Bear and Birch is not your typical day spa. The traditional Russian Banya, located at 6 Paragon Way in Freehold,  provides a unique and easily accessible self-care and relaxation space that combines social interaction and physical rejuvenation with Russian tradition. Bear and Birch’s banya amenities include two saunas, a steam room, a cold plunge, a jacuzzi, massage treatments, and a BYOB restaurant. Getting whipped with birch branches in a 200-degree sauna room may not sound very relaxing but, much like the entire spa, the unique and unforgettable experience has surprising health benefits, and — spoiler — it isn’t painful! The banya and its traditional Russian bathhouse offerings promise to have guests feeling restored, refreshed, and relaxed in a way they’ve never experienced before. Read on to learn more about Bear and Birch, Freehold’s traditional Russian Banya day spa.

What is a Russian Banya?

Traditional Russian Banyas are a cultural and communal experience where friends and family gather to relax, detoxify, and enjoy each other’s company. The Banya involves steaming, cooling down, and resting with breaks for drinks, snacks, and socializing in a day spa environment. Bear and Birch’s banya amenities include a 200-degree Russian Parnaya sauna room, a Finnish dry sauna room, a classic American-style steam room, a 40-degree cold plunge pool, a hot tub, and a full kitchen and seating area.

Bear and Birch also has treatments such as the traditional Russian Platza branch massage (more on that below) as well as Swedish massages, deep tissue massages, scalp massages, and reflexology. Due to the high heat of the Russian sauna room, the aggressive nature of the Platza massage, and the invigorating cold plunge pool, the banya experience can be intense for a first-timer.

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The temperature in the Russian Parnaya sauna room at Bear and Birch exceeds 190 degrees with moderate to high humidity. For reference, normal saunas, like ones that can be found in a local gym, are generally set to somewhere between 120 and 180 degrees. An integral part of the banya experience is the dramatic cooling down phase, which at Bear and Birch includes submerging oneself into 40-degree water in the cold plunge pool immediately after spending time in its extreme sauna.

The Benefits of Being Whipped With Birch Leaves

Bear and Birch provide a Platza treatment, a traditional massage that involves getting whipped with birch branches in its 200-degree Russian sauna room. During the Platza massage, a bushel made of leaves called a Venik will be whipped over one’s entire body at varying speeds from gentle to harsh intensities. The massage also includes patting, rubbing, and massaging. Despite what it sounds like, and may look like, this massage is not at all painful, just incredibly hot. The Venik, which is soaked in warm water before touching the body, has a sedative effect that melts away stress.

The Platza massage is believed to naturally remove toxins and skin-dulling residue from the body, improve circulation, and promote blood flow. It is also known to relax muscles, improve joint mobility, promote sleep, and increase resistance to colds. The Platza treatment is performed on the uppermost bench of the sauna room to maximize the amount of heat that rises. The Platza massage lasts about 10 minutes and is followed by a cold plunge. According to the Bear and Birch team, the rapid change in temperature experienced after receiving a Platza treatment in the sauna will help relax muscles and strengthen the immune system. 

What to Bring to a Russian Banya

Whether looking to spend a whole day or just a few hours, Bear and Birch provide an ideal space for holistic healing, physical rejuvenation, serenity, and socialization in a laid-back atmosphere. Much like a regular day spa, it is recommended that visitors bring a bathing suit, sandals, and a robe. Bear and Birch provides one towel per guest. Personal items can be stored in the men’s and women’s locker rooms which have individual lockers and private showers. Personal items can also be brought into the restaurant and seating area.

Imagine alternating from the sauna to the jacuzzi in between work calls and meetings: that is possible. Wifi is available for those who would like to work remotely from the banya. Cell phones are allowed to be used all throughout the facility. The private Finnish sauna is equipped with LED lighting and charging ports for phones and other handheld devices. Phones will overheat and turn off if brought into the Russian Parnaya sauna room, though. The JSG team knows this first hand, as it is why there is, unfortunately, not a lot of footage available of our team experiencing the Platza branch massage.

Bear and Birch’s food menu includes traditional Russian cuisine and has everything from hummus plates to desserts and fresh juices, so guests don’t need to worry about packing food or snacks for their time at the banya. The restaurant is also BYOB if guests would like to bring in their own alcoholic beverages.

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Visiting Bear + Birch

A daily pass for Bear and Birch costs $60 and includes unlimited use of all of its facilities during the visit. Monthly memberships, three-month memberships, and yearly memberships are also available for various price options. Bear and Birch is open Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 1PM to 11PM and Saturdays and Sundays from 12PM to 12AM. Reservations are not required.