Even when paying firm attention to one’s health and wellness, living in a big and busy city like London means that it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, overstimulated and exhausted by it all at times. I know I feel the weight of the busy streets, the crowds of tourists, the daily commute and the pollution on my physical and mental health, and a healthy lifestyle sometimes is just not enough to fight the stress we put ourselves under. 

It’s not always possible to pack our bags and escape the hustle and bustle every time we feel the need to recharge, so for me, staycations have become a way to switch off completely and try to embrace that holiday feeling while only being a tube ride away from home. You might not be able to enjoy a sea view or a plate of freshly caught fish at a beach restaurant, but you can still make the most of your time without having to travel nor take any annual leave. 

In my continuous research for a moment of calm in the city, I stumbled on a 5-star hotel that puts the art of slowing down at the core of their business. Only minutes away from Hyde Park, in the heart of Marylebone, The Prince Akatoki Hotel is a haven of relaxation in the midst of the London madness. Once you enter the doors, you are transported to a Japanese-style sanctuary that has been built around the idea of offering guests a cocoon of relaxation, where they can unwind and relax in a peaceful environment, starting from the lobby, all the way to the gym. 

The interiors are characterised by the use of natural materials like light wood and a calming colour palette throughout every area of the hotel. The 82 rooms and suites boast a minimalist aesthetic that comes with outstanding attention to detail. From the plush pillows and comfortable mattress and the rainshower filled with MALIN+GOETZ bath products to the yoga mat available in every room and the healthy drinks on offer in the minibar. It’s the small things that make the difference, after all!

At The Prince Akatoki, everything is about a good night’s sleep – and I couldn’t agree more. Nothing works as well to relieve stress than a great 8+ hour sleep. To wind down, the hotel suggests starting with the food. Tokii, the hotel’s fabulous Japanese restaurant, offers an array of delightful dishes that you can savour while sipping on a cheeky cocktail or a selection of sake. From yellowtail carpaccio and wagyu beef tartare to a classic selection of fresh sashimi, handrolls, and an indulgent miso-glazed black cod, Tokii’s cuisine is both flavourful and sophisticated. 

In the room, a selection of Japanese tea awaits you to be enjoyed while relaxing with a bubble bath – although I have to admit, I opted for a glass of sparkling sake while watching a rerun of Legally Blonde on the bathtub’s TV. The ‘floating beds’ give you a feeling of weightlessness, and the headboards are carved with designs of the dawn, which – along with the room’s deliberately low lighting – help you to wind down before going to sleep. The turndown service also includes a comfortable kimono that will be laid for you on the bed to make you feel as comfortable as possible in your home away from home, while an extensive pillow menu and soothing pillow sprays will be left on the bedside table. For children, the hotel offers warm milk and Sakura cookies to accompany bedtime stories.

After a great night’s sleep, I started my morning at The Prince Akatoki’s small but mighty gym. The sleek minimalist aesthetic distinctive of the hotel is also carried out in the wellness space, in which you’ll find last-generation TechnoGym equipment, weights and fitness balls and even a Peloton bike. After an invigorating morning sweat, it was time to go back to Tokii to enjoy a nutritious Japanese breakfast – think grilled salmon, rice and vegetables – or a traditional Western buffet with Danish pastries, fresh fruits, cheeses and cured meats and more breakfast favourites like a classic full English or a perfectly gooey omelette. 

Packing my bag to head out, I wished my 24-hour staycation could have magically transformed into a week-long wellness retreat. I guess I’ll have to make it a yearly tradition!

Book your stay, a dinner,  an omakase experience or even a sushi-making masterclass at theprinceakatokilondon.com

words by Alessia Armenise