How to get a cheap spa day for as little as £10pp – these ones are run by the COUNCIL
SPENDING the day in a spa is one of the ultimate ways to pamper yourself - but it usually comes with a hefty price tag.
But for those in the know, there are a number of council-run spas around the UK that let you in from as little as £11.50pp in central London and £10pp in the rest of the country.
works is a not-for-profit that works alongside local councils to provide spa facilities that locals can afford
They have day spa locations in Belfast, Hertfordshire, London, and Surrey.
At their Bethnal Green spa, the lowest price is £11.50 as a concessionary membership rate for older people and students. But by using discount websites like , ordinary members of the public can also get three-hour access from £15pp.
Meanwhile, in the spa at Welwyn Garden City in Hertfordshire, a three-hour pass can cost from and in Belfast it will set you back £15pp.
Even though you are paying a fraction of the price of a normal spa, everyone is given a Spa experience tote bag, bathrobe and a pair of flip flops.
They also provide the typical refreshments, including flavoured water, herbal teas and fresh fruit.
At their Bethnal Green thermal spa in York Hall - one of London’s oldest Turkish baths - guests can make use of two aroma steam rooms, Turkish Baths, a sauna, an ice fountain, a monsoon shower, a bucket shower, a plunge pool, hammam and a relaxation lounge.
There are similar options at their other London offerings, which include Old Street, Kensington, Swiss Cottage and Wimbledon.
There are also plans to open a new property in Chelsea in the new year.
Melissa Evans, the National Spa Manager at Spa Experience by Better told Sun Online Travel: “We wanted to create a day spa concept that was affordable and accessible for all - to make thermal spas a lifestyle choice rather than a once-a-year choice.
“At our prices, people can come weekly or fortnightly - it is not about having that exclusive barrier.
“We still work with the same brands as the private spas and our staff are trained at the same level, but there isn’t the huge mark-up that you get normally.
“We don’t look for high profitability as we are a not-for-profit, but any profit we do make goes back into the business.”
Massages start from as little as £15, going up to £66 for a 50-minute deep tissue, and the beauty therapists use typical spa brands like Elemis, La Sultane de Saba, Murad, CND and Fake Bake.
Vanessa said: “Our treatments are competitive but not cheap, our thermal spa is though. And most hotels only let you book thermal spas if you have a treatment too.
MOST READ IN TRAVEL
“Our spas cater for a lot more people because we allow people to just go in and use the thermal spa for three hours.
“So our capacity goes up to 40 people for three hours, which does make them a bit busier than your typical place, but it also allows for the price.”
According to Melissa, thermal spas are good for wellbeing and can help muscular aches and pains, improve metabolism and circulation, improve mental wellness, reduce anxiety and combat stress.