Banya No.1 – Hoxton is a traditional Russian spa, located on Micawber Street, a 5 minute walk from Old Street tube station. RBJ and I were invited by Banya No.1 to enjoy an afternoon at the spa, accompanied by a traditional “parenie” and scrub treatment. Having never been to a banya before, I had no
Although a banya, hammam, steam room and sauna each have their own characteristics, the outcome is nearly always the same: sweating. However, there is no need to be alarmed because in fact sweating is beneficial; indeed, it is the body’s inbuilt way of keeping us cool. Of course, we have not yet developed a way
Tucked away on a quiet little back street in Shoreditch is the traditional Russian Spa, Banya No.1. Offering a truly authentic take on the Banya experience, it’s all about the sauna and you are assured of getting all hot and sweaty. Most guests come to try the Parenie treatment which is set in the specially
Channel your inner Tolstoy with a good ol’ parenie, an old school Russian massage, which involves being swathed in hot wet leaves and pummelled by venik – a leafy bundle of herbs. It’s meant to reduce muscle tension and stress and it’s the speciality treatment at Banya No.1 – the only traditional Russian baths in
What do Justin Bieber, Kate Moss, Bridget Jones and Jamie Laing all have in common?They’ve all enjoyed getting hit with hot birch, oak and eucalyptus twigs by a lovely semi-naked Russian man at the Banya No.1 Russian Bath Club near Old Street.
We were greeted with towels and an extremely flattering felt hat and, once we’d…
‘A waiter served Russian dumplings, then a naked hairy giant said it was my turn for a flogging’
There is more to life than food and wine. There is also shmeissing. Put the three of these together and you have yourself a hell of an evening. One that in this country, as far as I know, can only be had at Banya No 1.
But, of course, yo…
BACK
