Thai, sports, full body or deep tissue, Leeds has no shortage of great massages.
In need of a little R&R? Got an injury you want to send packing? You’d be amazed at what a difference a good massage makes – and you’ve got loads to choose from in Leeds. You could get an Indian head massage, experiment with hot stones or work with a sports masseuse to help you get back to full fitness. But first, you need to know where to go, and that’s where we come in…
Circle 8 Massage
Knots, meet your master at Circle 8 Massage in Leeds. This simple yet homely city centre parlour boasts a prime location on Call Lane and specialises in sports massages. They’ll take your muscles from stiff and sore to wondrously knot-free. Ant, Jessica and Hannah lead the way here, welcoming you in and making sure they’re fully clued up on what’s causing you difficulty.
What follows is a knowledgeable sports massage that really gets to the source of your aches and pains, whether that’s training-related or doing nothing-related. There’s a lot of care in what Circle 8 do and their massage therapists make sure you’re comfortable all the way through. They also offer personalised aftercare advice, including stretches or posture suggestions to help right your bodily wrongs. If you’re all in a knot, this is your bolt hole.
Circle 8 Massage, 2nd Floor, 3 Lower Briggate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 4AE. Sports and deep massages costs between £35-£80 and last 30 to 90 minutes.
Thorpe Park Spa
For an indulgent massage in a relaxing setting, head to Thorpe Park Spa. Nestled on the outskirts of Leeds, all their treatments take place in a modern spa that feels a million miles away from the bustling city centre. Sink back in the swish chill out area, sip a glass of flavoured water and wait for your experienced therapist to call you through for the massage of your choice.
There’s loads on offer here, from aromatherapy to a Cabernet crush, but it’s the Caudalie Back, Face & Scalp Treatment that’s the ultimate in relaxation. Under the soft lights of their treatment room, your back will be cleansed, exfoliated and massaged, while you enjoy a Caudalie facial and cranial scalp massage. The hotel restaurant next door offers the perfect excuse to grab a bite to eat and resist the return to reality for a little bit longer.
Thorpe Park Spa, 1150 Century Way, Thorpe Park, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS15 8ZB. The back, face and scalp massage starts from £90 and last 85 minutes.
ID Holistics
There’s a little wellness haven tucked away in Headingley in the form of ID Holistics, and its owner, Erica Marmai. Primarily a holistic therapy studio, here the massages are tailored to improve your mental wellbeing as much as your physical. It has a real personal touch, even the aromatherapy oils are blended by Erica herself.
Whether it’s looser muscles or a clearer mind you’re after, seek it here. In the stylish, plant-filled room, you can try one of a whole range of specialist massages. There’s sports and deep tissue, but the reflexology is especially divine. This massage is based on Chinese medicine and uses the pressure points in your feet to release tension throughout the body. By the end, you’ll feel like you’ve had a full body treatment.
ID Holistics, We Are Wellness, Hilton Court, 2 North Hill Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 2EN. Reflexology treatments cost between £50 for a 75 minute session.
Nuad Thai Boran Spa
If you’re in need of a good snap, crack and pop, a traditional Thai massage might be just the transformation you’re looking for. For newbies, it can be quite a different experience. There are no oils and the recipient remains clothed as the masseuse gently compresses and stretches your body into a variety of different poses.
At Nuad Thai Boran, the therapists are experienced and strong, combining the relaxing rooms with a no-mess massage that loosens your muscles and works out your deepest niggles. It’s a wholesome experience but if you’re still not sure, why not try out a foot massage instead? The parlour is open until 9pm seven days a week, and at walking distance from Leeds station, so it’s an ideal post-work revival.
Nuad Thai Boran Spa, 106-108 Vicar Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7NL. Traditional Thai full body massages cost between £55-£85 for a 60-90 minute session.
Tranquil Moments
Nestled in Headingley, Tranquil Moments is all about giving the best massage to suit you. On the menu here are sports, full body, Swedish, hot stone and Indian head massages, all of which can be enjoyed from their dedicated treatment room in the We Are Wellness mansion.
The therapist at the helm is Stephanie Baron and her warm welcome is enough to put even the most nervous of clients at ease. Whether you want to relax or banish tension, her experience puts you in good hands and all at a good price too. For an indulgent rather than a remedial visit, try the treatment packages that combine massage with other beauty favourites like facials, manicures and waxes.
Tranquil Moments, We Are Wellness, Hilton Court, 2 North Hill Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 2EN. Massage and beauty packages cost between £60-£100 depending on the length and what’s included. Massages alone cost between £28-£75 for a 30-90 minute session.
Rosa Thai Massage
With four Rosa Thai Massage parlours in Leeds, you’re simply spoiled for choice. This is the place to go for a Thai massage fix. There are two options here. The first is the traditional Thai massage where you’re gently stretched into a variety of poses to loosen and relax the body. It’s kind of like yoga without the effort.
The second is their most popular treatment – a full body, deep tissue massage using specially-sourced Tiger Balm to aid muscle relaxation. The treatment was designed by Rosa herself and is entirely unique to her practice. Tranquil treatment rooms are perfect for nodding off in, and while you might feel stiff to start with, you’ll leave feeling a foot taller. Too good to keep to yourself? They offer couples massages too.
Rosa Thai Massage, 1 Oxford Place, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 3AX; 2 New Road Side, Rawdon, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS19 6HN; 164, Kirkstall Hill, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS4 2SX & 1 Eden Drive, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS4 2TL. Both massages cost between £50-£65 for a 60-90 minute session.
Direct D-Stress
If you have a problem area in need of some attention, pay a visit to Lily at Direct D-Stress. This small practice specialises in Chinese massage and physiotherapy. It’s a marvellous spot for general wellbeing treatments, but where it really excels is in targeting specific areas of the body to aid with injury recovery, stress-relief or just general aches and pains.
The treatment room combines the reassurance of a doctor’s office with the restfulness of a massage parlour. Lily’s incredible knowledge means treatments feel healing, not just relaxing, and she can also offer advice or exercise programmes to help you continue the good work at home. The range of treatments on offer is vast although the Tui Na Massage is a real treat – it’s a Chinese massage that uses kneading, rolling and pressure-point therapy to ease tired muscles.
Direct D-Stress,1 Cottage Road (above Giorgio’s restaurant), Headingley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 4DD. Most massages cost £55 for a 50 minute session.
AromaThai
For thumbs of steel and a unique aromatherapy experience, AromaThai delivers in a big way. Pure indulgence comes in the form of their aromatherapy massages. You can choose between Serenity, Senses, Mind Relaxing and Aroma Thai – each combines different essential oils like tangerine, sandalwood and ylang ylang, and uses specific massage techniques to have you sinking deep, deep down into your treatment table.
They also offer traditional Thai massage here, using the ancient art of healing to release tension, improve blood circulation and free your body of toxins. They’ll manipulate your joints and apply firm rhythmic pressure, starting at the feet and moving slowly towards your head. It’s a very different take on a massage but will leave you feeling equally relaxed.
AromaThai, 157 New Road Side, Horsforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS18 4DR. All massages cost £50 for a 60-minute session.
RMUK Hair and Beauty
Credit: Bevan Cockerill
A four-storey giant on Great George Street, RMUK is a long-standing Leeds salon with over 30 years of experience to its name, but did you know they also offer massages? This is your one-stop-shop for a whole day of pampering. Inside there’s a hairdresser, a full-range beauty salon and, oh yes, an Aveda spa promising blissful body treatments and those all-important massages.
The treatment rooms are plush and extremely comfortable – the perfect spot to indulge in a hot stone, chakra balancing or even a less-glamorous-sounding lymphatic detox treatment. They do pregnancy massages too, because mums-to-be also deserve a damn good pampering. Oh, and don’t miss their little-known rooftop terrace. It’s the ideal spot to finish the day and there’s even a bar up there too. Bliss.
RMUK Hair and Beauty, 57 Great George Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 3BB. Massages cost between £50-£95 for a 30-90 minutes session.
Phoenix Health and Wellbeing
This wellness centre in the heart of Leeds is all about relief therapies, so if you want help with a sports injury, relief from a health condition, or just a place to unwind, they have a massage for you. Your needs are kept front and centre, so expect attentive staff who take the time to find out what you want and tailor each session to you.
Deep tissue, reflexology, sports and aromatherapy massages are all on offer here, as are more treatment-based massages like myofascial release, which focuses on the connective tissue that runs through your whole body. What’s more, roughly 40% of the proceeds from your treatment go towards their charitable arm, which offers therapies to low income patients with mental or physical health issues. Getting a massage in Leeds has never felt so good.
Phoenix Health and Wellbeing, Lower Ground Floor, 30 Park Place, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 2SP. Most massages cost between £30-£55 for a 30-60 minute session.
