The new 1931 Skin Caviar Ritual brings together two luxury names synonymous with elegance and indulgence. I checked into The Dorchester Spa to find out whether this exclusive new treatment lives up to the hype.

I’ve had plenty of facials over the years, but I’d never experienced one quite like the new 1931 The Dorchester Skin Caviar Ritual. Not because it promised miraculous results or involved some futuristic new technology, but because somewhere during the final stages I found myself desperately trying to stay awake before inevitably losing the battle altogether.

The treatment has been created to celebrate a new partnership between The Dorchester Spa and Swiss luxury skincare house La Prairie, two brands whose histories both stretch back to 1931. Available exclusively at the hotel, the 90-minute ritual combines a full body experience with one of La Prairie’s signature Skin Caviar facials, all tailored to your skin’s individual needs.

The experience actually begins long before you reach the treatment room. Rather than being hurried through to your appointment, you’re invited to spend time in the spa’s relaxation lounge, reclining on oversized cushions while the outside world gradually slips away. Sitting just off bustling Park Lane, it feels surprisingly cocooned, and after only a few minutes I could already feel the pace of the day beginning to slow.

When my therapist, Mili, came to collect me, she immediately put me at ease. Before the treatment even began, she asked me to close my eyes, breathe deeply and imagine myself standing in a peaceful Swiss forest while inhaling its scent. It sounds wonderfully indulgent, and perhaps a little theatrical on paper, but it genuinely helped quieten my busy mind before a hand had even touched my skin.

What happens during the La Prairie Skin Caviar facial?

The ritual opens with around thirty minutes dedicated entirely to the back. Using beautifully smooth British marble stones inspired by The Dorchester‘s interiors, Mili worked away the tension that seems to have permanently taken up residence between my shoulders. The massage struck that perfect balance between deeply therapeutic and relaxing, easing tight muscles without ever feeling too firm. The facial itself began with a thorough cleanse followed by a gentle three-minute peel before La Prairie’s luxurious Skin Caviar products were carefully applied using long, flowing massage techniques. There was no sense of rushing through a prescribed routine. Every movement felt considered, rhythmic and calming, encouraging you to switch off completely while your skin received the sort of attention most of us never give it at home.

This is where my recollection becomes slightly less likely to stand up in court. I vividly remember telling myself not to fall asleep because I wanted to experience every moment of the treatment. Unfortunately, relaxation won. I’m reliably informed by Mili, whose hands possess something close to magic, that she gently applied La Prairie’s lotions and potions before using gua sha techniques to encourage circulation and sculpt the face. I have absolutely no reason to doubt her because, by this point, I was somewhere between a very deep state of relaxation and an actual nap.

At one point I woke myself with one of those dramatic little snorts that instantly makes you wonder whether anyone else heard it. I attempted to style it out by keeping my eyes firmly closed and pretending I’d never felt so alive in my life. If there’s ever been a compliment for a facial, surely falling asleep during it must rank pretty highly.

When I finally looked in the mirror, my skin looked exactly how I’d hoped it would. There was a healthy glow rather than an obvious shine, my complexion looked brighter and more even, and everything simply appeared fresher and well rested. It wasn’t one of those treatments where you walk out looking dramatically different. Instead, I looked like a slightly better version of myself, which is probably the best result any facial can deliver.

Back in the relaxation lounge, I was handed a chilled mango juice and what may genuinely have been the best protein ball I’ve ever eaten, both of which were very welcome before stepping back into reality. Unfortunately, that reality involved swapping one of London’s most luxurious hotels for the Number 23 bus during the evening rush hour, which was something of a comedown after ninety minutes of complete tranquillity. The only thing that could possibly have improved the afternoon would have been being able to float upstairs to one of The Dorchester’s beautiful bedrooms instead of heading home. Perhaps next time.

Is The Dorchester’s £600 La Prairie facial worth it?

At £600, the 1931 The Dorchester Skin Caviar Ritual is undeniably a luxury experience rather than an everyday indulgence, but if you’re searching for one of the best luxury facials in London or you’re curious about experiencing La Prairie at The Dorchester Spa, it’s an exceptional treatment delivered with genuine warmth and expertise. Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself drifting off. Judging by how relaxed I felt afterwards, I suspect that might be exactly what it’s designed to do.

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