While New York is arguably the best city in the world, it is also one of the most stressful cities in the world. For ultra-successful New Yorkers, in particular, you’re spinning on all cylinders. All the time. 24/7. Work, social obligations, relationship management — it’s one big pressure cooker.
Fortunately, in this extraordinary (and extraordinarily intense) city, on every other corner, there is a spa for everyone, whether you’re looking to escape, unwind, detach, unplug, recharge or restore. The trick is understanding where the best ones are.
In the spirit of luxurious relaxation, here is our list of the top power spas in the city, tested by bona fide spa snobs and categorized by what they do best.
BEST SPA FOR PURE LUXURY | Aman Spa New York
This ultra-exclusive and fully-immersive sanctuary is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The space is vast (25,000 square feet across three floors), primal and extremely private. There are three holistic clinical rooms, an assessment studio for personalized evaluations, a cryotherapy chamber studio, a yoga and pilates studio, a heated swimming pool, and two private spa houses featuring outdoor Jacuzzis and cold-plunge facilities. Moreover, the spa boasts seven lavish treatment rooms, including an LED and infrared therapy room, where guests can indulge in ultimate relaxation and rejuvenation. The staff is the best in the country, and while this level of pampering does not come cheap, it is undeniably worth the price tag.
BEST WELLNESS SPA | The Well
A day at The Well feels like a gift from the universe. It’s a soulful, holistic and hyper-healthy experience in the truest sense. The space is unimaginably soothing and sublime from the moment you walk in the door until you begrudgingly go home. Their Kitchen & Table cafe has a robust and delectable menu, where you can peacefully enjoy a matcha latte or a seasonal bowl before or after your treatment. And about the treatments? Their facials, massages and foot rubs are the highest-quality in the city.
BEST BEAUTY SPA | Julien Farel Restore Salon & Spa
This glamorous hair and beauty emporium is where you’ll find socialites and celebs getting all the beauty and spa services, but mostly getting a glimpse of the hair demi-god, Julien Farel, himself. Located inside the buzzy Loews Regency New York, the salon and spa maintains a 10,000-square-foot beauty destination for locals and tourists, offering the best haircuts, styling, aesthetics, massage, makeup and fitness all under one unimaginably attractive roof. Farel also has a second salon in Palm Beach’s tony Via Flagler, by The Breakers, on Royal Poinciana Way.
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BEST ROMANTIC SPA | AIRE Ancient Baths
Housed in a former industrial factory in Tribeca, AIRE is a vibe: It’s steamy, spiritual and very special. And it’s even better if you bring a date. Because this bathhouse-plus-spa is a seriously sexy spot. Together, couples can move through the dark, moody plunge pools, both hot and freezing cold, and hypnotic saltwater rivers, and steam rooms, and exfoliating stations, and hammans. Afterward, they’re escorted toward the mystical massage dens where the intimate couples massages are a million times better than they need to be. Aire is an unforgettably unique experience for anyone looking to float away from reality and come back feeling like a new person, or a stronger couple.
BEST MED SPA | Ever/Body
You can’t have a spa conversation without mentioning the insatiable thirst for med spas in New York City. There are many excellent and reliable med spas around: the downtown girls’ SKINNEY Medspa and the uptown-darling Inside Beauty are both top-of-the-list. (Not to mention every influencers’ favorite injectable expert: Nurse Tara.)
But of all the hot spots, the “it” med spa of the moment is Ever/Body. Ever/Body is a Utopia for high-tech beauty services, and the scene there is refreshingly pleasant, low-key and light. Their staff is gentle and knowledgeable and clearly understands the difference between looking naturally beautiful and taking things too far. For a glow-up with a side of positive energy, check it out.
BEST FITNESS SPA | Life Time
For a healthy, full-body, full-sweat wellness experience, there is only one destination that has it all, and that is Life Time gym—particularly their epic location in Dumbo that has everyone saying “Wow!” The "it" gym is transfixing in itself, and the spa component is stellar. They offer the best in massages, facials, CBD treatments, red light therapy, and beauty services. You don't need to be a member of Life Time to enjoy the spa, but if you have an appointment, you do get to work out there all day if you desire and use their free childcare and elevated co-working spaces, too.