This Bay Area private hot tub spa is incredibly luxurious

So not too long ago, when a buddy of mine raved about an East Bay spa with personal sizzling tubs you may reserve for $25 an hour (per individual), the lizard a part of my mind that loves each leisure bathing and bargains lit up.

To me, sizzling tubs are the final word indulgence, particularly when the climate cools down. They transport me again to feeling tremendous grown-up sipping Dr. Pepper whereas soaking in my greatest buddy’s yard, or warming up in winter cabins in Tahoe, or powering up the jets within the lodge jacuzzi after a protracted day within the Oregon rain. Plus, sizzling tubs are romantic, notably when paired with champagne and a tubbing associate with a well-muscled torso — properly, in case you’ve absorbed as a lot rubbish actuality TV as I clearly have.

So it didn’t take a lot convincing for me to e-book an appointment at Piedmont Springs, a 40-year-old spa with sizzling tubs, a steam room, a sauna and massages on Oakland’s Piedmont Avenue. Or, not less than, to attempt to. With simply 4 open-air tubs, reservations are a sizzling commodity. Particularly for individuals who share my opinion that the proper time for a steamy soak is after the solar goes down. (However in case you go in the course of the day, a go to to Piedmont Springs is greatest chased by a leisurely stroll by the little boutiques on Piedmont Avenue and a Fenton’s ice cream cone.)

The one obtainable late night (Piedmont Springs is open till 10 p.m.) slot was in two weeks, so I snagged it. However when the fateful day lastly arrived, I obtained a devastating name: My reserving had been canceled because of a upkeep concern.

Did this name break my day? Possibly slightly. However undeterred, I made one other appointment. This time, my plan proceeded with out incident, and my boyfriend and I headed over at 9 p.m. on a Monday night time. An uncommon selection, maybe, however permit me this suggestion: Give your self good issues on Mondays. It’s a deal with. And also you deserve it.

Into the recent tub time machine

From the skin, Piedmont Springs seems unassuming. Sandwiched between a plant retailer and a bookshop, I’d walked by it many occasions with out giving it a second thought. The modest storefront doesn’t have the shiny, trendy look of most newer spas. It opened in 1981, and you’ll inform. However this can be a good factor, and I’ll clarify why.

Lastly checking in on the entrance desk after the lengthy construct as much as the massive day, we have been supplied complimentary tea. Then, after ready for a number of extra minutes for the group earlier than us to complete up, we have been every given towels and led to our vacation spot. We pushed by the gate to a small, personal, wood-paneled room with a bathe, a shelf for our belongings, and naturally, the crown jewel: an enormous steamy spherical tub open to the night time sky.

For the subsequent hour, it was all ours.

We sipped our tea, we turned on the jets, we lounged within the sizzling water and tried to make out some stars above within the light-polluted sky.

No actuality TV digital camera crew appeared to movie our cliche date night time. As a substitute, we have been left completely undisturbed till 10 minutes earlier than our time was up, when a employees member gave slightly warning knock on the door.

Positive, there are different personal sizzling tubs within the Bay Space. However none are this nice at this value. And, being 4 many years previous, Piedmont Springs has an unpretentiousness that’s refreshing in comparison with the newer, glitzier spots.

I emerged utterly relaxed — ascended to a totally completely different airplane of being from my traditional Monday blues. Not unhealthy for the price of a pair San Francisco cocktails.