Recommendations

One of the best spas downtown, if not the best in the city (for me they tend to be one in the same).

Guide: Soho Mom (Grace)
Location: Noho

Strengths

• Kudos to the designers, first of all. They managed to create a massive, 15,000 feet space that somehow still feels private and serene. They also included striking features, like a 3-story indoor waterfall and a huge sauna built with 4 tons of river-rock. It’s drop-dead gorgeous.
• The services are top-rate. The most popular are massages and facials, of which there are many varieties. They also do mani/pedis, colonics, acupuncture, Reiki, crystal therapy, waxing, etc.
• One of the best features is the water lounge, a spacious area where you can chill before or after your treatments without feeling rushed. It has plunge pools, a fresh eucalyptus steam room, the sauna, and thermal hot tubs.
• They carry good products, including Jurlique and Naturopathica skin care, Pure Minerals Makeup, and Er-Go soy candles.
• They have a private VIP room where you can get couples massages. They leave you alone for 30 minutes before and after the massages so you can use the private Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room (oh, behave!).

Shortcomings

• The VIP room books up 3 weeks in advance.

Insider tips

• Go during the week if possible.

Anecdotes

• This place has something going for it that you can’t quite put your finger on… It’s a good, friendly vibe. It helps that they cater to an authentic, downtown neighborhood crowd that’s decidedly unfussy.