MYSTERY SHOP IN EVERY SENSE A SPA NEWBIE TOM ANSTEY, JOURNALIST, LEISURE MEDIA
I should start by saying I am, in every sense of the word, a spa newbie. If I want to relax, I’d opt to sit on the sofa and play Call of Duty. So for my first spa experience to be the Aire Ancient Baths was taking a plunge into the deep end. I had no idea of what was
to come and hoped for an explanation of how to ‘take the waters’. As it was, I received a brief orientation and knew I’d been booked for a massage, but beyond that I was left to fend for myself. Unfortunately, the first
thing I noticed was the smell of chlorine – obviously there for hygiene purposes – but heightened in the warm
environment. Next was the steamroom. When you don’t know what to expect, the hot vapours really hit you and breathing is hindered – not the most relaxing start for me. I spent most of my time pre-massage in the warm
waters (chickening out on the cold plunge pools) and these were my favourite part of the experience. The long L-shaped pool was great for a gentle, casual swim and this also kept my mind stimulated: I have a hyperactive brain. And although the facility restricts the level of talking, it’s not (thankfully) strictly enforced and I was able speak with my friend without disturbing anyone. After an hour, I went for
my massage and I can’t fault the quality of it. My brain, however, came into play 45 seconds in and said ‘oh boy your nose is itchy’. As I wasn’t in a position to scratch it, I
found it difficult to switch off. It didn’t help that I was lying there with wet hair and trunks: not a pleasant feeling. Did it relax me? Physically
yes, I could feel it was doing my body good. Mentally, not really. Having an option to change the music to occupy my mind would have been a nice addition. If I was to go again, I’d
want someone to describe each experience to me beforehand and what I might expect as a beginner. Instead I felt unprepared and out of my comfort zone. While I can’t fault the facility itself, I just don’t think the spa world is really for me.
Having never been to a spa, Anstey would have liked more details about how to ‘take the waters’
The people behind Aire
Aire Ancient Baths New York City is the first international property for the Spanish-based Aire Group. The company began 15 years ago when a number of investors and friends pooled together
resources to restore a 16th century palace in Seville which was built of the ruins of a Roman bathhouse. Co-founder Armando
Prados, who grew up in an area in southern Spain, which once boasted hundreds of public baths, wanted to revive the traditional ritual of relaxation and rejuvenation through water. The group’s vision was
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to create an “oasis of calm that drinks from history, the one that shows us how ancient civilisations made public baths an art for our senses”. Two more Aire bathhouses
opened in Spain in Barcelona (2008) and Almeria (2011) before the concept headed overseas. Each facility is located in “an old building full of history and personality”.
Next on the list is Aire de
Vallromanes just outside Barcelona, although there’s no indication of when it will open yet. But it is confirmed that Spanish architects Alonso Balaguer – the studio behind two previous Aire bathhouses and which is also working on the Olympic Village for the Rio de Janerio Games – will be designing the new facility.
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