The Bath House — Banya London — Local services in London

I heard about The Russian Banya from a very good friend but being a total newbie to anything "Banya" wasn't entirely sure what to expect. Regardless, I pre-booked a massage and parnie several months before the grande opening to show my support.

The grande opening came and went and I struggled to actually schedule the time to visit. That was until I found myself on a return trip to London from New York with an afternoon to spare in London before a dinner at 7pm.

Hopeful as ever, I had tried to sleep for a few hours following my flight but only dozed so was going in to this with some serious jet lag to shift.

I loved the welcome I received when I arrived. I was nervous but the lady on reception was obviously familair with this and she totally put me at ease which really helped me relax and begin to unwind.

I was then shown where to change and provided with a secure locker for my posessions, a towel, gown and comfortable disposable slippers before being led down in to the Banya itself, which was luxurious.

On the outside, The Russuan Banja is an end of terrace, likely mid-to-late 19th Century building. There was obviously no expense spared during the original construction and it looks like The Russian Banya worked hard to maintain this feeling of luxury during the refurbishment. Bravo to them for this eye on the detail - it really shows.

Something I really appreciated was the way the team handed me across to each other. I was literally handed by the lady that welcomed me in, to a lady who then made me some herbal tea and sat me down to start unwinding. There was someone already at the table behind me, we were both alone. It struck me as I drank my tea that Banya, whilst probably designed as a social past time is also a bit like meditation and can be experienced alone, which I like and am comfortable with.

I was then handed over to a lady for my Classic Russian Massage and then on to a chap who led me through my Parenie Ritual including a session in the steam room where he used birch leaves to hold the hot steam in, around me.

I remember feeling, at that moment in the steam room with the birch leaves on my back, my jet lag leaving and my ability to relax and sleep like a normal human return.

I was suddenly very tired however he held my arm and walked me straight in to a cold buckert shower that brought me back around, quickly.

After my Parenie Ritual was over I was free to stay longer and could well have done another hour (or two) hopping between the Bucket Shower and dip pool but needed to get to my dinner.

All in all, I loved my experience at The Russian Banya and would highly...

Banya looks very deceiving (in a good way) from the outside in that you don’t know what to expect from it as you only see a set of doors and a house sign on it. Once you go through black wooden doors, you immediately get mesmerised by invigorating smell of warm forest and wooden notes. Banya is beautifully decorated inside and has an authentic “Russian feel” to it, you can even find birch trees inside the restaurant making the experience even more warm, welcome and very home-like especially for those who might feel a little home sick.

As you go down to the Banya area, the fragrance intensifies. It instantly relaxes you and transports you away from all the hustle and bustle of daily life.

You are shown around the area and can either immerse into your Banya experience straight away or relax in the restaurant.

You can also choose to opt in for the Parenie ritual where you rest your head on a chilled venik, which emits the most wonderful fragrance and your are further massaged and relaxed with veniks made of birch and oak. The ritual is finished by having a cold bucket poured over you and a quick plunge into a pool of cold water.

After the Parenie ritual, you can further relax in the restaurant and enjoy an excellent selection of Russian food and drinks. The restaurant offers freshly prepared meals and home made drinks. The food is truly delicious and the home made drinks (such as Kvas and Kompot) will remind you of your mum’s cooking.

I was really impressed with my visit and It’s a very warm and welcoming environment throughout where you can also book several different spa treatments to take your experience to a whole new level.

I would highly recommend visiting Banya for a warm welcome and even warmer temperatures to battle your...

Upon entering off the street, instantly welcomed into a clean, warm and bright reception area. You're kindly asked to fill in a H&S disclaimer and then given your locker and charge wrist band, you can use this for when you're in the bar area to have a drink or food and pay later, upon leaving.. I was lucky to be using the banya with a regular from Russia who kindly took me down and showed me around. Everywhere looked very clean and the changing room although fairly small, well kitted out and lockers of a good size. Your wrist band will secure the locker just pick any empty one. I loved the decor or the Banja, modern styling, but with a very authentic Russian feeling to it. Upon entry you're provided a towel and sheet to use in the Banya, either for sitting on or for lying on.

The Banya is suitably hot and pouring of water on the stones is available to get that hit of steam. Not to forget the cooling down facilities; a very fancy chain operated water fall shower, made to look like a bucket shower, but far better. If you prefer full immersion then just head across to the plunge pool, which is suitably cold.

So now to relax for a while until you do it over again, where better than heading to the bar. There is quite a comprehensive menu for bites and drinks, hot and cold, alcohol and non, traditional food and drinks as you would expect, I didn't get round to trying the food, but I loved a pint of the Wheat beer available in draught. Next time I visit I will definitely try some of the food!

There are treatments available all bookable and packages to suit your needs, but I just went for a Banya session on this occasion, which is often enough for me.

Considering the very convenient location, price and service, I'd highly recommend...