City Spa venues

An urban spa is a type of spa located in the city centre, among business, shopping and residential districts, and set up for visits that are quick to reach and finished within one to two hours. What sets an urban spa apart from other types is its location and its timescale: people choose it not for a holiday or a full-day programme but for a massage or hammam session fitted into everyday life.

What you find at urban spas

Urban spas usually consist of a compact wet area and a few massage rooms. Most of the urban spas listed have a sauna and a Turkish bath, and some have a steam room and a jacuzzi; kese (exfoliating scrub) and foam massage are also among the services often offered. On the massage menu, Balinese, Swedish, aromatherapy, hot stone and deep tissue massage stand out; treatments such as facials and body scrubs are also offered, and one centre holds pilates classes. Most of these businesses operate inside a city hotel, a boutique hotel or a residence; the terms on which they accept outside visitors vary from venue to venue.

Who an urban spa suits

An urban spa suits people who are short on time. A one-hour massage at lunchtime or after work, a hammam and sauna in between weekend shopping, a session squeezed in between two meetings on a business trip: these are the typical uses of this type. People who have regular massages for back, neck and shoulder tension from desk work also often choose urban spas because they are close to home or the office. For those looking for a half-day or longer programme, a large pool and a relaxation area, luxury hotel spas or resort spas are a better fit.

How an urban spa differs from similar types

An urban spa can be thought of as a more compact, city-centre version of the day spa; neither requires an overnight stay. Day spas, however, can also be found outside the city centre and may offer half-day or full-day packages with a large pool and relaxation areas. A city hotel spa sits in the same urban setting but serves hotel guests first and foremost. A massage centre focuses on massage alone; its wet area is either absent or limited. A wellness centre adds regular exercise programmes such as fitness, pilates and yoga to its spa services. Some of the urban spas listed are tagged with several of these types at once; when choosing, the scope of the wet area and the massage menu tells you more than the name of the type.

What to look for when choosing an urban spa

With an urban spa, what really matters is how easily it fits into your daily routine. These points help when choosing:

• Getting there: how close it is to work or home, public transport links, and parking if it is inside a hotel
• Opening hours: whether appointments are available after work and at weekends, and the time of the last session
• Session lengths: whether the menu includes short sessions focusing on the back, neck and shoulders
• Wet area: whether the sauna and hammam can be used before the massage, and whether this is included in the price
• Regular use: multi-session packages or membership options for frequent visitors

Practical information before visiting an urban spa

At urban spas, massages and treatments are by appointment. After-work hours and weekends are usually the busiest times; for these slots you need to book a few days ahead. At spas inside a hotel or residence, whether non-residents can use the wet area, or can only come in with a massage appointment, varies from venue to venue. Add 15-30 minutes to the session for changing, showering and a short warm-up; the total time to set aside for a 60-minute massage usually comes close to an hour and a half. Robes, towels and slippers are usually provided; bring swimwear if you will use the pool or a mixed sauna. Arrangements such as how the facilities are shared and therapist preferences vary from venue to venue; ask when you book. If you are pregnant or have blood pressure or cardiovascular problems, consult your doctor before using the sauna or hammam. The price depends on the session length, whether use of the wet area is included, the location and whether it is a weekend; the details are in the guide explaining what determines spa prices.

Where urban spas are found

Most of the urban spas listed are in Istanbul, along the business and shopping corridors of the European side: Nişantaşı in Şişli, Maçka in Beşiktaş, and Kağıthane are the leading neighbourhoods for this type. In Ankara, there is a centre in Çankaya that works by appointment and offers a hammam, a sauna and pilates classes together.