Balian Springs Spa is a membership-based spa and social club for wellness located in Alexandria, Virginia.
Composed of therapeutic hot and cold pools, saunas, dining options, and more, Balian Springs serves as a retreat for guests from the everyday stressors in the area.
Since living in the DMV, I have heard so many people rave about how great this spa is, so it’s only fitting that I visit myself and share the details of what spending a day at Balian Springs Spa consists of.
In this blog post, I’ll share details about the spa, my experience as a solo day pass holder, and whether or not I think it is worth the cost!
Booking & Admission Into Balian Springs
Purchasing A Day Pass
While Balian Springs is membership-based, non-members can enjoy a range of amenities at the spa by purchasing a day pass/paying the daily admission fee.
This fee includes unlimited access to the facility’s hydrotherapy pools, saunas, lounges, and themed wellness rooms.
Balian Springs grants admission on a walk-in basis, so there’s no need to reserve or book a time slot for your desired time to visit.
You can purchase a day pass or admission to the spa upon arrival if you show up on the date and time you prefer.
Purchasing A Spa Treatment
If you want to book a spa treatment like a massage or facial, you can book a service online to select a date and time that works best for you.
Keep in mind that purchasing a spa treatment does not automatically grant you access to the facility.
There is a policy that states that you have to pay the admission fee to enter for your treatment.
Cost
Admission to Balian Springs does vary depending on the day of the week and is as follows:
- Monday – Thursday: $130.00
- Friday – Sunday & Holidays: $165.00
It’s safe to assume that you will spend more during your visit, depending on how much you decide to splurge.
Any service booked at the Lilikoi Day Spa, the eateries, and the wellness workshops is paid for a la carte and is not included in admission.
Discounts Available
The spa offers military (10%) and student (20%) discounts with valid identification.
You can also check Groupon or the Promotions page on their website to see if there are any current deals that can help you save some money!
What to Bring
Here’s a short list of things I would bring to Balian Springs Spa that will help make your visit a success:
- Comfortable clothing you can change out of with ease.
- Sandals. You will be given a pair of slippers to wear around the spa, so I would aim to wear footwear you can easily get in and out of.
- A bathing suit. You will primarily wear this to enjoy the jacuzzis, pools, saunas, themed rooms, and other “wet” amenities.
- An extra pair of undergarments to use after showering.
- Hair ties and protective hair gear if you need it.
- Sunglasses. There is a rooftop on the third floor of Balian Springs, plus it’s always nice to have a pair of shades to hide behind while walking around the premises.
- A valid ID.
Entry to the Spa Upon Arrival
I chose to visit the spa around 10:49 am on a Monday.
I chose this date and time because I figured it wouldn’t be as crowded. I could take advantage of the weekday discount, and it’s Monday, so there wouldn’t be that many people, right?
Wrong!
Coming from a small town in Florida, one thing I’ve learned about the DMV is that people are always out and have the same thought process as you regarding beating the crowd(s).
When I walked into the spa, a long line of people were waiting to check in at the front desk.
There was only one person checking everyone in, and it seemed like it took a while for each person to get checked in, causing the line to move slower.
I arrived at 10:49 am and got to the counter at 11:18 am.
Surprisingly, it took me less than five minutes to sign in and pay for admission to Balian Springs.
I assume those before me likely had special deals or packages purchased that took some time to sort out, resulting in longer wait times.
I provided my ID to the check-in attendant, signed a liability waiver, paid for admission, was given a locker number, and was on my way to experience the spa.
Shoe Drop-Off
Before entering the locker room, the pathway to the spa leads you to columns of mini lockers specifically for your shoes.
You’ll find the locker as it’s listed on your receipt that was given to you at the check-in counter.
You’ll then place your shoes inside and grab the wristband attached to that locker before heading inside the main locker room.
Gender-Designated Locker Rooms
Balian Springs Spa separates its locker rooms for men and women.
Spa Items Provided
As you enter the locker room, an attendant will hand you a robe, slippers, and a towel for use throughout the spa.
The attendant asked for my size for both the robe and the slippers.
The robes go up to 5x in size, which I loved. One point for inclusivity!
The Lockers
I then searched for my locker, which was the same number as my shoe locker.
The lockers are opened using your wristband and automatically lock when closed.
I found the lockers to be quite spacious and appreciated the small compartment to the right of the locker, which was perfect for my jewelry.
You will also use your wristband throughout the spa to make purchases that will be added to your tab to pay before leaving the spa.
Changing Clothes
If you want more privacy, there are a few changing rooms in the locker room and bathrooms, but I changed out in the open.
People come in and out, but they are usually out and about within the several floors of Balian Springs, so there was no one in the “lane” of my locker while I was changing.
A Virtual Tour of the Spa
I was surprised when I saw that Balian Springs Spa was composed of three floors, each offering different wellness offerings.
I had already spent almost two hours on the first floor before realizing I still had two more floors to experience.
The spa’s facilities include thermal baths, saunas, meditation spaces, themed lounges, and more, ensuring a holistic approach to relaxation and self-care.
In this section, I’ll walk you through each spa floor and my thoughts on the facility.
The First Floor
Women’s and Men’s Lounge
The women’s and men’s lounges are secluded from the rest of the Spa and are the only areas in which swimwear is optional!
It includes the following amenities:
- Hot plunge
- Warm plunge
- Cold plunge
- Steam room
- Showers
- Storage + changing room
Throughout my 4+ hours at Balian Springs, I was pleasantly surprised that no one really occupied the lounge.
I had it all to myself every time I went in there.
It seemed like most people gravitated toward the main spa area with the Hydrotherapy Pool, but I loved the women’s lounge.
I would recommend starting there instead of the main Hydrotherapy Pool!
Plunge Pools
The first floor also features hot, warm, and cold plunge pools with a higher capacity, allowing more guests to enjoy the benefits of these pools together.
The Main Hydrotherapy Pool
The Hydrotherapy Pool at Balian Springs is a large pool that welcomes guests into the spa.
It has underwater massage jet-powered seats, spa pools with motor jets, a mini lazy river, and an open swimming area.
Sauna Therapy Rooms
Balian Springs has various themed sauna rooms with infrared heating that are meant to invoke various benefits, such as muscle recovery, relaxation, weight control, and more.
These are the rooms I visited while spending the day at Balian Springs. The full list of the sauna rooms is available here.
- Chromotherapy Room – A sauna room designed to promote relaxation and healing through colored lights that correspond to different energy centers in the body.
- Steambox – The box mimics a typical sauna, with steam overtaking the environment to allow for those healing elements.
- Charcoal – This room uses heated activated charcoal to help with skincare.
- Cryotherapy Room – This sauna room has cold temperatures to help muscle recovery and reduce inflammation.
- Gold – This room has more of a luxury feel with gold-covered walls and elements with infrared heat to enhance detoxification.
- Himalayan Salt – Composed of Himalayan salt blocks that create a soothing environment and promote healthy breathing.
This was my favorite sauna room due to its comfortable lay-down setup and the unique feature of being able to see my reflection while reclining.
It was the perfect place to relax and dry off after enjoying the hydrotherapy pools. I highly recommend bringing a good book to enjoy the experience fully!
Wellness Lounges
One of my favorite parts about Balian Springs is the several themed wellness lounges and rooms designed for specific wellness initiatives.
Immersion Lounge – Almost like a mini movie theater, the immersion iLounge features reclining chairs in a dark room with a large visual screen of a relaxing view like a beach, perfect for falling asleep or unwinding.
Meditation Room – A stunning room designed specifically for meditation. No class is needed, as you can enter at any time and have your own self-guided session.
Aromatherapy Lounge – Chairs are arranged in a circle in a dimly lit room, where aroma-infused water gently falls from the ceiling into a small pool at the center of the room.
Infrared Therapy Lounge – At this lounge, you sit under an infrared light lamp, which is said to have many benefits, such as pain reduction and improved circulation.
Fitness Center – If you’re looking to get a workout in, there is a small fitness center that features equipment like treadmills, free weights, and cardio bikes.
Work Space – A work area with desks and chairs that can be used to sit down and work.
The Second Floor
Lilikoi Day Spa
A wellness center would not be complete without spa services, which is where the Lilikoi Day Spa comes in.
The spa offers a menu filled with facials and body treatments that can enhance your visit to Balian Springs.
While the prices are higher than at typical massage centers and individual spas, they are reasonable, considering Balian Springs is a complete wellness center.
You can see and book the different services available here.
Many of the wellness lounges I listed are on the second floor.
Third Floor: Rooftop Pool
The third floor at Balian Springs is a highlight of the facility.
As I went up the stairs, I wasn’t sure what to expect, as it opened up to a mini lounge and another bar.
However, once I stepped outside the lounge area, I was met with a gorgeous rooftop infinity pool.
Surrounded by greenery and open air, it provides a great escape and a different setting than the inside setting of the property.
You’ll find cabanas that can be reserved/rented, the Hinoki bath, a fire pit, smaller pools, and more massage jets.
By the time I got to the third floor, it was around 2 p.m., and unfortunately, it was a bit crowded.
All of the open chairs were taken, the pools were completely occupied, and there wasn’t really any space to get in.
I almost want to suggest that you consider heading to the third floor earlier in your spa experience, but taking your time to go level by level is part of the experience so hope for the best!
Food Options at Balian Springs
Balian Springs offers a variety of food options designed to provide a range of healthy and delicious meals, including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free choices.
From fresh salads and smoothies to sandwiches, I really admired how Balian Springs provided options that complement the wellness experience.
Here are some brief descriptions of the food places available throughout the center:
The Garden Café
This small cafe in the spa is conveniently located on the first floor, nestled between the main Hydropool and the sauna therapy rooms, making it a perfect stop between different experiences.
Although the menu is limited, you can enjoy drinks like coffee, smoothies, and snacks.
The Dry Well
Situated directly in front of the spa’s main pool area, The Dry Well is a poolside bar that serves alcohol-free CBD-infused drinks.
Kuta Kitchen
Kuta Kitchen is the main eatery at Balian Springs Spa and is most likely where you will order lunch.
It has the most extensive food options, such as wraps, sliders, sandwiches, French fries, and more.
Once I placed my order, I was given a buzzer that lit up and buzzed once my order was ready.
Then, I got my tray of food.
There is seating right in front of Kuta Kitchen, but I chose to have lunch downstairs at one of the tables, away from the lunch crowd.
The Hideout
The Hideout is a rooftop bar on the third floor of Balian Springs, perfectly complementing the cabana lounge and infinity pool available on that level.
Niko-Niko Sushi
Right next to Kuta Kitchen is Niko Niko, Balian Springs’ sushi bar that crafts delicious rolls and other Japanese-inspired dishes.
One of the highlights of Niko Niko is its section, which is designed to mimic traditional Japanese floor seating, known as “zashiki.”
In this area, guests sit on cushions instead of chairs, promoting a closer connection to the ground.
This traditional seating style fosters a sense of calm and relaxation, adding another intentional wellness touch to the facility.
FAQs about Balian Springs Spa
How large are the robe sizes?
Balian Springs offers robes up to size 5X. Since the spas are co-ed, the robes are generally larger than standard sizes.
Is there WiFi at the spa?
While Balian Springs is a perfect place to unplug and recharge, WiFi is available for guests to use free of charge.
My phone connection was spotty throughout the facility, so the Wi-Fi was very useful when I needed to be online.
Are there elevators at Balian Springs?
Balian Springs Spa has an elevator for moving between different floors and amenities.
However, it was blocked off with a sign instructing guests to contact the front desk for access if needed.
I’m sure you can also mention your need for the elevator when checking in before entering the spa, and arrangements will be made to grant use of the elevator.
Is Balian Springs solo friendly?
Overall, Balian Springs is an excellent place for solo relaxation if you’re looking to unwind on your own.
However, the facility is also popular with couples, girl groups, and families. One benefit for groups is that they can often secure smaller pools for themselves due to the number of people in the same space occupying that area.
When I first arrived, I was a bit timid, which rarely happens as a solo traveler, but I started talking to some of the other ladies while on a hydrojet bed, which made me more comfortable!
If I were to visit again, I would try to come with another person, as it seems more enjoyable.
Still, if you are comfortable traveling alone and enjoying your own company, you should have no issues.
How much time do I need at Balian Springs?
I spent nearly 5 hours at the spa, having lunch, visiting almost every room, and fully enjoying what the spa has to offer.
I recommend arriving after 11 AM to avoid the morning crowd, allowing your visit to extend into the afternoon and early evening.
Final Thoughts on Balian Springs
My time at Balian Springs was much needed amidst my busy schedule, and I am so happy I got to visit before spending some time away from the area.
Balian Springs is the largest spa facility I have visited to date, and it felt great to really take my time and spend the day immersed in wellness.
Next time, I would add a spa service to enhance my experience here even more. If I was staying in the area longer, I would also consider purchasing a membership.
I do question how often the chairs and amenities in the various lounges are being sanitized and cleaned.
While I saw a lot of staff around the spa cleaning, it was only in the open areas and not the individual rooms, so I hope that is not a cleanliness issue.
Overall, if you are looking for a spa in the DMV area or a refreshing way to unwind, I would recommend Balian Springs!
