8 of the best places in Melbourne for a massage
IMAGE VIA @SOS.SENSEOFSELF/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY DAISY HENRY
The ultimate self-care ritual.
I was stopped in my tracks recently when my partner revealed to me that in his entire 23 years of life, he had never experienced a massage. Within hours, I had successfully convinced him of the magic that is a massage treatment and encouraged him to book himself in immediately. When he arrived home following his session, he was converted.
Stepping into a spa, melting into a soft massage bed and breathing in essential oils while a professional dedicates an entire hour to carefully massaging all the knots out of your back is a special kind of self-care. Bathhouses and day spas are sacred spaces.
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Whether you’re prone to back pain and muscle tension, or whether you simply just want to treat yourself, I don’t think anyone has ever regretted getting a massage. Given it’s the season of gifting (whether that be for yourself or someone else) and we’re approaching that final end-of-year hurdle, we’ve put together a curated list of the best spots for a massage in Melbourne. From the Japanese Shiatsu to a short and sweet 30-minute express treatment, find the best offerings below.
Comma
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Tucked away just off Church Street in Richmond is a bathhouse and spa, Comma. Though the sauna, mineral hot tub and pail shower trifecta are highly tempting, Comma’s luxurious range of massage treatments is not to be missed. Coming in 60, 75 and 90-minute sessions ranging from the Equilibrium to the Vessel (inclusive of a body brush and oil treatment), there are plenty of options to choose from. You can also select your favourite essential oil to be used in your appointment, as well as add on smaller treatments, like a foot massage or mini-facial.
10-12 Hill St, Cremorne
Sensu Spa
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Retreat from the bustle of the CBD into the Japanese-inspired Sensu Spa. Widely considered to have some of Melbourne’s best massage offerings, you can choose between a Japanese Shiatsu or remedial massage, aromatherapy and more. But perhaps one of Sensu Spas’ biggest drawcards is its Float Away package – for $155, enjoy a 60-minute floatation session, followed by a 60-minute massage of choice.
T03/570 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Sense of Self
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It would be amiss of us to not include Sense of Self (SOS) in this list of Melbourne’s best massage spots. Known for its beautiful, Mediterranean-inspired architecture and luxurious mineral bath surrounded by lush greenery, SOS strongly believes in the pursuit of healthy hedonism. The massage studio is located upstairs, with three treatment options available in 60 or 90-minute sessions. Prices start at $160 and there is the no-cost option of customising your session by including a Gua Sha facial or head and foot treatment.
30-32 Easey Street, Collingwood
Willow Urban Retreat
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Located on High Street in Armadale, Willow Urban Retreat offers a unique wellness experience. In what Willow consider to be a ‘360 degree’ approach to self-care, it features a wholefoods cafe, a yoga studio and a spa, all in one location. There are four massage treatments to choose between, including the Signature Willow, Remedial, Deep Tissue and Nurture Pregnancy. Extend your stay by opting in for a yoga class before your session, an infrared sauna or lunch from the cafe.
1205 High Street, Armadale
Milk and Honey
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From its offering of herbal teas to its calming and beautifully designed interiors, Milk and Honey is a space to relax and unwind from the craziness of daily life. Specialising in remedial massage, Milk and Honey offers six signature treatments: from Myotherapy to remedial to Zen Shiatsu, with each tailored to the individual client.
295 Victoria Street, West Melbourne
Relinque Urban Retreat & Spa
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From facial treatments to massages, to water therapy and body wraps, Relinque has plenty on offer. Providing a holistic approach to wellness, there is also the option of enhancing your experience with small 30-minute add-ons. Choose from five different massage offerings, starting at $165, before experiencing Relinque’s unique steam and ice rooms.
19 Upper Heidelberg Road, Ivanhoe
Endota Spa
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With over 20 locations around Victoria, there is likely to be an Endota Spa around the corner from where you are at any given time. Get into the zone while you wait for your treatment with organic herbal tea and calming essential oils, before easing peacefully into your massage. If you’re looking for something quick, opt for a 30-minute relax express massage beginning at $70, or settle in for a luxurious 80-minute warmed Shiatsu stone treatment.
Locations around Melbourne
For more of the best spots to unwind in Melbourne, head here.
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