Treatment Review: KOKO by Cadbury's chocolate facial @ The Ajala Spa

It would hardly be pushing it to call me a bit of a chocolate addict, as barely a day goes by where I don't have a lovely mouthful of the stud. Be it good ol Galaxy, the latest Crème egg to hit the newsagent or trialling whatever McDonalds think their McFlurrys should taste like, I'm on it. Sure, this doesn't play to well with trying to stay a size 10/12- but hey, that's what the gym (shudder) is for right?

When I heard about the latest facial that combined chocolate and oxygen to give you a thorough cleansing and combines this with a luxurious massage I knew I had to try it! I headed down to the Ajala Spa to try out their Cadbury's and Karin Herzog KOKO facial.

I entered the hotel early as I was told that I could enjoy the facilities before having the treatment. The hotel was amazingly impressive, tall pillars coated in moving digital images and lush ferns surrounding the main reception. The spa was below ground, and had a decadent chocolate brown loo, with warm walls and soft lighting. There was a relaxation room to enjoy, full of comfortable beds and a drinks cabinet which stocked juices, tea and a variety of lush pralines.

I opted to try the pool which lay adjacent the Ajala spa and I enjoyed a couple of laps in the sea green water. Once I'd felt justified in the exercise department I headed into the Jacuzzi for a relaxing soak, loving the feel of the jets on my back. I admired the multicoloured tiles and the spa gave me a lovely feeling of calm and wellbeing.. like I was floating away in the midst of some very warm water..

Once I'd managed to pull myself out of the Jacuzzi I headed over to the treatment room- which was why I was there after all. A lovely beautician took a detailed consultation and then I was taken to a room to change. The room was shrouded in chocolate brown drapes, with two inviting looking beds nestled side by side and a large rolltop bath at the back of the room.

The facial started with a massage. Yes, a massage. I lay on my front whilst the therapist used a delicious chocolate oil to massage my arms, back and shoulders. She kneaded her way up the skin with a fantastic pressure and there was an amazing smell of chocolate which was like someone had dipped me in a Cadbury's melting pot and swooshed my body around on a wave of chocolate. I was tempted to lick the oil used- but managed to restrain myself.

Next came the facial element which started with a deep cleanse using the Karin Herzog Finest Chocolate Cleanser and a hot flannel to remove all the grime. Then we moved onto a gentle scrub to remove impurities, and a mask was applied. My skin was gently covered in strips of gauze to allow the mask to sink deep into the skin. Whilst the mask setting a combination of warm monoi oil and melted Cadbury's truffles was massaged into my arms and shoulders, making me feel very cosseted.

I really liked how there was no 'down time' in their treatment, and I never had to just lie there waiting for something to happen, the therapist was always , making me comfortable or performing an action.

After my treatment I chilled out in the relaxation room, nibbling truffles and chomping on fruit till I was ready to leave. In the days following my skin looked plumped and radiant and my limbs felt super soft from that Monoi oil- I'd definitely recommend it.

I had the treatment at the Ajala Spa in the Grange Hotel, St Paul's. 10 Godliman Street, London EC4V 5AJ. Call 020 7074 1000 for more information. It cost £70, and you can also get this nationwide- check out Karin Herzog for more details.

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