In the city that never sleeps you can have anything delivered with a swipe of your finger, and find a speakeasy in the most unusual of places, but deciding where to unwind can feel daunting. New York City is not known for its spas, but that is slowly changing with the opening of places like the stylish Bathhouse in Flatiron, Italian day spa QC NY and the very International World Spa in Brooklyn. From big day spas, to luxurious hotel pools, this list will help you find respite from noise, pollution, and the never-ending hustle. We give you our ultimate list of New York City spas where New Yorkers come to get away from it all.
Spa de La Mer, Where Upper East Siders Come To Get That Healthy Glow!
New York’s Baccarat Hotel is a luxury destination, one that you have to experience for yourself. Spa de La Mer takes pride in being a quiet and serene environment, plus they provide the kind of privacy Upper East Side socialites and famous celebrities demand. While the spa itself is an intimate setting, you can lounge before or after your treatment at their spacious (for New York City standards) 55-foot marble pool. When it comes to treatments, the name La Mer says it all. The menu incorporates La Mer products, ensuring you walk out with a glow! From a Purifying Facial to a Winter Radiance Facial, the opulent treatments and environment will have you feeling revived and spoiled. We think a new skincare routine is needed after such a cold winter. Come here for some much-needed alone time or bring a really good friend, this spa is too good to share with just anyone. For an extended retreat, head upstairs and treat yourself to a one-of-a-kind cocktail at The Bar.
Spa de La Mer Baccarat Hotel, 28 W 53rd St (betw 5/6th Ave) 2nd Floor, Midtown
The Marmara Park Avenue Spa, Where New Yorkers Get To Experience A Traditional Hammam Treatment
For an authentic treatment that feels like you just traveled to Turkey, book the traditional hammam package at The Marmara Park Avenue hotel. Trust us when we tell you that this is an experience unlike anything else in the city. The 45 minute treatment includes invigorating steps, like a Kessa glove scrub, a hydrating foam wash, and a head to toe rinse. Throughout the treatment your attendant, Tellak for male and Natir for female, obtains water from the running faucets and uses it to cleanse you from head to toe. Expect to get your hair washed and face scrubbed. This truly feels like a royal bath, one that ends with a light massage and polished skin. This treatment is the perfect way to prep your skin for spring. After our treatment we felt re-neweed and extra smooth. Make sure to carve out some time for the hotel’s saltwater pool. We consider this spa our secret spot for those times when we need to tune out the world. Afterwards, head to the hotel rooftop for a drink.
The Marmara Park Avenue, 114 E 32nd St (betw Park/Lex Ave) Murray Hill
Spa Diane Barrière at Fouquet’s New York, Where New Yorkers Come To Expect Parisian Luxury
If you seek serenity, customized treatments and Parisian sophistication, this is the spa for you. Spa Diane Barrière is named after Diane Barrière-Desseigne, the former president of Groupe Barrière. The fabulous hotelier embodied French elegance and beauty. The highlight of visiting this glamorous French spa is their hydrotherapy pool. We could lounge here for hours. The spa’s innovative treatment options (like their jet-lag massage) and tried-and-true spa products ensure you walk away happy and relaxed. The spa’s brand of choice is Biologique Recherche, a well-known spa skincare brand known for its effectiveness. Come here to get a facial or massage and to unwind before a big event! Fouquet’s New York on its own is a sight to see. From the tasteful decor to one-of-a-kind dining experiences, it is well worth your visit to Tribeca.
Spa Diane Barrière at Hôtel Barrière Fouquet’s New York, 456 Greenwich St (betw Desbrosses/Watts St) Tribeca
World Spa, an International Wellness Destination Where You Can Experience a Variety of Spa Cultures.
World Spa in Brooklyn is the only spa in New York that reminds us of typical European spas. It is among the biggest and most culturally diverse spas, featuring exciting soaks and treatments, like a Japanese Onsen and an Eastern European Banya. There is plenty to do and you can curate your own experience depending on your needs. Our favorite rooms helped us immerse ourselves in hot and cold therapy, which is excellent for circulation, with the highlight of our visit being the Moroccan steam room. The spa’s cold plunge and snow room alone are worth your curiosity.
A VIP pass to World Spa gives you unlimited access and entrance to their top floor restaurant and bar, where we sipped healthy drinks and had the most delicious tuna poke bowl. The food here is excellent. This spa knows how to put on a show. Guests are invited to indulge in group sauna rituals that use aromatherapy, rhythmic towel movements and birch whips to help you get the most out of your experience. Afterwards you can book a private session. The staff is knowledgeable and always there to help with answers. Come here for an hours-long spa day and indulge in spa culture for as long as you need. Bring your partner or friends, this spa is for anyone and everyone. We already look forward to coming back.
World Spa, 1571 McDonald Ave (betw Ave M/N) Brooklyn
(Easily accessible from Manhattan via the F train)
Great Jones Spa, Urban Oasis Where New Yorkers Come Take The Cold Plunge.
For a quick hot and cold plunge or an all-afternoon relaxation, visit the city’s favorite spa. New Yorkers have been coming to the Great Jones Spa for the “water cure” since the early 2000s. The somewhat affordable day pass and oasis-like environment makes this the ideal lunch time refresher or place to meet a friend. Great Jones Spa is known for its cascading waterfall, water therapy, spacious sauna and herbal steam room. The no-frills spa has three levels and provides guests with in-room spa treatments, complimentary refreshments (we appreciate a healthy snack like citrus fruit,) and a shop with all your spa skincare essentials. Come here for an overall reset, or to hang with a friend who really needs a spa day but prefers a more laid-back environment. Whether you need to unwind or suffer from muscle aches, this spa has never failed us.
Great Jones Spa, 29 Great Jones St (betw Bowery/Lafayette St) NoHo
QC New York, Where New Yorkers Come to Feel Like They Travelled To Italy
QC Terme is a well-known Italian spa brand, and since its opening on Governors Island, New Yorkers have been able to enjoy its benefits without having to travel to Rome. The spa’s biggest draw is their pool featuring the city skyline. The Milan-based QC brand is known for honoring Roman bath culture, making hydrotherapy an important aspect of their wellness philosophy. There are two pools with underwater hydro jets and seats designed to massage the body and increase lymphatic circulation. Unfortunately the pools were not functional during our visit so we cannot vouch for their effectiveness. We did get to enjoy the indoor Vichy showers, and as spa aficionados, this was a welcomed experience. The interior design is superb and there are many themed sauna and relaxation rooms. In fact, in total there are 30+ wellness experiences to choose from. For quiet relaxation we highly recommend the infrared beds.
What makes this spa a stand-out is that there is nothing else like it in New York. The breathtaking Italian spa is housed inside three historic army barracks that were once used as officer quarters, featuring Collegiate Gothic architecture dating back to the early 1900s. Architect, Bob Henry, made sure to prioritize the building history while managing to transform the 74,000sq. ft space into a spacious oasis. While the spa itself is gorgeous and worthy of your New York bucket list, the food is nothing to sing praises about. Although, this might have changed since we last visited. In fact, we hear the spa added an exciting new special to their offerings – the tradition of aperitivo in the form of a complimentary dinner buffet. With your purchase of a drink after 6pm, you can enjoy free small bites, which includes items like frittata, soups and artisanal charcuterie. Come here with a group, or to get some alone time on your day off! QC NY offers guests a free birthday pass if you bring a friend. We think this Italian-style getaway it is worth the short ferry ride away.
QC NY, 112 Andes Rd, Governor’s Island
