AIRE Ancient Baths Chicago

Very sad, I attempted to reach out Aire directly to hopefully address the issue. Instead was just asked to fill out review. I’ve been trying to return to Aire for 2 years and was genuinely excited for this visit. I even upgraded my package and brought a friend, expecting a luxury experience. Unfortunately, it was extremely disappointing. My massage therapist was clearly very ill—coughing and sniffling throughout the session. I had upgraded to the Orange package with a facial massage, but the therapist struggled to perform the service. At the end, the mask was left on my face without being wiped off, while my guest was cleaned and ready to return to the pool. As a spa owner and myself, I understand how busy this season can be, but there’s no excuse for sending a visibly sick therapist into service or delivering such a careless treatment—especially for nearly $700 experience. This was not the level of care, hygiene, or professionalism I expected from Aire, and I left feeling disappointed and uncomfortable.

First time here 9/9/25. It was a good experience. Every staff member is extremely professional and pleasant. Every bath is worth trying. The salt bath will make your body float my fav was the peppermint steam room. We received a 45 minute full body massage. My masseuse was okay, could have been a little bit more gentle but overall not bad. Thats the reason for the 4 stars. Our experience was for 2 hours and we definitely got our money worth. The ambiance is breath taking. After leaving here your body will feel relaxed and rejuvenated. You are not allowed to take your phones past the locker room for people's privacy. Im glad it's like that, so you can focus on your relaxation experience. I recommend to visit here.

I had a wonderful experience at this spa today! Everything was absolutely amazing — the atmosphere is cozy, clean, and very relaxing. I especially appreciated that phones are not allowed, which really helps you disconnect and enjoy the moment. There was no smell of chlorine from the pools or anywhere on the property — instead, the air was filled with a pleasant, soft aroma. I also loved that they use eco-friendly products for hair and body care, and the music was simply perfect. The only thing that felt a bit unusual was being asked to prepay tips before receiving the service. Of course, we left tips afterward because the experience was excellent, but it did feel a little strange at the start. Overall, I highly recommend this wonderful place — it’s truly a gem worth visiting!

Absolutely incredible experience. The atmosphere is stunning…candlelit, peaceful, and beautifully designed. The variety of baths and the saltwater flotation pool made it feel like time slowed down. Staff were professional and attentive, and the massage was one of the best I’ve had. Perfect place to relax, recharge, and escape the city.

I visited Aire with a friend after running the Chicago Marathon. This place is perfect for relaxing and unwinding after a hard race. It was extremely serene, peaceful, and relaxing. I really enjoyed floating in the salt pool and the saunas. I ended my visit with a massage from Nicole. Amazing. She managed to work out all the soreness in my legs from the marathon the previous day. I loved Aire and can’t wait to visit other locations someday. It’s worth the splurge.

My wife and went here this last weekend for a visit. We did a couples spa and massage package. All staff was friendly and nice. This is not our first visit to a bathhouse/spa and I'm sorry to say that the experience was a underwhelming. Asethically the facility looks as nice as shown in the photos. When you start you enter the locker rooms and put on a watershoe which you wear for the entire spa portion. This was odd to us and we did not enjoy the experience of leaving a pool and taking some of the water in your shoe with you. This also creates large puddles around some areas of the facility. My theory on the shoes is that they are intented to make every surface slippery so no one runs around as you are forced to move slowly to avoid falling since most the surfaces are smooth stone and are wet. The locker rooms were subpar. They had a nice attendant in both mens and womans. I found it odd that all the shower doors do not lock (both mens and womens). My wife reported that the women's locker room was dirty and the showers had razors and hair in many of the stalls. Their were a varienty of baths and only a couple times did we feel that they were crowded. We enjoyed the steam rooms the most. I noticed looking around that some the marble sections were broken in a few areas and some spots had mold stains in the "hot tub" area. The massage rooms seem to be located in various rooms throughout the facility. When our time came someone called out of name and we went to get the couples massage which was nice. One comment we had was that if you are shy you might be a little uncoformtable removing your swimwear in the couples room as the walls and doors are glass and the door had only beads hung. The glass walls of the room had a double layer of beads but my wife noticed that the door specifically looks directly out into the common areas and only seemed to have one layer of beads. Not exactly totally private from anyone standing outside. Their was one waterfall room that required people to go entirely underwater to get into. My wife not wanting to get her hair completely wet did not want to go in however I checked it out and it was nice however I don't get the logic of why that room requires people to go entirely underwater to access. I would have enjoyed spending more time in that room however as I didn't want to leave my wife I only had a short visit. There is a door but the staff did not indcate that we could use it. We also noticed that staff in the common areas all seemed to speak very very quietly so really hard to hear them sometimes. Overall I am glad we went and experienced it since we were very curious however it was overpriced and we have had better experiences at other bathhouse/spas and we will not go back.

There’s only one way to describe Aire Ancient Baths—absolutely incredible! Tucked away in an unsuspecting alley, the moment you step inside you’re transported to a world that’s beyond words: stunningly beautiful, serene, and deeply relaxing. If you’re looking to truly revitalize yourself, this is the place to be. The experience is thoughtfully designed from start to finish—steam rooms, salt baths, thermal pools, jacuzzis, cold plunges, and massages that leave you feeling completely renewed. Every detail has been perfected to create a true sanctuary, and the staff is just as exceptional as the setting. Aire Ancient Baths is more than a spa—it’s an unforgettable escape and a piece of paradise. I highly, highly recommend it!

I’ve visited AIRE Ancient Baths several times with my husband, and it’s always a wonderful experience. It’s our favorite place to disconnect and leave feeling completely renewed. Every detail, from the atmosphere to the staff’s attention, is designed to make you feel at peace and relaxed. The baths are unique we love moving from one to another and we always end up with an incredible sense of well-being. Definitely a place we recommend and will keep coming back to!

Had the pleasure of receiving AIRE gift box for Christmas and just getting an opportunity to use it. Thankful it never expires. This is TRULY an EXPERIENCE! From the moment I walked up until long after departure I have been mesmerized. The entryway is on the side off the building down a short red painted alley. The waiting area (although I did not need to wait) is dimly lit by candles. Lots of sofa seating. Greeter checks id and confirms appointment. The bathroom attendant was kind and patient. Well aware that many may not have been before and didn't mind re- explaining the process. I wont go step by step but I was surprised that showering was NOT a requirement before entry into bath/ pools. After changing into my swimsuit the bathroom attendant walked me down to the bath area attendant which checked me in and gave me a tour of the many pools and steam rooms. The young lady that toured me was bubbly and patient. I tried EVERY pool but did not exit to the outdoor waterfall. You do need to dip underwater to get to waterfall. The cold plunge after sauna is the best. Overall the areas were pretty quiet. I also had 60 minute massage with Jasmine which was phenomenal and additional 15m foot scrub. I wish they would have signs with the temperature of each pool. I'm checking my calendar now to see how soon I can return

Extremely Disappointed - Poor Experience and Customer Service We were really looking forward to our visit to Aire Ancient Baths, but unfortunately, it turned out to be a deeply disappointing and frustrating experience. We were left in the baths for 1 hour and 45 minutes before our scheduled massages -- far too long, and honestly, it started to feel unsafe. We ultimately had to leave before receiving our massages because it was simply too much. When we brought this up to the staff, they were not helpful and gave us the runaround, saying management was in Barcelona and not available to decide on a refund. While they did refund the massages, that was less than half the total cost -- we paid nearly $600 for this experience and left feeling stressed and ignored, not relaxed. We even offered to reschedule the massages and asked to use the pools again for just 15-20 minutes to have a more balanced experience. They declined. For the premium price they charge, you'd expect much better customer service and flexibility. Really a shame, as the place has potential, but I will never return. I hope they address these issues for future guests. The locker room experience was also ridiculous with people piled on top of each other instead of spreading everyone out. Save your money!!

Worst experience ever - humiliating, unsafe, and they refuse to refund me. I came to AIRE Chicago with a friend for what was supposed to be a special, relaxing spa evening. Instead, it was one of the most humiliating and stressful experiences of my life. The facility was overcrowded and dirty (one sauna had black debris on the floor, another was being cleaned while people were inside). Staff were rude and aggressive, singling us out while other guests talked loudly without issue. Twice I was falsely accused of "talking" when I wasn't even speaking. Without listening to us--or to witnesses who defended us--the manager immediately demanded that we leave. Security was called, and the situation escalated in front of a packed spa. We were embarrassed in front of everyone, humiliated, and rushed out before finishing our treatment. The worst part? AIRE has refused to refund: The session we paid for, My upcoming reservation, My unused gift vouchers (which I hold in hand as the rightful owner). And they never even apologized. Instead, they tried to shift the blame onto me. If you are planning a romantic or special occasion, PLEASE do not risk it here. They ruined my evening, my plans, and left me with nothing but stress and trauma. There are plenty of spas in Chicago that actually care about their clients--sadly, AIRE is not one of them.

I came here a few weeks ago to celebrate my wedding anniversary and I booked the Ultimate Couples Bath for about $355 total for the both of us. It included 90 minutes of use of their entire bath and steam facilities as well as the changing room and shower amenities. At the end of our experience we got a mask and salt scrub goodie bag to take home as well as got to partake in a wellness shot before leaving. We had a very relaxing time. The ambiance was like it described. Low lit and romantic and very inviting. It was not super crowded and we didn't know how long we were there as you're not allowed to use cell phones. They have a system where they ring a bell every 45 minutes so you know approximately how much time you have left of when your time is up. The staff will occasionally come by to check wristbands and all are super friendly and accommodating. Upon arrival, we check in and later a host will take you the changing room. You must bring a bathing suit and they provide robes and bath shoes. These shoes must be worn at all time. They provide lockers so you can store all your personal belongings and all cell phones must be stored away. No cell phone use is permitted in the bath house. They have hooks all over the bath house to hang your robes. There were about 5 different baths. My favorite of all the baths was the Floatarium, which was a salt bath that was so relaxing as your body naturally just floats and I loved plunging into the cold baths right after a sitting in the steam room. We didn't book a massage because there was no availability but as a 1st timer I am glad I got to experience the full 90 min of the bath and steam time. Don't miss the opportunity to use the salt mound to exfoliate as well. That was super nice to have at this bath house. I highly recommend this luxurious bath house. Perfect for celebrating any occasion or find an excuse to have one. I can't wait to book again.

I went to Aire for the first time last year and I had a wonderful time! So much so that I went again this year. I traveled 4 hours by train for this pampering experience. I purchased the Ancient Relaxing Massage for 45 minutes for $258.00. The massage therapist was not good. She spent more time rubbing my feet and pushing on my body than concentrating on my back as I requested. The staff were a tad aggressive when telling myself and other people to be quiet. While couples displaying PDA and damn near having sex in the pools went 'unnoticed '. The atmosphere is relaxing and the pools are therapeutic. But I'm not sure if I'll go back again....

I found booking with Aire to be horribly challenging. I'd heard so many good things about the spa and wanted to treat myself for my birthday. I first tried to book my session online, but the site wouldn't show any available services for my date. Since I was booking four weeks in advance, I didn't think the spa could already be fully booked. The next day, I called and spoke with a call center agent who took my reservation for two people. She told me that both my spa partner and I would receive emails to prepay for our services, and that the emails might take a little while to arrive. I wasn't worried when nothing showed up within the hour, but unfortunately, my email never came. When I called back to confirm and reschedule, I was told my original appointment time was no longer available. The agent was eventually able to place my spa partner and me in the same room so we could still attend at the same time. However, when my spa partner had to cancel due to a scheduling conflict, my appointment was also canceled. I'm not sure how often Aire has issues with their booking system, but I ran into several problems, starting nearly a month before my intended visit. Since I'll be in Chicago for four days to celebrate my birthday, I could have planned for another date if the process had been smoother. Instead, the entire scheduling experience left me frustrated. Honestly, it feels like an omen of what the actual spa experience would have been like at Aire.

I came to AIRE expecting a relaxing birthday experience. Instead, I was deeply disturbed by religious music played during my massage, including a Hindu funeral chant that triggered personal grief. When I politely asked for the music to be changed or lowered, I was told it wasn't possible and the medicore masseuse (think skills of a Chinese massage spa) weirdly and awkwardly put a towel over my ears and squeezed it which didn't help. Religious music, especially when not understood or curated with cultural sensitivity, has no place in a spa. I've never encountered this at other high-end spas like Mandarin Oriental or Bathhouse. AIRE's refusal to respond compassionately in the moment and a month later, despite multiple attempts to bring this to management's attention, made the experience feel careless and alienating. This is not what I expect from a luxury wellness space. And it's cultural appropriation / offensive and the lack of response is appalling.

I went with grandma's caretaker. Gran recently passed, but her caretaker and I have gotten... close. We wanted to relax in an environment that drew us away from our regular, recent churn of challenges and grief. The spas were excellent. The only reason I'm rating three stars is due to the tepid temperature of many of the pools. I only saw one labeled tepidarium, but... not so in reality. We'll consider coming back if there is a good coupon. And if we remain close as we are!

We book a bath house experience at Aire in Chicago and NYC anytime we get the chance, and it is always incredible. Highlights: the heated marbled slab, the salt water float pool, the 104 hot tub, and the cinnamon steam room. Thank you, Aire. I feel like a new person!

I booked a treatment package at AIRE and prepaid nearly $400 including tip . They canceled last minute and acted like it was no big deal. Instead of a refund, I was told to "just enjoy a complimentary bath" and come back another time (???) Girl. I'm overbooked and overworked. That's literally why I scheduled a spa visit. What other time do you think I have? Also--important detail--I wasn't the one who canceled. I just wanted the thing I paid for. When I asked about a refund, I got this whole speech about how "when someone is sick, we make sure they stay home." That's beautiful. Nobel Peace Prize. But I'm not your HR rep--I'm a paying customer. If you can't provide the service, you refund the money. It's not complicated. Instead, I got dragged through a "we take care of our staff" monologue designed to sound morally superior while completely dodging my actual issue. Somehow I ended up feeling like the bad guy for asking for what I'm owed. I'm not HR. I'm not your therapist. I'm just a silly little customer who wanted to go to the spa and not get gaslit. You canceled. Not me. And you're still holding my money like that's totally normal. It's not. For a spa that markets itself as luxury, the way this was handled was disappointing and evasive. I expected better. Please god. I will give my kidney. We need more spas in Chicago. We can't have AIRE, King Spa, and mid hotels putting us in a chokehold.

Everything was planned and executed perfectly. From the checkin to the changing room to a walk thru of all the pools and rooms. Never felt rushed or thay we would miss out on anything. Had a couples massage that went swimmingly (pun intended). Would definitely come back!

I was gifted a summer essential experience for my 27th birthday and I must say I was very impressed by the overall experience. The package includes a 30 minute massage, a juice and 120 minutes in the baths. This package can only be booked during the week The ambience was very tranquil yet, classy and soothing. The waiting area was beautifully decorated with candle lights everywhere. I enjoyed being greeted by someone new at every point being that it was my first time. Tierra and Phoenix in the women's locker room had great personalities, very informative, and readily available to make my experience stress free. Charisma whom gave me the tour of the different baths was so sweet and knowledgeable. Any questions I had she did not get frustrated when having to reiterate information. The massage I received from Zachary knocked out every little kink I felt. I'm sure at one point I fell asleep because I vaguely remember my massage. The amount of pressure applied was PERFECT. I hate that I didn't take any pictures because it was my birthday and I just wanted to live in the moment. I enjoyed not having the stress of bringing additional hygiene products being that EVERYTHING was at my disposal. Showers: Stocked with body wash, shampoo and conditioner Lockers: robes, dry towels, foot towels, and aerobic socks to protect feet while in baths area Locker room: Towel dryer and bags for swimsuits Complimentary tea and water stations The pressed juice was AMAZING. There's so much I could say to sell this place but YOU HAVE TO TRY IT FOR YOURSELF !

Hands down one of the best spa experiences I've had. The Himalayan salt float bath was wonderful. I also had an 80 minute massage that was awesome. I love the ambiance and all of the staff were extremely nice. Professional and attentive. I will most definitely return on my next visit to Chicago.

This one was a bit of a bucket list item for us when we went to Chicago this year. The online booking process was great and easy to follow. Our check in process was smooth and our hosts were very informative. Our massage therapists were excellent and the warmers for your water socks and suits were a great addition. We never felt rushed, and the chimes to let us know the hour were not intrusive at all. The locker room attendant was super helpful with spinning our suits out and getting us anything we might need. The amenities were too notch. I would highly recommend AIRE ancient baths to anyone looking for a next level experience.

I went to Aire for my birthday and it was the perfect experience gift from a significant other! It's such a nice, relaxing time and great way to spend some quality time together while exploring the different baths. The service inside the locker rooms is great. My favorite was the Dead Sea salt bath because you can just float around and it's such a cool experience. The warm temperature baths made this the best activity for a cold winter day in Chicago. The entire thing feels so luxurious - It's a pricey experience but worth trying once!

Every time I come here I leave feeling AMAZING. But especially this time! I received a 90 minute massage and enjoyed 90 minutes of baths and my masseuse Jamie was absolutely AMAZING! She used a nice firm pressure the entire time and hit every muscle group perfectly. I am a weightlifter and she made my body melt on the table. 10/10!!! The rest of the staff is always friendly and helpful. I didn't get the locker room ladies name but she took care of me so well and is very considerate. They also have everything you need to shower & get ready before you leave. I used the Dyson hair dryer & it made me want to purchase one now!

I had a pretty good experience here. It was my first time and they made it feel very welcoming. Tip: Get there atleast 15 mins early. It takes time with going to locker room and changing and then you can do the tour with them or wing it. I skipped the tour and was able to navigate on my own... The locker room, the lockers have locks so it was nice to know everything is safe. There's an attendant that guides you through. You'll also have to put your phone away too, more on the later. When you're done changing, you walk down stairs and can enjoy the many baths. They have varying temperatures and you can do a cold plunge then hop back in the warm water to shock the senses. Just be sure that you get up slowly as you're moving between pools because I did get light headed, I think I got up too fast or was dehydrated. You hand your robes at different hooks on the many poles or walls, so important that you don't keep anything of value in the pockets because they all look the same. I liked the floating pool the most with the salinity replicating the Mediterranean Sea. The salt burned my eyes at first so be careful. Also be careful that you don't accidentally swallow the water bc it burned my throat. It was super salty. The interior is beautiful and everything you expected. Locker room attendant is nice and spun my swimsuit dry. I forgot to bring cash, but I did give whatever I had. The showers were nice and clean, I think it was needed especially after floating in the salt pool. What I DIDN'T Like: I didn't like that you couldn't bring your phone. While I can appreciate the purpose of a distraction free relaxing moment also privacy of other guests. It would have been nice to have a picture to share memories and show your friends the environment you relaxed in. -It seemed like the locker room attendant was there to enforce this. Other than that, I would come back again, I think it was worth it.

I have been wanting to visit AIRE for a while now, booked the night fall baths with my sister. The baths are located in an old factory building, candlelit and very aesthetically pleasing. Lisa was very professional and friendly. Enjoyed the baths and the space was huge. Expensive and hard to fully relax due to the time constraints. My biggest criticism and area that needs work would be the locker rooms. For such a high price point, I would have expected a much better locker room space, they were dirty, cramped, and the showers did not work very well or keep warm. I appreciated the L'Occitane products in the showers, however the locker room experience gave a bad first impression and was also frustrating upon leaving. Overall, a unique experience and a one of a kind space worth checking out.

I'm a bit torn because I've now been to Aire 3 times. Twice for just baths and once for baths and massages. This review reflects the incredibly high price for Aire and its relative value. If it were half the price, this would easily be a 5 star review. But instead the experience costs over $110 per hour per person at a minimum, and quite frankly I don't think it is worth it. The first time feels kind of magical and exclusive, because you may have not been anywhere like this before. And the whole quiet candlelight vibe feels exclusive and frankly, expensive. You feel like a million bucks because you just spent a million bucks to be there. But the following two times I went, whether it be because they have been open for longer and standards have been slipping, or simply because the novelty has worn off, were incredibly disappointing. When I went for massages, we spent over $600 for two of us for a 120 minute total experience. They cut the bath time in with your changing time when you get a massage, so you can expect to only really enjoy about 60 minutes of the baths if you get an additional service. And honestly, I have had much better massages elsewhere for much less money. At this price, I'd really expect the massages to be top tier but they were truly "meh". You're really paying for the atmosphere. And because the walls are fairly thin, depending on the crowd of the baths when you're there (this is a popular spot for bachelorette parties and they seem to book it pretty crowded), the experience can be punctuated by a lot of noise. On our last experience, we went at 7 pm on a Sunday, and it has really turned me off to the whole experience. We just did the baths, and every single bath was dirty. In the corners there were clumps of hair and debris roiling in the jets. It was disgusting. When I took a shower afterwards, the walls were streaked with soap stains, hair stuck to the walls, and globs of shampoo and soap all over the place. It was all of the stalls, not just one. In addition, I can't believe they don't require people to shower before getting in the baths. It's not even a suggestion. Between our 2nd and 3rd visits, I went to Iceland where there is a huge bath culture and they require you to shower naked and scrub all your nasty bits before you get in the pools. Not here, and I have never seen anyone aside from myself shower before getting in the pools which end up quite crowded. It's honestly gross and I can't believe they don't require this. Finally, I HATE their gratuity system. The default tip is 18% on your entire total, regardless of if you're just going into the baths or getting extra services. It is unclear who gets these tips, and if you tip 18% for just baths that is almost $40 per person...again for what? There is a locker room attendant who shows you how to unlock your locker but then every time I've been there they do nothing else but stare at their clipboard or phone. They have been fairly uninterested or downright rude all times I've been so I was pretty pissed that I tipped the first visit. I determined we'd only tip for the last baths AFTER the visit and I'm glad we didn't prepay almost $80 in tip for a dirty locker room and grumpy attendant. It costs $2 per minute to be there, the least they could do is pay their staff enough to care. Also, there were 3 people working the check in at the baths when we last went, the ones at the stairs down from the baths after you're done in the locker room. While they told us they have a "whisper policy" when we checked in, they certainly weren't adhering to it and were extremely loud laughing and talking which really ruined the vibe. They were very friendly though. Overall these things added up to mean I am fairly disillusioned with this place and won't be back. It's just not worth it for the crowds, dirty baths, and the tipping thing just grinds my gears. Not at all worth it for the price!

My husband and I visited AIRE 2 months ago and I haven't stopped thinking about this place. We were visiting Chicago and it was the highlight of our trip for both of us. We left here feeling 10 years younger and like a million bucks. The service is very attentive and professional. The ladies who work in the locker room work hard and are very helpful. I like how you can spend some time in the baths before your massage. I also like how you aren't given a specific time for the massage, but they come find you so you don't have to constantly be looking at the time. My masseuse was Marie and she was amazing! Very professional and knowledgeable. She has a calm demeanor from the get go which helps you relax. This was one of the best massages I've ever had! For the bath area, the amount of people is limited and it never felt crowded. There's some nooks and crannies in the baths and many times my husband and I had our own little private area. We had fun checking out all the varieties of tubs and saunas available. We accidentally went over our time because we were confused about the bell chimes. When we realized we were there later (we had a dinner reservation to get to) I asked the staff the time and she told me and her response was "it's time to start thinking about finishing up". I thought that was very professional and kept with the pace of relaxation and not abruptly ending our time. I wish we had something like this where we live. We talk about visiting Chicago again just for this place. It's definitely worth every penny!

An amazing experience that left us feeling relaxed and wanting to come back on a monthly basis. The location has several different pools at different temperatures, salinity, and currents. While expensive, if you are able to afford a visit I would highly recommend it. When we visited I would say there were probably 20-30 other people within the space but the company does a good job at ensuring it doesn't feel crowded. When we first entered the "bath" section we were shown and explained to each pool. Depending on what package you choose there is an option for a massage which was nice, but I would argue isn't necessary.

I HIGHLY recommend this place. Now disclaimer... I did not pay for this, it was a gift. Experiences can be different when you spend your own hard earned money on it, but MINE WAS AMAZING! You walk in and are just immediately greeted by calm. They make sure you're comfortable and get/give you whatever you need. You get in your swimsuit and you spend your time in the OASIS. Just GORGEOUS & UNFORGETTABLE. That massage was needed and wish it was longer haha I HAVE to go again! Next time with my boyfriend

I've always heard so much about Aire and when my job had a work event in Chicago, I just knew I had to go. Closer to time sometimes more appointments become available. I opted in for the new Orange experience. 35 min massage and facial. I had a 8am appointment and arrived right at 8. I don't know how it works because if I would have shown up earlier they wouldn't have been open?? So that's a little unclear for the first appointment of the day to enjoy the baths. I felt like I may have not had enough time so I moved around a bit quickly. I'm a hot bath girl, so they could have gone higher on the temps for me. The lavender steam room--top notch. I ended my time there. Massage great. The doors are just beaded and it's really dark so who knows what is even happening lol but just gotta live in the moment I guess. Overall 5 out of 5 and would love to try them all over the world.

AIRE Ancient Baths in Chicago provided an unforgettable weekend experience! My partner and I spent the day here enjoying the Red Wine Bath experience as well as the circuit. The ambiance is simply stunning. The attention to detail, from the tranquil atmosphere to the elegant design, made it feel like a true escape. The moody lighting, the tranquil music, and the grandeur of the space itself all set the tone for a truly relaxing feel. I especially loved the indoor/outdoor bath - being in a warm bath while looking up at the sky with a waterfall in the background was truly amazing. Everything was perfectly relaxing and rejuvenating.

It's got a cool vibe, but there are some things that make this a one and done visit for me. They need to stagger more of the arrivals because it was chaos when 20 of us tried to check in and then again when we were all trying to change in the locker room (while the last shift of people were trying to change to leave). I also sincerely detest the wet socks slippers they make you wear. Stepping into puddles of wet water on the floor and then filling up with big pockets of water in the pools was really gross feeling. The dry saunas were scented, but we didn't think they smelled like anything we had been told. They also weren't very hot. Our massage was fine. Not great, but fine. All the staff was nice, but given the cost of the visit, we will pass on coming again. Try King Spa for a much cheaper soaking and spa day experience.

This has been the 2nd location I've visited and was much better than the other. Dropped in on a weekday and was concerned about timing due to traffic but the staff accommodated us. Excellent service across the board...everyone from the host to attendants and massage therapists.

I'm not gonna lie, it took a lot for me to spend the money but when I say this was SO WORTH IT. I have never felt so relaxed and calm. The massage was the best one I've ever received and I only did the 45 minute one. They work so hard to preserve a relaxing and quiet environment. I got there at 8 and didn't expect to spend so much time bouncing around the different saunas, steam rooms and pools. I truly believed I would only need an hour tops....i found myself spending way longer and don't think I ended up leaving until 1130! And to be honest I would've stayed longer but it started to get a little more busy by 1030. The different pools fit different needs. My only issue was with some of the couples who were guests. Some of them treated it like their own personal honeymoon so certain times it definitely was awkward. But overall, I can't wait to come back here again! If I could have a monthly membership I would do it in a heartbeat.

Extremely Disappointing Experience - Not Worth the Hype or the Price I had high expectations for Aire based on its reputation, but unfortunately, the experience fell far short and left me deeply disappointed. This establishment is extremely overpriced for what it offers. The facilities are overcrowded and feel rushed, and the overall atmosphere is far from relaxing. One of the most frustrating aspects is the strict two-hour time limit--which includes your treatment. That means if you book a 60-minute massage, you're left with very little time to actually enjoy the baths. It felt more like being shuffled through a tourist attraction than indulging in a premium spa experience. To make matters worse, the staff was dismissive and unaccommodating. Rather than feeling welcomed, I felt like an inconvenience. There's a noticeable lack of hospitality and warmth that you would expect from any high-end spa. While the massage itself was decent, it was not enough to redeem the overall experience. For the price point, I expected a serene, luxurious environment, not a rushed and poorly managed operation. I strongly recommend looking elsewhere--preferably a hotel spa where the environment is more professional, the service more attentive, and your time and money are actually valued.

Expected much much more for the price point. It was rushed and impersonal. We came to celebrate a family member, and there was no acknowledgement by the staff about a special occasion. The staff are attached to iPads, and barely make eye contact with guests. When given the initial tour of the space, the staff member was clearly just reciting a script and was bored with saying the same thing again. As it was our first time, we felt overwhelmed with the space and yet the staff seemed annoyed with our questions. I am no stranger to spas, and I am also relatively easy going. This was not it.

I was gifted this experience for my birthday and it was just what I needed to decompress from everything going on in the world. This was my very first time going to something like this and wow was it an interesting experience. I really enjoyed the indoor/outdoor bath especially with the coldness of the February air. I enjoyed going from the warm baths and sauna to the cold plunges. However I think it would step it up a notch to make the transition from cold to hot a little more smooth. Loved the floating salt bath as well. I also like that they had a hair station in the locker room. Everything was great, 3 stars because customer service was terrible. The only decent employee was the locker room attendant. Also, I was excited to try the pressed juices but I was not shown where they were at. Valet was convenient however the car wasn't ready when we were done and Paul had to wait in the cold for the car to arrive. I also got chased down by the front desk lady upon exit because she thought I didn't pay or checkout. I feel like the staff should be more kind, accommodating, and communicative amongst each other so people can actually enjoy their experience without any awkward mishaps. As mentioned this was a very unique experience and I would love to come back, but my partner hated it because the staff ruined it for him. I just hope the staff is more respectful the next time.

I came here solo for a little self care day before going back to work after the holidays! There's multiple pools but my favorites were the lavender essential oil sauna room and a dead sea flotarium pool where there's enough sea salt that you can just float on your back. The vibes were so nice like all the brick walls, ancient vases and candles just had me feeling like a lil greek goddess vibing in the water relaxing experiences are one of my fav things to do so I ate it up. Love the architecture of this place. I also got a massage and it was in a dark quiet room on the same floors of the pools.

I had a terrible customer service experience by the manager here. I arrived around 2:50pm expecting to enjoy the spa facilities for myself, my bf, and my brother prior to our 4pm booking for a 60 minute massage each. When we arrived we were told that we could only be allowed entry to the pools and sauna 15 minutes prior to the start time. I was confused because typically people can arrive an hour early to enjoy the spa facilities to relax their mind and body prior to their massage. I also knew that my booking included access to the pools and sauna. I asked to speak to the manager and she told me that the massages don't necessarily start at 4pm and that it starts anywhere from 4pm to 5pm and I told them that I planned for a 4-5pm massage and had dinner reservations scheduled after that I couldn't change. I asked, "so there's a possibility I might only be able to have half of my massage time?" She unsympathetically said yes and that I could not get a refund. She did say she could let us into the facilities a half hour early but no mention of at least even trying to see if we could get our massages at 4pm or as close to 4pm as possible. I realized that it would be a much better option to enjoy our dinner plans without missing it instead of waiting in their lobby with a rude, unaccommodating manager then enjoy the spa facilities and potentially have no massage to a cut short massage for the $1,009 massages and valet that I prepaid for. When we showed our prepaid valet payment to the staff inside they refused to validate our ticket until after our experience. Luckily the valet staff were kind enough to give us our car back instead of making us stay there for hours and be late to our dinner plans. When I looked back at the aire email confirmation I saw that it just notes to arrive 15 minutes before the start time otherwise our service time might be reduced. This is typical and I thought that meant that if we arrive past 4pm that it would cut into our massage time. The email also noted our massages at 60 minutes and start time at 4pm; no where did it say that it's a 2+ hour experience or to anticipate being done as late as 6:15pm. I had been here previously and the email confirmation from my time in 2022 was much more clear on the time frame of the experience: "We encourage clients to arrive 15 minutes early to guarantee full enjoyment of your booked experience (12:00 - 14:15). A late arrival may result in the duration of your experience being shortened." This time my email said 60 minutes and 4pm. It did not note 16:00-18:15pm; if it had, I could have planned accordingly for my dinner reservations and been prepared but the lack of clear communication in aire's booking email this time and the terrible customer service unfortunately has this as the last time I will be recommending this place to friends and family, and for booking for myself and others. I had hoped to have a fun, relaxing experience but instead it ruined some of my day.

A thoroughly amazing space of serenity. From the moment you walk in, a sense of calm surrounds you. The baths were such a lovely experience and while the massage wasn't the best I've ever had, it contributed to the overall relaxing experience. I'd love to try the other locations of the AIRE Ancient Baths!

My husband and I walked in without knowing what to expect ...it was one of the most romantic and relaxing experiences we have had in a very long time. Thanks to my dear friend for pampering us with the amazing gift. Loved every minute of the experience from the salt water floating pool , cold pool and hot pool, lavender infused sauna and to end with the therapeutic massage was the best thing. I will surely comeback again with my husband. 2 hours of undivided attention, priceless!!!

Very beautiful concept. I did a silent review of this spot. But I went here for my birthday and yeah it could've been better. I got the Ultimate bath experience for 90min. They got me out in less than 60, not sure why. But I paid for 90. The people working in the front aren't very friendly, even after coming in friendly and asking how they were doing. but the ones in the lower level where the experience is, were very approachable. I don't know if it's just cause a lot of entitled people come in here, but it still felt like a sour impression. The locker area had showers and lockers for your stuff. Theres a pretty tight space of people who don't even say excuse me lol to get past you. Must be a Chicago thing? Note: You can't take anything inside, especially phones for privacy and not to take from the experience. It does get a bit crowded after a while after cycles timing, but all in all you can find your liking in thermal heating, saunas, jets or plunge pools. They gave me a complimentary face mask and body scrub. You can use in house or take to go. Keep in mind it's meditative, so any chatty folks this might not be your thing. I enjoyed the quiet personally. I enjoyed myself for the purpose of my visit. But If i come back I hope it would just be a better experience of the staff for any of the baths or massaging experience itself. I didn't feel the most welcomed or that I got my moneys worth. Unfortunately it was a reason why I didn't add gratuity on my way out.

Such an amazing concept. I visit Aire every time I come to Chicago. The staff is friendly and welcoming from the valet to the locker rooms. The massages are great and nothing better than following up with a good soak. I highly recommend Aire for a relaxing experience.

Incredible! It was beautiful! I would recommend getting there half an hour early to check in and be able to change in time. You want to be able to get the full experience, I did feel a bit rushed but that was my own fault for getting there right at the appointment time. They provide robes and slippers. Wet bags and spin your swimsuit out for you. Bring a hair tie. There are multiple steam rooms, cold, warm and hot tubs. Overall, it was an amazing time and I can't wait to go back.

Absolutely fantastic experience. Everyone we interacted with was super kind and helpful. Second best massage I've ever had in my life (my husband and I agreed - the only thing better we ever experienced was a massage on the beach in Belize that can't be beat. The massage tables were amazing, too! All of the pools were enjoyable - just zero complaints. And the best part was checking out only to realize that I had prepaid for everything, including the gratuity. 10/10, Will do again next time we're in Chicago.

Honestly found this place to be a "mid" experience. Beautiful set up, but felt like overall the experience and relaxation fell short for the cost.

I like the facilities overall. The robe and socks are not very plush as I have come to expect in a premium spa experience. You wear slippers throughout your experience (in the baths themselves) and remove them for massage. It's very loud in this facility due to lots of moving water, massive waterfalls, background music and high ceilings. There is a great selection of pools all in varying temperatures. The cold plunge pools are colder than I have experienced at other places. I only lasted about a minute at a time in those. There is lots of space. It never feels crowded. I think it's a unique and interesting experience that most people will be thrilled with. There is no relaxation room to just chill and lounge. I used vallet parking which was very convenient.

my friend and i got a bit lost trying to find the entrance to the spa tbh but upon entrance, we were greeted by staff and the waiting room was very quiet. we were guided to the changing/locker room and instructed on how to operate locker, where to go next, etc. which we found extremely helpful as first-timers. be careful going up and down the stairs because they can be slippery! the woman at the check-in downstairs by the floating pool was kind and made sure to give us a quick tour of the pools and their ranging temperatures/benefits. there weren't a lot of people when we went and everyone respected each other's space which is a big plus since we were hoping for the utmost serene experience. i loved the heated lying space and hot pool the most! i personally got the "orange garden" experience which included a scalp massage & face mask amongst other things. when we were called up for our massage session, i was very surprised to find that my massage therapist was male, and although i didn't request any changes (idk if that's proper to do so tbh), i do wish there were an option to request a certain gender just to ensure 100% guest comfort. he did a good job and i enjoyed the session but i do wish the scalp massage was better since it was quite short and i've definitely received better scalp massages elsewhere. also for the price tag of $290 prior to gratuity/fees, i would've expected a more wow!! massage (and to actually receive the drink they offer as stated but i forgot to bring up so my own bad for that) the staff in the locker room also dried and packed up our swimsuits for us afterward and showed us to their extra amenities table which included hair dryers! overall, it was a good experience and definitely a place i don't regret going to during my visit to chicago. i would recommend to those who have a little extra $$$ to spend and want to get themselves a calming, luxurious experience.

From customer service to the experience of all the pools after we there was amazing...... the couches there need to be updated badly . They're dirty , also they sit way to low to the ground and very uncomfortable after such they great relaxing experience.

I am in love with this place..Their baths are so amazing and their eucalyptus sauna room is amazing. The setting is so perfect all around with the candles all around the place and it's kind of datk in there. I definitely want to go back. They are expensive so be prepared to spend money. They also offer massages too which was so amazing. I definitely want to go back and treat myself again. I also found about this place on tik tok too as well. Oh also all you need to bring is a bathing suit and they provide everything else. There is a changing room too for women and one for men..They also have a spin dry for your wet bathing suit when you are done and they also have showers.

What in the world??? This place was so crowded and FILTHY. Completely not relaxing due to the amount of people here. I wrote to them letting them know dirty the place was and 2 weeks later and I still haven't heard anything. I don't understand how they're aren't a barrage of complaints. King spa is cleaner than this place. They have some nerve charging these prices for a filthy place like this.

My boyfriend booked us a spa day here for my birthday! Pros: *Such a unique experience. *Absolutely stunning and decorated with candles everywhere. *So many baths to explore. *Friendly staff that answered all our questions in a nice manner. *Nice amenities in our changing rooms. Cons: *Lack of guidance in the locker room- I came in and no staff was in sight so I was walking around until I finally found a staff member. * The massages were very average, I feel like my masseuse spent most of the time rubbing my back rather than massaging me. *I wish they would have done the massages first. It was a hassle to change into my swimsuit, change out, then put it back on.

Purchased a very expensive package for my wife and I for Christmas. They have now cancelled our reservation 3 times. The last time they did so, they cancelled us less than 48 hours prior to the date, and we had already shelled out for babysitters and taken off work. They also closed their facility with no forewarning. Management refuses a refund and makes it impossible to get ahold of anyone. If you don't believe me, just call the listed phone number and ask to speak to a manager- they won't transfer you.

I came here last summer for a self care day and I was soooo impressed with everything. The waiting area is quiet and with relaxing music. Before you walk in, they give you a rubber wristband, then you're guided to the changing room which is everything you need after you shower. The bathhouse has multiple pool/sauna area I wish we had more time because it's a timed visit. I loved the steam room that has the eucalyptus essential oil, it made me feel so relaxed. It is a bit pricy otherwise I'd come more often.

My mom gifted me the Holistic Ritual 60' as a birthday gift this year and I absolutely LOVED my experience from start to finish. From the gentleman that welcomes you at the door to the locker room assistant. All staff were very welcoming and contributed to the most relaxing experience of my life. I did NOT want to leave but after a few hours I decided it was time. They have conveniently placed water and hot tea at various baths, warm stone to lay on, salt scrubs to use as you'd like, various steam rooms and baths, and much more that will certainly keep you there for quite some time. The locker room has all the supplies needed for a shower after your experience (including razors!). My massage therapist was amazing and definitely delivered a relaxing massage which also included a hair mask (yay) and ful body scrub. Will definitely be visiting again soon!

I had been wanting to visit AIRE Ancient Baths for a while and luckily there was a reservation available during my most recent trip to Chicago. Valet parking is available for those who drive here. I arrived about a half hour early. Upon arrival I checked in and got two wrist bands - one for my massage and one for the baths. The wrist bands were different widths and different colors to help the employees identify the services I was getting. I then waited in the lobby for someone to take me back to the changing rooms. The lobby has a very industrial, Restoration Hardware vibe with big oversized brown leather and cream tweed couches. Lots of people arrived around the same time so I suggest getting there a bit earlier than you are asked so you don't have to wait too long. Once I was taken back to the changing rooms, I was given a quick tour and a locker. The standard size robe is not very big and I asked for another one. It took them a while to locate one and once received, there was a large stain on it. I promptly gave it back and got another one. I appreciated their kindness in locating me another robe not only once but twice; however, I just couldn't get over the fact that it took them so long to find a larger robe when over half of the people in the baths would need them. On the flip side, no need to be body conscious here. Everyone is welcome. I then was taken down to the baths and given a tour before getting into the baths. Pro tip: Don't leave anything in your robe. All the robes look like so if you forget where you put yours you might just accidentally end up taking someone else's. Plus, you don't need your phone or anything else in the baths. Just be in the moment. There are multiple different pools here with different temperatures. The smallest ones are the coldest ones and made more for a quick plunge than anything else. There is one with jets and also one that is outside that you can reach by swimming under the water or walking through a door to outside. If you like steam rooms there are a couple sprinkled throughout the baths too. I spent about 30 minutes in the baths before I was collected for my massage. The massage was lighter pressure than I was used too, but perhaps just as effective. I then was returned to the baths for another hour. When changing to leave the attendant asked if she could spin my suit, which I gladly appreciated. It was basically dry but still given back to me in a small plastic bag.