Tried & Tested Aire Ancient Baths London
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Destinations all over the world, Aire Ancient Baths London, opened in 2021, features numerous pools, such as Caldarium (Hot Bath /40ºC), Frigidarium (Cold Bath / 14ºC and Ice Bath 10ºC), Tepidarium (Warm Bath / 36ºC), Balneum (Bath of Thousand Jets), Vaporium (Steam Bath) and Flotation (Salt-water pool with salt the density of the Dead Sea), plus optional treatments in a listed Georgian townhouse.
TheChicGeek says, “The most welcome of London icebergs, Aire Ancient Baths, under an unassuming Georgian townhouse, is a cavernous wonderland of water and heat. The former home of Peter Pan’s JM Barrie, has, just two levels below the ground, a listed brick cellar that was almost made for these ‘ancient’ baths.
Close to where Father Thames once lapped the end of the street, this quiet road, just around the corner from Embankment Tube, feels almost dream like as you descend the stairs into this subterranean feast of tranquility. The website doesn’t do it justice.
A member of staff passes you along the journey, through the changing rooms – you have to wearing a swimsuit & water socks – to a quick tour of the dimly lit bathes, and then collect you for you treatment upstairs. I don’t envy them the job of recognising people they don’t know in the dimly lit pools. This was the only sticking point. It was quite a long wait for a member of staff to welcome me and I was conscious of my treatment with no watch or clock for any idea of time.
What awaits is a perfectly lit, like a Hollywood film, group of pools, which offer plenty of options to make the visit feel special and premium. The candles and music make it an instant switch off from the world upstairs. I was thinking it was like Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, the way it went from 18th century townhouse to ancient candle-lit baths underneath.
The steam room was perfectly super-hot and the salt water pool was like being back in the womb! Each pool’s name was lit from behind by candles. Somebody must spend hours everyday lighting these, but it’s so worth it.
Couldn’t fault the design, and, also, it was busy enough to have atmosphere, but not busy enough to be annoying and not find your own spaces.
The treatments take place in the upper floors of the townhouse, and there is a lift to take you directly from the spa there. I had a 30 minute body massage which was perfectly fine.
I’d totally recommend this place as a treat for yourself or somebody else and if I see another one on my travels I’d happily check it out.”
Entry starts at £98pp to have free run of the baths for 90 minutes. I had a 30mins massage and experience at £170
More info – here
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