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Globalising the Tradition of Russian Banya Rituals

Our Wellness Spa Philosophy

Our Story

The mission at Banya No.1 goes beyond offering an outstanding wellness spa experience—it’s about preserving and sharing the heritage of traditional Russian Banya and its rituals.

Our philosophy, deriving from the Russian Banya tradition, is based on guiding guests through an exhilarating thermal experience, which alternates between intense heat and refreshing cold, invigorates the body, boosts circulation, detoxifies the system, and leaves you feeling revitalised and re-energised.

Having started as a small branch in London’s Hoxton, we quickly expanded to include a full private banya suite and have since grown both in the UK and internationally. With a second location in Chiswick, London and our latest branch in Tbilisi, Georgia, we continue to bring the authentic Russian Banya rituals to new audiences worldwide.

Our Story
Our Story

How Our Wellness Spa Has Grown

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2012

banya No.1 - Hoxton

Opened in 2012, our Hoxton wellness spa was the first Russian Banya to reintroduce traditional steam baths in London since the closure of Jewish baths during World War II.

Located in East London, it features a traditional Banya aesthetic and heritage interiors, offering an authentic experience that honours this historic practice. Over the years, we expanded the Hoxton location to include the Private Spa Suite Taiga, providing a more intimate setting for those seeking a deeper connection with this time-honoured ritual.

Our wellness spa family has since grown across London and internationally, continuing to share the rich traditions of the Russian Banya with new communities.

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Hoxton

2021

banya No.1 - Chiswick

Our Chiswick branch opened in 2021 in one of the capital’s most affluent neighbourhoods, offering the same authentic Banya experience with modern Scandi-inspired interiors. It has built its own passionate following among the local community, further promoting the Russian Banya ritual and contrast therapy in West London.

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Chiswick

2022

banya No.1 - Tbilisi

In 2022, we proudly launched our first international wellness spa branch, located amidst the stunning rolling countryside of Georgia, just a short drive from the capital, Tbilisi. This serene setting offers the same renowned private and public contrast therapy experiences and Russian Banya rituals that our London branches are famous for.

The Tbilisi spa features unique amenities, including an open-air terrace with a refreshing plunge pool and a dining area that overlooks a picturesque waterfall, creating an unforgettable experience that blends natural beauty with traditional wellness practices.

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Tbilisi

Press About Our Wellness Spa

Banya No.1 - Hoxton Testimonials

The Times

The weird but natural high, a mind-expanding, worry-numbing, explosive exhilaration that surges through your being all the way to your core.

Forbes

You’ll have never had, or felt anything like it before. It’s unique union of steam and Parenie that sees people coming back to the bathhouse again and again.

The Guardian

Leave it out! Banya No.1 is a little slice of Moscow transported to Shoreditch.

Traveler

This year’s hottest new spa craze…

Financial Times

You will leave feeling a mix of blissfully relaxed and amazingly clear-headed, and sleep the sleep of the dead. If Banya No.1 doesn’t knock jet lag of the head, nothing will.

The Telegraph

As soon as you walk into Banya No.1 you notice that everything is designed and arranged to guarantee an optimal experience to its guests.

The Sunday Times

Gosh, this was now several notches above pleasantly toasty, slightly painful, even. As one pulse of heat faded, another would follow straight behind. Phewee…

BBC

The Russian massage that’s not for the faint-hearted.

Bazaar

The traditional Russian treatment is making waves on the London spa scene, but are you brave enough to do it?

Time Out

The idea of some Russian dudes hitting you with sticks sounds like being assaulted. But I feel very mellow inside!

Marie Claire

If you feel like trying something different and feel amazing afterwards, look no further.

Vogue

The only one of its kind in the UK.

National Geographic

Banya No.1’s high-end steam and scrub rituals command a loyal following — and not just with those homesick for an authentic Eastern European cleanse. Scores of signed photos of famous patrons, from Renée Zellweger to Kate Moss, hang in the reception.

Secret London

Feel like a million bucks without spending a million bucks.

The Nudge

An authentically traditional Russian spa where you can sweat out all your Christmas indulgence in a roasting hot sauna, spring back to life with an ice cold plunge, and feel thoroughly refreshed.

City A.M.

London’s worst kept secret.

The Cut

Less of a relaxing spa where you might while away the day by the plunge pool and more of an aggressive cleansing of the mind, body, and soul.

GoodSpaGuide

You’ve not experienced extreme temperatures until you’ve visited a Banya, an Eastern European concept where the steam rooms are so hot spa-goers must wear felt hats to protect their heads – yes, really.

Stylist

If you’re a fan of heat, Parenie treatment is the one for you. This traditional Russian ritual sees a practitioner gently wave and press fragrant bundles of birch oak and eucalyptus – known as venik – over your body inside a steam room.

The Spectator

For something entirely different try Hoxton’s Banya No 1, which offers the authentic Russian sauna experience. Treatments include an ‘invigorating’ encounter with birch twigs, being rubbed in honey and coarse salt, and a spell in a steam room followed by a sudden ice-cold bucket shower.

BANYA No.1

Celebrity Reviews

TIMUR BEKMAMBETOV

TIMUR BEKMAMBETOV

«Great! Love the place! Thank You!»

JACK WHITEHALL

JACK WHITEHALL

«Thank you for my lovely day!»

GRACE CHATTO, CLEAN BANDIT

GRACE CHATTO, CLEAN BANDIT

«I love the Russian Banya. Thank you for having us! Love the hen party.»

LUKE EVANS

LUKE EVANS

«That was my 1st Russian Spa Experience! Feel great! Amazing people and good food! See you next time!»

MELANIE C

MELANIE C

«Thank you for a wonderful morning. See you soon.»

STUART MARTIN

STUART MARTIN

«Amazing! Thank you so much!»

HARRIS DICKINSON

HARRIS DICKINSON

«Love these guys. Happy place. Thank you»

A message from our founder

“The strength of Banya No.1 lies in our rootedness. Our constant mission is to go beyond the traditional spa day experience and ensure every guest leaves not merely refreshed, but empowered, ready to face life’s challenges.”

Andrei Fomin, Founder of Banya No.1

Our Story

Global recognition of our banya spa

Latest awards

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Our mission to take the traditional Russian Banya into the global mainstream of wellness has seen us winning and shortlisted for numerous awards. Here are just some of the recognition we've received at Banya No.1 - Hoxton:

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Google & TripAdvisor Reviews

Banya Spa Experience Reviews

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Hear from the people who have already begun their journey of wellness discovery with Banya No.1 - Hoxton.

Google reviewsGoogle reviews

Rated
4.8
5.0
based on 670+ Reviews
Ninder B.
Ninder B.
22:15 03/29/25
A total treat. Uplifting, professional and very rewarding!
Aleksandra B.
Aleksandra B.
07:47 03/25/25
We did parenie - It’s an experience! I felt my mitochondria had a revival festival after that . Oh and the food was delicious! Definitely recommend to visit this place as the type of steam is... different from all other well known saunas.read more
Twylla D.
Twylla D.
22:30 03/20/25
I had my first banya experience, it was incredible. If you go, get the gold package for the best experience.
Ricardo de S.
Ricardo de S.
16:44 03/17/25
Great experience. From the friendliness of the staff at reception, the savoir faire/experience of the staff doing the treatments. Definitely coming back!
Antuan A.
Antuan A.
22:36 03/14/25
Great place! I felt to relaxed after all. I didn’t know what to expect but it was perfect and so good. 😊 100% recommend this place ❤️😍. We also had Russian Salad that... was super yummi.read more
Stanislav N.
Stanislav N.
19:51 03/13/25
Великолепная баня! Каждый месяц ходим сюда с коллегами после работы :)) Внутри есть небольшой ресторанчик, где можно отведать борща )))
Allen C.
Allen C.
16:18 03/07/25
Fantastic experience. Great service and delicious food.
Rose G
Rose G
15:19 03/06/25
I l♡ve this place, always a phenomenally uplifting experience. Amazing for your body and for your mind
Krista B.
Krista B.
15:00 03/03/25
Loved it! Very organised and all treatments excellent. Can't wait to return!
Anubhi G.
Anubhi G.
10:22 02/26/25
Really loved the place- relaxing and authentic
Rosanna
Rosanna
08:11 02/24/25
Amazing experience! First visit and I was very impressed by the whole experience - it really is authentic. Attentive Russian staff, hot sauna, cold plunges and excellent treatments - best massage... ever. Slept so well afterwards. Highly recommended. Will be back!read more
Kseniia S.
Kseniia S.
18:21 02/22/25
Amazing place! Love to come back here for more relaxation 👌
bringing fun to 2.
bringing fun to 2.
19:51 01/25/25
Amazing experience we will be back thankyou
Francesca G.
Francesca G.
06:32 01/21/25
I had a birthday gift from my brother ♥️Banya was the place i attended and it was amazing !! Lilliane was professional and kind and the massage is just what i needed to relax. What a... lovely place to unwind .read more
Account U.
Account U.
09:47 01/12/25
Please remove the QR food and drink ordering system. There is no signal in the basement and the WiFi doesn’t work reliably.
Anthony
Anthony
21:53 01/04/25
Decent temperature
zeljko V.
zeljko V.
22:38 01/01/25
Excellent would highly recommend 👏
Arena P.
Arena P.
10:38 12/18/24
Awesome place! Recommend!
Lidia B.
Lidia B.
19:41 12/15/24
Fabulous place, can't wait to come back already!
Arthur K.
Arthur K.
19:19 12/07/24
Absolutely fantastic service and food
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Tripadvisor reviews Tripadvisor

Rated
Rated
based on 390+ Reviews
318maz
318maz
2025-01-02
Great way to spend a morning, I really enjoyed my first experience at Banya, Hoxton. Very authentic. I loved the food too! Fluffy Blinis, smoked salmon and vodka shots!
Wander736489
Wander736489
2024-09-14
We had a great visit to Banya No 1 Hoxton - so relaxing! We booked a package and it was our first time trying a parenie - such a unique experience, a little intense at first with the heat of the sauna but we really enjoyed it. Looking forward to visiting again.
alex h
alex h
2024-05-14
Absolutely incredible place. Lovely staff, incredible treatments, delicious food. Cannot wait to go back and visit again.
Anastasia F
Anastasia F
2024-05-14
I recently visited Banya No. 1 in Hoxton, and it was a delightful experience from start to finish. The staff members were incredibly friendly and attentive, always going the extra mile to ensure my visit was enjoyable. The food served was not only delicious but also evoked comforting memories of home. Moreover, the treatments provided were excellent, leaving me feeling renewed and energized. Overall, I highly recommend Banya No. 1 for a rejuvenating and memorable experience.
Jayden D
Jayden D
2024-05-12
First time going to Banya. It was a great experience and I would highly recommend it. Staff were great and food was delicious.
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