Sydney's Best Spa Experiences for 2023

You work hard, you play hard and gosh you should get to relax hard too. And what better way to do that, than with a healthy dose of luxury down at your local Sydney day spa? Kicking around in a comfy robe, being pampered like a boss and having all the time in the world to enjoy yourself, stress-free. Well, that idyllic image is an easy one to tap into, since the city is home to a vast array of top-notch spa destinations — often found in some of Sydney's best hotels.

Whatever your budget, skin type, or go-to massage style, there's a luxurious Sydney spa treatment for you right near the CBD. Go get your glow on and thank us after you've found your inner peace.

THE DAY SPA AT THE LANGHAM, SYDNEY CBD

There's a whole stack of reasons why you should treat yourself to a stay at The Langham. First off, the indoor pool looks like it's straight out of a Roman cinematic epic and The Day Spa is no less impressive. Embracing the motto of 'detox, renew, relax and rejuvenate', this luxe Sydney spa offers the full range of luxurious treatments, which, as expected, come at a very luxurious price. Choose from a variety of standalone facials and massages, or really settle in with a multi-treatment package — like the Velvet Experience, an all-inclusive three-hour session that includes a body exfoliation, full-body massage and tailored facial treatment. If you're keen to go all out, it's priced at $480 from Monday–Thursday (or $495 from Friday–Sunday).

SOL SPA, VAUCLUSE

A plant-filled Sydney restaurant serving up locally sourced health food and dotted with millennial pink armchairs is nothing unusual — but the fact that The Botanica Vaucluse also has one of Sydney's best day spas really takes these trends to a new level. The Sol Spa, which sits adjacent to its sister restaurant, is up there among Sydney's more opulent experiences. Therapists use aromatic oils and herbs to revitalise guests, while facials and massages are accompanied by holistic treatments, plus detoxifying and antioxidant therapies. You might re-energise that skin with a 45-minute natural mineral body scrub ($95), destress with a spot of facial acupressure ($95), or treat weary muscles to a full-body nourishing treatment ($180). For some full-blown indulgence, look no further than the menu of blissful spa packages, starting from $225. When you're done, pop over to the restaurant for a feed.

GILLIAN ADAMS SALON & SPA, TURRAMURRA

Gillian Adams services the high-end pampering needs of the lower north shore with its unique aquamedic pool, steam room, treatment rooms, restaurant, and cutting-edge hair and beauty salon. The luxury spa's classic facial — which includes a tailored skin consultation and a series of rejuvenating treatments — will set you back $160. At the other end of the spectrum, a truly luxe L'Escape Voyage package features a pool, steam and vichy shower session, aromatherapy massage, facial, manicure, pedicure, scalp ritual, blow wave and gourmet lunch, all spread out over more than seven hours ($880). Or you can simply mix and match your way to total relaxation, picking from a broad selection of bathing rituals, massages, body treatments and more. Choose your own adventure at the fab Sydney spa.

Destination NSW

DARLING SPA, PYRMONT

Boasting a raft of awards, it's not hard to see why The Darling Spa is considered one of Sydney's most luxurious spas. Not only is it home to 11 treatment rooms, a steam room, Moroccan Hammam chamber and two opulent couples' suites, but the Pyrmont venue also offers an extensive range of therapies that prove well worth the splurge. The entry-level facial costs $200 and the treatments quickly go north from there — but so too does the quality. Treat yourself to a balancing full-body massage (from $205), or perhaps surrender to an indulgent three-hour package that includes a full-body exfoliation, body wrap, scalp massage, hand and foot treatment and facial for $580.

NATURE'S ENERGY BALMAIN BATHHOUSE, BALMAIN

Nature's Energy's Balmain bathhouse is your destination for a complete head-to-toe pamper session. At this Sydney spa, you can melt into a therapeutic massage, try an alternative healing treatment and soak away your cares in a hot bath — all under one roof. And you can preface any treatment with an indulgent bathhouse experience, enjoying a 39-degree bubble spa, toxin-releasing sauna and the eucalyptus-infused heat of the steam room. Then it's onto the likes of a deep tissue massage (from $85 for 30 minutes) or a blissful spa package — like the aptly named Journey of Tranquility, which features an energising body scrub and back massage, followed by a 45-minute organic facial and calming quartz eye treatment ($339).

KARPATI MEDISPA, DOUBLE BAY

Located in Double Bay in Sydney's east, Karpati Medispa has been winning over locals with its private, luxury spa experiences for more than 30 years. Beyond the full catalogue of soothing body treatments, spa massages and reshaping therapies, Karpati's signature services run to a range of restorative and clinical rituals that are both environmentally friendly and free from nasty chemicals. A classic stress-relieving, 30-minute back, neck and shoulder massage comes in at $95, while the hour-long therapeutic medical massage with personalised consultation will melt away your tension for $225. Or you might fancy whiling away a few hours with one of the treatment combos, which start at $155.

SPAQ AT QT SYDNEY, CBD

QT Sydney is known for its decadent hotel rooms and bold aesthetics, and it's safe to say its day spa is no different. The signature SpaQ within the Market Street hotel is a dark, moody oasis that's the perfect spot to escape reality for an afternoon — perhaps with an energising Tutti Frutti body peel ($185) or one of four 90-minute Femme Fatale facial treatments (from $185). There's a range of de-stressing massages, a swag of different facial therapies and plenty of multi-treatment packages for those wanting to really settle in for a day of relaxation. And afterward, you can continue your withdrawal from the real world with champagne and oysters in the hotel bar. Because, why not?

VENUSTUS BEAUTY AND BODY LAB, PADDINGTON

Walking along Oxford Street, it's hard to miss the stunning sanctuary that is Venustus Beauty and Body Lab. The renowned Paddington spa boasts a serene, nurturing space, and a treatment menu that pulls inspiration and wellbeing techniques from across the globe. Venustus offers a hefty range of therapies, running from the likes of the 45-minute tailored High Performance facial ($249) to a lymphatic-boosting full body massage ($411). And if you want to truly indulge, you can opt for the ultimate personalised treatment, dubbed the Sacred Priestess Healing ($826) — a two and a half hour-long session involving a highly personalised massage and facial. The spa experience also involves calling in our ancestors – the sacred wise women, healers and priestesses of the past – to help you connect with the source of goddess energy. All this positive energy helps it get on the list of best day spa experiences in Sydney.

Top image: Sol Spa