Get holiday ready in Knightsbridge

For an ultra-luxe destination housing everything from lash tinting (£55) to bikini waxing (£60), you couldn’t get more glamorous than The Lanesborough Club & Spa for your beauty prep. Named “Best Spa in London” at the Good Spa Awards last year, the prestigious five-star hotel (overlooking Hyde Park, no less) boasts an exclusive health club and spa if you fancy living the A-list life post-treatment. Or go the whole hog and book yourself in for a spa day to really get yourself in the holiday mood. The Ultimate Spa Day, £755, includes treatments and a two-course lunch in the Club Spa & Restaurant.

Hyde Park Corner, SW1X 7TA

When it comes to pre-holiday pedicures, Nail’d It (found at Harvey Nichols) is a destination in itself – sit back in one of its elegant pastel seats and let the elaborate pampering begin. Pedicures start at £70 (there’s even a kid’s version if little ones are in tow) with plenty of luxurious add-ons available. It’s the place to come for fashion-forward nail art, not to mention IG selfies. But be warned: you may want to languish there all day with the drinks menu instead of catching that flight…

109-125 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7RJ

From Ray-Ban and Gucci to Miu Miu and Prada, you’ll find just about every conceivable style of shades at Sunglass Hut. Book an appointment with an eyewear expert for some no-nonsense advice or walk straight in and try a few pairs on for size. With everything from polarized lenses for beach days, to smart glasses that allow you to take calls from your lounger, grab a pair – or two – to complement your new beach garms (there’s also free in-store cleaning and adjustments to your glasses, should you need it).

155 Brompton Road, SW3 1QP

If there’s one thing you do before heading away this year, it should be getting your luggage on point. Instead of careering round airport terminals on jerky old suitcase wheels, why not pack your finest holiday fits in something a little more appropriate? As well as its uber-stylish designs, state-of-the-art luggage brand Tumi’s cases are put through over 30 rigorous tests before they get to you; everything from “tumble tests” – where bags are tumbled 125 times to check for sturdiness – to “handle jerk tests”, ensuring they’re truly up to scratch for your next trip (and you’ll look chic carrying them, too).

55 Brompton Road, SW3 1DP

New health hotspot The HVN (pronounced “haven”) is home to a whole host of seriously futuristic, science-backed wellness experiences (think fully integrated health evaluations, doctor-led consultations and treatments combining the newest technology with ancient therapies). Full-body rituals on The HVN’s impressive Hydrobed (heated to an optimum 38 degrees to draw you into a deep state of relaxation) are like no other, and incorporate steam, rain showers, sea salt exfoliation, skin-softening wraps and traditional massage for an authentic spa experience. Expect softer, brighter skin and a deliciously floaty feeling ahead of your flight (or after, to soothe the post-holiday blues).

57-63 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7BF

Sophie Goddard is a freelance journalist and former features editor at Cosmopolitan and entertainment editor at Marie Claire