There are times when you need a massage, and there are times – like during pregnancy – when you need a massage even more. Tailored treatments vary in scope, quality, and approach, but consider this the definitive list of London’s finest. This is our guide to the best pregnancy massages in London, and the must-know treatments to book during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.
The Ned
I was in desperate need of a massage by the time I found myself at The Ned. I’d been travelling for 10 days, 18 weeks pregnant, with various delays and cancellations. I was over everything, to say the least. I was hoping for a transformation of body and soul, and The Ned delivered. The spa is two levels below The Ned’s grand lobby, comfortably hidden from the hustle and bustle of the restaurants and bars. It feels secluded, luxe, yet still inviting. I was booked in for a full-body maternity massage, and it was, unsurprisingly, 60 minutes of pure bliss. The room was dimly lit and decorated in the same vein as the rest of the hotel, with a certain old London charm about it. The treatment begins with a foot soak to help you get into the right mindset, followed by an invitation to sit in an upright massage chair (much more comfortable than it sounds), where the therapist works out any kinks and discomforts in your back using medium pressure. It is clear to both Danielle (my therapist) and me that my back was in desperate need of some attention following my travels. Next, I’m moved onto a perfectly positioned bed, where the head and feet are both elevated to ensure maximum comfort and safety for you and your baby. The focus then shifted from my back to my legs, feet and arms. The treatment ended with an incredible scalp massage, during which I may or may not have fallen asleep. Cowshed’s Mother Stretch Mark Balm and Mother Stretch Mark Oil were used for the entire massage to help support my stretched skin by softening and nourishing it with virgin coconut, rosehip, cranberry seed oil, and last but not least, sea buckthorn oil. I thanked Danielle before unwinding at The Ned’s cavernous-style pool, while feeling incredibly grateful and undeniably looser.
Top tip: I was fortunate enough to return to The Ned to experience its expanded maternity offering. The Ned’s latest pregnancy treatment incorporates all talm products, which, by chance, happen to be the products I’ve used my entire pregnancy. I’ve loved using a 100 per cent natural skincare product, knowing that I can continue my regimen once the baby arrives, as it's breastfeeding-safe. The team at The Ned are trained to integrate talm's expertise into a bespoke 60-minute massage that addresses both the physiological and emotional needs of pregnant women and new mothers. You’re provided with multiple pregnancy pillows to create a comfortable, cosy environment, while your therapist gently releases any tension associated with pregnancy. It felt closer to fascial release therapy, with consistent, gentle pressure that helps relieve muscle tension, precisely what I needed at that point in the third trimester.
Address: 27 Poultry, London EC2R 8AJ
Price: Maternity Full Body Care, £215 for 90min; talm, £180 for 90 minutes
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Aman Spa at The Connaught
Step into The Connaught’s Aman Spa and you immediately feel worlds away from the busy streets surrounding this iconic hotel. The Nurture Experience treatment starts off with a consultation and foot bath, before you descend into a heavenly hour-long body massage targeting achy legs, swollen ankles, tight backs (back scrub is optional) and tired arms. Lightly scented rose products from the organic, vegan Pink’s Boutique range are carefully worked into the body, which resulted in a few snores from me. I use the second hour for a bespoke facial, but you can opt for a longer massage if preferred. I asked Nancy, my talented therapist, to depuff my eyes and contour my jawline. She immediately got to work, cleansing, lifting, and easing water retention before applying a Rose Clay & Rosehip Mask and finishing off the journey with a head massage. The staff are incredibly attentive – they even whipped out dates and mint tea when they realised I was experiencing a third-trimester low-blood-sugar moment. I left feeling lighter, relaxed and glowing – having just had the most relaxing two hours of my entire pregnancy. Jessica Rach
Address: The Aman Spa, The Connaught, Carlos Place, Mayfair, London, W1K 2AL
Price: Nurture Experience, £330 for 2 hours
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ESPA Life at Corinthia London
ESPA Life at Corinthia London has earned a glowing reputation for good reason. The skincare and wellness brand set up its flagship, four-storey spa at the Whitehall hotel in 2011, one of the first high-end spas in London, complete with 17 treatment rooms, a swimming pool, steam and sauna rooms, and spaces for manicures, pedicures, a hair salon, and even sleep pods. Its palatial, pearlescent architecture delivers a tranquillity masterclass in the heart of the city, providing the ideal location for a total switch-off pregnancy treatment. The Maternity Massage is 90 minutes of indulgent relaxation, taking place in one of the circular, completely private, pod-like treatment rooms. The therapist takes a holistic approach that combines exfoliation, massage, and oils to nourish the skin. All the masseuses are specially trained in pregnancy massage protocol, and all products from the ESPA line are suitable for mum and baby; my favourite being the Nourishing Body Oil. Each of the treatment rooms has individual temperature and lighting control, and is beautifully scented, while calming (non-naff) music plays. The treatment beds are even temperature and height-adjustable. Guests are invited to stay for an hour either side of the appointment to enjoy the Thermal Floor, which includes a swimming pool and heated marble loungers. Charlotte Davey
Address: Corinthia London, Whitehall Place, London, SW1A 2BD
Price: ESPA Maternity Massage, £300 for 90 minutes
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The Bvlgari Spa
The Bvlgari hotel, in London’s glittering Knightsbridge borough, uses its jewellery house heritage to create a gem of a spa spanning two floors within this glamorous building. The spa is decked out in emerald and gold tones (including its gold-leaf swimming pool) and is the ideal setting for a high-end moment of calm within your pregnancy journey. For its Maternal Moment treatment, which is currently exclusive to the London Bvlgari Spa, the house has partnered with vegan all-natural beauty line Ground Wellbeing, which specialises in hand-blended products with a holistic approach to women’s health, ideal for pregnancy. The treatment includes a full-body massage, using Ground Wellbeing’s aromatherapeutic products, designed to calm and restore both mind and body, as well as a facial mask to restore moisture to tired or dehydrated skin. The massage therapists undergo additional specialist training to perform the Maternal Moment treatment, with care and comfort being the utmost priority. The treatment rooms themselves, along with the overall spa service, really make this a special occasion for expectant mothers. Spacious, dark-wood private rooms are serenely lit, with fully-adjustable beds, additional pillows for complete support and comfort, and fruit platters and juices provided after the treatment in the relaxation area. Guests are also welcome to enjoy the rest of the spa at leisure – including the 25-meter swimming pool. The overall experience makes for one very welcome and restorative treat, available for the second and third trimester. Charlotte Davey
Address: Bvlgari Hotel London, 171 Knightsbridge, London SW7 1DW
Price: Maternal Moment treatment, £320 for 90 minutes
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The HVN
As a lover of massages, the idea of having to lie on your side during a pregnancy massage does put a damper on the whole experience. Not at The HVN though, where I enjoyed the best massage of my life – pregnant or otherwise. This zen Knightsbridge address, with its woodland aromatics and sculptural interiors, is part of the new generation of wellness member’s clubs in London, where biohacking, hyperbaric chambers and medical aesthetics are commonplace. The Pregnancy Ritual treatment takes place on a hydrobed, a UK first and, in layman's terms, a heated water bed that forms a cocoon around your body. This wonderful warming and weightless feeling, combined with the soothing bird song soundtrack (although this, all with all of the treatment’s elements, can be customised to your personal preference), would have enough to lull me to sleep. But then their was the massage itself, 60 minutes of utter bliss using dedicated, fragrance-free pregnancy massage oil, with the option to also add a body scrub as well. The treatment is available from 2nd trimester up to 35 weeks and 4 weeks post-birth. Just be warned getting out of the hydrobed while heavily pregnant and half asleep requires a healthy sense of humour. Lauren Burvill
Address: 57-63 Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7BF
Price: £205 plus membership fee
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Akasha at Hotel Cafe Royal
It's hard to believe that underneath the sheer chaos of Piccadilly Circus lies one of the most relaxing hideaways in all of London. To reach it, step behind the unassuming yet magical doorway that's right next to the tube station and take the lift down. There you'll be greeted by the golden glow of Himalayan salt candle holders, which lead to one of the most surreal sites – a large illuminated swimming pool surrounded by private day beds. Arrive early to do a couple of laps before curling up in a robe and entering one of the treatment rooms, all dimly light with minimal stone and wood interiors. Massage beds are firm and heated and, while you lie on your side hugging a pillow, can be manoeuvred to have you sitting more upright depending on what's comfortable. Massages are full body, even strategically including the tops and sides of feet (but not the bottom as this has been known to stimulate labour), which I very much enjoyed. Considering its central location, the spa is impressively zen and quiet – my appointment took place on a Friday afternoon in May, and I luxuriously had the swimming pool to myself. Lauren Burvill
Address: Hotel Café Royal, 50 Regent St., London W1B 5AS
Price: £179 for 60 minutes or £229 for 90 minutes
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Dimple Amani at Define London
Fusing Ayurvedic and results-driven approaches, Dimple Amani has perfected the art of holistic, blissfully relaxing lymphatic drainage massage for pregnant people. Body oils are heated to aid relaxation and specially developed wooden sculpting tools are employed to enhance the physical effects of every stroke. Starting at the feet and moving up through the body using strong, sweeping motions, every touch feels considered and beneficial. Therapists are dedicated to the outcome and highly skilled to ensure each minute of the treatment time serves its purpose. Add the sculpting facial massage to the full-body option to enjoy the effects of the copper Kansa wand – a smooth, rounded handheld tool designed to depuff and contour. Take home a tub of Miracle Tea; the mix of healing herbs and spices has been developed with Ayurvedic practitioners in the Himalayas and promises to elongate the effects of the session.
Address: Dimple Amani at Define London, Define London 42 Vauxhall Bridge Road SW1V 2RX
Price: The 60 minute Amani Method Lymphatic Drainage Pregnancy Massage is £390 with Dimple Amani and £180 with one of her team. The 45-minute Amani Method Kansa Wand Facial Sculpt is £395 with Dimple Amani and £245 with one of her team
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The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge
The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge is dedicated to calm and tranquillity. Hotel guests who book a 90-minute treatment also gain access to its facilities. That aside, the hour-and-a-half-long pregnancy treatment is well worth indulging in if the goal is to leave feeling invigorated, lighter and blissfully relaxed. It starts with a full body salt scrub to brighten and exfoliate the skin, and there’s a shower inside the treatment room for ease. Featuring supportive props and pillows, the full-body massage is generous in time and indulgence. Specific areas of focus are taken into account and a cooling gel is incorporated into the session’s foot and leg portion. There are fluffy robes, full-length lockers, changing rooms fitted with good hair dryers and a range of essential toiletries, all of which make getting ready for a non-alcoholic cocktail in the famous Rotunda bar upstairs all the more enjoyable.
Address: The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge, 10 Trinity Square, London EC3N 4AJ
Price: The 60-90 minute Mother-To-Be Relaxing Drainage Massage is between £185 and £275
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Fina London
Among the hub of premium aesthetic treatments on Harley Street, Fina offers multiple options for lymphatic drainage during pregnancy. Both manual massages and machine-lead approaches can be tailored to the body and face. Unlike most massage equipment, the hand-held LPG technology features a specific setting that softens its movements to ensure lymph nodes are targeted more readily than muscles. It feels like a mini suction rolling up and down the skin, and the outcome is more about visible results than relaxation. The manual alternative, however, is effective in reducing inflammation and water retention, yet is also calming in a way that makes leaving the room a challenging task. Beds are lined with cushions for comfort, and areas of specific requirement are focused on – the back of the waist, ankles, and inner thighs, for example, spots often overlooked in less tailored treatments.
Address: Fina London, 104 Harley Street, London W1G7JD
Price: The 60 minute Signature Pregnancy Aid massage and LPG® Body Lymphatic Drainage massage are both £180
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Masaj
For an alternative setting to the hotel spa, book into Masaj for something with a little character and a boutique feel. Considered touches include details like a whiteboard customer form (no paper wasted here) that not only includes preferences related to pressure and style, but offers guests the chance to choose their playlist. Options range from deeply meditational to something with a little R&B. Uniquely, all oils here are safe to use during pregnancy so the choice is ample. Treatments are tailored to the individual, performed when lying on the side, and start at the legs. Price points are also lower than London’s other famous outlets, making it all the more tempting to book a follow-up session right away.
Address: 10 Charlotte Rd, London EC2A 3DH
Price: The 60 minute Pre/Post Natal Massage is £85
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Bamford Wellness Spa
If you don’t already know about the spa at Bamford in South Kensington, it’s time to get familiarised. Not only does it offer the same calibre and range of treatments as its famous Cotswolds outpost, but it also hosts a class schedule spanning yoga, sound baths and pilates. The 60-minute pregnancy massage is primarily focused on relieving tension and tightness in the neck and back, but covers the full body with some (potentially much-needed) attention placed on the feet and legs. Gentle yoga-inspired stretches are incorporated, and there’s an option to include soft and rhythmic movements across the abdomen to allow the baby to enjoy a soothing session, too. Hot towels wrapped around the feet aid circulation, and ample props are on hand to ensure optimum comfort throughout.
Address: Bamford Wellness Spa, 104 Draycott Ave, London SW3 3AE
Price: The 60 minute Pregnancy Massage is £130
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Claridge’s Spa
Glossy marble tiles line the high-ceilinged hallway to the spa at Claridge's, leading to a serene entrance space with a gentle water fountain and an alcove sofa. It sets the tone for what's to come; spa treatment rooms provide a cocoon-like warmth enhanced with meditative music and plush linens on the bed, set up with all the props a pregnant person might need to feel supported. Choose a bespoke treatment and clarify requirements on booking. Each session is personal, but most treatments start with a foot soak and continue to a massage that covers both sides of the body from toe to scalp. Back, neck and shoulders are a priority and gentle stretches as well as manipulation of the limbs add an element of mobility. Swollen feet and ankles are targeted using techniques that dissipate water retention towards the end of the hour.
Address: Claridge’s Spa, Brook Street, London W1K 4HR
Price: Bespoke massage, £250 for 60 minutes and £290 for 90 minutes
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The Retreat at The Londoner
One thing’s for sure: The Londoner’s got style. Proudly positioned on the edge of Leicester Square with something slightly Shoreditch House-esque about it, it’s modern in design approach and vast in space. The Retreat is its in-house spa, well-equipped with a hair salon, male grooming space and a nail bar, as well as its own smoothie and health food outlet. There are two options for pre/post natal guests: the Mother’s Massage and the Cocoon. Try both. While the massage is tailored to suit the needs and requirements of the individual based on their trimester and personal experience, the Cocoon offers an indulgent combination that would feel like a treat any day of the week; the full-body salt scrub, wrap and a cooling gel mask are designed to relieve tired legs.
Address: The Retreat at The Londoner, 38 Leicester Square, London WC2H 7DX
Price: The 60 minute Mother’s Massage is £100 and the 60 minute Cocoon is £110
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Flavia Morelatto at Harvey Nichols
Brazilian-born Flavia Morelatto has a well-earned reputation as one of London’s most in-demand therapists when it comes to lymphatic drainage. Whether clients are pregnant, postpartum, recovering from surgery or simply needing some TLC, each massage aims to result in both tangible and visible changes. Wearing logo-print, baby-pink branded outfits, each member of her expert team imparts the kind of knowledge and service that would make even the most apprehensive mother-to-be feel in safe hands. During pregnancy, the manual procedure is recommended once per week to eliminate toxins, encourage circulation, relieve heavy legs and offer a sense of lightness – something it absolutely delivers after just 55 minutes in the Harvey Nichols treatment rooms.
Address: Flavia Morelatto at Harvey Nichols, Harvey Nichols, 109-125 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7RJ
Price: The 55 minute Pregnancy/Post-Partum Massage is £180
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The Lanesborough Club & Spa
There are few hotels in London more grandiose than The Lanesborough. Its impressive architecture and traditional decor continue into the Club Spa, which emanates opulence. The lounge alone is designed in line with the hotel's ground floor and features an open fireplace, high-backed armchairs and dark-wood tables scattered with glossy magazines. The Rose Pregnancy Massage is best booked as a 90-minute option to include the salt scrub. There's a real sense of awareness that every pregnancy and person will be different. The back, abdomen, legs and feet are worked on to alleviate aches, pains and areas of tension and therapists focus on the Ayurvedic marma points – parts of the body where energy exists – to promote inner peace.
Address: The Lanesborough Club & Spa, Hyde Park Corner, London SW1X 7TA
Price: The Rose Pregnancy Massage is £70 for 60 minutes and £215 for 90 minutes, inclusive of the salt scrub
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The House of Elemis
If I had to name one winning factor that makes the Elemis massage so special, it would be the pear-shaped beanbag and on-floor set-up that it happens on. This is comfort in its purest form: it cleverly eliminates the need to climb up on a table or feel restricted by its width. Once appropriately sunken into the soft, supportive structure of the cushion, the treatment begins with warm towels around the feet, includes a full body massage using oils derived specifically to prevent and target stretch marks and a cooling gel across the back and legs, which tingles as it gets to work alleviating tired muscles. If you’re opting for the facial as well as the massage, the set-up remains the same so as not to disrupt the flow. There’s an option to include a digital skin consultation at the start of the session so therapists know exactly what products to use to achieve personalised results.
Address: The House of Elemis, 2 Lancashire Court, London W1S 1EX
Price: The Peaceful Pregnancy Massage Face & Body Experience is £210 for 120 minutes
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Nobu Shoreditch
For a massage that feels as more akin to a pre-pregnancy treatment, the spa at Nobu Shoreditch is the place to book. No matter the treatment, guests are handed an Elemental Herbology face and body profile form – a tool used to establish which oils and techniques should be applied during the session. For pregnancy, the Tree of Life oil is recommended due to its Shea and lavender infusions, which help to promote skin elasticity and have calming effects. The bed is laid with stacks of yoga bolster-esque cushions that make staying seated comfortable and enable the practitioner to work on the back and shoulders. Knowledgeable, experienced and ready to answer any questions, therapists explain why and how firm pressure can still be safely applied, as well as identifying the points that will actively be avoided. Techniques are designed to aid circulation and eliminate excess water retention without making it the focused outcome. Expect to leave feeling relaxed, perhaps a little lighter, and with a few less knots in the shoulders.
Address: Nobu Hotel, 10-50 Willow Street, London EC2A 4BH
Price: The 60 minute Pre-Natal Wellbeing Massage is £130 on weekdays and £140 at weekends
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Sarah Jane Watson
Sarah Jane Watson prefers to visit clients in the comfort of their own home, eschewing the disruption of post-treatment door-to-door travel and encouraging total relaxation in a safe space. The approach is wholly welcome considering the depth of meditation that the SJW Signature Treatment imbues. Watson tailors her session to the needs of each individual, and instills a sense of trust through her confident yet calming persona. She starts at the soles of the feet and works towards the crown of the head, adapting her technique and to suit each body’s individual response. Not only would every person’s treatment capture something unique but every session is bespoke, aiming to go beyond the manipulation of muscle and connect with the mind, too.
Address: Sarah is available for home visits and is based in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Price: The SJW Signature Treatment is £450
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Landmark Hotel
The spa in the basement of iconic The Landmark London is cleverly equipped with treatment beds that almost seem tailored to suit pregnancy – they can be adjusted into a V-shaped position that supports the lower back and bump and slightly elevates the legs. The attention starts and ends at the feet, and hot towels are applied which immediately switches the mind into relaxation mode. The compact room is dimly lit and bedecked in dark wood, and massage pressure is gentle. Every required area of the body is tended to. To conclude the 50-minute treatment, a cooling gel is applied to calves and feet, alleviating tiredness, soreness and relieving the effects of water retention built up over time. I'd highly recommend teaming the pregnancy massage with the Landmark’s famous afternoon tea so you can indulge in a full day of luxury.
Address: The Landmark Hotel, 222 Marylebone Road, London, NW1 6JQ
Price: The 50 minute Next Arrival Massage is £125 on weekdays and £135 at the weekend
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Salon C. Stellar
Independent businesses always offer something different, and Salon Circumstellar fuses a medical approach with holistic influence. Nestled on Beak Street in the heart of Soho, it first opened in January 2023 to offer an escape from the city's energy outside. Inside emanates a bohemian aesthetic – think colourful freehand artwork and eclectic ceramics that fill the space with character. Treatment rooms are simplistic, allowing the practitioners' expertise to do the talking. All are hand-picked by the founder and services span everything from massage to sound baths, with a focus on facials and natural skincare. Opt for the pregnancy-specific The Best Massage option, and book in to try the Sheia Perez Method Lymphatic Drainage massage post-partum to enjoy the full benefits of deeper stimulation and more intense fluid elimination.
Address: Salon C. Stellar, 19B Beak St, Carnaby, London W1F 9RP
Price: The Best Massage is £120 for 45 minutes and £180 for 75 minutes
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