City Cave Balmain - Balmain, New South Wales

Anita Christie-David

So good!! Highly recommend what an experience and enjoyable, refreshing 2 hours. Beautiful staff, super friendly, kind, helpful in every way, place is beautifully designed, clean, neat and interiorally appeasing. Walked out feeling super refreshed and amazing definitely come again!

Fleur Blanche Gaming

TL;DR is at the end. Headings for easy skipping. Float and Massage review

Booking process
The day before my birthday, we purchased some 'Floatage' passes and booked in for Balmain (even though North Strathfield is closer, we left bookings too late and couldn't get the timing quite right. We suggest purchasing these deals early and make sure to book early, while avoiding certain times of the menstrual cycle).
Online booking itself was easy enough but location selection doesn't seem to be in alphabetical order, nor state order. There was however, a little section you could write notes for each booking and we asked if we could get deep tissue massages instead of relaxation massages.
4.7/5

Welcome and vibe
Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted by Lilybet who had the smile of an angel. We were led to the Relaxation Room, where we were offered water or a choice of tea (pick the yellow one, it's easier to drink). Peaceful music throughout the area at a good volume and lights were dim enough to set mood but not be too dark.
5/5

Massage
We were greeted by Fiona, the manager we read good reviews about prior to coming, and it's easy to see why there are so many of them. She introduced us to our masseuses Yuan and Gislaine. We had requested, if possible, deep tissue instead of relaxation. Yuan was qualified to do so and agreed.
My demons left me. Yuan was great with pressure control and immediately adjusted to perfect pressure when I asked for higher or lower pressures. She also focused mainly on my shoulders and upper back as requested.
My partner also had a great massage with Gislaine. It was a bit firm for her at times but pressure reduced when asked.
5/5 , 4.5/5

Float Therapy Pool
This was interesting as it was our first time.

Warning #1: do not shave prior to booking this or scratch yourself. I was a little itchy down there, I went to scratch and immediately regretted doing so. They provide cotton buds and a sort of wax to be a barrier between your skin and the salted water. Put it on if you have any cuts.

Warning #2: it is almost impossible to sink here because of the salts. In saying that, be careful as you go in. When most of your body is in water the rest will want to slip away like if you were trying to sink a foam paddle board. Go in slowly and use the neck floaty thing to help you when you lay down.

Warning #3: I do not recommend this for people with severe sleep apnoea. This place is EXTREMELY relaxing and high chances you will fall asleep. My apnoea, for reference, is at 132/hr and I kept feeling the sensation of 'forgetting' to breathe.

My partner really liked the pool. Sometimes you question if the thoughts in your head are thoughts or if you've fallen asleep and you're in a dream. As someone who is very anxious, it was nice for her to slow her thoughts down. You can also have the option of relaxing music throughout, no music or 10 mins music at beginning and end (which we chose - it also helped provide a sense of time). There's also a button you can press to put the room in complete darkness which is amazing. Nothing to smell, nothing to see, just us, our heartbeats and our thoughts (or lack of).
2.5/5 (only due to my own problems, not the fault of the venue), 5/5

Departure
All of the staff members were very friendly and Fiona checked in with us and asked us how our experience was. We had a little chat and also got to meet her beautiful dog Buster. He is so fluffy and well behaved.

TLDR
Definitely worth going. Massage is great! Float pool is amazing to relax in (for the average person without sleep apnoea).
5/5 service, vibe and experience.

Biljana Salaji

My first time experience Floating Therapy at City Cave, Balmain was excellent. The staff were friendly and made me feel comfortable. Amenities were superb, with everything you need. I walked out feeling rejuvenated, relaxed and happy. Thank you!

Gislaine Madalosso

Best experience of infra sauna and float! It was very relaxing. The infrastructure and the atmosphere is amazing beautiful, clean! Highly recommended this place. Staffs are awesome.

Sophie Lewis

Fiona and her staff are amazing and extremely professional. They tailored a massage specifically for my needs.
Fiona is also so supportive of the wider community and has personally helped my son's school with fundraising ventures.
Thank you for your kindness, Fiona.

Andrew Thomas

We did the couple floatage. Awesome experience, incredibly friendly staff with a very relaxing and just overall pleasant atmosphere.

Floating in the salt bath was a first time for me, was a relaxing and unique experience which I would definitely do again.

Did a "relaxation" massage, masseuse was excellent, friendly and did a really good massage.

We came over by ferry from cockatoo island to enjoy it, would recommend to anyone in the area. Great place!

Fiona Grant

l was gifted a Float voucher and looked forward to the experience which was alright but overrated. The magnesium levels or what was in the water began to irritate me almost immediately. l tried to tolerate it but had to get out of what was essentially a bath. lt made me wonder 1 what exactly was in the water? 2 how well santised was the pool? Not for me

Garvin Cox

Loved It. Ambulance great. I went for a firmer grade massage. My masseuses was highly competent (& strong as was needed), hitting all the trouble spots. Ended a whole lot looser than I hobbled in. HIGHLY RECOMENDED!