About the experience

Our private floating spa in the heart of London is a spa like no other.

There is something wonderfully calming about stepping away from the city and onto the water.

The gentle movement of the boats, the calls of waterfowl and the changing light across Limehouse Marina make this a rather different experience from an ordinary London spa.

Aboard Maria Alexander, our beautifully converted 70-foot canal boat, you’ll find a crackling wood-fired sauna, a bubbling hot tub beneath a skylight and the pleasure of having the entire boat to yourselves.

Your Time Aboard

Our friendly crew will meet you outside Limehouse Marina and accompany you along the pontoon to the canopy-covered stern of Maria Alexander.

Once aboard, you’ll be greeted by the delicate fragrance of Angela Flanders’ scented oils. You’ll be shown around the vessel and introduced to its facilities before changing into your robes and settling down to a warm foot soak using organic Wilder Botanics products, accompanied by one of their fragrant, organic loose-herb infusions.

This gentle introduction allows you to slow down, unwind and enjoy a moment of calm before your massage or time in the spa.

If you’ve added a massage or treatment, this will take place in our treatment area “The Cocoon”, where up to two guests can enjoy their treatments together surrounded by soft folds of pale blue fabric that fall in gentle waves, creating a peaceful, sheltered space away from the outside world.

Massage time is additional to your 90-minute spa booking: a 30- or 60-minute massage automatically extends your reservation by the treatment duration, so none of your private spa time is lost.

Warmth, Water and the Changing Seasons

The wood-fired sauna is heated to your preferred temperature, usually at about 80°C , while the bubbling hot tub offers several hydrotherapy massage stations, with water heated between 36°C and 40°C.

Above the hot tub, a large skylight opens the view to the changing seasons. On bright days, sunshine streams through the glass; on others, you might find yourself listening to rain gently pattering overhead.

Underfloor heating keeps the interior wonderfully warm during colder weather, usually around 25°C. In summer, air conditioning provides a cooler retreat, while the bow doors can be opened to welcome a warm breeze or, in winter, a refreshing rush of cold air contrasting with the warmth inside.

Being on the water brings its own particular pleasures.

Sunlight dances across the ripples of the marina, casting shifting reflections through the portholes. You may hear the calls of waterfowl or the bells of St Anne’s, Limehouse, ringing every quarter of an hour.

Beneath it all is the subtle movement of the boat herself, responding to the wind and water as she rests against her moorings.

Each season brings something different, from long summer afternoons to wonderfully cosy winter evenings.

Entirely Yours

The whole boat is reserved exclusively for you and your guests, with no other visitors or interruptions.

Mineral water, fresh organic fruit and herbal infusions are provided throughout your stay.

Our Crew will leave you to enjoy complete privacy, remaining discreetly available should you need refreshments or assistance. Simply ring one of the small handbells provided and someone will come to help.

There is no particular routine to follow. Move between the sauna, hot tub, rain shower and deck chairs as you please, watch the changing light across the water, or simply settle into the warmth and stillness.

Browse one of the books or magazines, chat and catch up with each other or simply doze.

For a little while, London can wait.

Book Your Private Spa Experience

Maria Alexander welcomes individuals, couples and private groups of up to four guests.

Every reservation includes exclusive use of the boat and its spa facilities, with optional massages and additional spa time available when booking.

Two women relaxing in a bubbling hot tub in a cozy indoor spa setting
Two women wearing sauna hats and towels relax in a warm wooden sauna.
Spa therapists perform a relaxing facial massage on clients lying beneath blankets.
Two women in cozy robes clink coffee cups in a bright spa-like bathroom with a tub, flowers, and plants.

  • Location

    Maria Alexander is based inside Limehouse Marina in East London.

    The closest transport links are Limehouse DLR and C2C Stations a few minutes walk away, providing quick access from Canary Wharf, The City and Central London. Canary Wharf stations and Canary Wharf pier are approximately 15 to 20 minutes walk along the Thames.

    For operational reasons we usually meet guests just outside the main marina gate before escorting them aboard the vessel.

  • Experience & Atmosphere

    Spa experiences are only conducted whilst the boat is securely moored. You’ll enjoy the gentle movement of water without any cruising.

    Every booking is for exclusive use. Only your group and our spa team will be aboard.

    The spa is designed for year-round comfort regardless of weather with a heated interior and air conditioning.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Unless specifically requested in advance your hosts and therapists will usually be one female and one male.

    If you would prefer female therapists and hosts only, we can usually accommodate this with sufficient notice. Please let us know when making your booking.

  • We provide towels, robes, and spa slippers as well as shampoo and body wash.

    Please bring swimwear (ideally fitted and not loose such as bermudas) and any personal items you may need.

    There’s a shower (within the open plan spa area) and changing space with a hairdryer for your convenience. We also provide wet bags in order to carry swimwear home.

  • We offer water herbal teas and snacks such as dried fruit.

    More substantial food options will be offered in the near future.

    Please let us know in advance if any guest has allergies, intolerances or specific dietary requirements.

  • Yes. Alongside massage, we can arrange a small selection of spa treatments, including a dry head spa, LED treatments, spa facials and other individually tailored combinations.

    Please check the treatments page (coming soon) for further detail.

  • While most guests choose one of our standard experiences, we can arrange longer private bookings with a combination of spa time, treatments and other elements such as food tailored to your occasion.

    Please contact us to discuss availability and pricing.

  • Certain treatments and spa facilities may not be suitable during pregnancy.

    If you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant, please contact us before booking and we will be happy to discuss the options available.

  • Please note access to the boat involves stepping on and off a narrow floating pontoon and navigating several steps into the boat. Additionally, the nature of a canal boat means that certain spaces are necessarily compact and some features are fixed in place.

    As a result the experience will likely be unsuitable for those with restricted mobility or requiring additional space for their comfort.

    Please contact us if you are unsure about suitability.

    For safety reasons, the spa experience is reserved for guests aged 16 and over.

  • You may cancel or reschedule up to 3 days (72 hours) before your experience.

    Cancellations or rescheduling requests made with less than 3 days (72 hours) notice, or failure to attend, may result in the booking fee being retained.

    As each experience is prepared exclusively for your party, we kindly ask guests to arrive at the agreed time. If you expect to be delayed, please let us know as soon as possible. Late arrival may reduce the time available for your booking.

    The person making the booking should ensure that any relevant medical conditions, allergies, dietary requirements or mobility considerations affecting their party are communicated to us before arrival.