Read more on spa and wellness breaks
Upon arrival, I make a beeline for the treatment area, where I’m presented with a menu of six different massage treatments. I opt for a one-hour CBD massage, where I’m pulled and pummelled like a tough piece of meat being tenderised. This costs 369 lei (£63.50) – and while I float out of my room feeling zen, it’s an indulgent extra rather than an essential component of the overall spa experience.
From here, I head to the Alhambra sauna, inspired by Andalucia’s landmark palace, before shuffling over to the Bavaria sauna, where temperature hits a toasty 90C. I step outside, letting my body temperature regulate, as per instructions, before heading back inside for a cold water shower. Later, I attempt to join a liquid gold session, where participants cover their body with honey, but it’s packed. Unfazed, I saunter off to float in the heated outdoor pool. It’s dark now and I gaze up at a pitch black sky speckled with stars.
Get an adrenaline rush on one of 16 different water slides (Therme)
Conversations with staff reveal that Therme attracts everyone from locals looking to relax after a day at the office, to tourists travelling from around Europe and beyond to visit what has become something of a TikTok sensation. This inclusivity offers a welcome contrast to the supercilious air that can sometimes sour the experience at other luxury spas.
In addition to the genuinely good atmosphere and excellent facilities, a major factor in Therme’s immense popularity is price. Entry varies depending on whether you’re visiting at a peak time (Friday to Sunday, and school holidays) and which part of the spa you want access to. A three-hour adult pass to The Palm costs 81 lei (£13.90), while a one-day pass with access to all three areas costs £29 between Monday to Thursday and £32 Friday to Sunday, including school holidays. You can rent a towel for 26 lei (£4.50). And with capacity for up to 4,000 people, it never feels cramped in the way that the UK’s significantly smaller spas sometimes can.
You won’t be fighting for space in the roomy saunas (Therme)
Compare this to day fees at some of the UK’s most popular spas. At Aire Ancient Baths in London’s Covent Garden, expect to pay a minimum of £115 for bath access only for a maximum stay of 90 minutes. Spa access of just two hours at Claridge’s is only possible when combined with a treatment; the cheapest available is £195 for a one-hour massage. Away from the capital, expect to pay £182 per person for a full day spa pass at Leicestershire’s Ragdale Hall (no treatment included), while half-day passes at Armathwaite Hall and Spa in the Lake District start at £125 including a 55-minute treatment.
On price alone, Therme is, indisputably, an absolute steal. But for top-class facilities and general vibes, it’s priceless. I’ve seen the future of Friday night – and it’s steamy.
How to get there
We flew with Wizz Air from London Luton to Bucharest Henri Coandă, where single fares start from £16.51 (book well in advance for the best price). Flight time is around three hours and 20 minutes.
Local taxis are prone to quoting inflated flat-rate prices, so we opted for an Uber, which cost £16 door-to-door and took 12 minutes. An Uber from Therme to the city centre costs about £30, depending on traffic, and takes around 30 minutes. There’s also a public bus (442) that runs regularly between the city centre and Bucharest Henri Coandă airport and Therme that costs just €1 (85p). Simply tap in with your card as you board – you can view the timetable here.
We booked into the four-star PeakTure Hotel, where a spacious and comfortable double room cost €69 (£59) per night when we stayed. From here, it’s only a five-minute stroll to the picturesque Old Town. The hotel also has a superb offer that includes two nights accommodation and two day passes for just €135 (£115) per person, based on two sharing.
Rooms available from{{#price}}{{price}}per night{{/price}}{{^price}}Check availability for dates and prices{{/price}}
{{#amenities}}Hotel Amenities{{#amenities.foodDrink.length}}
Food & Drink
{{#amenities.foodDrink}}{{.}}{{/amenities.foodDrink}}{{/amenities.foodDrink.length}}{{#amenities.internet.length}}Internet
Please check hotel for more information on amenities
{{#amenities.internet}}{{.}}{{/amenities.internet}}{{/amenities.internet.length}}{{#amenities.services.length}}
Services
{{#amenities.services}}{{.}}{{/amenities.services}}{{/amenities.services.length}}{{#amenities.parking.length}}Parking
Please check hotel for more information on amenities
{{#amenities.parking}}{{.}}{{/amenities.parking}}{{/amenities.parking.length}}{{#amenities.health.length}}
Health & Wellbeing
{{#amenities.health}}{{.}}{{/amenities.health}}{{/amenities.health.length}}{{/amenities}}
Joanna travelled to Bucharest as a guest of Wizz Air.
Read more: St Pancras to Dracula’s Castle by train is three holidays in one
Source link : https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/europe/romania/bucharest-romania-budget-spa-weekend-b2523510.html
Author :
Publish date : 2024-04-10 07:00:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.