Hideaway at New Bahru review: The spa sanctuary that taught me how to slow down

I stepped into Hideaway at New Bahru hoping for rest – and left feeling lighter, calmer, and a little more human again.

I found myself at Hideaway, located on the fifth level of New Bahru, on a day when I badly needed to hit pause. Not the quick, coffee-break kind, but the one that asks you to slow down and breathe. This serene sanctuary offers exactly what its name promises – a hideaway from the city’s noise featuring infrared saunas, cold plunge tubs, and an exhaustive list of massage treatments. Spoiler alert: I left this spa in Singapore feeling rejuvenated and ready to take on the world again.

Hideaway at New Bahru review: Details at a glance

Best for: Cold plunge enthusiasts and rejuvenating massage treatments
Insider tip: Wednesdays are the best for a tranquil escape
How much: Massages from $48; bathhouse experiences from $60
Opening hours: Weekdays, 11am to 10pm and weekends & public holidays, 10am to 10pm (last appointment at 9pm)
Address: Hideaway, #05-07/08, New Bahru, 46 Kim Yam Road, Singapore 239351

A spa sanctuary in a vibey building

The air shifted the moment I stepped inside – warmer, slower, and perfectly calibrated for a long, luxurious exhale. The tea lounge is decked out in brown tones that envelop me in a comforting hug. There’s a space behind the lounge dedicated to reflexology treatments. But don’t worry, it’s still private enough, thanks to the translucent screens. (So yes, no one will take photos of your feet.)

One thing that caught my attention was the wall-mounted lamps, which are glowy orbs gripped by metallic-looking hands. This quirky detail adds character to the space and is an inspo for my future home.

While it may seem like Hideaway’s interior design was intentionally crafted to mirror New Bahru’s aesthetics, Michelle Lim, The Trapeze Group’s marketing lead, assures me it’s “just a lovely coincidence.” Still, the spa feels like a natural extension of the building itself – a quiet architectural whisper guiding visitors from the bustling corridors into its serene interior. I follow her down a narrow pathway toward the bathhouse, ready to begin my Hideaway experience.

Hot sauna, cold plunge, and pure reset

At first glance, the bathhouse looks like your typical retro HDB bathroom – apart from the size, that is. The walls, pillars, and floors are covered with square-cut white tiles, while the semi-private pods (from $60 for one, 60 minutes) are separated by translucent mid-height glass-brick partitions that filter light beautifully. There’s a private suite (from $98 for 60 minutes) if you want an isolated experience, or you can have a couple of friends for an intimate contrast therapy party. The pods and suite come with an infrared sauna booth and a cold plunge tub.

I changed into my swimwear and headed to my pod. Michelle recommends alternating between hot and cold therapies, starting with the sauna and ending the session with the cold plunge. What I liked about the sauna booth? I didn’t have to share it with others. Plus, it comes with a Bluetooth speaker, so I connected it to my phone and played my own music (in a respectable volume, of course). P.S. Just don’t bring your device into the booth!

Having done cold plunge experiences before, the thought of submerging in single-digit temperatures again sent shivers down my spine. Thankfully, Michelle offers a tip: “Put your hands and feet out of the tub once you’re settled in. When you’re comfortable, you can consider dipping them in the water.” I followed this to a T and managed to last a whole five minutes!

Fun fact: these body parts (aka extremities) are heavily impacted by the extreme temperature because they help with thermal regulation. Cold plunging causes blood vessels in our hands and feet to constrict in order to conserve heat and protect our vital organs. Contrast therapy has gained traction for improving circulation and reducing inflammation, and Hideaway’s approach makes it accessible even to first-timers.

Neighbourhoods

New Bahru Singapore guide

Ninety minutes of melted bliss

Besides the bathhouse, Hideaway at New Bahru offers other services, including massages and “retreats” (basically, tailored treatments). I signed up for The Hideaway (from $150), the spa’s signature 90-minute treatment that combines various techniques like acupressure scalp and gua sha.

Confession: I’m not into massages. So I tensed up the moment I lay down on the massage table. “Relax! Relax…” my masseuse, a petite and genteel lady, iterated twice before I finally gave in. That was when she got down to work – and there wasn’t anything genteel about it. I was kneaded, prodded, and stretched – my entire being transformed from a stiff baguette to pliable dough by the end of the session. In fact, I caught myself dozing off (and snoring) a couple of times!

Time blurred – it felt long, yet somehow over too soon. I stretched and shook myself like a cat that has woken up from its siesta. Finally, I got dressed, mentally bid the bathhouse and treatment goodbye, and exited.

A true hideaway, in every sense of the word

After what felt like both a blink and an eternity, I found myself back at the tea lounge where Michelle was waiting for me with a steaming cup of lemongrass tea. “How was it?” she asked, a knowing smile on her face. I couldn’t help but grin – I’d had a fantastic experience and thanked her for the cold plunge tip. It’s something I’ll definitely do more often now that I know I can handle the chill.

Hideaway at New Bahru is the embodiment of its name. Time seems to slow within its walls; the air hums softer, the light glows warmer, and your body remembers what calm feels like. From the gentle welcome to the deeply restorative treatments, everything feels intentional yet unpretentious… a true escape above the city. I left lighter, clearer, and quietly certain that I’d be back, if only for another round of The Hideaway treatment.

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