Review by The Times | Banya No.1 - Hoxton
BLOG

Legal highs, Review by LUXX, The Times

Legal highs, Review by LUXX, The Times

Blimey, the world of natural highs is changing. There are now nine states in America in which recreational weed is legal. Anyone over 21 can enter a smoke shop where a trained “budtender” will guide you through pre-rolled joints, marijuana flowers, weed-oil vapes, cookies, gummies or brownies each marked “giggly”, “lucid”, “sleepy” etc. This legislation will inevitably come to the UK, but until that moment arrives, you have me – for this column is devoted to the pursuit of the legal natural high. A high so legal you can discuss it in front of your children, but a legal high so high it comes with a safety warning.

To start our relationship, may I introduce you to Banya No 1, a seemingly unassuming Russian spa in the East End of London that delivers unexpected results. As your session begins, having stripped to a swimsuit, you’re given a felt tea cosy to put on your head. I still don’t understand why, but with an entirely Soviet staff you disobey instructions at your peril. After a long steamy sauna you remove the tea cosy, stand under a huge wooden bucket of ice-cold water and drench yourself. If you don’t pull the cord the spa attendants perform the torture without warning.

Having repeated this process three or four times you move to a private chamber for a full-body exfoliating massage using gritty, coarse coffee grounds. At this point – and I am not joking – you’re summoned to a steam room for your whipping.

Naked, apart from the faithful tea cosy, you are approached by a qualified beater wielding a large pile of damp birch branches, pictured above. They swirl them over your back, whipping the hot air into a vortex, and gradually the leafy thicket is tapped, then rapped, then slapped repeatedly on to your body so that you . . . er . . . actually I don’t know why it’s done.

I know that it hurts, in quite an exciting way, and is followed by a plunge in a pool filled with water kept at 10C. I lasted three seconds, ejected myself in the manner of a space rocket and then it happened, the weird but natural high, a mind-expanding, worry-numbing, explosive exhilaration that surges through your being all the way to your core.

It’s at this moment you’re offered a shot of platinum Russian vodka to complete the experience, which it does most effectively. It’s authentic, unexpected and will leave you buzzing so hard you’ll want to book the whole place for your next birthday party. Next month I’ll take you higher…

Read full article here

other articles:

gif
Read Mark Wright and His Father Visit Banya No.1 for Father’s Day
Mark Wright and His Father Visit Banya No.1 for Father’s Day
Media Reviews
Learn more
icon

Mark Wright and His Father Visit Banya No.1 for Father’s Day

We were proud to welcome Mark Wright and his father, Mark Wright Sr, to Banya No.1 – Hoxton for a special Father’s Day visit filmed by Heart Radio. Mark brought his father to us to spend time together and share a new experience. During their visit, they enjoyed the steam room, traditional Parenie and the

Read Is a Spa Experience a Good Gift?
Is a Spa Experience a Good Gift?
Spa Gift Cards
Learn more
icon

Is a Spa Experience a Good Gift?

A spa experience is a good gift for someone who values time, rest and memorable experiences more than physical items. It works especially well for birthdays, Father’s Day, anniversaries, thank-you gifts and other occasions where you want the present to feel personal but still flexible. For birthdays, anniversaries, thank-you gifts, Christmas, Father’s Day or other

Read Banya No.1 Hoxton named finalist at the World Spa & Wellness Awards 2026
Banya No.1 Hoxton named finalist at the World Spa & Wellness Awards 2026
Awards
Learn more
icon

Banya No.1 Hoxton named finalist at the World Spa & Wellness Awards 2026

We are very pleased to share that Banya No.1 – Hoxton has been named a finalist at the World Spa & Wellness Awards 2026, one of the leading international awards celebrating excellence across the spa and wellness industry. The awards honour spas, teams and wellness businesses that set a high standard for guest care, service

Read First Time at a Private Spa: What to Expect
First Time at a Private Spa: What to Expect
Private Banya
Banya tips
Learn more
icon

First Time at a Private Spa: What to Expect

Booking your first private spa in London can feel slightly mysterious. What do you wear? Will someone tell you what to do? Is it awkward if you have never been before? And how private is “private”, really? At Banya No.1 – Hoxton, our Private Banya Taiga is designed to make the experience feel clear, comfortable

Read What to Drink and Eat After Sauna and Banya: Rehydration, Electrolytes and Recovery
What to Drink and Eat After Sauna and Banya: Rehydration, Electrolytes and Recovery
Banya tips
Health benefits
Learn more
icon

What to Drink and Eat After Sauna and Banya: Rehydration, Electrolytes and Recovery

A good sauna session leaves you feeling lighter, calmer and deeply refreshed, but it also leads to fluid loss through sweat. That is why rehydration after sauna matters. For most people, effective recovery is not just about drinking water. It works better as a combination of fluids, electrolytes and light, mineral-rich food. At Banya No.1,

Read The Times Press Review: Eilidh Dorgan on Her Banya No.1 Hoxton Experience
The Times Press Review: Eilidh Dorgan on Her Banya No.1 Hoxton Experience
Russian Banya
Media Reviews
Learn more
icon

The Times Press Review: Eilidh Dorgan on Her Banya No.1 Hoxton Experience

Journalist and writer Eilidh Dorgan visited Banya No.1 Hoxton to try a women’s clothing-optional banya session and write about Britain’s growing interest in sauna nudity. She arrived feeling nervous and slightly out of place, only to find that most of the other guests had chosen to keep their swimwear on, which made the experience feel

Read Do Ice Baths Work? What Cold Exposure Can (and Can’t) Do
Do Ice Baths Work? What Cold Exposure Can (and Can’t) Do
Plunge pool
Banya tips
Learn more
icon

Do Ice Baths Work? What Cold Exposure Can (and Can’t) Do

Ice baths have moved from elite sports facilities into everyday wellness culture with surprising speed. Once associated mainly with professional athletes, cold water therapy is now widely discussed in podcasts, social media and “biohacking” circles. The appeal is easy to understand: a simple, intense intervention that promises faster recovery, mental resilience and even long-term health

Read Manual Massage vs Cellulite Treatments
Manual Massage vs Cellulite Treatments
Treatments
Health benefits
Learn more
icon

Manual Massage vs Cellulite Treatments

Many people searching for cellulite treatments or ways to improve skin tone come across a wide range of options. Aesthetic clinics often promote machine-based procedures such as LPG, vacuum massage or radiofrequency skin tightening. At the same time, traditional spa and banya practices have long relied on manual massage techniques that focus on circulation, lymphatic

Read Banya No.1 Named One of the Best Spas in London by Time Out
Banya No.1 Named One of the Best Spas in London by Time Out
Russian Banya
Media Reviews
Learn more
icon

Banya No.1 Named One of the Best Spas in London by Time Out

We’re proud to share that Time Out has ranked Banya No.1 – Hoxton #1 in its list of “The Best Spas in London.” The guide highlights the authentic Russian banya experience and our signature Parenie ritual. As the article notes: “A Russian banya is hotter than your average sauna, so you’ll be handed a grey

Read Does Banya Help You Sleep?
Does Banya Help You Sleep?
Health benefits
Learn more
icon

Does Banya Help You Sleep?

One of the most common things we hear at Banya No.1 – Hoxton is: “I always sleep incredibly well after.” It sounds anecdotal – but there is both cultural tradition and physiological science behind this experience. So, does sauna actually improve sleep? And is deep sleep after banya something historically expected – or just a

see more
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

3rd Party Cookies

This website uses Google Tag Manager to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages.

Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.

Additional Cookies

This website uses the following additional cookies:

Google Tag Manager, Microsoft Clarity, Facebook Pixel.