Frequently Asked Questions

A Russian Banya is a traditional wellness experience deeply rooted in Russian culture, celebrated for its invigorating hot and cold contrasts. It features unique elements such as a high-humidity steam room, an ice-cold plunge pool, bucket showers, and the Parenie ritual, which uses leafy branches to warm the body before cold exposure. This ritual is renowned for its revitalising effects on body and mind.

Beyond the treatments, the Russian Banya spa experience extends to communal relaxation, where guests can savour traditional delicacies and enjoy the social atmosphere. Embracing centuries-old traditions and rituals, the Russian Banya combines physical well-being with the joy of social bonding, making it a cherished practice.

When you visit our Banya Spa, you’ll have unlimited access to our core amenities, including the Parnaya steam sauna and icy plunge pool, with the option to enhance your experience through additional spa treatments that offer numerous health benefits.

Throughout your visit, you’ll be guided through the banya cycle, invited to treatments, and provided with instructions to help you fully benefit from the experience.

During breaks between contrasting sessions, you’ll have a reserved private booth with a table where you can relax and enjoy traditional Russian food and beverages. Private banya spa bookings feature a dedicated dining space for added privacy and comfort.

At our Banya Spa, experiences range from shorter 90-minute sessions to longer 2 to 3-hour spa packages and custom private group sessions. This flexibility allows you to tailor your visit, whether you’re looking for a quick and refreshing contrast session or a more extended experience with our signature Parenie ritual and additional spa treatments.

The Parenie ritual, the signature treatment of Banya No.1 – Hoxton, is an invigorating thermal treatment rooted in traditional Russian wellness practices. It uses fragrant bundles of leafy twigs, known as veniks, to work steam around the body, followed by cold water exposure to detoxify, relieve stress, ease muscle tension, and improve sleep.

In the steam room, the therapist gently waves and presses the heated veniks over your body. After the heat, you’re invited to cool down with a cold plunge, creating a powerful contrast that leaves you feeling refreshed and recharged.

Public spa sessions at Banya No.1 – Hoxton offer a shared experience where you can enjoy the banya’s communal amenities alongside other guests, making it a great option for those looking to relax in a social setting. In contrast, private spa sessions provide exclusive use of the facilities for you and your group, offering a more intimate and personalised spa day.

Both options include access to our signature treatments, steam sauna, and cold plunge, but private bookings ensure a dedicated space and tailored service.

Whether you prefer a communal atmosphere or a private escape, our spa booking options let you customise your experience to suit your needs.

Mixed-gender spa sessions are available throughout the week and weekends, allowing all guests to enjoy our facilities together. These hours provide a shared experience, and you can join during our standard operating hours, except during the dedicated women-only and men-only sessions.

Mixed-gender hours are all hours except Tuesday evenings and Friday afternoons (men-only hours) and the mornings of Mondays, Thursdays, and Sundays until 12:30 (women-only hours). Please note that these hours do not apply to private banya spa bookings, as those are exclusively private experiences.

Women only spa hours are from 9:30 to 12:30 every Monday, Thursday, and Sunday. During these hours, our main spa is exclusively open to women, providing a relaxed and comfortable environment for your wellness experience.

Men-only spa hours are every Tuesday from 19:30 to 22:30 and every Friday from 12:30 to 22:30. During this time, our main spa is exclusively open to men, providing a relaxed and comfortable environment for your wellness experience.

Children aged 8 and above are welcome to join our public spa sessions. For private bookings, children of any age can attend, giving families the flexibility to enjoy the banya experience together. However, please keep in mind that introducing younger children to thermal experiences is at your discretion, and we recommend considering their comfort and wellbeing during your visit.

Our spa packages provide the best value, offering a combination of treatments and access to amenities at a better rate than booking treatments separately.

For additional savings, keep an eye on our special offers page, where we regularly feature exclusive deals.

Yes, you can order additional treatments outside of our spa packages, but they are subject to availability. We recommend booking them in advance to secure your preferred treatments.

Public Banya:

Swimwear is essential during public banya mixed-gender sessions, so please bring your own or purchase from Reception (£12 for swim shorts, £15 for a bikini). For female guests, we recommend wearing a bikini (not swimsuits) to allow the steam to circulate better around the body during steam room experience and the Parenie ritual.

Flip-flops are recommended for your safety, as the floors may be slippery. Feel free to bring your own, or if needed, you can purchase a pair at Reception (£7). To protect yourself from the heat in the steam sauna, a felt hat is also advised. You’re welcome to bring your own, borrow one of ours, or purchase a new one from us.

Private Banya Taiga:

Complimentary towels and slippers are provided for all private banya guests.

Please bring your own swimwear, or you can purchase from reception (£12 for swim shorts, £15 for a bikini) if you prefer not to bathe nude.

For female guests, we recommend wearing a bikini (not swimsuits) to allow the steam to circulate better around the body during steam room experience and the Parenie ritual.

For public banya experiences, nudity is allowed during single-gender sessions (only in the wet zone).

Please note that during women-only sessions there will be some minimal presence of male therapists performing the Parenie treatment.

Nudity is allowed for private banya experiences throughout the experience in the private banya wet zone.

Unfortunately, no. Our food and drinks are part of the spa experience, and tables are reserved exclusively for spa bookings. We cannot accommodate guests who wish to come solely for dining.

However, we offer a range of booking options, from shorter 90-minute contrasting sessions to 2-3 hour spa packages, allowing you to enjoy both our facilities and refreshments.

Our cancellation policy allows you to cancel up to 72 hours before your booking for a full refund. Cancellations made within 72 hours of your appointment are non-refundable. We recommend notifying us as early as possible if you need to change or cancel your booking.

Free on-street parking, including residential bays, is available on Micawber Street and parallel roads on weekends and after 6:30 pm. At all other times, visitors to Banya No.1 – Hoxton can use these parking bays at a cost of £7 per hour. For more details on parking zones and restrictions, please visit the Hackney Council Parking Zones page.

We don’t recommend using our banya bathhouse facilities if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Please consult with your doctor or healthcare professional for advice specific to your situation.

If you have a health condition that might affect your use of our thermal spa facilities and services, we recommend consulting with your doctor or healthcare professional beforehand to ensure it’s safe for you.