Treating Ourselves at the ESPA Rīga Thermal Complex

Snow is falling outside, and Riga is gripped by a certain damp chill when, in good conscience, you wouldn't really want to linger long on the city streets. The body and all the senses are overcome by what feels like a longing for the warmth of sunbeams, the colourfulness of the world and the scents of flowers and herbs. It turns out such a winter-untouched oasis can be found right here in central Riga on Baznīcas iela, next to the Radisson Blu hotel and other tall city-centre buildings that reach for the sky with their pointed spires.

On a Saturday afternoon we headed to ESPA Rīga to indulge ourselves and for a moment enter a completely different world - full of tranquillity, scents, gentle soothing music, herbal tea and warmth. And yes, completely away from the computers and smartphones of everyday life (in the thermal complex there was even a sign - no disruptive mobile phone sounds). Which is all to the good, for otherwise the relaxation could not be so complete.

On the second floor we were greeted by a friendly receptionist who later also accompanied us to the changing rooms on the third floor and briefly introduced the building to us, as we were here for the first time. Beforehand, our outer clothes were placed in a wardrobe and shoe covers put on over our outdoor shoes. Since a spa treatment was also planned, I was asked to fill out a questionnaire where I had to provide information about myself and my health.

On this second floor, reached by a fairly steep and long staircase, there is also a café and a shop for the original British brand ESPA cosmetics. But more about the cosmetics later, as that deserves its own special story.

Travelling in the glazed lift inside the six-storey building, we curiously studied the interior and asked about ESPA Rīga itself. It turns out the complex occupies all six floors and during your visit you end up shuttling between floors somewhat, as the changing rooms and treatment rooms are on the 3rd and 4th floors, the 5th has relaxation rooms, the 6th floor has the thermal complex itself with saunas and an outdoor rooftop pool, while the 1st and 2nd floors - which we didn't really get a chance to explore - have an active recreation zone with a large swimming pool and fitness room.

ESPA Rīga Thermal Complex

Having received our beige robes, towels and slippers and changed in the nicely furnished changing rooms - which lacked neither water, nor lotion for removing cosmetics, nor disposable shower caps - we headed to the 6th floor. Also convenient is the fact that the lockers for personal belongings are easily locked with a code of your own choice and input - no need to carry a key on a wristband or some electronic card or chip pendant.

The idea is that those planning to have spa treatments are advised to spend an hour enjoying the thermal complex saunas, pool and relaxation rooms first, to free both body and mind and get into the mood for self-indulgence.

The thermal complex has only two types of sauna - a dry sauna and an aromatic steam room. This puzzled us slightly at first, as the spas we'd visited before always boasted a variety of saunas. But later we came to appreciate this difference. The ESPA Rīga saunas are small - in the sauna or steam room you can comfortably fit only two or at most three people. A certain intimacy. For us confirmed "two-solitaries" that was entirely to our liking. We could exchange first impressions and laugh about how the receptionist had taken us for sister and brother, as in her view we look very similar visually (ah, what thirteen years of living together does to people!).

One of the saunas was slightly larger - there we had to share the space with another guest of the thermal complex. It was also the hottest of the saunas. I didn't clock the temperature, but staying in it for a long time wasn't particularly comfortable. After visiting it, though, the great temptation is the outdoor pool, situated on the building's roof.

Oh, that is fantastic! And then that awareness that you are in the city centre, and somewhere six floors below is the grey streetscape and noise, but none of it touches you at all. In the pool it is possible to turn on an underwater massage - both more intensive and lighter modes. The feeling is like being in a warm, bubbling cauldron, and the wintry chill in the air (it seemed to be around -12°C) creates a pleasant contrast on the skin.

The pool is surrounded on all sides by tall glazed walls and doors that close automatically when the jets are switched on. Lying on your back, you can gaze up at the sky and the spire of the building on Dzirnavu iela next door.

Stepping out of the pool, you enter a spacious relaxation room where a fireplace burns (with glowing stones) and you can help yourself to teas and fruit. Two types of tea - one for boosting immunity, the other for flushing various toxins from the body (as stated on the labels attached to the thermoses).

It's pleasing that everything here has been thought of, down to the smallest detail. It occurred to me that even the most finicky visitor would find it hard to complain - for instance, about a lack of clean water glasses or fresh towel replacements (the diligent ESPA elves, or more accurately elves of the female variety, see to all of that unceasingly). Between ourselves we discussed how the principle observed here is: if something isn't here, it simply isn't - but if it is, it's been brought to perfection.

Intensive Facial Treatment

Time here passes without you noticing. My spa consultant Līga, after an hour, invited me to go down to the treatment room a couple of floors below by lift. Before that I took a shower and changed out of my wet swimsuit.

The treatment began with a conversation and the opportunity to smell and choose the aromas that personally spoke to me and were very pleasant. I once again confirmed that lavender, peppermint, tea tree and jasmine are my constant favourites. Scents that simultaneously provide freshness, are toning, yet also calm an "overheated" mind.

To start, Līga cleansed my face and used a special lamp to determine skin type and analyse its condition. She offered a few recommendations and reassured me about the concerns I had started having about ageing and skin dryness. I also appreciated her observation - that

one thing is the theory a cosmetologist can explain, but another is one's own individual sensations, as the ESPA concept is based not only on combining the right ingredients but also on the body's needs at that moment - for a particular scent, consistency or touch.

The treatment as a whole consisted of cleansing the facial skin, exfoliation (a gentle scrub), an ESPA face and décolleté massage, a mask and a scalp massage. The ESPA Pink Hair and Scalp Mud mask was applied to the hair - enriched with red clay minerals, watercress and apricot kernel oil. Very pleasant consistency, left the hair smooth and shiny.

ESPA Cosmetics

Honestly, I was so relaxed that most of the information Līga shared successfully slipped past my ears. I simply savoured the moment and the fantastic cloud of fragrance that enveloped me and lingered long after I got home.

This morning I took a more careful look at the brochure I'd brought home and the more detailed descriptions. I also tried the ESPA Optimal Skin Pro Defense SPF 15 at home. Pleasant, not greasy, absorbs into the skin very quickly, with a strong and pleasant (one might even say therapeutic) fragrance. It is precisely this product that has the jasmine flower note I had been looking for.

The second product - a lightly moisturising day cream ESPA Optimal Skin ProMoisturiser - is still waiting its turn. In terms of scent, much more saturated with various floral aromas. It seems that applying such an aromatic day cream will replace the perfume used in everyday life.

I think that most women who have tried a couple of ESPA cosmetics products will have the hook in their mouth to befriend them much more closely. I'm afraid the same will happen to me.

Relaxation Room

After the facial treatment I found Ēriks, who had settled into the thermal complex relaxation room on a sofa opposite the fireplace and was waiting patiently. In the hour, he had also managed to visit the steam rooms and (as befits a penguin) rub himself with the ice available in a separate container next to the showers.

In conclusion, we headed to the fifth-floor relaxation room, where you can recline in a comfortable heated adjustable chair, wrap yourself in a blanket and, if desired, put on headphones and listen to music. There too was a table with herbal teas, nuts, biscuits, dried fruit and berries available to all guests.

Not only the sauna, water and spa cosmetics treatments relaxed the body - every sense has been considered here (including the visual design of the rooms), which allows the mind to relax too.

Summary

ESPA Rīga can certainly claim the status of best spa, as acknowledged by its guests (judging by reviews on Facebook and Foursquare). We join that assessment. Previous spa experiences both in Latvia and Estonia pale in comparison, particularly when it comes to attention to small but important details. All five human senses are satisfied, and the mind rests too.

A prior booking is required for the thermal complex and spa treatments.
Standard price (2.5-hour complex visit) per person: €28.50.
Intensive facial treatment lasting 55 minutes: €80
ESPA Optimal Skin ProMoisturiser day cream 55ml: €85

In this article I haven't gone into recounting the history of the British ESPA brand or delving too deeply into its philosophy. This is my own subjective experience. Most importantly, the story told on the company's website with visual and textual elements is equally true in real life.

Images in this article are from www.espariga.lv