Izba Spa

Izba Spa is a day spa tucked into the lower level of a building it shares with a healing arts community in Denver's Cheesman Park neighborhood. Open since 1995, it specializes in the Russian banya, a wet-heat sauna ritual, paired with therapeutic massage and body treatments. The treatment rooms and banyas are private, built in a log-cabin style meant to evoke the Russian countryside.

A typical banya session involves water ladled onto heated stones to raise humidity, followed by a stroke-and-tap treatment with oak or birch leaf whisks once sweating begins. A honey rub often follows to pull toxins from the skin. Beyond the banya, the spa offers hydrotherapy, detoxifying body masks and exfoliating salt scrubs, and sessions can be booked for couples or individuals.

The spa is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and walk-ins aren't accepted — every visit is by appointment. Staff prefer booking by email over phone, asking that requests include a name, contact number, the type of session wanted, whether it's for one person or two, and preferred dates. Gift certificates are also arranged by email. Pricing sits in the moderate range for the Denver market.