The Thermae Spa at The Municipal Hotel

Tucked beneath the Art-Deco splendour of Liverpool’s Municipal Hotel, you’ll find The Thermae Spa: a 2023 Best New Spa finalist of the Good Spa Awards and owner of a coveted ‘5-bubble’ rating. 

Using high-grade products from Elemis and Grown Alchemist, the spa offers a range of massages, facials, manicures and pedicures. We opt for the Grown Alchemist Urban De-Stress massage, priced at £85.  

The memory foam topped massage table is the most comfortable around, meaning you begin to unwind before the masseuse even starts your treatment. A true professional, she devotes part of the hour to your instructed area of focus yet miraculously finds all those knots you didn’t even know you had. She steadily kneads them out using myofascial release techniques and just the right amount of requested pressure. 

The perfect place to unwind and rejuvenate

Newly relaxed and loose-limbed, you can then stop off in the relaxation suite to gently come around with a glass of iced cucumber water. Once ready, head down to the swimming pool and spa facilities. The 16-metre indoor swimming pool is perfect for tranquil floating, as you enjoy various massaging jets and gaze at city views full of grand Victorian architecture through the picture window.

The unique sauna features an innovative, softly-lit Himalayan salt wall. Gently glowing salt takes the edge off that scorched-nose-feeling, enabling you to relax and enjoy that lovely cedar scent for much longer. After this and the classic steam room, try the upturned-bucket style cold shower next door for an invigorating short, sharp shock and subsequent rush of endorphins – without the commitment of a plunge pool. Hardier guests can freeze to their hearts’ content using the nearby basin, generously piled with ice cubes. 

Should you fancy something a little less bracing, the Laconium may be the one for you. Roman style mosaic-tiled reclined seats are heated to a very civilised and pleasant temperature, letting you gently open your pores and sweat out any toxins. Clean off afterwards in the Monsoon experience shower and choose your preferred combination of light, sound and scent – we recommend Caribbean Storm. 

Such excellent facilities and its central location make Thermae Spa the perfect place to unwind and rejuvenate, whether as part of a weekend city break or a little treat after a hard day’s work.