POV: You find yourself in the middle of a world-class European capital with a long day of travel ahead. How about a short midday break to indulge in an ancient bath ritual housed in a former 1889 brewery?
Headquartered in Seville, AIRE Ancient Baths has eight locations around the world (including London, Barcelona, and New York), each offering a unique and soothing experience to both nourish and awaken the senses. All are located in renovated, historic buildings in their respective city centres and are inspired by ancient Roman, Greek and Ottoman civilizations.
I visited their Copenhagen spa recently and spent a couple of hours relaxing in the gorgeous space, followed by a 60-minute massage.
The building, located in the city’s Carlsberg Byen district, originally dates to 1881, and served as Carlsberg brewing headquarters. It was completely renovated and transformed to its former glory, including original detailing, before opening as AIRE Copenhagen in August 2020. The building also houses four-star property Hotel Ottilia.
Once through the doors, you’re instantly transported to a serene, candlelit temple of relaxation. An attendant brings me to the locker room to change into my swimsuit and robe, then sets me up with a keyless locker and a pair of black booties, meant to be worn while on the premises, since the floors between the pools can be slippery.
A brief tour of the pools and I’m free to explore the baths until it’s time for my massage. A nice starting point is the Tepidarium (a warm 36-degree C bath). The Caldarium is slightly hotter at 40 degrees C, with two small Fridigariums off to each side side (a chilly, refreshing dip in 6- and 10-degree C water).
The Pediluvium is a shallow walk through a cold water bath lined with white stones, to help with foot circulation while gently massaging the feet via the stones.
The Balneum contains a series of jets to soothe tired muscles, while a visit to the Vaporium (steam bath) will rid the body of toxins.
At the back is one of the best dips: a floating bath, aka Flotarium. Filled with salt, this pool mimics the Dead Sea. Simply walk in and let your mind (and body) float away. There’s also a big mountain of salt on the other side of the pool for scrubbing onto your skin (with a nearby shower to rinse off).
If you book a massage or ritual treatment, an attendant will spot your wrist band and will quietly approach you when your appointment time comes. I’m led up a candlelit spiral staircase to a massage room, where I’m booked in for a one-hour Relaxing massage, AIRE’s Ancient Experience.
My masseuse gently works both sides of my body with massage oil. I keep thinking to myself, tomorrow at this time I will board one of two flights headed home. But for now, this feels amazing and i can’t think of a better way to wrap up a few days exploring the Danish capital.
The locker room contains everything you need once finished: Blow dryers (with different attachments), toiletries, a swimsuit drying machine and ziplock bag, razors, L’Occitane bath products, and more.
AIRE offers a variety of unique treatments to choose from, including Love Connection, Escape Together, and Grand Indulgence.
Fittingly, you can also book a Signature Beer Experience, where a 30-minute private beer soak, hair mask and Carlsberg beer tasting await.
And for wine lovers, the Signature Wine Experience includes a 15-minute cranial massage, 60-minute relaxing full body massage using grape-seed oil, plus and wine tasting with cheese pairing. All include a visit to the thermal baths.
AIRE Ancient Baths Copenhagen is located at Ny Carlsberg Vej 101, a short walk from the Carlsberg metro stop, in Copenhagen.
My Ancient Baths Experience was complimentary for the purpose of experiencing the spa. Opinions, as always, are my own.
