Banya No.1 - Hoxton Reviews Summary

Parenie Treatment

Pros:

• "I experienced my very first parenie and was impressed how relaxed I felt when got back home."
• "A parenie treatment was included in the workshop price using the herb of your choice."
• "The Parenie treatment is great and refreshing."
• "Had parenie - it is not so much about getting hit with the twigs as it is about directing the steam and the heat to the body."

Cons:

• "Who knew that being swished with leaves and twigs was so relaxing?!"

Staff and Service

Pros:

• "Not only are the treatments excellent, but, thanks to the friendly staff, there is a nice, relaxed atmosphere."
• "Service was so friendly and warm."
• "The staff are very accommodating."
• "Great Parenie, friendly staff, excellent relaxation area with good homemade food and it even has cold beer!"
• "The entire staff were so caring and professional, going out of their way to care for her."

Cons:

• "The attitude of a receptionist wasn't as welcoming as you'd expect from a pricey spa."
• "Workers are very noise and never close door. No chance to relax at all."
• "Because of this wrong info, i was spoken to in ways by a male staff person, while in the sauna area, that i found incredibly offensive and rude."

Facilities and Cleanliness

Pros:

• "The private banya was immaculate and the huge wooden log sauna was delightful."
• "The facilities are very clean."
• "Very good facilities."

Cons:

• "Extremely dirty, only 1 room is working."

Food and Drinks

Pros:

• "I also love the relaxation area and Russian food and drinks on offer."
• "Food was fresh and healthy and the buckwheat honey was incredible!"
• "We loved pancakes with caviar and sour cream."
• "Cray fish and prawns! Lovely."

Cons:

• "The food portions have been decreasing over the past year."
• "Food is simple and ranges from perfect to mediocre."

Atmosphere and Experience

Pros:

• "The relaxation area and Russian food and drinks on offer."
• "Just perfect! Best/hottest sauna I've ever been."
• "Visited Banya #1 for the first time in Dec, booked the Gold package and absolutely loved it!"
• "It’s like a full body MOT, completely exhilarating and I left ready to take on life again."

Cons:

• "The atmosphere is somehow a bit ‘modern office’ rather than dacha-hearty-communal."
• "Compared to a Finnish sauna people at Banya 01 weren't very talkative or sociable."

Packages and Value

Pros:

• "Great treatments and value for money."
• "You get a booth for three hours and can go into the spa as many times as you want."
• "We had the silver package and enjoyed all of the treatments."

Cons:

• "It was expensive, so definitely an occasional treat as opposed to a regular thing."

Suggestions for Improvement

Pros:

• "It would be great to have a more thought out loyalty scheme."

Cons:

• "The second changing rooms is absolutely tiny."
• "Under the current scheme one needs to live, breathe and ear in the Banya to get some benefits."