Articles
New York City Day Spas
by Judy Colbert
The Big Apple is big on pampering in your choice of price, treatment and location. Here are some of the best, newest, and trendiest:
Arrive early; tardiness can cut into your treatment time or cancel the treatment.
Ask what your treatment includes. You want to know what you get in a 60-minute treatment that you don't get in a 30-minute appointment.
Go potty before your treatment.
Let the spa know if you prefer a male or female working on you, if you have a preference.
Speak up if you're uncomfortable, if something hurts, if you're too warm or too cold.
Avoid a body wrap if you're claustrophobic, or keep your arms out of the wrap.
Don't shave for 36 hours prior to a salt scrub. Also, tell the technician if you have any open cuts or scrapes. That old expression about rubbing salt into an open wound is true.
Away Spa, at the W Hotel, offers more than 35 treatments, with the Javanese Lulur massage the most requested. It combines Balinese massage, a body scrub and a rubdown. Hot stone massages also are available. 541 Lexington Ave. at 50th Street, (212) 407-2970.Bliss Spa (the name says it all) now has two locations, with the newest, called Bliss 57 (it's on East 57th Street) attracting as many raves as the original on Broadway. Try the "blissage" (massage), or the essential oil wrap (enwrapture) and enjoy the snacks. 568 Broadway (SoHo), 2nd Floor, (212) 219-8970; 19 E. 57th St., between Fifth and Madison avenues, 3rd floor, (212) 219-8970.
All does not have to be tres expensive in New York. At Joean Skin Care (Chinatown) a 90-minute facial goes for $35; a package of 10 is $250. 163 Hester St., between Elizabeth and Mott streets, (212) 966-3668.
For those who want relaxation in a hurry, Repechage offers abbreviated treatments including a 30-minute facial and a 25-minute massage. Special for men are the grooming facial and the ear and neck grooming and massage treatments. 115 E. 57th St. at Park Avenue, (212) 751-2500.
The brand new Spa and Fitness Center at the Hilton New York, offers therapeutic body treatments drawn from Indonesian and Indian rituals, as well as spa products from Italy's famous Grotta Guisti Terme. 1335 Avenue of the Americas, (212) 586-7000.
Stressless Step has relaxation as its focus, and expectant moms can treat themselves (or be treated) to a maternity massage or a prenatal facial. 115 E. 57th St. at Park Avenue, (212) 826-6222.
Woodstock Spa & Wellness Center gives a complimentary foot soak and warm shoulder wrap with every treatment. Benjamin Hotel, 125 E. 50th St. at Lexington, (212) 813-0100.