Where To Get An Earth-Shatteringly Good Massage In Auckland

Pesky knots and achy-everythings overstaying their welcome? Not in our town they’re not. Quite literally. Auckland is dotted with fantastic massage spots—so you’re never far from a pair of healing hands.

There's plush robe affairs, hidden-in-plain-sight gems and lymphatic massages galore. We've also found a secret spot that you can only reach by walking through a bustling bar, a spa with a side of enzyme bathing, and a facial massage given by professional violinist. 

Basically we’ve scoped out the very best massage places in Auckland. Toodles, tension.

Lift Me Up

Home Studio & Mobile

There’s literally no greater luxury than getting a face massage from a professional violinist. That’s a fact. 

So, we’d like to introduce you to Milena of Lift Me Up Face Massage, algonside her soothing hands and spirit. Her approach is refreshing and totally unique: it’s a take on Kobido (the most complex of ancient massage techniques) international training and European techniques. Her facelifting ritual is an otherworldly mix of moments: there’s facial yoga, energy work, Zoga face integration, facial sculpting techniques, breathwork, lymphatic drainage, myofascial release—and golly gosh, oh so much more. 

Words won't ever describe the level of relaxation—almost hypnosis—that this experience offers you. But we cay say that you’ll come out of Milena’ space feeling taller, your face chiseled and like you’ve had a huge hug and hit reset on your body. 

Save her website. Get in line for an appointment. You’re about to be hooked.

Luxe Spa At The Pullman 

The Pullman, Corner Of Waterloo Quadrant And Princes Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland

Image credit: Luxe Spa | Website

Luxe Spa At The Pullman is the day spa we were promised from early 2000s rom-coms. Moody wooden rooms, pebbles-as-decor, fluffy robes, and a roomy social lounge to luxuriate in—not with cucumbers on our eyes, but with nibbles and tea (or maybe even bubbles) in our hand. 

Luxe also has Auckland’s best pre post-treatment perks. Hands down. A jacuzzi, a sun-soaked verandah, Auckland city’s longest indoor lap pool, saunas and steam rooms galore, and if you’re up for it, an airy gym floor. 

It’s also worth noting that their massages are, naturally, some of the best in Auckland. Aromatic, deep-tissue, couples—they do it all. Our pro tip? Ask for Loli. She’s an award-winning massage wizz. Our second pro tip? Gather your friends and make the most of the special hen’s do room or a special couple’s space (then flight over who gets to see Loli).  

Studio 5_10 

463 New North Road, Kingsland

We almost gate-kept this one: a Japanese-inspired massage, in a historic building, only accessibly through a lively corner pub. Its Auckland urban lore if we ever heard it. 

You see, Studio 5 10 in Kingsland is in a league of its own. Massage therapist Megumi offers one signature treatment—a full-body massage—with oodles of choices of balms, not oils, to rejuvenate you. 

The space is cosy, draped in organic touches and complete with high-ceilings. Swoon. The treatment is just as unique: smooth, flowing strokes and light-to-medium kneading that’s all about awakening the senses, boosting circulation and revitalising the body and brain.

Saint Beauty

11 St Heliers Bay Road, St Heliers, Auckland 

Image Credit: Saint Beauty | Instagram 

Forget what you know about hot stone massages, Saint Beauty’s take on the classic is what we look forward to every winter.

Case in point: a singular hot stone on your tailbone, or tucked neatly behind your shoulders. Two stones sandwiching your forearm. Or even across the dorsal surface of your toes. We could go on, but we wouldn’t dare to ruin the surprise. 

It’s 60-minutes, but trust us, it’ll throw you into such a trance that you’ll really have no concept of time—which we love in a massage. Oh, and speaking of time, it’s worth noting that the legends have two late nights—Tuesday and Thursdays, they’re open until 8pm—for the perfect pre-snooze send-off.

Outside of winter, their Swedish massage is something else. 

Sofitel Spa 

21 Viaduct Harbour Avenue, Auckland CBD, Auckland

Image Credit: Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour | Website

Easily Auckland’s most chic day spa—after all, have you seen that sleek, starry-skied waterfront pool? Sofitel Spa also happens to be one of our city’s best massage destinations. One peek at the massage menu, and it’s clear that you’re in for a treatment as opulent as your surroundings.

Experience the most exquisite Hot Stone massages known to our nation (their warm greenstones are something special), before basking zenfully in the relaxation room, complete with a waterfall and a live greenery wall. It’s a plush fluffy robe and multiple dips in the pool and sauna affair, so do ensure you make a whole day out of it, yes?

Ikoi Spa

1 Huron Street, Takapuna, Auckland

Image Credit: IKOI Spa | Website

More than a lie-on-the-massage-bed-and–tune-out situation, Ikoi Spa’s special massage ritual involves a bit more immersion.

Literally. You’ll start in their signature Enzyme Spa, a traditional Japanese deep-heating dry spa of rice bran, pinewood sawdust and organic flora and mushroom enzymes straight from Hokkaido, where your therapist will work these into your skin before going into a shiatsu or oil massage. Simple massage treatments are available, but who are we as mere mortals to say no to an ancient wellness ritual?

The Spa Nomad 

Mobile

Image Credit: The Spa Nomad | Website

It turns out that Auckland’s best massages are found in your home. Or swanky hotel room. Simply set up a time and place with The Spa Nomad, swing open your door, and slip into their comfy massage beds as they work magic from your abode.

They've been doing lymphatic drainage massages well before it took Auckland by storm. So safe to say they know what they’re doing. The same goes for their hot-stone, pregnancy, Swedish and deep tissue. 

They’re one of the best for couples' sessions to full-blown spa parties. There's simply nothing the gals and guys in pink can’t do.

HANA

18 Westmoreland Street West, Grey Lynn, Auckland & 7 Kenwyn Street, Parnell, Auckland

Image Credit: HANA | Website

A real urban retreat, HANA’s industrial chic yet tranquil spaces in Grey Lynn and Parnell are the go-to for Infrared saunas and contrast therapy for Aucklanders in the know. Lesser known, however, is HANA’s massage therapy offerings, which are bookable in 30, 60 or 90 minute sessions.

Combine this with HANA’s Activist Experience. You’ll experience their iconic infrared sauna and PBM light pod session—with endless Mānuka Honey infused moments. We won’t ruin the full surprise, but it does involve a A 300+MGO Activist Mānuka Honey, Activist Mānuka Immune Elixir-infused water and our favourite healing mask—which works wonders under the PBM light. 

That's cloud nine to us.   

Thrive Therapy Clinic 

7B/47 High Street Auckland Central

By golly, we do love the thought of getting a lymphatic drainage massage and adding on all kinds of wellness bells and whistles, should we please. Dry-needling, a spot of physio, acupuncture, and those TMJ soothing jaw and facial massages for TMJ. You know, the ones that get riiiiight into your cheeks and jawbones. 

Thrive is like a fairy godmother for your whole body. One that you can scuttle away to during your lunch break or scheduled “offsite teams meeting”—after all, they’re in the heart of Auckland CBD.

The Face Place 

Level 2, 152 Quay Street, Auckland Central, Auckland & Level 1/10 Northcroft Street, Takapuna, Auckland

Image credit: The Face Place | Instagram

A triple-whammy of rejuvenation is yours to sink into at The Face Place. Proving they well and truly are leaders in things high-tech and medi-spa related, is their newly-added Vitamin C IV infusion treatment. 

Sink into this treatment, you most definitely will: your therapist will massage your neck and shoulders, while a state-of-the-art Healite II red light beams down on your face for the duration of your IV—which is a good 45-odd minutes. 

Alongside rolling some of our much-loved beauty appointments into one, The Face Place’s Vitamin C IV drips give you some of the best post-treatment perks of any beauty offering. It’s a perfect way to support your immune system, your body’s natural healing functions (that includes collagen) and give your energy-levels and mental clarity a huge boost. 

That, plus the less-tense shoulders and radiance-boosted face? Now that’s a sumptuous three-in-one if we ever saw it.

Chill Wellness

Unit 2/210-218 Victoria Street West, Auckland Central, Auckland

One of Auckland’s best massages—lymphatic massages to be precise—actually doesn’t need a set of human hands. At Victoria Park’s sleek Chill Wellness studio, you’ll find Pressotherapy on the cards for a high-tech, high-relaxation drainage.

You’ll wear a space suit-like outfit (the machine itself) which moves around you, pressing against you, squeezing and moving at the *perfect* soothing pressure, draining as it goes.

It’s so high tech, that it moulds perfectly to your body making sure no surface on your limbs and core go un-massaged. 

Adding to the relaxation is the fact that you’re in your own, dimmed room, laying back with Netflix overhead—should you want it. Throw in their cryotherapy, red light therapy or a cup of soothing tea afterwards, and you’ve got *the* soothing marathon.

Rae Face Sculpting

The Foundry 3, Unit 41/90A Hobsonville Road, Hobsonville, Auckland | Within GLOWbody Acupuncture, 35 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland

It turns out that one of Auckland’s best massages is one for your visage. More than a massage, facial sculpting, the name of the game for newly-minted Rae Face Sculpting, works on all aspects of your hauora. 

Deep guided breathwork starts the 70-minute treatment, before lymphatic drainage of decolletage and face follows suit, flushing out toxins, retained water and anything else your body might be holding onto. 

The buccal massage, the centrepiece of your treatment, will see owner and therapist Rachel getting right up in your (literal) grill with a buccal in-mouth massage. Cast all doubt aside, this moment is seriously relaxing and soothing—you won’t notice the latex gloves around your chompers. 

You will, however, notice your snatched jaw and bone structure post-treatment. You thought that was it? Nope, a face sculpting & toning and a soothing scalp massage are bundled in to fully release tension. A beautifully decorated room, a cosy bed, and a fair few warm towels to the face? Rae has all the trimmings of a luxury spa moment with the results to boot. 

East Day Spa

The Grand By SkyCity Level 3/90 Federal Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland

Image Credit: East Day Spa | Website

Skycity Hotel’s fiercely glamorous, golden-lit retreat is home to Auckland’s best array of East meets West treatments. Slip into their newly refurbished treatment rooms, and explore East Day Spa’s offerings of Balinese, Veda, Shanti, Kady Vasty, hot stone, pregnancy, and expert-level East Thai massages, plus oh-so-many more.

You simply aren’t allowed to leave without paying the Roman-style tepidarium a visit—a warm relaxation room with Italian stone heated loungers designed to relieve tension. Your mind, body and muscles will thank you dearly. 

Victorian Bali Spa

Victoria Park Market Unit 38/210/218 Victoria Street West, Auckland CBD, Auckland

What happens when one of the most sought-after therapists in Auckland goes solo? Victorian Bali Spa, a pocket-sized spa that packs a serious restorative punch—that’s what. One that’s expanded into two postcodes, in both Victoria Park and in a new, delightfully airy Ponsonby Road post. 

Here, Bali-trained therapists work a level of magic worth crossing suburbs for. Don’t let the svelte spot fool you, couples massages, facials, ayurvedic and full spa packages are very much on the cards in the Vic Park hidden gem. Plus, they’re open ‘till 7pm making it perfect for an after office-day pop in (although, we would recommend booking in advance).

Spring Spa

288 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland

Image Credit: Spring Spa | Website

Stepping into Spring Spa is like stepping into a seashell: light, polished, otherworldly, a touch coastal and wonderfully cocooned from the outside world.

Spring’s two destinations are known as the best for a Balinese-style massage—after all, the team does have four be-au-ti-ful (and award-winning) spas under their belt in Bali.

The Spring Signature Massage will show you the ropes, or localise the rejuvenation through their Signature Foot Massage or pressure-point focussed reflexology.

Morgan And Morgan 

462 Lake Road, Takapuna, Auckland

Scalp massages are the greatest of all treatments. Morgan & Morgan’s Japanese Head Spa is officially bringing the overseas craze to Auckland, spoiling the scalp with the same TLC usually reserved for our skin.

Hair stylist Kouji meticulously cleanses the scalp based on its needs, massaging from the forehead to neck, finishing with leave-in treatment and blow dry. It’s everything we love in a pamper session, rolled into one.

SO/ SPA

SO/ Auckland, Corner Of Customs Street East And Gore Street, Auckland CBD

Image Credit: SO/ SPA | Website

Ever been massaged by (smooth) pieces of Pink Himalayan Rock salt? Auckland’s it-hotel for unique views, brews and staycations also hosts the most otherworldly day spa. And the Himalayan Body Salt treatment—heroed by emerald-cut pink stones—is top of the list. 

Forget going by a package, here you pick and mix all of the moments that jump out to you on the treatment menu and simply pay per time. Aromatherapy-first, body scrubs combining shiraz botanics and massage (thank you WATERLILY,) sleep-inducing, pregnancy massages—SO/ SPA does it all, plus some in their uniquely luxurious way.

It’s very much a social spa, so round up your fellow pamper posse and get ready to bask before the Himalayan salt wall, the Comfort Lounge or a dip in the pool.

Silk Space Clinic

13a Shore Road, Remuera, Auckland

Microneedling on a list of Auckland’s best massages? This isn’t a typo. We’re not kidding. 

It turns out that booking yourself in with Silk Space’s skin extraordinaries Holly and Fulvia for a SkinPen microneedling session does indeed—perhaps surprisingly—treat you to a massage. 

You see, part of their microneedling aftercare involves popping back after a week, for a moment under the LED therapy lamp (hello cellular rejuvenation). It’s here, cocooned in this pocket of bliss that you’ll be treated to an arm and hand massage as the lamp works its magic. Two in one? That’s better living, everyone. 

Endota 

Parnell, Mount Eden, Ponsonby, Takapuna, Albany

There’s a lot to love about endota, the one stop (chic) shop for grooming, skin, and beauty cabinet essentials. So naturally, it should come to no surprise that their massage treatments are just as cherry-pick-able.

Need a pocket sized moment of tension melting? The 30-minute express relax massage will do the trick. Something a bit more bespoke? Hello there 60-minute customised massage. Mummas, couples, pent-up stress-queens, organic-devotees, fans of a ruddy good hot stone—we’re all in good, soothing, hands here.

New Lynn Massage Therapy 

Level 1/14 Delta Avenue, New Lynn, Auckland

We’re going to get an industrial-sized load of flack from locals for giving away their hidden gem. But you’re worth it, so here goes: New Lynn is home to one of the best massages in town, New Lynn Massage Therapy. 

Find relaxing oil and aromatherapy massages through to therapeutic and more grunty (but still magically, impossibly relaxing) deep-tissue sports massages, alongside Traditional Nuad Thai, foot-focused, volcanic hot stone, pre and post-natal moments. 

Oh and while we’re spilling all the beans, you should know that can even snag an early bird special for bookings before from 9am until noon—yep, even on weekends. Aren't you glad we didn't keep this hush? 

Chuan Spa 

Cordis, 83 Symonds Street, Grafton, Auckland CBD, Auckland

If you like your pampering sessions ongoing and opulent, Cordis Auckland’s Chuan Spa is for you. Start by choosing a massage oil that most resonates with you—an indication of the exact TLC your body needs.

What happens post-massage, however, is up to you and your whims. Lounge at their rooftop pool and spa with a tipple from the onsite bar. Hit the steam room, sauna, ice ritual and snail shower? Tack on a facial for a touch more? Head downstairs for their iconic afternoon tea? The Cordis world is your oyster. 

Sydney Beauty 

1H/415 Remuera Road, Remuera, Auckland

Aside from being one of the prettiest places in Auckland for pampering, Sydney Beauty is also one of the best.

The real pièce-de-resistance? A Lymphatic Body Sculpt Massage that leaves you lifted, smoothed and flushed of toxins thanks to magic hands and specially-crafted wooden rollers. We hear there’s even a special offer for those new to the practice. 

The Spa At Park Hyatt 

99 Halsey Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 

The only hot and cold you should be inviting into your life is The Spa at Park Hyatt’s special and sumptuous take on a stone massage. Feel the benefits of both hot and cold volcanic rocks in the Sensory Stones Massage take you to cloud nine—and we’re not just talking about the luxurious surroundings and spa amenities.

There’s also a Rainforest Foot Ritual, Fragonia and Bergamot Scalp Treatment, an Ayurvedic and anti-inflammatory Native Clay and Hot Oil massage on the cards if you fancy branching out into specialised, but oh so-sleek, territories.

Azalea Spa and Therapy

126A Remuera Road, Remuera, Auckland

We love lymphatic drainage and we love Brazilian beauty. So naturally, we’re obsessed with Azalea Spa, who so effortlessly put the two loves together. 

This one is on the pressure-filled side. They’ve perfected a pumping method which—literally—drains excess fluid from your system and has you feeling alive both straight after the massage, and for weeks afterwards. 

You’ll also find a full-stack of therapeutic and lymphatic-first massages: body contouring, lipadema massages, alongside ones for pregnancy and post-surgery. As for the star? The Best Brazilian Facial Lymphatic Drainage massage in Auckland.

Face Up Beauty

1A St Vincent Avenue, Remuera, Auckland

Here to end below-the-neck neglect is the queen of the Facial Sculpting massage, Olga, who’s the one-woman band at the helm of Face Up Beauty.

Talented doesn't begin to cover her craft—but we will say that her magic hands and technique are to thank for firmer, tighter, healthier and far more sculpted skin and faces. She works her massage magic into all layers of the face, from the muscles to the tissue and bone. Beauty is certainly more than skin deep.

Hungry for more pampering? Check out our guide to Auckland's best day spas.

Image credit: Luxe Spa At The Pullman, East Day Spa, Ikoi, Softiel Spa, SO/Spa, Sydney Beauty.