Yu Spa at Apex Waterloo Place

Yu Spa is the hotel spa at Apex Waterloo Place, at 23-27 Waterloo Place in Edinburgh's New Town. The address sits at the foot of Calton Hill, a short walk from Waverley station, Princes Street and the east end of the city centre. It is a practical option for travellers arriving or leaving by train and for anyone exploring Calton Hill and its monuments, and it offers a relaxed, unfussy alternative to the capital's five-star hotel spas.

The facilities include a pool, sauna and steam room, along with a menu of massages and facials. Treatments are typically between 30 and 60 minutes. The spa is best known locally for its low-cost day pass, which gives access to the facilities for a set period. The pass is priced at £15 Monday to Thursday and £20 Friday to Sunday, which makes it one of the cheapest ways to use a hotel spa in central Edinburgh, Scotland. It is not available to hotel residents or to guests who have already booked a spa package, who have separate access arrangements.

Because the day pass is aimed at visitors who simply want to swim and use the thermal areas, the atmosphere is informal and functional rather than luxurious. Visitors wanting a more pampering experience can add a massage or facial to the visit. Reservations for passes and treatments are made through apexhotels.co.uk, and hours are daily but should be verified on the website, since spa times can change with the season and with hotel demand.

Visitors should bring swimwear and a towel only if the hotel advises it; otherwise the spa provides what is needed, so the booking confirmation should be checked. The spa works well for a short break between sightseeing stops, such as after a climb up Calton Hill, and for travellers on a modest budget who still want access to a pool and steam room in the middle of the city.