently unveiled a new selection of treatments, specifically designed to help guests relax, recharge, and unwind during the winter months. My experience will start with an hour inside the Elements Suite (£60 per person), followed by a 60-minute De-Stress massage (£120).
The private Elements Suite is instantly calming, illuminated with soft blue hues and scented with that fresh, calming citrus-y spa smell. Ambient background music fills the space. A sparkling elderflower juice in a plastic flute is a special touch, presented next to a jug of cold water beside a lounger. I’m shown the room’s amenities (robe, slippers, towels, a selection of toiletries and Dyson hair tools) and told there will be a chap at the door ten minutes before the session concludes.
The room is kitted out with a sizeable jacuzzi, sauna, and experience shower. It has to be booked in advance and can be used by up to six people (the £60 fee is per person). The space is perfect for a celebration with friends; it would be ideal for a birthday party or a hen do. There is a duo treatment room attached if you fancy adding a massage or facial to the experience. Solo, the sheer size of the space was a tad lonesome for yours truly.
Elements Suite Sauna (Image: W Edinburgh)
Elements Suite Jacuzzi (Image: W Edinburgh)
When it’s time to go for my massage, I am thankful for having relaxed a bit, my shoulders no longer rising so aggressively close to my ears post sauna. The De-Stress massage promises to soothe tired muscles and release stress with tranquil aromas. Today we are in the Water Suite. The inspiration for this cool-toned room is the Scottish sea and the cleansing essence of water. I later discovered that the massage I had booked was something different from the experience that the room was designed around (Water involves a colour therapy waterbed enhanced with binaural beats and resonating sound vibrations).
Before we begin, the problem areas (neck, shoulders, back) I circled on a little diagram as part of the waiver are discussed with the massage therapist. Then I am handed a menu of extra little upsells, each £20. The enhancement list includes everything from triple-action eye masks to feet or hand exfoliation. I’m recommended the volcanic hot stones to melt away tension. They are white hot, but nice, although their introduction to the experience took away precious massage time – I’m not convinced that they were worth the £20.
The Elements Suite is a standout offering from the AWAY Spa, and its location, adjacent to St James Quarter and within the W Hotel, adds to the allure. I can picture a special birthday or event that incorporates it into a perfect day out in Edinburgh. Meandering the shopping centre, checking into the hotel, spending a wellness afternoon indulging in one of AWAY’s many high-end treatments, having a cocktail overlooking the gorgeous panoramic views of the capital, before sharing platters of maki rolls at SUSHISAMBA. On my next visit, I will definitely be opting for one of the suite-specific experiences. These unique offerings, tailored to either air, earth, fire, or water, are the best way to fully experience the treatment rooms.
The price point of the treatments is on the higher side, considering the wellness facilities in the Elements suite are to be booked and paid for separately (in comparison to other hotels where use of a sauna, steam room or pool is included in the treatment price). But if you value privacy, and the location and holistic ambience of the hotel and spa are factored in, it suits those customers seeking something firmly in the luxury tier.
Throughout the treatment, I feel at ease, comfortable, and thankful for the courteous and welcoming nature of the massage therapist. I leave with that spaced-out spa feeling I crave from an afternoon spent relaxing.
AWAY Spa Edinburgh, W Edinburgh, 1 St James Square, Edinburgh, United Kingdom EH1 3AX
Marissa MacWhirter is a columnist and feature writer at The Herald, and the editor of The Glasgow Wrap. The newsletter is curated between 5-7am each morning, bringing the best of local news to your inbox each morning without ads, clickbait, or hyperbole. Oh, and it’s free. She can be found on X @marissaamayy1