The hardest part of a girls day out in Auckland is rarely the choosing of a place. It is the group chat. Six people, four opinions on timing, one person who "doesn't mind" and then minds very much. A spa visit works well as the centrepiece of the day because it has a clear start and end, but it needs a little planning to work for more than one person.
This guide covers three common versions: a group of friends, a mum and daughter, and a hen's afternoon. It uses the real packages from our two open spas, and a sample half-day at the seaside in St Heliers and at the waterfront in the Viaduct. Being honest up front: we are a spa for two to a handful of people, not a party venue, and the details of larger groups are arranged by phone.
How to book more than one person
Our online booking page on Fresha is fine for a pair. For three or more, the best route is to phone the branch and tell them how many of you there are, what you would like to book and which day you have in mind. Ask what fits at that time, because the number of guests we can look after at once depends on the branch and on who else is booked.
- Viaduct: 1B/124 Customs Street West, phone 027-722-6564. Two private couple rooms.
- St Heliers: 417A Tamaki Drive, phone 027 654 6642. One couple room.
- Both are open seven days, 10am to 8pm.
A couple room holds two people, so a pair of friends or a mum and daughter can have their massages side by side, and a larger group will usually be split across treatment rooms and slots. If you want a particular time, especially on a Saturday, call as early as you can. For more on sharing a room, see our guide to couples massage in Auckland, which works just as well for friends.
Picking packages that suit different people
The packages are the easiest way to give a group a shared experience without everyone having to choose from the full menu. At the Viaduct there are two:
- Package A: body scrub plus a 30 minute aromatherapy massage, 2 hours, $245.
- Package B: body scrub, facial and a 30 minute aromatherapy massage, 2.5 hours, $295.
At St Heliers there are three:
- Package A: body scrub plus aromatherapy massage, 2 hours, $225.
- Package B: 20 minutes in the infrared sauna, body scrub and aromatherapy massage, 2.5 hours, $280.
- Package C: body scrub, aromatherapy massage and a mini facial, 2.5 hours, $280.
The infrared sauna and the mini facial package are St Heliers only. If someone in your group wants a sweat before the massage, St Heliers is your spa. The sauna can also be booked on its own, at $60 for one person or $90 for two, which is a handy add-on for a group where not everyone wants the full package.
A half-day at St Heliers
Auckland NZ's St Heliers guide describes a village with golden sand, a pohutukawa-lined boardwalk and a run of cafes along the waterfront, so the plan almost writes itself. This is a sample, not a schedule: swap the order to suit the weather.
- Late morning: meet on Tamaki Drive and walk the front, or swim if it is a warm day.
- Midday: an early lunch or coffee in the village so nobody is hungry or over-full at the spa.
- 1pm: arrive at the spa for a package. Package C, with the mini facial, suits a group that wants to look as fresh as they feel. Package B suits a sporty crowd.
- Late afternoon: tea, fruit or an ice cream in the village, with no one needing to rush home.
Book your spa slot first and build the rest of the day around it. It is far easier to move a lunch than a treatment.
A half-day at the Viaduct
The Viaduct suits a city-centre meeting point and a more urban afternoon. Auckland NZ's Viaduct Harbour guide lists a range of waterfront cafes for brunch and plenty of restaurants and bars for the evening, so the day can run from a late breakfast through to dinner.
- Late morning: brunch at one of the waterfront cafes.
- Early afternoon: a waterfront walk to settle the meal, then the spa. Package B at $295 is the most complete option, with a scrub, facial and massage in 2.5 hours.
- Late afternoon: a slow wander back, or drinks and dinner if the group is making a night of it.
If you want ideas for what to do around the harbour, our piece on unwinding at Viaduct Harbour covers it.
"The best groups are the ones where everyone says up front what they want. One person wants silence, another wants to chat afterwards. Tell us and we will plan around it."
Siri therapist team
Three versions of the day
Friends: pick one package for the whole group, so nobody is comparing menus. If budgets differ, offer a shorter option as well. A 30 minute back and shoulder or reflexology session is $60 at St Heliers and $65 at the Viaduct, and it still lets everyone share the same afternoon.
Mum and daughter: a couple room is the natural choice, with a 60 minute massage each. A 60 minute couple massage for two is $200 at St Heliers and $220 at the Viaduct. Choose the style together: Swedish or aromatherapy for something gentle, Thai if you both like to be stretched. If your daughter is under 18, phone the branch to ask about their policy before you book.
A hen's afternoon: a package followed by something relaxed works better than cramming in activities. Keep the spa before the drinks rather than after, so you arrive clear-headed and can enjoy it. Phone early, as a bigger group needs more arranging.
Making the day run smoothly
Appoint one person to do the phone call and the booking, and send everyone the time, the address and the package name in the group chat. Ask each guest to mention any health conditions or sensitivities to that person, so the details can be passed on when you book. Skin conditions, pregnancy and recent injuries are the main ones to flag.
Tell everyone what to expect so nobody is nervous on the day. For a first-timer, our guide to visiting a Thai spa for the first time covers the consultation, what to wear and what happens under the towel. Nobody is expected to do anything they are uncomfortable with, and you can ask for lighter or firmer pressure at any point.
Keep the plan loose after the treatment. People leave a spa slower and quieter than they arrive, and a packed itinerary afterwards undoes some of the benefit. A table somewhere pleasant, a pot of tea and an unhurried chat is a better finish than a second activity. If you are comparing prices across lengths, the St Heliers pricing page lists everything in one place.
What to know before you go
- Health: if anyone is pregnant, recovering from an injury or surgery, or has a heart condition, high blood pressure or a skin condition, ask them to check with their midwife or GP first and tell us when booking. We do not offer a dedicated prenatal massage.
- Public holidays: 15% surcharge on all treatments, with closures on Good Friday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
- Gift for the guest of honour: a voucher makes a good hen or birthday present. See the St Heliers or Viaduct gift voucher pages.
- Honest limit: this is a 2 to 2.5 hour spa visit, not an all-day venue, and there are no pools or steam rooms.
Common questions
Yes, by phone. Call our Viaduct spa on 027-722-6564 or our St Heliers spa on 027 654 6642 with the number of guests, the day and what you would like to book. Group size depends on the branch and on who else is booked, so ask early.
Two. The Viaduct has two private couple rooms and St Heliers has one. Larger groups are arranged across rooms and time slots by phone.
Package A is the simplest: body scrub and aromatherapy massage, 2 hours, $225 at St Heliers and $245 at the Viaduct (where the massage is 30 minutes). For more, Viaduct Package B is $295 with a facial, and St Heliers Package B or C is $280 with the infrared sauna or a mini facial.
A package takes 2 to 2.5 hours, so allow around three hours including arrival and a slow finish. Eat beforehand and leave the evening plans a little loose.
