Spa

Who this page is for

For travellers who want a rest between tours or a chance to recover after a business visit.

And for people living here who are looking for a spa or massage therapist they can trust, especially while language is still a barrier.

Our role

We do not run spas and we do not give treatments.

We choose the place to suit your style and needs, book it, arrange transfers and interpreting if needed. We take no commission from spa centres.

Spa and medical treatment

A spa is relaxation, not medical treatment.

If you need a treatment programme, the resorts or rehabilitation pages will serve you better.

Some treatments do still affect your health, which is why we cover restrictions separately below.

Tbilisi's sulphur baths

In Tbilisi's old quarter, Abanotubani, warm sulphur water rises from the ground, and bathhouses have stood over it for centuries.

Their brick domes are one of the city's most recognisable sights.

Going to the baths is a traditional part of Tbilisi life, not just a tourist attraction.

Private or shared

The baths have private rooms booked by the hour, and shared halls.

A private room is often more comfortable for foreigners, especially the first time.

Shared halls are often separate for women and men, and local customs apply there.

Kisi scrub and massage at the baths

A traditional part of the baths is a scrub with a kisi mitt, done by a bath attendant.

It is quite intense, so if you have sensitive skin, say so beforehand.

The scrub is often followed by a soap massage.

Etiquette at the baths

Loud conversation and long phone calls are not the done thing at the baths.

In the shared halls people are sometimes unclothed, and that is local tradition.

If that feels uncomfortable, a private room is the best solution.

How long to stay in

Staying too long in hot sulphur water can make you dizzy.

Breaks, cool water and fluids are essential.

If you feel unwell, get out of the water slowly and sit down.

Hotel spas

In Tbilisi, Batumi, the mountains and the wine region, many hotels have their own spa centre.

Some spas are for hotel guests only, while others welcome outside visitors too.

We check this rule in advance, especially if you are staying elsewhere.

Day spa

A day spa means a few hours in the pool, the sauna and treatments, without an overnight stay.

It is a good option before a flight, once you have already checked out.

Some day packages include lunch, and we confirm this when booking.

Types of massage

Relaxing massage, deep tissue, sports massage and aromatherapy are the most common.

If you are not sure which to choose, tell the therapist what you want from it.

Pain during a massage is not normal, and you can always ask to change the pressure.

Massage in your room

Some services send a massage therapist to your hotel room or apartment.

This is convenient after a long flight or a hike.

We make sure the therapist comes from a reliable service and that their identity is known in advance.

Choosing a therapist

Some people prefer a female or a male therapist, and that is a normal request.

We tell the spa when booking.

Where possible we check the therapist's qualifications and experience in advance.

Spa for couples

Many spas have a private room for couples, with two massages at the same time.

It is often part of a honeymoon or an anniversary.

Private rooms fill up quickly, so we book early.

Wine treatments

Some hotels, especially in Kakheti, offer spa treatments inspired by grapes and wine.

They complement a wine tour nicely: one day in the cellar, the next in the spa.

We confirm what a particular treatment includes before booking.

Mountain spas

At mountain resorts the spa is the most pleasant place after a hike or a day's skiing.

In winter a warm pool and sauna with a snowy view leave a special impression.

In season these spas are busy, so we book times in advance.

Seaside spas

In Batumi many hotels have a spa centre and an indoor pool.

This is especially handy on a rainy day or out of season, when the sea is too cold for swimming.

Some hotels have a spa with a sea view.

Sauna and steam room

A dry sauna and a steam room are a standard part of many spas.

A cool shower or pool and rest in between help the body adjust to the heat.

Start with a short visit the first time, and always keep water with you, especially on a hot day.

Beauty treatments

Many spas also offer facials, manicures, pedicures and hair care.

Before a wedding or an important event we book these treatments in advance.

Try a new cosmetic product a few days before the big day so that any allergy shows up in time.

Hammam style

Some hotels have a hammam-style steam bath with a stone slab and a foam massage.

It resembles Tbilisi's traditional baths, but in a more modern setting.

If you do not like the smell of sulphur, it is a good alternative.

Silence and meditation

At some spas the relaxation room means complete silence.

Some hotels combine the spa with meditation or breathing exercises.

We cover yoga and wellness options on a separate page.

The baths in winter

On a cold winter evening, warm water in a Tbilisi bathhouse is especially pleasant.

Dress warmly when you leave the baths so you do not catch a chill.

Many people then have hot tea in a café next door and stroll slowly through the old quarter before heading back to the hotel, which rounds off the evening beautifully.

Health restrictions

Hot water, saunas and some massages are not for everyone.

With heart disease, high blood pressure, pregnancy, varicose veins or a recent injury, it is better to ask a doctor.

Tell the spa staff about your health in advance so they can choose the right treatment.

Pregnancy

During pregnancy hot baths and saunas are often not recommended.

Some spas offer a special pregnancy massage.

We mention the pregnancy when booking, and please ask your doctor too.

Alcohol and spa

Going into a hot bath or sauna after a Georgian feast with wine is dangerous.

Alcohol and heat together affect blood pressure and the heart.

So we do not schedule a spa and a feast back to back on the same evening.

After a flight

After a long flight a light massage and a warm pool ease the tiredness.

A very hot sauna on the day of a flight is not good for everyone.

On arrival day we often choose a gentle treatment.

After a hike

After a hike or a cycling tour a sports massage helps the muscles.

If you have an injury or strong pain, see a doctor first and have a massage afterwards.

In a tour plan we often put the spa day after the most demanding day.

Business travellers

On a business trip the spa is often the only hour when the phone is off.

We book early morning or evening slots around your meetings.

At some hotels the spa is open until late in the evening.

Groups

For groups of friends, wedding guests or colleagues we book part of a spa or a large room at the baths.

We plan group treatments so there is little waiting.

A spa day before or after a wedding is a frequent request.

Children

At some spas children may use the pool only at certain hours, and at others not at all.

Saunas and hot baths are not meant for small children.

For families we choose a hotel with a separate children's pool or family hours.

Accessibility

With limited mobility we check the entrance, stairs, showers and access into the pool.

In the old baths, stairs and wet floors are difficult.

In that case a modern hotel spa is often the better choice.

What to bring

Swimwear, slippers and a towel if the spa does not provide one.

A swimming cap is compulsory at some pools.

Leave valuables in the hotel safe.

Hygiene

In a good spa, cleanliness and fresh linen go without saying.

Showering before entering the pool is the rule everywhere.

If anything about the cleanliness bothers you, tell us and we will suggest another place.

Booking and timing

At popular spas and baths, especially at weekends, booking is essential.

Private rooms at the baths are most in demand in the evening.

Morning slots are often quieter.

Arriving late and cancelling

Arriving late often shortens your treatment, because the next guest is waiting.

We write down the cancellation terms when booking.

We allow for Tbilisi traffic and plan transfers with time to spare.

Language

At hotel spas the staff often speak English; at the old baths, less so.

We write down your wishes and restrictions in advance so you do not need to explain on the spot.

If needed, we interpret by phone.

When something is not right

If anything is uncomfortable during a treatment - pressure, heat, music - say so directly.

A good therapist always takes this into account.

If anything unacceptable happens, stop immediately and tell us.

Safety

Walk carefully on wet floors and stairs, especially at the baths.

Stand up slowly after hot water so you do not get dizzy.

In an emergency call 112, and then us.

Spa and a tour

We often combine a visit to the Tbilisi baths with a walking tour of the old town.

We round off a wine tour in Kakheti with a spa day.

After a mountain tour we often plan the spa for the last evening.

For people living here

People living here often look for a spa membership or regular massages.

We help find a reliable place near your home or work.

Some hotel spas offer monthly membership, and we clarify the terms.

A gift

A spa voucher makes a good birthday present or thank-you.

Some spas issue vouchers in a named person's name and with an expiry date, and we check this in advance.

We present the voucher nicely and arrange delivery.

Tradition and modernity

Old bathhouses and modern spas exist side by side in Georgia.

Some guests try both: the baths one day and a hotel spa the next.

The two experiences are different, and each has its own charm.

Photos

Photography is often restricted at baths and spas to protect other guests' privacy.

In a private room you can usually take photos as long as no one else is in shot.

From outside, the domes of the baths make one of the best photos of Tbilisi.

What to eat afterwards

After a spa or the baths, light food and plenty of water are best.

Near the baths there are many cafés and restaurants serving traditional Georgian dishes.

On a spa day we often leave the big feast for the next day.

Season

A spa is pleasant all year round, but especially in winter.

On a hot summer day the sulphur baths are too hot for some people, so we choose evening hours.

Demand rises on public holidays and at weekends.

Reviews

Spa photos are sometimes prettier than reality.

We read reviews from recent months and assess cleanliness, therapists and atmosphere.

If a place does not live up to expectations, we will suggest another next time.

Insurance

Insurance does not normally cover spa treatments.

If a doctor has prescribed massage for rehabilitation, that is another matter, which we cover under rehabilitation.

Travel insurance is still worth having in case of an unexpected injury or illness.

Common mistakes

Going straight into a sauna after a feast with wine.

Turning up at the baths on a Saturday evening without a booking.

Hiding health restrictions from the spa staff.

What we need from you

What you would like - the baths, a hotel spa or a massage - and who will be with you.

The date, time and where you are staying.

Any health restrictions, a preference for a female or male therapist and your language.

Cost

The spa or bathhouse sets the price of treatments and the baths, and you pay them directly.

Transfers and the interpreter are separate items.

Our coordination is agreed in advance, and we take nothing from spa centres.