Here are the prettiest, most affordable places to go for a soothing escape.

‍

The hustle and bustle of city life can be countered by a wealth of affordable spas in London where you can unwind and recharge. In this article, Rich Report shares some economical ways to treat yourself in London, such as baths, facials, birch twigs, and sensory deprivation pods.

‍

‍

Re:lax

‍

Katie White, a nutritional therapist and facialist, founded Re:lax to treat people's skin with natural products, nutritional therapy, and lifestyle advice. It's now one of the best places to get your skin sorted in east London. Located in a cluster of shipping containers near Bethnal Green, Re:lax is a friendly and relaxed place. You and your skin get a customized non-invasive facial for whatever is going on with you. A therapist will advise you on products to try and help you see your skin in a broader perspective. Your skin will become brighter and more toned with facial massage, gua sha, LED light therapy, micro-needling, sculptural face lifting and buccal massage. All of these treatments will leave you glowing, whether you need face lifting, problem skin, or anti-ageing. As an added bonus, Katie runs a Skin School where she teaches facials.

‍

‍

Floatworks

‍

If you want to switch off, take a relaxing float in a salt bath to soothe your senses. Floatworks' Vauxhall and Angel branches fill their private floatation tanks with half a tonne of Epsom salts so you can't help but rise to the surface. You'll have plenty of room to glide around experiencing blissful weightlessness at eight feet long and five feet wide. Pull down the lid once you are inside the pod, and if you want the full sensory deprivation experience, turn off the light. It is said to relieve stress and anxiety, as well as pain and insomnia, but most of all, it offers uninterrupted relaxation for one hour. You can wash off the salt in the fully equipped shower; be sure to stay to enjoy a cup of tea in the lounge afterward.

‍

‍

Aire Ancient Baths

‍

The latest Aire opening in Covent Garden is as wonderfully intoxicating as those in Europe, New York, and Chicago. With flickering candlelight and hushed tones, entering Aire feels like stepping into another world just off The Strand in the building where JM Barrie wrote Peter Pan. The different pools can be explored within 90 minutes of booking a session. Stop at the steam room and salt water floatarium on your way from the 40oC caldarium to the ice bath. Add a 45-minute massage, a scrub, and a honey-hydrating hair mask to your holistic ritual for ultimate relaxation. The low lighting makes for a very romantic experience, but it's just as dreamy going solo or with friends.

‍

Banya No. 1

‍

Is being thwacked by a bunch of twigs your idea of relaxation? You don't have to worry if you don't have a Russian background to visit the traditional Russian spa Banya No.1. Located in Hoxton and Chiswick, Banya No.1 offers steam, sauna, and plunge treatments. In addition, you will be massaged with fragrant bundles of birch, oak and eucalyptus twigs to help you feel the true heat of the steam room followed by a dip in the cold plunge pool. While it sounds a little bonkers, it boosts blood circulation, relieves muscle tension, and leaves you tingling.

‍

‍

Cowshed Spa

‍

The spa at Soho House is just as premium as you might expect, but there are plenty of affordable treatments available - which are now available to non-members as well. They offer everything from a quick 30-minute manicure to a full-body seaweed cellulite treatment that lasts 90 minutes. Additionally, SkinCeuticals products and light therapy are used in facial treatments, waxing treatments, and massages.

‍

Still London

‍

Over the last few years, this stylish Dalston favourite has expanded from an all-natural nail salon with a small treatment room at the back. There are now two calming treatment rooms, an infrared sauna, and a thoughtful range of holistic treatments available. You can choose from a 30-minute Face + Pause head, neck, and shoulder massage to a 90-minute Bliss Out massage. Additionally, they offer reflexology, sound healing, reiki, and LED light therapy, or you can just relax in the cedar sauna. You should also book an Icelandic Luxury Pedicure, which includes an invigorating salt foot scrub and a rosehip, sea buckthorn, and red clover foot massage.

‍

‍

Porchester Spa

‍

Visit the 1920s Grade II-listed Porchester Spa in Queensway for an affordable day of relaxation. West London locals enjoy this spa because of its iconic decor, reasonably priced treatments, and traditional Victorian bathhouse experience. During the week, men and women have separate sessions, and on Sunday, there is a mixed session. A two-steam room package costs £25.75, as do Turkish baths with varying temperatures, saunas, plunge pools, and relaxation lounges. Don't worry about your phone, bring a few magazines, and take a deep breath. If you're feeling active, there's a 30-metre pool, and two therapists offer massage styles, facials, cupping, and body scrubs.

‍

Masaj

‍

Are you looking for someone with healing hands who can provide you with a truly excellent massage? There is no better place to be than Masaj. There is a treatment to suit every ache and pain at Masaj, which has branches in Shoreditch and Marylebone. Your body will thank you after an hour here as they aim to combat the negative effects of London living. Simple and chic, the studios focus on the massages themselves. This is contemporary pampering. Treat your muscles to a deep tissue massage, treat your injuries with a sports massage, pamper your bump with a prenatal massage, or book in with a friend for simultaneous relaxation. A blissful experience.

‍

‍

Spa London

‍

For a couple of hours of pure relaxation, Spa London is one of the most cost-effective options. The Thermal Spa Experience has branches in Bethnal Green, Kensington, Swiss Cottage, Waltham Forest and Wimbledon, where you can spend two hours rotating between hot rooms, saunas, plunge pools, steam rooms and relaxation lounges before floating back into the world. Then you have to book a treatment. Find your nearest branch, book in with some friends and make a day of it with massages, facials, scrubs, wraps and manicures.