No one ever said self-love had to be practiced solo, as far as we’re concerned, treating yourself to a massage and letting someone else do all the hard work is the epitome of self-love. Whether it’s your birthday, an anniversary, a celebration or just your average Tuesday, make it yours with one of Melbourne’s best massages.
We’ve rounded up the best spots to get some quality R&R for all kinds of budgets. So take a deep breath, relax your shoulders and take your pick of the best massages Melbourne has to offer in 2023:
Aurora Spa & Bathhouse
SORRENTO
Rounding out the incredible drawcard that already is The Continental Sorrento, Aurora Spa & Bathhouse is the luxe day spa attached to the mega destination. The chic new addition accommodates up to 60 people and features hydro-therapy and magnesium float pools, thermal experiences like a Nordic-style sauna, halo therapy salt suite, and even a glacial mist room. There's a slew of different massage treatments here all with holistic integrations including the use of different herbs and botanicals throughout. Take your pick from a deep tissue, a gentle soothing bliss or the Himalayan sound and stone massage. Head over here for more.
Sense of Self
COLLINGWOOD
One of the newest day spas to open their doors in the city has quickly found a top spot in best massages Melbourne lists like these and for good reason. Sense of Self is all about inner beauty and wellness, not just what’s skin-deep. Upstairs above the bathhouse, you’ll find their tranquil massage and mindfulness studio. Every detail has been thought of here, from the music to the natural tones throughout the space. Let the city melt away and get in touch with yourself again.
Milk and Honey
WEST MELBOURNE
Don’t mistake it for Rupi Kaur’s book of poems, this place doesn’t require you to use your eyes or mind, you don’t need to think and you don’t have to lift a finger. Just close your eyes and relax in this Victorian terrace meets Scandi day spa just outside the city centre. Complete with original fireplaces, calming linen and plants, Milk and Honey are here to help you slow down and simply be.
Willow Urban Retreat
ARMADALE
A real collection of wellness, Armadale's Willow Urban Retreat is a tranquil day spa, yoga studio, sauna and cafe all rolled into one. Perched right on High Street the light-filled space is a mixture of curved concrete, softwood furnishings and plant life. The day spa packages include a range of different treatments but it's the massages that are front and centre, a soothing range of full body treatments including remedial, deep-tissue, a nurturing pregnancy option and the signature 'Willow' which utilises an in-house oil that's designed to temper the body and the nervous system.
Lancemore Mansion Hotel Spa
WERRIBEE
This is one of Melbourne’s boujeest day spas, hands down. Located in the lux Lancemore Mansion Hotel on the Werribee Park Precinct, this place is a top pick for bridal parties and special occasions. Choose from their extensive spa menu, or make a day of it and go for a package—there’s a decadent couples deal that includes chocolates and sparkling wine, or you can live like a queen and spend six hours indulging in their Total Rejuvenation package.
Miss Fox
CBD
Inner-city luxury doesn’t get much better than the Miss Fox day spa. Miss Fox was awarded World’s Best Beauty Salon in the 2019 World Spa Awards—no joke, it literally doesn’t get better than this. They use 100% natural products made with essential oils, and they’re vegan-friendly too. With five massage options to choose from, all offered for different lengths of time, take a long lunch and spoil yourself.
Skin Day Spa
ST KILDA
Just by stepping into the Skin Day Spa, you’ll feel lighter. The minimal space with zero visual clutter instantly calms you down before you’re even on the massage table. Choose either their deep relaxation massage or deep tissue massage—both of which use their organic product range. They also offer a pregnancy massage for mothers-to-be.
Nourish Body And Skin
ST KILDA
Nourish Body and Skin is a tranquil space with top-notch therapists. You can select from their menu of four massages, but if you’re feeling indulgent you can upgrade your experience. Add one of their aromatic body scrubs, dry body brushing, a spa foot treatment or a hair conditioning treatment to give yourself the full body service you deserve.
Sakura Lounge
CBD
Hidden in a quintessentially ‘Melbourne’ laneway, the Sakura Lounge is housed in an urban warehouse where it appears industrial on the outside, but a stylish oasis awaits you on the inside. This Japanese-inspired spa also doubles as a progressive natural healing centre, where they fuse Japanese and Western therapies. We recommend their aromatherapy massage, those essential oils bring all of the relaxation vibes.
V Hotel Spa
CBD
Located on the lower ground level beneath The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins Street, V Hotel Spa is not only one of Melbourne’s best luxury massage joints, it’s also one of the CBD’s best-kept secrets. If you’re after a massage that’s a little more on the luxurious side of things, V Hotel Spa is for you. Their massage therapy treatments offer hydro-steam, spa bath and holistic body treatments. You’ll walk out the door feeling refreshed and replenished and ready to take on the world.
Body Freedom Day Spa
SOUTH MELBOURNE
Five stars go to this gold-class day spa. Set in a three-storey, refurbished 1850s hosiery mill, this unique wellness spa offers tailor-made massage experiences. Their massages are created especially for you, meaning no two massages at Body Freedom Day Spa are ever the same—how’s that for special treatment?
Luna Massage Therapy
DOCKLANDS
Next time you’re in Docklands, wander into Luna Massage Therapy for a bit of R&R. Their therapists are fully qualified and offer a range of massage therapy services including remedial, deep tissue, hot stone massages and more. You can sign up for a Luna massage for anywhere between 30 minutes to two hours, and you can even read all about their therapists on their website so you know exactly what you’re in for.
Calma Spa & Skin Clinic
ARMADALE
Situated right in the heart of Armadale on High Street, Calma Spa is a wellness oasis tucked inside a white-washed shopfront. Inside the light-filled space, there are a myriad of different treatments, but the go-to is the deep back massage with a hair mask and footbath, a trifecta of relaxation that's very hard to pass up.
Sensu Spa
CBD
The best way to experience this Japanese-inspired wellness day spa is to follow up one of their epic Shiatsu massages with their float therapy sessions. A Shiatsu massage is a hands-on, oil-free massage (where the wearing of loose clothing is permitted) and aims to relieve your body of blockages. Then jump into one of Sensu’s float therapy cocoons and drift away into a realm of relaxation like no other.
Mornington Peninsula Hot Springs
FINGAL
The Mornington Peninsula Hot Springs needs no introduction. If you haven’t already experienced this oasis of earthly delights, then where have you been? While this natural wonder may be located 90 minutes out of Melbourne, that’s a short trip to take if you know what’s in store. Treat yourself to one of their massage and bathing combos for the ultimate hot springs experience.
Relinque Urban Retreat
IVANHOE
You are guaranteed to experience profound relaxation at Relinque Urban Retreat. They've got an extensive menu of massages on offer to help you rest and rebalance. You can opt for a soothing treatment with their relaxation massage or if you’re in need of advanced treatment to ease muscle tension and improve circulation you can choose their deep tissue massage. Either way, you’ll definitely leave feeling rejuvenated.
Stable Massage
CBD
If you’re looking for targeted and effective treatment Stable Massage is the place for you. This is unlike any other day spa you may have previously visited. Their team of massage therapists specialise in personalised remedial massages, so forget the fluffy robes and essential oils. You can book yourself in for a deep tissue remedial massage, sports massage, myotherapy, dry needling or pregnancy massage.
Holism Retreat
CHADSTONE
Holism Retreat offers wellness treatments that encompass the whole self; think body, mind, spirit. And what’s more holistic than a full body massage? Find your centre with one of Holism Retreat’s massage rituals. Try their mindful meditation massage to melt into the moment or their Santosha body treatment to find inner contentment.
Bayside Body & Spa
WILLIAMSTOWN
Sometimes it’s good to go back to the basics and Bayside Body & Spa’s lineup includes some of the best massages in Melbourne and will be sure to help you decompress. But it’s the spa's customised massage that will have you making recurring bookings. Their therapists will use a variety of techniques to make sure you walk out of those doors with far less stress and pain than when you arrived.
Alba
FINGAL
Alba leaning on the geothermal springs across the 15-hectare property with over 31 stunning pools—some of which can be booked privately. Alba has 22 expansive spa treatment rooms, including a steam room, Vichy shower, and single or double massage rooms. Visitors can choose from more than 30 spa services encompassing facials, full-body massages and water-based treatments. Book a spa package here.
Check out more of the best in Victoria here:
Best Beach Houses
Best Romantic Stays
Best Stays With Outdoor Baths and Hot Tubs
Best Tiny Home Stays
Victoria's best Airbnbs
Image credit: Sense Of Self (supplied)
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