Picking the best spa can be difficult, especially if you have a quick search on Google Maps and find yourself looking at a list of close to 100! So how do you refine that list and find the service offering a treatment you’re after, with the greatest customer service and at a decent price?
Well, that’s what I’m here for! Below I’ve highlighted the 3 best spa’s in Brighton from my personal experience, focused on 3 different areas, Brighton centre, Kemptown and Hove.
The Treatment Rooms – Brighton Centre
Being welcomed by friendly staff, as your coat is taken and hanged up, while you’re offered a complimentary green tea, you straight away start to feel relaxed and pampered, setting the scene for what is to come.
The treatment list is lengthy, from massages to facials, pregnancy treatments and hair removal. They even have a number of vegan treatments, which must be proving increasingly popular in Brighton.
We opted for a facial, as we both took our seats in rooms close by to each other and welcomed in by the beauticians working on us today. A great sense of humour, lively attitude and a vast knowledge of her subject area, the beautician was amazing at her job and was great at adapting her treatment based on your requirements, whether it’s not wanting something too close to the eye or applying different levels of pressure.
I was amazed to hear the levels of loyalty in the workplace, with her being with the company for around 5 years and stating that was common among her colleagues, a sign of a good work environment.
The neck massage is always a great addition when getting a facial, as I tried not to drift off! We both opted for the crystal clear stay young intense anti-ageing facial, which included multiple layers of serum and cream being applied to our face, all using the same brand. It lasted just under an hour and costs £65, while I can highly recommend it.
Natural Balance – Hove
A sharp contrast to The Treatment Rooms, Natural Balance Therapies is located on The Drive in Hove, where we chose a relaxing massage (I’m going to become addicted to them soon). The focus is all around natural treatments and removing stress, while they will sit down with you and try to understand your personal situation before performing the treatment, so they can achieve the optimal results. With relaxing music playing and all your knots being pushed out, it’s hard to not drift off again, while the heated beds were an interesting addition.
They offer anything you might need, including massages, manicures, pedicures, facials and hair removal. They also offer specific services for special occasions, perfect if you’re getting married soon or you’re pregnant.
A Natural Balance has a team of 14 highly qualified therapists who are available up until relatively late in the evening to offer the treatment you require.
Phoenix Brighton – Kemptown
Much like A Natural Balance, this is a converted flat in a beautiful building, with the manicures and pedicures taking place at the front and separate rooms further in for massages or facials. Raquel went for a facial, while I got a massage, helping to offer a view of two different treatment options.
Alice was our therapist for both treatments, who worked wonders with her hands and left me in an incredibly relaxed state.
As with the other two on this list, they offer anything and everything you would expect, including manicures and pedicures, waxing, massages, eye treatments and facials.
They’re also a completely vegan spa, meaning every single item they include in their facials or treatments are 100% vegan. You might also want to have a read of my review of the Phoenix Spa in Brighton.
Tips For Choosing the Right Spa in Brighton
Considering the wealth of options available to you, there are a few considerations you must make. You firstly want to ensure it’s geographically convenient for you, hence why I highlighted a few options stretched across Brighton and Hove.
But physical location shouldn’t be the leading factor. You should check reviews, whether that’s on Google, Trust Pilot or whatever third party reviewing site they’re using.
You should also consider the type of experience you’re after and whether they cater for this. You might be after aromatherapy, hydrotherapy or a deep tissue massage. Firstly, you want to ensure they offer this, then you should look for mentions in reviews to see if people specifically rate this procedure or say anything negative.
Are there any secondary facilities as well that can add to your experience. Maybe you’re hoping for a swim afterwards, at which point you might be looking for a bigger spa experience rather than a city centre option. This might involve a drive outside of Brighton rather than the ones I’ve highlighted.
If you have any accessibility requirements, you should look into what they have in place, whether that’s a wheelchair ramp, areas for sensory sensitivity or catering for vegan requirements.
But finally, you should have a set budget in mind, just because one charges more, it doesn’t mean it’s automatically better. You shouldn’t spend beyond your means, so try to stick to a set price, look at all the options and work out which is within your personal budget.