Kristina B.
Yelp
Let me start off my saying I LOVE THE DECOR AND BEAUTY OF THIS SPA!! It's kind of designed/decorated like my house. Very modern contemporary.... I believe I even have the same shades of gray! Normally I like darker spas this one was full of natural light which actually worked in the case of the spa. Just like my house same colors lots of natural light. Beautiful views of New York City. Very clean. Staff very friendly and not intrusive which is very important for me. I can the perfect time I have the spa almost completely to myself. Beautiful showers, all the amenities you could ever want.
The pool, whirlpool, and steam room are all spectacular. The only issue I have is that they are shared with the hotel guests and I'm not sure if this is a New York City thing there are other hotels that have the same theme. Most people like to go spas to get away and not hear screaming children. I want to the pool area twice today. The first time there was nobody there and it was wonderful. Second time there were more people and kids and just was not relaxing at all.
Another thing I noticed about most New York City spas that this spa did not include a sauna. I am from California, I have been to all the top spas in San Francisco and Los Angeles. They all have Saunas. I'm not sure why so many of the spas in New York City don't have them but for me the one of the most important things.
Another thing I was not too fond of is there is no quiet or relaxation room. You have to wait for your massage in the lounge which is actually basically the reception area of the spa. Obviously it's impossible to relax in there. So there really is no where to relax other than when you were actually getting your service. They did have a nice Collection of teas and snacks.
On another note, I originally had booked a exfoliation with wrap. Yesterday I had a scrub at the Peninsula spa and the woman nearly scrubbed my skin off. I emailed the Spa in the morning and asked to just get a massage and they said no problem basically.
When the therapist came to get me and brought me to the room for me we were going to do our body service. I guess nobody gave the message or anything that my body service had been changed to a massage. I told her this and she said no problem. I asked her if she was an aesthetician and she said yes but that she could also do a massage. Now I know aesthetician's don't give the best massages that is not what they are trained for. She was however being very accommodating and it was not her fault so I felt bad. We decided to do a wrap Without exfoliation. Then I would take a shower and she would give me a massage the rest the time. And I was really pleasantly surprised that when I was marinating in the wrap, she gave me a scalp massage the entire time. Most aestheticians don't do that. They will give you a scalp massage for a few minutes and then go off and leave for 15 minutes. She stayed with me the whole time and give me the scalp massage. I really appreciated that. Wonderful thing about the massage room is it actually comes with its own steam room. Thought I should mention that too. So anyhow I washed off and she began a massage and just as expected it was not the kind of massage I would get from a massage therapist. But I know she was trying I could tell. She was doing everything in her power to make it an enjoyable experience. Again she was a wonderful aesthetician and this mixup was not her fault.
Anyhow, I really enjoyed the facilities more than most in New York City. And my aesthetician who is also great I'm sure my exfoliation Would have been phenomenal.
Overall, it's a great place if you are not a sauna person, And aren't in need of a day of complete relaxation as it is just not possible with this place.
Based on the look and feel of the place alone I felt it definitely warranted 4 stars. If they had a sauna, And a place where you could go for quiet meditation it would definitely be a 5 star.
