The 15 best day spas in Sydney

Venustus is a beauty salon like you’ve never seen before; with inner healing at its heart. Owner and modern-day sharmanic healer Jeannie Bourke opened the first iteration of Venustus from a small space on Oxford Street back over thirty years ago – earning her place as one of Australia’s most sought after therapists based on her transformative holistic approach. After gaining a cult-like following, Jeannie moved to the enormous space next door, where she’s taken her vision to the next level. Here, a spiral staircase forms the focal point of the minimalist space, egg-shaped rooms play host to uniquely transcendent treatments, and Jeannie’s personal crystal collection is buried beneath the polished concrete floor. It’s all about energy, and after yours has been nurtured by Jeannie and her team, you’ll leave feeling like an ethereal being.

With wall-to-wall marble, silver-leaf wallpaper and a 'Vitality Pool’ as its gushing, blue heart, the Blainey North-designed Crown Spa is a lesson in interior décor decadence and OTT luxury. Exiting the lift at the sixth floor of the Crown Towers building, shades of lilac and shiny, sleek marble abound. Head into one of a series of private rooms where you can be lathered and massaged to nirvana. Pick from a menu of the usual suspects: facials, body polishes, laser light therapy, exfoliating treatments and more unusual options. If you're only here to do one thing, expect an elevated take on the classic massage experience; here, a massage table is subbed out for a bed of quartz sand, rumoured to have therapeutic effects for muscle aches and pain.

Style is paramount at QT Sydney's SpaQ. You only have to peek into the Sweeney Todd-like barbershop to understand that the aesthetic of this establishment is part of its charm, but it doesn't skimp on experience. Tea is organic, robes are fluffy, and treatments are many, varied and exceptional. Our pick is the Energising Body Wrap; it will leave you feeling appropriately ready to take on all the fun that the hotel has to offer.

Time Out tip: Book the Metamorphosis package, and you'll score a seasonal lunch from one of the excellent on-site resturants; the Parisian Parlour or the grand, New York-style Gowings.

Housed in an unassuming, intimate space on level one of the sprawling 27 storey building, Hyatt Regency's Nabea Spa is a new (and incredibly welcome) addition to Australia’s largest hotel – offering the kinds of treatments that international guests would be craving after a journey across the world. Signature treatments include the Sensorial Aroma Massage (a customised massage using a personally curated blend of essential oils), Advance Facials that use a selection of Sothys products chosen to treat specific skin conditions, and a “Sensorial Spa Indulgence Package” that includes a facial, aroma massage and foot treatment.

This spa is everything you’d expect from a pamper palace that’s been around for over 25 years. Every word is spoken gently and with expert knowledge, there are floral fragrances floating through the vast relaxation areas and dimly lit treatment rooms, plus a surprisingly expansive garden. Start with a dip in the aquamedic pool to improve circulation, flexibility and muscle tone. The huge domed ceiling and butt busts gives it a very Greco-Roman feeling. Finish your ascent to ultimate relaxation with a foot soak and scrub – your job is to inhale frankincense like the royal baby you are – followed by an aromatherapy massage.

Balmain Bath House has to be the best bang for buck when it comes to sweating it out and scrubbing up. The staff are welcoming, knowledgeable and kind and they have all the perks of a pricier spa: fluffy robes, secure lockers, hair dryers, slippers and herbal tea on tap. Using the Bath House (with its steam room, sauna, hot spa and cold spa all included) costs $60 per person for 60 minutes, but we'd suggest booking the "Radiance" package and leaving feeling like you're walking on a cloud. $370 will score you 60 minutes in the bathhouse, a 60 minute facial and a 60 minute massage.

There’s a timeless opulence to the Shangri-La Hotel – the feeling of stepping back in time into a luxury hotel of yesteryear, but with a few modern-day additions thrown in as a bonus. This standard is set at Chi, the Spa; the vast, warmly lit spa located on level two. Robes are white, thick and fluffy, and ornate mirrors line the walls, but the treatment menu is as forward-thinking as the therapists. Start with an infrared sauna, then let your therapist choose the treatment best suited to what your body needs in that moment (anything from an Arabian Oud Renewal Therapy to an LED Facial). Afterwards, you’ll be led to a semi-private booth where a cup of tea and a glass of Champagne will be waiting – in true Shangri-La-luxe style.

This is the place to go if you want to play kings and queens for a day. Not just for hotel guests, the spa and fitness facilities can be used by anyone who fancies indulging the day away. The wow-factor here is the 20-metre indoor pool. It has a dark, twinkling night sky overhead. The Day Spa’s signature treatment is the Babor Facial and they also offer splendidly fancy massage treatments, using everything from Swedish and neuromuscular techniques to Champagne body cream.

On level three of Four Seasons Hotel you’ll find hotel guests and lavendar-seeking locals immersing in inner-city bliss. The hotel's on-site is brought to you by Endota, and features six treatment rooms, a steam room, sauna, pool, Jacuzzi and a solid range of treatments spanning lash lifts to remedial massage. Our pick is the be-all-end-all package: a four hour session including a full body exfoliation, yoghurt cocoon or hot oil wrap, full body massage and a one hour facial and pedicure – $495 all in. 

Time Out tip: Head down to Grain Bar post-treatment for a theatrical cocktail and an excellent lobster roll.

Of the extensive treatment menu on offer at On The Park Rejuvenation Day Spa, our pick is the Smoothing Custard Wrap; which engulfs your whole body in a hydrating mask while you enjoy a scalp massage (75 minutes, $219). The rooftop pool, health club, steam room, sauna and Jacuzzi overlook Hyde Park, and booking a treatment will get you direct access – it's worth it for the sunset swim alone.

Time Out Tip: Make a day of it and book in for lunch or dinner at the hotel's new on-site restaurant, Sydney Common.

Hands down, this spa has the best views in town. This is a luxe location with appropriately luxe pricetags, but if you're there, it's worth leaning in. Go for the signature 90 minute Hot Stone Massage ($340 on weekdays and $375 at the weekend), or give your face the star treatment with the La Mer Hydrating Facial – the sixty minute treatment will set you back $395 on a weekday, or $415 at the weekend.
 

This is a plush, hushed environment designed to get you feeling relaxed before you’ve even checked in at reception. You’ll be guided through the low-lit, maze-like halls to your treatment room, which is warm to the point of complete relaxation without slumber. You could get a sports-level massage, but this is less a place for working out tired muscles and more somewhere to tune out. There's a tea room where you can rehydrate post-massage, have a piece of fruit and come slowly back to earth before you have to leave the sanctum and return to Pyrmont’s work-a-day pulse.