Overview
If your idea of wellness is about relaxing massages, baths and tailored self-care, you'll no doubt find yourself drawn to Melbourne's soon-to-launch spa, Sense of Self.
Set to open on Collingwood's Easey Street this spring, the unconventional bathhouse will take a healthier — and more playful — take on self-restoration in an era where lots of people spend all day sitting at a desk and social media takes serious toll on body image. The space will have communal bathing facilities and a hammam-style steam room where you can do a DIY clay or body scrub, or just chill out for an hour or so. Other services wellness will be available, too, meaning you'll be able to book in for a massage or mindfulness class.
And, unlike other day spas, Sense of Self is set to be relatively affordable — a place for regular self care, rather than a one-off. A founding membership will cost just $30 a week and includes unlimited bathing and access to the mindfulness spaces, as well as one free scrub per week. You can sign up for this pre-opening — the rate will be valid for six months and you can cancel at any time.
Freya Berwick and Mary Minas
The project is the brainchild of filmmaker Mary Minas and botanist Freya Berwick, who are trying to offer a 'no bullshit' approach to bathing and relaxation. It's inspired by traditional bathhouses from across the world, as experienced on Minas' own international jaunts. Meanwhile, Berwick is lending her talents to developing a line of organic mud and body products for use at the spa.
"We wanted to challenge the existing wellness model with a new kind of experience, one that demonstrates wellbeing isn't about performance or beauty," says Minas.
While the warehouse space is still under construction, it will be designed by an all-female team, with SetSquare Studio, Chamberlain Architects and Hearth Studios teaming up to deliver a striking space filled with rich, tactile materials.
Sense of Self is set to open in spring on Easey Street, Collingwood. Founding memberships currently available for those who'd like to get in early. One of these will get you unlimited bathhouse access for $30 a week for the first six months, as well as a free weekly scrub, exclusive invites and the option of bringing a friend for free each week. We'll let you know when it's set to open.