Sydney's 16 best day spas – for when it's time to switch off (2024)

This spa is everything you’d expect from a pamper palace that’s been around for over 30 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 toimprove circulation, flexibility and muscle tone. The huge domed ceiling and butt busts gives it a very Greco-Roman feeling. Finish your ascent to ultimate relaxationwith a foot soak and scrub –your job is toinhale frankincense like the royal baby you are – followed by an aromatherapy massage.

Time Out tip: Book in for a blow-dry after your spa day so you leave feeling shiny inside and out.

You’ll find the Glebe outpost of Nature’s Energy behind a crystal-lined shopfront on Glebe Point Road, and I challenge you to find a more magical space hiding in plain sight on a busy Sydney street. Book in for a bathhouse experience and surrender to the ritual: moving between indoor and outdoor saunas, palm-flanked cold plunge pools and a magnesium-enriched spa. If you’re in the market for a full-body re-set, book a massage with one of their talented therapists and you’ll leave feeling entirely transformed. Looking for something a little more esoteric? Nature’s Energy also offers spiritual readings and energetic healing services – but frankly, a bathhouse session at this sprawling urban oasis is a spiritual makeover in itself.

Time Out tip: We'd suggest heading here early, then heading to The Wedge for one of the best breakfasts in Sydney.

As with everything W, the vibe here is playful – and perfectly out-of-the-box.There’s a super-luxe wet room and cute-as-anything mani-pedi pods, and a bar serving everything from wellness shots to vodka-spiked cocktails. Featuring cryo ice-rollers and LED facial therapies, the treatment menu is appropriately ambitious, but if you’re in the mood for a good old fashioned massage, you won’t be disappointed. Treatment rooms are referred to as “stages”, and the relaxation room where your post-treatment tea will be waiting is titled “post production” – if you’re looking for a spa to make you feel like a film star, this is your spot.

Time Out tip: A stay at the W is all-out luxury – you can read our Editor In Chief's review here.

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 60minutes, 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.

Time Out tip:In 2024Nature's Energy was crowned 'Australia's Best Day Spa' in World Spa Awards for the third year running.

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.

Time Out tip: Head upstairs to Zephyr Bar after your treatment – the sunset from here is one of the best in Sydney.

The Auriga Spa was once only open toguests of thefive-star Capella Hotel, but now it's open to the public; meaning you can book in forrejuvenation and wellness experiences that appear to have been plucked from the scenes of all ourWhite Lotus dreams (just without the weird guests and/or murder sub-plot).

Set deep within the heritage walls of the former goverment buildingin the centre of Sydney, the Auriga is awash with low-lit moody corners, white marble, an immense 20-metre heated pool, and massages that are tailor-made to reflect the changing cycles of the new and full moon. Quite transcendent, if you ask us.

Time Out tip:Lunch at Capella's grand Brasserie 1930 is a super special post-spa treat.

On level three ofFour Seasons Hotelyou’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.

Time Out tip: Head down toGrain Barpost-treatment for a theatrical cocktail and an excellent lobster roll.