Life in a busy city can sometimes feel stressful and finding the time to relax is a must. Fortunately, if you’re looking to add a little bit of zen to your life, NYC has plenty of options that transport you out of the fast-paced sidewalks and into calm blissfulness. Some of the options include soaking in hot tubs with views of the Manhattan skyline, or heading underground to a bath spa reminiscent of ancient times. Check out our top picks for a much-needed spa day out.
AIRE Ancient Baths is a hidden gem in the heart of TriBeCa. This tranquil oasis is located in a beautifully restored historical building that was once a textile factory in 1883. The AIRE experience is designed to balance the mind and body, offering a journey through different sensations in various baths with water at different temperatures. AIRE’s baths are inspired by ancient Roman, Greek, and Ottoman traditions. Focus on rejuvenation as you soak in one of the many candlelit baths amongst calming music.
SoJo Spa Club is a luxurious Korean-inspired spa located in Edgewater, New Jersey, just across the Hudson River from Manhattan. This sprawling 140,000 square foot facility offers a range of relaxation and wellness experiences, including a rooftop infinity pool (with Manhattan skyline views), multiple saunas, additional baths, and a variety of spa treatments. The easiest commute to the spa from Manhattan is the 158 bus that leaves from Port Authority and drops you off across the street.
QC NY Spa is an island escape located on Governors Island, just a 5-minute ferry ride from downtown Manhattan. This enchanting oasis boasts panoramic spa pools that are open year-round and offer breathtaking views of the iconic New York City skyline. While their heated pool overlooking the city is one of the major attractions, the spa also has multiple saunas, a fireplace room, foot baths, infrared beds, a very Instagrammable upside down room, and reflection rooms.
A hot tub boat on the Hudson? Yes, Please! Sea the City lets you purchase an entire boat or one hot tub while you tour the NY harbor. See memorable sights like the Statue of Liberty on a 90 minute excursion. Unlike most spa experiences, this one is BYOB so pack some wine or beer with you. The tour leaves from Jersey City, about 1.5 miles from the Grove Street Path train.
Located in a converted Williamsburg factory, Bathhouse boasts a sleek and modern interior, offering a unique and functional wellness experience. The bathhouse combines the ancient wisdom of traditional modalities with contemporary recovery practices. Bathhouse offers massages and scrubs, along with access to its amenities, including dry and tropical saunas, a starlight steam room, three thermal pools, and heated marble hammams. There is also an on-site bar and restaurant, offering cocktails, breakfast, and dinner.
One of the original bath spas of NYC, Spa Castle is located in College Point, Queens. If you don’t have a car, you can still arrive in just one hour from Midtown by the 7 train followed by a short bus ride. The venue has 4 different heated mineral pools that mimic Asian and European traditional baths. Also find – a cold plunge, acupressure hydrotherapy aqua jet pools, and both wet & dry saunas.
Enjoy three floors of impeccably-designed traditional and cultural experiences from around the world all under one roof at the newly opened World Spa. Discover authentic banyas, Finnish saunas, Turkish and Moroccan hammams, cleansing Himalayan salt therapy, Japanese onsens, a not-to-be missed infrared room and so much more.
Experience weightlessness while you float your troubles away at Holos NYC, located conveniently in Flatiron. Floating is said to be a method of attaining the deepest rest that humankind has ever experienced. Years of well documented testing and research reveal that floating can help to relieve pain and tension in the body, lessen anxiety, and improve concentration and creativity.
Shibui Spa, located in the Greenwich Hotel, is a serene oasis that is available to both hotel guests as well as non-guests who book a service. The spa is a beautiful combination of Japanese aesthetics and modern design, creating a space that is both elegant and simple. The name Shibui is inspired by the Japanese concept of beauty, which is understated, refined, and grounded in natural elements. The spa is surrounded by wood, water, and stone, creating an atmosphere that is both luxurious and uncomplicated. The swimming pool is located in a 250-year-old farmhouse, has been reconstructed by Japanese craftsmen.
For our complete spa guide, see more here.
