What They Say
Luxury hotel spas are typically about indulgence, but these days, it’s all about optimisation. The new partnership between Nuriss – a doctor-led aesthetics and wellness brand founded in Marylebone by dermatologist Dr Anita Sturnham – and Nobu Hotel London Portman Square is the latest signal of this more serious, longevity-led direction.
This is Nuriss’s first luxury hotel outpost, bringing its clinically driven approach (think regenerative injectables, IV therapy, LED, peels, and advanced facials) into the hotel’s sleek second-floor wellness space. It feels more high-end clinic than fluffy spa, with an underpinned by Dr Sturnham’s two decades of dermatology experience and her results-focused skincare line, Decree.
I’m here for the AM Revitalising Decree Facial: a targeted morning treatment designed to wake up dull, fatigued skin using sculpting massage, lymphatic drainage, active-led formulas, and little LED therapy.
The Process
A warm, polished welcome from assistant manager Marta instantly smooths over a minor booking mix-up (not the spa’s doing), setting a calm, capable tone from the outset. My therapist, Judy, is equally reassuring- clinical but not cold – taking time to assess my skin before tailoring the treatment.
The room is minimalist with blond wood and a treatment bed swathed in grey linens. The facial begins with a thorough cleanse and tone, before moving into a series of firm, rhythmic massage techniques focused on lymphatic drainage and tension release. It’s sculpting rather than soothing: lifting cheekbones, defining the jawline, and boosting circulation.
A gentle two-minute exfoliation follows (more tingle than sting – I rate it a zero on the intensity scale), before a replenishing paste is applied and left to sit while Judy works a heavenly hand massage using warmed jasmine and sandalwood oil.
Next: a rose-scented cellulose mask, layered with a 10-minute LED session using a Flex MD mask (red and blue light to target tone and pigmentation). The treatment finishes with targeted hydration and, crucially, a final sweep of SPF, something surprisingly absent from many facials, but always appreciated.
The Results
Immediately brighter, fresher, and subtly sculpted. Puffiness was reduced (especially around the eyes and jawline), hydration noticeably improved, and there was a clean, well-rested glow that lasted for the whole day. No redness or downtime.
With Judy’s expert technique and Marta’s standout hospitality made my facial feel both personal and high-performance. It’s a solid debut for Nuriss’s hotel residency, and a glimpse of where luxury hotel wellness is heading.
The Details
Nuriss at Nobu Hotel London Portman Square, Portman Square, London W1
AM Revitalising Decree Facial starts at £195
