Frequently Asked Questions

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.

We recommend saving main meals for after your treatments and contrast therapy to avoid any heavy feeling in the stomach during your session. Eating afterwards is ideal, as you’ll likely feel hungry after sweating and can fully enjoy your meal while restoring your electrolyte balance.

During hot and cold session breaks, you can enjoy small snacks, a variety of teas, and other healthy drinks to keep you hydrated and help restore your electrolyte balance.

The easiest way to redeem your gift voucher is by redeeming it online here. Scroll down to choose your voucher, make a booking, and enter your voucher details in the booking notes.

You can also redeem your spa gift voucher by calling us on +44 020 7253 6723.

Yes, you can buy a spa gift voucher for yourself or anyone else. All we need is the voucher code to redeem it.

Yes, our Custom Monetary Gift Card and £100 Gift Voucher allow you to gift a custom experience. The recipient can choose how to spend it, making it the perfect personalised gift.

Banya No.1 – Hoxton spa gift cards are valid for 12 months from the day of purchase. Please note that special offer vouchers may have shorter validity periods.

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.

Swimwear is essential during mixed-gender sessions, so please bring your own or purchase from Reception (£12 for swim shorts, £15 for a bikini).

Flip-flops must also be worn; you can bring your own or buy a pair from Reception (£7). A hat is required to protect you from the heat in the steam sauna—you can either bring your own, buy a new one, or borrow one of ours.

Yes, you can order treatments during sauna and cold plunge sessions, but they are subject to availability. We recommend booking in advance to secure your preferred treatments.

Yes, we offer a pay-as-you-go membership that gives you 50% off each session, allowing you to enjoy sauna and plunge sessions for as little as £12.50 when you pay £40 per month for the membership. It’s perfect if you wish to visit regularly.

Sauna and plunge sessions combine the heat of the steam sauna with the invigorating cold plunge, creating a powerful contrast that offers numerous health benefits. This hot and cold therapy helps to boost circulation, relieve muscle tension, detoxify the body, and reduce stress. The cold plunge sauna experience can also improve immune function, enhance skin tone, and promote better sleep, leaving you feeling refreshed and recharged.

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

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

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.

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.

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 private spa experiences, children of any age are welcome, allowing families to enjoy the banya experience together. However, please be mindful that introducing younger children to thermal experiences is at your discretion, and we recommend considering their comfort and wellbeing during your visit. The private spa also features a TV to keep kids entertained while you enjoy your rituals and treatments.

Yes, for both private hire and spa package bookings, you can order additional treatments. However, they are subject to availability, so we recommend booking them in advance to secure your preferred treatments.

Private banya spa packages include treatments such as our signature Parenie ritual, Aroma Steam Ceremony, and Honey & Salt Scrub, offered at a lower cost than booking them separately. These packages are ideal for private couples’ spa experiences and private group spa sessions.

Private hire includes the full use of exclusive banya facilities, just like the private spa packages, but without treatments, allowing you to enjoy the space at your own pace.

Our private banya spa can accommodate up to 10 people, making it perfect for small groups, families, friends or couples looking for an exclusive and personalised banya experience.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Swimwear is essential during 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 must also be worn; you can bring your own or buy a pair from Reception (£7). A hat is required to protect you from the heat in the steam sauna—you can either bring your own, buy a new one, or borrow one of ours.

Children aged 8 and above are welcome in our public thermal spa. If you wish to bring younger kids, you can do so with a private bathhouse booking, which also includes a TV to keep them entertained while you enjoy your rituals and treatments. However, please remember that introducing younger children to thermal experiences is at your discretion, and we recommend considering their comfort and well-being during your visit.

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

Men-only spa hours are every Friday from 9:30 to 22:30. During this time, our main bathhouse is exclusively open to men, providing a relaxed and comfortable environment for your thermal spa experience.

Women only spa hours are from 9:00 to 13:00 every Monday, Thursday, and Sunday. During these hours, our main bathhouse is exclusively open to women, providing a relaxed and comfortable environment for your thermal spa experience.

Mixed-gender bathhouse 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 Fridays (men-only day) and the mornings of Mondays, Thursdays, and Sundays until 13:00 (women-only hours).

Lasting between 2.5 to 3 hours, our thermal spa packages offer the full banya experience, including our signature Parenie ritual for deep invigoration, plus additional treatments such as massages, scrubs, and mud masks. Each spa package includes a private booth with a table where you can relax and enjoy food and drinks between your hot and cold sessions.

Sauna and plunge sessions, on the other hand, are ideal if you’re short on time but still want to use the bathhouse’s contrasting facilities to feel invigorated. These shorter sessions come with a shared table, allowing you to rest alongside fellow guests and stay hydrated.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Men-only spa hours are every Friday from 9:30 to 22:30. During this time, our main spa is exclusively open to men, providing a relaxed and comfortable environment for your wellness experience.

Women-only spa hours are from 9:00 to 13:00 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.

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 Fridays (men-only day) and the mornings of Mondays, Thursdays, and Sundays until 13:00 (women-only hours). Please note that these hours do not apply to private banya spa bookings, as those are exclusively private experiences.

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.

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.

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.

Parenie, Platza, and Shvitz are essentially the same treatment but are known by different names in various countries. Parenie is the traditional Russian version, Platza is commonly used in Eastern European Jewish bathhouses, and Shvitz is the Yiddish term often used in American and European spas. All these treatments involve a steam room, the use of leafy branches or veniks, and alternating hot and cold exposure to detoxify, relieve stress, and ease muscle tension.

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.

Felt hats are traditionally worn in the Russian Banya to protect the head from extreme heat. Made from thick, insulating material, these hats help regulate body temperature by keeping the head cool, allowing you to enjoy the steam room comfortably for longer periods. Wearing a felt hat enhances the overall banya experience by preventing dizziness and protecting hair from the intense heat.

While there are similarities between a sauna and a Russian banya, there are notable distinctions. A banya offers higher humidity and lower temperatures, creating a more pleasant atmosphere that’s easier to breathe in compared to a typical sauna. It also features the Parenie ritual — a thermal treatment using leafy branches for a massage-like effect in the steam room, enhancing the thermotherapy benefits.

Using a Banya Spa offers a wide range of health benefits.

A banya offers a great tool for detox, and it can help relieve stress, fatigue, and even jet lag. Banya treatments can also aid in post-exercise recovery, enhance your blood circulation, and improve your immune system.

The traditional delicacies that we serve in our relaxation area, such as our sea buckthorn tea and beetroot kvass are made with organic ingredients and aim to improve your hydration and electrolyte balance.

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.

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.

Yes, our menu offers vegetarian and vegan options, including a fresh vegetable plate and the traditional Russian vegetable salad “Vinaigrette,” made with beetroot, potato, carrot, gherkins, cabbage, and peas. We also serve Cottage Cheese Pancakes and traditional Dumplings with Cherries, a popular Eastern European dish.