Archimedes Banya - San Francisco, California

Hans Hurn

This was the most wonderful thermal spa experience for my wife and me. We enjoyed every second of our 3 hours here - it's just enough time to actually feel completely relaxed and unrushed. Only wish I'd that the plunge was a little larger. An amazing space!

Swati Rayasam

I spent a lot of time in the Bay looking for the hottest sauna and the coldest cold plunge I could find, and honestly there’s no better place than Banya. I primarily go to Banya on the weekdays when they open to the afternoon and it has been one of the most relaxing, restorative, and also chill/fun social environments that I get to be in! The staff is amazing (special shoutouts to Bemoni and Kasey who both enforce a very respectful social environment and are great at their jobs!). They have great services - not just the platzas but the massages are actually focused on releasing muscle tension and not just “throwaway” massages - and a really solid programming schedule with workshops.

Marine

Russian Sunna, steam, cold plunge, affordable, no lines, attached has authentic Russian restaurant with the most yummy lamb soup. Beautiful Roof top overseeing bay. Cloth optional. Has man only and woman only days.

Rain Forest

I came here with my wife a couple months ago. She got a body scrub which she enjoyed, and I got a massage that was enjoyed as well.. after we went to sauna, cold plunge, hot tubs and roof. Everything was nice... except the staff.. they are oddly rude for no apparent reason. We didn't have an argument or anything they just really made us not feel welcomed at check in, and when we left, we Had to get our ID's at the front and they were rude again. Not sure why. They make the whole vibe feel off.... that being said the facilities were nice.. I'll go somewhere else where they are more friendly in the future.

Ivy Eatmon

I will give it a five star review just because it was a unique experience. I do think the front desk staff could be a tad bit friendlier but I do understand they are dealing with copious amounts of people and I’m sure that is a lot.
Nonetheless, my partner and friends made it a point to visit and it was very interesting.
There truly is nothing like it. Naturally, it is a shared public setting so not everything is perfect but I think they still do a great job keeping a space like this available to those that are interested. I will be back and will bring more friends! Everyone frequenting the establishment was very respectful and in no way did it feel uncomfortable!

Nicolle Holt

This place really needs a super deep cleaning! I was so sad to see how run down and dirty the Banya has become. I’ve been a patron since the very beginning and used to work there for many years. I had not been back since before the Pandemic and noticed that the ceiling had mold growing all over it in the main area where the cold plunge is. There is a beautiful mural on the ceiling that I love to gaze at while I’m sitting in the Japanese Hot Pool and noticed so much mold growing. The ledges around the hot pool also need a serious scrub down! I’m highly allergic to mold and unfortunately won’t be able to keep coming here unless this is addressed. Please please please help this wonderful place sparkle again! the Banya is so healing and it’s such a shame to see it this way.

Sara Popovich

The facility is excellent. Clean, well taken care of. The food is good. The roof is nice to chill. The spa services are good (as long as you get someone experienced).
Last month I had a hammon by an inexperienced spa worker. It was terrible. No flow, skipped spaces. He also didn't speak English. I had to cancel a few minutes in. Luckily there was a more experienced person available who gave an excellent scrub. But I don't see him listed on providers. How do I make an appointment with him again?
Yesterday, I'm just trying to relax and two of the staff in the sauna scolded me and laughed at me. Yes, I did something I should have noticed was against the rules. But people are constantly not observing these (we're talking where you're allowed to have robes, shoes, etc). The two staff mentioned are always walking around and taking a sauna as if they're customers, but they're not. One worker even said to the other "we never have good luck in here" Honey, with all due respect, I don't think your job is to take up half the sauna (two workers) while paying customers are trying to acclamate to the space and vibe. Maybe you are supposed to remind us the rules and keep people in line, but you're rude and taking up space. The cleaning crew are different people. They're just not doing anything but giving off airs of being important.
What is the actual job of these two? I'd love to see a public response to this. Also the front desk staff are nearly useless and lack a welcoming vibe. I'm not going to ask them because everything they do seems to take at least two people who look clueless while figuring out how to help.
I've been here at least a dozen times over the years and it's getting ridiculous.
Pools looked great after annual maintenance close, good job on that.

Luke M

When I need to relax and unwind, this is my go-to place. I love having all the different options for heat: multiple saunas and hot pools. And being able to cold plunge in between.

Their spa services are great too, and offer options I don't see many other places. Jayda is my favorite for the aqua skin bomb: it's a combination massage and scrub. She does a great job at both parts! For a super deep scrub I like Genie - she doesn't do massages but she'll scrub hard enough that I feel like every bit of dead skin is gone.