We will be in Bath for a short time (late afternoon July 5 - morning of July 7) and would like to visit Thermae Bath Spa. We would give the teens some cash to get dinner on their own, and book the couples massage... any thoughts? They have done this before in Brussels and Edinburgh on past trips, so they should feel safe and confident enough to get back to the hotel. Any experience with Thermae Spa? Reviews seem generally quite positive, but it's a splurge for us, so I would love firsthand experience!
Thanks.
Posted by
Seattle
110 posts
We were at Thermae on 16 May this year. It was marvelous. I don't know about the massage, but they had a twilight dinner package that was dinner and three hour admission - normal admission is for 2 hours - for 80gbp each (and given that's equivalent to admission plus 25 pounds for a meal, it's a decent deal)
The big thing I'd mention is that safety is less a concern (I'm hyper vigilant and saw nothing) and more finding a place that serves teens dinner after about 6pm is a challenge.
Posted by
Tucson
4183 posts
I hit Thermae on 4 May, my 3rd day in England. I spent 2 hours in the water in both pools and finished up with the head to toe massage. It's recommended to do it that way so that the oils and lotions they use soak into your skin.
It was pricey, but worth every pence. Do it if you can.
You get electronic wristbands for your locker. The changing area is unisex with little walk through cubicles. You can take nothing to the pools except the swimsuit you have on, the wristband, the bathrobe, towel and slippers they give you and glasses so you can see. That means no mobile phones or cameras of any kind. I thought 2 hours in the water would be too long, but it flew by. Most everyone was in the open pool upstairs.
You are completely nude for the massage. Mine took about 90 minutes. I don't know how the dressing and changing works if you don't use the pool, or if it's possible to skip the changing room part.
Posted by
Nashville, TN
14 posts
I visit spas semi frequently in the US and this was a bit different. While I don't regret the experience, and the pool was fun and the services were fine ... It was not a calming, serene experience. The whole facility is BUSY and I went on Tues evening which they advertise as the least busy time. The locker room was hot and bustling. The pool was exclusively full of smooching couples. The restaurant was ok.
Not a bad experience, per se, but once was enough to say I'd done it and communed with the Ancient Romans.
Posted by
Calgary
1742 posts
I was there two days ago--also on a Tuesday. It was extremely busy. It was nice, but I've been to better (in Budapest) for a much lower cost. I didn't have a massage, so I can't speak to that.
I didn't feel that Bath was particularly unsafe, just very crowded, so your teens should be fine.
The new spa area has 2 pools, one on the rooftop and one in the basement. Neither are hot pools, but they are warm. There is a hot pool for treatments only, so I'm guessing you might be able to use that, if you're having a massage. The rooftop pool has nice views and periodically has bubbling jets. The basement pool has a current you can ride around in, and a central smaller pool with periodic bubbles. The aroma steam rooms are nice, but were much too hot for us. We couldn't stay in them. The waterfall shower for the steam rooms was not working when we were there.
At 35 pounds for admission to the spa, I didn't think it was good value, but I knew that going in. The robes and slippers are nice, until they become sodden, and then I'd have rather done without them, frankly.
Note that admission to the new spa does not also give you admission to the Cross pool, which is the historic one. It's one or the other.