Our Story

Globalising the Tradition of Russian Banya Rituals

Our Wellness Spa Philosophy

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.

We’re dedicated to providing our regulars with the authentic and traditional contrast therapy they’ve grown to crave, while guiding every new visitor on their first steps toward discovering the unique wellness benefits of the Russian Banya ritual.

How Our Wellness Spa Has Grown

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.

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.

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.

Tbilisi

Press About Our Wellness Spa

Banya No.1 - Hoxton Testimonials

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

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.

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

This year’s hottest new spa craze…

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

The only one of its kind in the UK.

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.

Feel like a million bucks without spending a million bucks.

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.

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.

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.

BANYA No.1

Celebrities reviews

JUSTIN BIEBER

«Thank you for the relaxation. Had fun and I feel great!»

Renan Katayama, CC BY-SA 2

KATE MOSS

«Thank you. I feel fabulous!»

EMILIA CLARKE

“You guys just rocked my world! Thank you thank you! All my love!”

LAURENCE FISHBURNE

«This place is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but truth!»

LIV TYLER

«Thank you Banya No.1 for my first Parenie treatment! It was wonderful.»

TRACEY ULLMAN

«What an experience! I have never felt so clean. I looked stupid in the hat, but I couldn’t care less. My best SPASIBO!»

Toglenn, CC BY-SA 3.0

CHRIS BRIDGES (LUDACRIS)

«Hard work & hard training require hard recovery! Thank you for the best recovery experience ever!!!»

DEREK CHISORA

«I come every Sunday whenever I can, simply because the experience is unbelievable! After Banya I feel so fresh and ready for the week ahead.»

TIMUR BEKMAMBETOV

«Great! Love the 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

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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

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

2024-05-14

Absolutely incredible place. Lovely staff, incredible treatments, delicious food. Cannot wait to go back and visit again.

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.