NYC Spotlight: 10 Hot Spas to Visit in the City That Never Sleeps

10 Hot Spas in NYC

Start spreading the news—our series spotlighting hot spas where you can use your SpaFinder® Wellness Gift Card has made it to the Empire State.

Here’s a quick snapshot of New York City spas that accept our gift cards (though the list goes on and on—nearly 400 NYC spas and fitness locations currently accept them!), so if you’re in a New York spa state of mind, head to these city hotspots.

Images courtesy of: left, Mandarin Oriental, New York; top right, Red Door Spa at The Chatwal; bottom right, The Peninsula New York

Red Door Spa at The Chatwal New York

130 West 44th Street

We ♥ (this) NY spa: Located in The Chatwal New York in Manhattan’s theater district, this Midtown hotel spa has all the makings of a five-star production: It combines the glitz of Broadway, the history of the five-star landmark hotel, and the legacy of Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa brand. The Red Door Spa is what takes center stage here, with its menu of innovative technologies, indoor saltwater lap pool, and Jacuzzi plunge pool.

The treatment to try: The Signature Stress Melter, as its name suggests, melts the tension away with an olive-oil scrub, an aromatherapy body wrap, and massage. 110 mins, $250

Red Door Spa at The Chatwal New York was also named one of the Top 10 Best New Spas of 2012!

Image courtesy of Red Door Spa at The Chatwal New York

Mandarin Oriental, New York

80 Columbus Circle at 60th Street

We ♥ (this) NY spa: Voted one of the Top 10 Best Urban Hotels of 2012, Mandarin Oriental, New York, is an urban sanctuary at Columbus Circle, at the southwest corner of Central Park. Stellar city views can be seen from several hotel areas—from the spa to the signature restaurant to the lobby lounge—and holistic treatments can be experienced at the Forbes Five Star-awarded Spa at Mandarin Oriental.

The treatment to try: Head to the 35^th and 36^th floors, where you’ll be enamored by the stylish Asian furnishings and accents of bamboo, natural stone and gold leaf decor. Use your SpaFinder Wellness Gift Card to treat yourself to a Time Ritual™ signature therapy where you book time rather than specific treatments; services are tailored to meet your needs and always commence with a calming foot ritual. (If you can swing it, a ritual in the Thai Yoga Suite or the VIP Spa Suite for two is an extra-special treat.) 1 hr 50 mins, 2 hrs 50 mins; prices vary from $450-$695

Image courtesy of Mandarin Oriental, New York

Luminique MedSpa by Dr. Fiorillo

350 Hudson Street

We ♥ (this) NY spa: This SoHo spa occupies two floors, comprising a lounge, lobby, locker room and shower facilities, and six treatment rooms, along with a Wellness Center for healthy nutrition and training programs. Dr. Michael Fiorillo develops an individualized plan of treatment for each patient with a menu of surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures, including laser surgery, dermal fillers, TriPollar Radio Frequency skin tightening, and neurotoxins.

Amazing deal: Now through January’s end, buy two syringes of filler, get one free, or buy two areas of Botox/Dysport, get one free. As well, the spa has a location in Pearl River, New York.

Images courtesy of Luminique MedSpa

YAMUNA® Studio

132 Perry Street

We ♥ (this) NY spa: We featured YAMUNA® in last year’s “Healthy Feet Treatments” trend, but YAMUNA’s philosophy of “reaching personal body sustainability goals” and improving body-mind-spirit “through education and YAMUNA products” continues to remain relevant. This serene studio in the West Village features an entryway of glass, metal, and stone, high ceilings, a cork runway, and curved wall—an ideal space for such therapies as body logic, table and facial treatments, and private, semi-private, and group body rolling.

The treatment to try: Use your gift card for a Yamuna® Foot Fitness class, the perfect antidote to soothe tired tootsies after a day of exploring the city. This preventative therapy uses specially designed props by founder Yamuna Zake and integrates routines that strengthen your feet, improve function, and increase flexibility. 60 mins; Yamuna 1st $400, follow-up $350, practitioner $150, *house call (practitioner) 1^st $300, follow-up  $250, *senior practitioner rate is $200

Images courtesy of YAMUNA Studio

The Peninsula New York

700 Fifth Avenue at 55th Street

We ♥ (this) NY spa: Within its 1905 landmark building, this Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond-awarded hotel provides glitz (as well as overwhelming sophistication) in the heart of Midtown on Fifth Avenue. Its Peninsula Spa is an oasis from the New York scene chaos, as is its Shanghai-inspired rooftop lounge and glass-enclosed swimming pool overlooking Fifth Avenue and Central Park.

The treatment to try: Treatments, inspired by holistic European and Ayurvedic principles, at the three-story Peninsula Spa include the Biologique Recherche Triple Lift Luxury Facial. Begin your treatment with welcome tea in the Asian tea lounge; afterwards, unwind in the relaxation lounge on a bed trimmed in Frette linens and equipped with personal sound system and lighting control. 2 hrs, $650

Images courtesy of The Peninsula New York

CLAY Health Club + Spa

25 West 14th Street

We ♥ (this) NY spa: With its too-many-to-count windows and skylights, sunken fireplace, and concierge service, this health club says it’s designed to feel more high-end resort than average gym. Members are taken under the wing of a program advisor, who creates a personalized integrated fitness program; options like nutrition consultations and six- to eight-week Mastery Programs ranging from tai chi to the Alexander Technique are also available.

Other amenities to try: Once you’ve finished a workout, visit the gym’s café for organic meals, snacks, and protein smoothies. You can even leave your dirty workout clothes in your locker—CLAY’s overnight laundry service will wash and return them to you the following day.

Images courtesy of CLAY Health Club + Spa

Plaza Athenee Spa

37 East 64th Street

We ♥ (this) NY spa: We adore Hotel Plaza Athenee New York’s location in a residential area of the Upper East Side, as well as its guest room interiors, which celebrate European townhouse decor. The Zen-like Plaza Athenee Spa takes inspiration from Asian cultures, evoking an intimate vibe with four private treatment suites.

The treatment to try: Currently the only luxury hotel spa in NYC to exclusively carry Valmont Cosmetics skin-care lines, Plaza Athenee Spa highlights the Valmont Signature Facial “Vitality of the Glaciers”—enjoy the benefits of a regenerating collagen mask and glacial spring water and Bulgarian rose elements, and notice an immediate firmer, more elastic, and moisturized visage. ~80 mins; $285 (book online at SpaFinder.com)

Images courtesy of Plaza Athenee Spa 

Guerlain Spa at Waldorf Astoria

100 East 50th Street

We ♥ (this) NY spa: Influenced by the city’s glamour, Waldorf=Astoria, occupying an entire block in Midtown, has captivated for over a century with classic grandeur and Art Deco splendor. The decadent Guerlain Spa distracts from Manhattan’s constant exhilaration, relaxing you with dazzling marble relaxation lounges and exotic signature services.

The treatment to try: Utilize your SpaFinder Wellness Gift Card for the iconic Orchidée Impériale Prestige Treatment, which renews the skin with both firming and gentle massage series to the face, neck, décolleté, and upper back muscles, three separate masks, and high-tech Longevity Concentrate. 140 mins; $475 (book online at SpaFinder.com)

Images courtesy of Guerlain Spa at Waldorf Astoria

AIRE Ancient Baths

88 Franklin Street

We ♥ (this) NY spa: Taking you back to the times of Greek and Roman baths, AIRE Ancient Baths taps into the theme of relaxation through water in trendy TriBeCa. We love this spa not only because of its baths of varying temperatures, saltwater pool, and propeller-jet bath, but because of its stunning design esthetic: Housed in an 1883 building, elements like the original building’s exposed bricks, wooden beams and centennial columns fuse with Spanish white marble, custom lanterns from Marrakesh, and a fountain from a 16^th-century Spanish palace house.

The treatment to try: Soak in the 90-minute thermal session, which allows you the freedom to use the different baths (warm: 97° F; hot: 102° F; cold: 61° F); propeller jet bath and floatarium; aromatherapy steam room (with eucalyptus, jasmine, and peppermint aromas); and relaxation room where you can rest on heated marble stone. Tack on a massage for extra relaxation. 90 mins, $75

Image courtesy of AIRE Ancient Baths

FORM Pilates Union Square

108 East 16th St. #504

We ♥ (this) NY spa: This 850-square-foot private loft space specializes in individualized Pilates sessions and a modern, accessible, friendly approach to exercise. The studio thoughtfully showcases local artists’ work and comes equipped with Basil equipment.

The treatment to try: Go solo or bring a friend for private and duet sessions at this boutique Pilates studio; individualized sessions are by appointment only.

Images courtesy of FORM Pilates Union Square

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