Award-winning journalist Janice Turner received a visit to a Banya No.1 – Hoxton as a birthday present from her sons and described her experience in The Times column. Like many of our guests, she experienced a bit of cultural shock when first introduced to the intense heat and leafy branches of our signature Parenie Ritual.

Banya is not like going to a regular spa – it’s a transformative wellbeing experience that has to be seen to be understood. Banya No.1 is bringing the best of this unique, Russian tradition to locations around the world, starting in London, and our co-founder, Andrei Fomin, advocates for its benefits around the world. In

Award-winning City A.M. Life & Style Editor Steve Dinneen has been a loyal visitor to Banya No.1 for over a decade. In his latest feature, he went behind the scenes to learn how to perform the Parenie Ritual himself as part of our World Wellness Weekend celebrations. Dinneen writes that for ten years, Banya No.1

We’re proud to be featured in Saunologia.fi — Finland’s leading sauna publication — among their top recommendations for sauna experiences in London. In his review, sauna expert Lassi A. Liikkanen highlights Banya No.1 as a must-visit destination for those seeking an authentic yet elevated wellness experience. Lassi A. Liikkanen about Banya No. 1 – Hoxton

Americans repurify in a sweat lodge. The Turkish make it a social affair in the hammam, whereas Celts favour a vapour bath. But in Russia, one can find merry banter, nakedness and the ritualistic flicking of birch branches in the steamy environs of a banya. I’ve never tried the latter, but luckily for me, the first

‘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…

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…

The assignment was to discover the ultimate truth about hangover cures. Who does one ask about such things? I tried Andrei Fomin. After all, I reasoned, Andrei used to run nightclubs all over London – Propaganda in Wardour Street, that was him – plus he has a lot of witchy knowledge about herbs that his

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

If the idea of being thwacked by branches and leaves as part of your spa treatment doesn’t scare you, consider signing up for the latest spa trend inspired by a thousand-year-old tradition out of Russia. According to trendspotters at Condé Nast Traveller UK, after Ayurvedic and Turkish baths, Russian banyas are poised to be the next

The traditional Russian treatment is making waves on the London spa scene, but are you brave enough to do it? If you haven’t heard of a Banya, then listen up because it is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after spa experiences in the capital. What is a Banya? Originating in Russia, the Banya is

WHAT Parenie (£28) and Russian massage (£35 for 30 minutes) WHERE Banya No.1, London THE LOWNDOWN Russian Banya is a full experience, not an in-out treatment, so if you’re in a rush, save this for another dy. After a relaxing cup of tea, you’ll be laid down in a steam room where the therapist uses birch, oak and