Balian Springs

We went for the whole day(on a Friday) - and am so glad we chose to. I am curious if it's less crowded on weekdays because it was pretty packed, but still enjoyable. We arrived at 9:00 am and only one person was checking in before us. We put our sneakers in the room out front, but I decided to carry mine inside in case I wanted to use the gym. Which I ended up not using because I was in total sloth mode. They did give us towels, robes and slippers. There were 3 sizes of unisex robes (s, m, l) and slippers were true to size. The only thing you need to bring is hair comb and swimsuit. We did pay for massages- and they only last 55 minutes regardless what you get added on. When I go again - I probably won't add on a massage because the place offers enough to do without needing a massage. We had an amazing time, and I just loved the different sauna offerings. It was my kind of heaven

I was honestly torn between leaving a 4 or 5 star review, but Hazel completely tipped the scale. She took the time to clearly explain how everything works, which really elevated the entire experience. Overall, this place is wonderful. The amenities are impressive, including the sauna, steam rooms, red light therapy, immersion experiences, large pools, and the rooftop, which is an absolute must if the sun is out. The staff across the board were extremely friendly and polite, which makes a big difference in a relaxation focused environment. A few helpful tips that Hazel shared could genuinely enhance the visit. Order your food early because even when the facility isn’t busy, the wait from the main kitchen runs about an hour. Interestingly, the sushi counter was incredibly fast, but the main kitchen takes significantly longer. If you’re in the aromatherapy room and don’t notice any scent, press the button on the wall, otherwise you may not experience the aroma at all. One thing to keep in mind is that it does cost a pretty penny and you can’t leave and re enter, but they do offer military and student discounts which are definitely worth asking about. All in all, this is absolutely a must try experience.

Balian Springs has phenomenal pools. The outdoor pool was really nice, and the infinity pool was a great touch — we were genuinely excited, and the swimming areas did not disappoint. Unfortunately, the food experience almost completely derailed our day. Our group of six stopped to grab a bite, and it turned into a mess. For about 35 minutes, we watched customer after customer get served ahead of us while most of our party had already received and finished their meals. They couldn’t make four meals correctly, made excuses, and seemed completely lost. Even when the food finally came out, there was still confusion — plating sliders and a chicken club with fries shouldn’t be that complicated. Then someone disappeared into the back with a plate and we waited another 15 minutes. By the time it was all said and done, we had been waiting nearly an hour, and it threw off our whole vibe and schedule. That said, we eventually bumped into Executive Chef John — genuinely a very nice guy. He stepped in personally, took ownership, and corrected the issue end-to-end. I appreciated him sharing his experience and making it right. Pools: excellent. Food service execution: needs serious improvement — but Chef John showed real leadership.

I spent a wonderful afternoon and evening at Balian Springs Spa in Alexandria, from 2 PM to 9 PM, and I absolutely loved it! Everything was stunning and exceptionally clean, especially compared to other spas I’ve visited in this area. The staff is wonderful and very friendly, and the pools are beautiful. I tried the Chicken Panini with fries- it was a generous portion at a great price, only $16, and I really enjoyed it. The spa itself is fantastic, and the shower is wonderful- very relaxing and well-designed. However, I felt the lack of doors or curtains in the shower was a bit uncomfortable. Not everyone likes being seen while showering, and I believe there should be options for privacy. One minor issue I noticed was that many of the pool massagers were not working, especially in the infinity pool upstairs. For a spa of this caliber, it would be ideal if all massagers were functional. I believe there were around 15 massagers in total, but only 3 or 4 were working. The same issue was in the lower pool, where only 2 out of 6 recliner massagers were operational. I think this is something that should be carefully monitored for a high-end spa like this. I observed that some other guests were upset about it, especially those who come with a company and wanted to sit together. Another small point was the lack of tea or coffee. I arrived at 2:30 PM, and the café that supposedly serves tea was already closed. I checked several times throughout my stay, and there was never anyone available to serve it. While the bars offer cocktails (very pricey on my opinion), tea would feel more appropriate for this serene spa environment. I am not a cocktail person, especially in a SPA. On a positive note, every floor has several stations with free water infused with lemon and cups, which was very refreshing and convenient throughout the day. Despite these minor points, my rating is a full 5 stars. I will definitely return- and not just once! Everything is extremely clean, the food is well-priced, the service is excellent, and overall, this is by far the best spa in the area I have visited. I highly recommend it to everyone.

If you’re looking for a quiet and peaceful spa, this is not the place for you. The amenities and facilities are wonderful; however rooms were overcrowded, people playing music and talking on phone while trying to relax in sauna rooms. The infrared room took 2 hours to get into due to over crowding I came in a day early for a work event from AZ, made an appointment for a massage and planned to spend a good portion of the day there relaxing. Check in process was a nightmare. Waited in line for one hour before the manager on site came down to say they were at max capacity and like a restaurant when one person leaves another can enter. There was no priority for people that purchased services versus walk in/day pass only. Sushi restaurants closed early on Saturday and was disappointed about however the restaurant next door came out to ensure my food order had no gluten in it. I would possibly come back but maybe on a weekday to give it another chance but not a great first impression based on check in experience and how loud it was throughout all levels of spa. The only room that was not attended or quiet was the immersion room.