AIRE Ancient Baths review: Why London’s newest day spa is worth the hype

A Spanish concept modelled on ancient Roman and Greek baths, this is a soothing way to thaw out on a winter’s afternoon, writes Lucy Thackray

The floatarium at AIRE Ancient Baths London (AIRE)

As I stroll into AIRE Ancient Baths, a recently opened day spa just off the Strand in London, I’m struck by how exotic it feels.

Tealights flicker in tiny star-speckled Moroccan lanterns, an oud-y scent wafts through hallways of high ceilings and artfully distressed, peeling walls, and staff with sophisticated European accents whisper instructions in hushed tones.

This building is a curiosity in itself. The one-time home of Peter Pan author JM Barrie, it’s a regal old 18th-century mansion that’s been stripped back for Spanish spa brand AIRE’s purposes: namely, creating an olde-worlde spa vibe that reimagines the ancient, sociable and restorative tradition of the city bathhouse.

In the OG Seville number, AIRE has taken over a Mudejar-style palace; in New York’s Tribeca, an 1880s textile factory; and in Copenhagen, it’s the old Carlsberg brewery (if walls could talk, these would surely be tipsy).

The tepidarium lagoon pool (AIRE)

Stepping cautiously into the hyper-soothing darkness, I “check in” for my two-hour session, including a 30-minute back, neck and leg massage, and am shown the ropes by kind and switched-on spa attendants.

A generous, luxe-feeling dressing room has ample locker space and white towelling robes, plus clever non-slip swim socks you wear all around the spa area. Complimentary hairdryers, lotions, tampons and make-up remover feel a cut above the standard gym fare.

Once ready, I’m led downstairs to the main subterranean level, a long corridor with inviting, illuminated powder-blue lagoons and steaming pools branching off of it.

There’s a vague route you can follow, hopping from tepid entrance pool to eucalyptus-laced steam room, to freezing plunge pool and hot-hot soaking pool and back again – but once you’ve dipped into all, you’re free to go back and revisit your favourites.

As a huge fan of thalassotherapy and a believer in the calming powers of a fizzing spa pool, I revel in this scented oasis. My favourites are the “caldarium”, heated to 40C, and the “floatarium”, a sea salty, shallow area where you can slather yourself in powdery-white salt and lie weightless in comfortably tepid waters. I’m far too wussy to fully submerge in the icy “frigidarium” plunge pools, but enjoy dunking in briefly to waist level once glowing from the steam room.

The interiors at AIRE (AIRE)

It’s no sterile, hushed environment: couples and pals lounge around chatting in their swimmers, both in the pools and a lounge area lit by candles where you can have a herbal tea. Phones are banned and dutifully left in lockers, a staggering feat when you consider what Instagram catnip these lantern-lit halls are.

Using a subtle system of head-mics and beady eyes that I cannot for the life of me work out, a spa attendant magically appears wherever you are in the spa to let you know it’s time for your massage, leaving you blissfully free from the burden of clock-watching.

Mine is swift but thorough – I nod off slightly as she pummels my back and rubs my weary feet with almond oil. My therapist even gently heats my wet swimsuit and non-slip spa socks while I’m on the warm, cushioned massage bed, avoiding the clammy horror of squelching back into a chilly one.

It’s not cheap, but AIRE is something a little different on London’s luxury spa scene – a thoroughly good looking, genuinely peaceful and invigorating experience that deposits you onto the chilly street afterwards a more mellow person, shoulders down and cheeks aglow.

Travel essentials

At AIRE Ancient Baths, you can choose between solo and couple packages from £90pp for 90 minutes’ use of the baths alone to £450 for a couples’ 75-minute massage and use of the baths, pre-ordering Cava and truffles to enjoy in the lounge if it’s a special occasion.