BLOG

Review by Curious London: AUTHENTIC RUSSIAN R&R AT BANYA NO.1

Review by Curious London: AUTHENTIC RUSSIAN R&R AT BANYA NO.1

It’s rare to experience both excitement and fear before a spa day, but Banya No.1, London’s foremost – and indeed only – Russian Spa, is a bit of a special case. I was really looking forward to experiencing an authentic banya, but I was also afraid of being stripped naked, beaten senseless with birch logs and thrown into an ice cold underground lake.

I know, I know. I think I may have let my imagination run away with me a bit. It turns out that parenie, the Russian massage technique involving big bundles of leaves, is one of the most magical sensations my mortal shell has ever experienced, and you don’t even have to be naked. (And yes, there is a plunge pool, but it’s really quite nice).

Can you blame me, though, when there are pictures like this floating around?

Russian banya history

Terrifying, I think you’ll agree.

But I went anyway, to Micawber Street off City Road, where underground sits a small but perfectly formed spa.

Banya No.1 London

The first order of the day (after disrobing and sucking down a potent cup of herbal tea) was to visit the sauna. Russian saunas are not quite as hot as their Nordic or Western counterparts, but are much more humid, which makes the heat significantly more bearable. This humidity is also better for the skin, which is why the proper way to relax in Russia is to roast, rinse and repeat, over and over.

The high humidity in a traditional banya is created by splashing water on to a tonne of cast iron heated to 700°C (!)

After my first sauna session and some epic monging out in the lounge, I was led back in for parenie. Huge bundles of fragrant, wet eucalyptus and birch were laid down for me to rest my face and feet on, and my banshik appeared in a pair of swim shorts, which threw me for a second until I realised how hot you’d get doing something so vigorous in temperatures of 80°C.

Rusian banya venik

The bundles of foliage – called venik – are actually used primarily to pull the rising heat down on to the body, creating a great whoomph! of warmth before the banshik brings them down onto the skin, creating a sensation not unlike sitting in a torrential downpour. With the scent of the fresh leaves in my nose, the roar of water on the sauna’s hot coals and the wet venik on my back, I could almost believe I was lying in a rainforest.

Once parenie was over, I stood beneath a shower while my banshik pulled a bucket of cool water over me. “Do you feel up to the plunge pool?” he asked, indicating the enormous wooden tub in the middle of the spa. Determined not to miss out on an authentic experience, I nodded. This has been the bit I was most afraid of (excluding the birch whipping, which, of course, was completely unfounded). And yeah, it was cold. Like, reallycold. But it was also amazing; I’d used plunge pools before, but none after anything like parenie. It felt electric.

Plunge pool

7°C is chilly at the best of times…

BONUS: that eucalyptus is pretty magical stuff – it immediately cleared out my sinuses and gave my skin a lovely glow.

Russian spa experience

No filter! (I’m not 100% sure what the hat was about, but everyone was wearing them.)

After some more tea, I went to the steam room for my honey and coffee scrub, which frankly made my DIY efforts with a shower loofah look utterly pathetic. The banshik buffed my body – we’re talking almost all of it, buttocks, armpits, decollete – with the industriousness of a Victorian butler polishing the good silver. After the most intense exfoliating action of my life, I was sluiced down with a big bowl of warm water and sent on my merry way. I left as smooth as an otter, smelling faintly of breakfast.

(If you’re self-conscious about getting scrubbed down by a dude, don’t worry. They ask if you’d prefer a lady when you check in, but the staff are totally professional, and I feel like you get much more welly with a male therapist! The banshik who perform parenie are always male though, because it’s so physically demanding).

Thermal treatment Parenie

Now, although nothing I experienced at Banya No.1 was in any way painful, these Russians do not fuck about. I’ve had massages from therapists elsewhere who seem to think their clients come in for a tickle, and it does nothing for me. At Banya No.1, however, you can expect some pretty powerful sensation.  Treatments are relatively short. A typical massage in a conventional spa might be 30 minutes at least, but both my parenie session and my scrub were just ten minutes each. It doesn’t sound like a lot of time, but the heat of the sauna and the vigorousness of the scrub make both experiences quite intense.

There’s none of this discreet towel adjusting like you get in English spas either, and no whales crooning in the background. In fact, my parenie session was in the sauna while a group of four women chattered in the background. You’d think this would detract from the experience, but it actually gave the whole thing quite a relaxed, convivial vibe. It probably helped that they were speaking in Russian, though, the effect may have been different if they’d been a gaggle of Essex girls discussing the latest Celebrity Big Brother.

I emerged from the spa to blazing sunshine, feeling like a velvety smooth, tranquil goddess. Which is unusual for me, as I’m usually a flaky-skinned hotbed of stress. (That’s another thing; I suffer from pretty severe eczema, but because Banya No.1 is super strict about all-natural ingredients, not even the scrub aggravated it). Would I do it again? Absolutely. You can even book in to have two blokes do you over with the venik at once, and where else can you get that kind of experience?

I visited Banya No. 1 at the request of their PR team, but, as always, all views are my own. 

other articles:

gif
see more
Celebrating Our Latest 2024 Award Nominations
Awards
icon

Celebrating Our Latest 2024 Award Nominations

We are thrilled to announce that Banya No.1 – Hoxton has been recognised as a finalist in three prestigious categories at the BABTAC Awards 2024: Boutique Spa of the Year, Spa Leader of the Year, and Digital Marketing. These recognitions are particularly meaningful as they follow our achievements last year, where we proudly won the … Read more

Learn more
The Banya Sauna Experience
Banya vs Sauna
icon

The Banya Sauna Experience

Immerse yourself in a sanctuary of warmth and wellness with the traditional Russian Banya. Far beyond the familiar sauna experience, Banya offers an exceptional opportunity for groups of friends, family, or colleagues to engage in a centuries-old ritual promoting health, camaraderie, and holistic relaxation. Whether you’re a seasoned sauna enthusiast or a curious newcomer, the … Read more

Learn more
Social Wellness Activity – 10 Social Benefits from the Russian Banya
Community
Russian Banya
icon

Social Wellness Activity – 10 Social Benefits from the Russian Banya

Immerse yourself in the warmth of camaraderie and the steam of tradition with these ten transformative social wellness experiences at the Russian Banya. In an increasingly digital and isolated world, the timeless practices of communal steam baths offer an organic escape and a unique opportunity to strengthen social bonds. From invigorating rituals to shared meals … Read more

Learn more
Bathhouse vs. Spa – What are they and what is the difference?
Detox
Health benefits
icon

Bathhouse vs. Spa – What are they and what is the difference?

Bathhouses and spas are both popular destinations for relaxation and wellness, but they offer distinct experiences. Bathhouses, often steeped in cultural tradition, are communal spaces that emphasize the social aspects of bathing. These venues typically feature steam baths, sauna experiences, and plunge pools, creating an environment where people come together to cleanse and unwind. In … Read more

Learn more
Vote For Us & Get 10% Off Your Next Visit!
Awards
icon

Vote For Us & Get 10% Off Your Next Visit!

Fresh off a successful year filled with spa accolades, Banya No.1 – Hoxton continues to shine in 2024. After securing two awards and reaching finalist status four times last year, we’re thrilled to announce our nomination as a semi-finalist by BABTAC in the Best Boutique Spa category for the second consecutive year. Moreover, The Good … Read more

Learn more
Join The World Wellness Weekend Movement with Banya No.1
Community
Events
icon

Join The World Wellness Weekend Movement with Banya No.1

Are you a wellness influencer or journalist passionate about health and wellbeing? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you! Banya No.1, a pioneering name in wellness, is proud to be an official partner of the World Wellness Weekend (WWW). Our Founder, Andrei Fomin, isn’t just an advocate for holistic health; he’s a global … Read more

Learn more
Women Only and Men Spa Steam Sauna & Ice Bath Experiences
Banya tips
icon

Women Only and Men Spa Steam Sauna & Ice Bath Experiences

Welcome to Banya No.1 – Hoxton, London’s premier destination for traditional steam sauna and ice bath experiences. Nestled in the heart of the city, we offer a unique blend of relaxation and rejuvenation, catering to all preferences with our women only, men spa and mixed gender sessions. Whether you’re planning a spa day for yourself, … Read more

Learn more
Revitalise Your Routine: Our GM’s Top Wellness Tips for a Thriving 2024
New Year
New Year’s Resolution
Russian Banya
icon

Revitalise Your Routine: Our GM’s Top Wellness Tips for a Thriving 2024

New Year is the time when we love to embark on a “new life,” all matters have been postponed until January, and there’s no turning back. Today, I won’t write about recovering from long holidays, feasts, and alcohol intoxication. Instead, I’d like to offer advice—cultivate new beneficial habits in 2024. If you already have three … Read more

Learn more
Experience the Perfect Harmony of Sound Bath & Thermal Spa in London
Sound Bath
icon

Experience the Perfect Harmony of Sound Bath & Thermal Spa in London

We’re excited to announce our latest wellness offering at Banya No.1 – Hoxton: the Sound Bath Ritual! In this post, we’ll explore the therapeutic practice of sound healing and sound bath, and how it beautifully complements our exhilarating thermal experience, ensuring a holistic and transformative after-effect. What is Sound Healing? Sound healing is a therapeutic … Read more

Learn more
Discover the Health Benefits of Ice Bath at Banya No.1
Health benefits
Plunge pool
Russian Banya
icon

Discover the Health Benefits of Ice Bath at Banya No.1

Dive into the experience at Banya No.1 – Hoxton, where we offer an exhilarating journey through authentic thermal wellness and invigorating contrast therapy in the heart of London, perfect for those exploring the health benefits of ice bath and hot and cold therapy! Here, we invite you to experience our traditional thermal cycle of hot, … Read more

Learn more