A NEW luxury spa - with its own traditional Turkish and Moroccan baths - hopes to bring a “world of indulgence” to Bradford city centre.
Inspired by hot springs in Japan, the Royal Onsen is a state-of-the-art spa and day clinic nestled underneath Valley Road.
People can relax in Turkish baths, mud chambers, the sauna and steam rooms, and hydrotherapy pool.
Meanwhile a number of treatments are available - including facials, upper body scrubs, chemical peels, carbon facials, laser hair removal, and threading.
The spa has been brought to life by founders Harris Iqbal and Maryam Iqbal, a successful businesswoman in the beauty and wellbeing sector.
Co-founder Harris described the Royal Onsen as a “world of indulgence”.
He said: “Coming out of the pandemic what we wanted to do was advance the thinking of wellness, mindfulness, and create an experience for people where they could leave their problems at the door.
“A lot of spas we found are quite rural and this is very much a city centre spa. There’s nothing like this in Bradford at all.
“You can come for a manicure, laser hair removal, facial, or spa experience. We’ve got from hair to skin to body to health and wellbeing services, everything available under one roof.
"Onsen is a Japanese word, it means hot spring. We wanted to bring to our brand that Japanese culture of mindfulness and give people the space to indulge in those experiences.
"We’ve created a resting area, a foot spa, traditional Turkish and Moroccan hammam which is a traditional Turkish bath.
“With the concept itself, if you imagine yourself on a holiday resort you get everything in the resort, you don’t have to go anywhere. We wanted people to walk in and be able to let themselves go and have a five-star high quality almost holiday experience for the three to four hours they’re with us.”
The Royal Onsen has been in the works for over three years - making its opening on August 21 even more anticipated.
It has rejuvenated the long-empty ground floor unit underneath the Travelodge, close to Bradford Forster Square Station.
Spa goers might recognise Maryam from her previous successful business, The Beauty Den.
The Iqbal family relocated from London to Bradford a couple of years ago.
Harris said: “Every room has got its own story and character. Maryam has designed every corner of the spa.
“All of it links back to helping people heal.
“A lot of spas around West Yorkshire are hotel spas. We’re very much in the city making it accessible for people of all walks of life.”
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