It’s Friday afternoon in June and you can almost hear a pin drop because the city empties out on weekends in the summer.  It’s my favorite time to enjoy the restaurants that are crazy busy the rest of the year and to chill at a spa.
Spa experiences can range from the ultra-luxurious to a more modest bathhouse experience and are instantly transporting. If you haven’t tried it yet, it’s a must -at least once.  As much time as we dedicate to work and family we owe it to ourselves to reenergize and enjoy the silence. New York City has some of the best and most varied array of spas.  Here are some great options:

ECO-FRIENDLY:
Great Jones Spa 29 Great Jones Street NY, NY 10012   Great Jones offers numerous services including several types of massage, body treatments, “skin-food” facials utilizing organic line Alkaitis, hair services, pedicures and manicures. One of their standout services has to be the water lounge which includes a river-rock sauna, chakra-light steam room, hot tub, and cold plunge pool

Go Green Organic Spa365 Broome Street NY, NY 10013   Located in Little Italy Go Green is a simple and small spa that offers holistic facial and body treatments as well as organic waxing. Their skin care line of choice is Eminence Organic which does not use any harmful chemicals or additives.

Spa at Eventi  851 Avenue of the Americas NY, NY 10001   This day spa is located in the Hotel Eventi which uses natural and organic products exclusively. Spa at Eventi offers body wraps, scrubs and exfoliating facial treatments utilizing green-friendly Kerstin Florian products. One of their standout services is their facials for men.

LUXURY
The Spa at Mandarin Oriental   80 Columbus Circle NY, NY 10023   Alan surprised me with a special afternoon here for a recent big birthday.  It was AMAZING!  Considered one of the city’s best and most luxurious spas, The Spa at Mandarin Oriental is located on the 35^th floor of the Mandarin Oriental hotel in the Time Warner Building.

The spa therapies infuse ancient and contemporary techniques with a strong focus on holistic rejuvenation. Each treatment includes time to relax in their heat and water facilities. For the ultimate splurge they offer a one of a kind 650-square-foot VIP Spa Suite available for a half day or full day.

The Peninsula Spa by ESPA  700 Fifth Avenue NY, NY 10019  The Peninsula Spa located in The Peninsula Hotel  is the ultimate in holistic luxury offering many extras such as steam and sauna rooms, a state-of-the-art fitness center, glass enclosed pool, sun terrace and yoga studio. Their services range from body treatments, reflexology, facials, waxing plus much more. Their popular 90-minute rejuvenating facial uses plant oils and phyto-active extracts to revitalize skin. Couples can enjoy the Private Spa Suite for two. The spa also touts the Melange Salon which provides a full range of hair, nail and make-up treatments for men and women.

BATHHOUSES
NY Spa Castle 131-10 11^th Avenue College Point, NY 11356  Modeled after a Korean bathhouse (jimjilbang) New York Spa Castle is an experience in which you could easily spend the entire day. It is 100,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor bade pools, igloo-shaped saunas, bath and lounge areas. Spa Castle also offers a plethora of body treatments such as hand and foot reflexology and the Golden Caviar Facial.Being one of the most affordable spa options entrance fees are only $35 for weekdays and $45 for weekends and holidays.

Wall Street Bath & Spa 88 Fulton Street NY, NY 10038Wall Street Bath & Spa like NY Spa Castle is also only $35 daily. It is modeled after a Russian bathhouse (banya) that includes an infrared sauna, eucalyptus steam room, jacuzzi, cigar lounge and ice room. In addition to the bathhouse Wall Street also has a spa, tanning and laser treatment center. One unique offering is the platza treatment, a Russian treatment where a Platza Master scrubs you with a broom made of fresh oak leaves soaked in warm astringent. It exfoliates while stimulating circulation for an invigorating, pore-opening experience.

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