The 5 best day spas in Hobart for massages and facials

Tucked away in a laneway down at the city’s historic and stunning waterfront is Lavada, one of the most luxe day spas in Hobart. The architect-designed space is minimal and chic yet welcoming, and inside you’ll find holistic body and facial treatments to help you truly switch off. Dip your toe in by opting for a Himalayan salt stone massage or a soothing grounding massage – your therapist will tailor aromatherapy oils to suit your specific needs. Or go all in and treat yourself to a full spa experience with foot ritual, full body exfoliation, wrap, massage and facial. You’ll positively float out of the place.

Nova Holistic Spa calls itself a “boutique wellness haven” and given its location right in the CBD, it's pretty impressive how tranquil the space is. Here you’ll discover several services that aren’t found elsewhere in the city: Hobart’s only outdoor, all-weather Therapeutic Thermal Therapy “urban oasis” – featuring an infrared sauna, ice bath and magnesium spa – as well as Tasmania’s only mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (mHBOT) AirPod and FDA-approved Infrared BioMat AirPod. The emphasis here is on helping your body properly heal, detox, recover and regenerate.

If you’re looking for an indulgent day of pampering in Hobart, White Sage Skin and Wellness is a one-stop shop with a treatment menu encompassing massages, remedial bodywork, facial treatments, an infrared sauna, LED lounge and more. If you have decision paralysis, opt for a package and get a bit of everything. Why not try The Healer – described as a “decadent” facial treatment complete with hand and foot massage, eye treatment, sound bathing, inner compass cards and mindfulness, it finishes up in the LED lounge with a guided meditation. Bliss!

Organic Hobart day spa The Sanctuary is a firm favourite with locals, and it’s not hard to see why. A massage here takes relaxation to a whole new level, with an emphasis on intuitive bodywork and energy healing as therapists incorporate warm oils, hot towels, activated elixirs and energy-clearing mists into their treatments. You’ll leave with looser limbs and an enviably chill aura. Aside from massage, The Sanctuary offers Sodashi botanical facials, hair and scalp treatments, salt scrubs, an infrared sauna and a heart-healing chakra treatment that will truly heal the soul.

The Savoy Day Spa is Hobart’s only bathhouse, meaning aside from the usual treatments – massages, hot stone therapy, Aveda facials, detoxifying body wraps and exfoliation – they’ve also got a dreamy pool and spa area. Steam yourself silly in the sauna, spa and steam room before cooling off in the 28-degree magnesium pool. Spa and pool access is included in some treatments, and can be added on to others, or you can just go ahead and buy yourself a spa and pool pass, toss aside the fluffy robe and dive right in.