UNPLUG & UNWIND

Luxurious New York City Spas

Now into our third year of wearing masks, staying safe, and yearning to get life back as we knew it, it’s even more vital to reset and renew. One of the best ways to achieve this state is by immersing oneself in some of the city’s supremely decadent spas. These luxurious enclaves will magically transport you to a serene mindset setting despite being steps from city streets.

So, take a well-deserved break and let these skilled respites become a part of your routine. Here are some of the best spas to get you started on your road to bliss. 

SHIBUI SPA 
Rich, warm hues exude laid-back vibes at the Greenwich Hotel’s exceptional Shibui Spa, with a seasonally-driven menu of holistic, earth-driven treatments. You’ll soon notice that the roof of a 250-year-old Japanese farmhouse adorns the spa’s pool and lounge area to the treatments. Everything in Shibui is a brilliant combination of ancient techniques and modern practices, with a reverence to nature present throughout. The services are no less luxurious. Enjoy a massage using hot sake-steeped towels and jojoba oil (the Drunken Lotus) or body scrub followed by a mineral bath and massage (Bamboo Glow), and you’ll swear you’ve reached ultimate Zen. Or perhaps the shiatsu massage performed on a tatami mattress in a room featuring a private bathing tub., and the room even features a private bathing tub. This place is a definite must.  Info: thegreenwichhotel.com/shibui-spa

THE PENINSULA SPA
If the crush of urban life is getting to you, the Peninsula Spa, high above crowded Fifth Avenue, is the ultimate tonic. This plush spa’s vibe gives it a very intimate feel. And the service is synonymous with what you expect--gracious, discreet, and luxurious. The spa menu includes the classics like Swedish massage and deep cleansing facials. Still, the treatment offerings shine with their specialties: The CRYO facial uses cold techniques to rejuvenate and repair the skin. And since a good night’s sleep is sometimes hard to come by, opt for Sleep Support Therapy treatment that fuses ancient Ayurvedic practices designed to balance emotions and reduce stress and anxiety. Before or after treatments, spa guests have full access to aromatherapy steam rooms, saunas, the Asian Tea Lounge, and relaxation rooms, complete with cloud-like comforters and soothing music. Info: peninsula.com/en/new-york/wellness

AIRE ANCIENT BATHS
There’s Aire Ancient Baths for those who yearn for a little something different. Located in Tribeca among stores and restaurants, the former textile factory houses a spacious open room of baths. The underground cavern lit by candles fuses soaking traditions from the Greek, Roman, and Ottoman empires into one elegant water world. Visitors alternate between four pools ranging from fiery (102 degrees) to icy (46 degrees). There’s also a glass-enclosed hammam; it looks like an underwater cloud when the walls steam over. Heated marble benches provide an excellent place to rest mid-rotation and sip from the menu of juices and teas. If you choose, add an hour-long four-handed massage to your cycle; for maximum indulgence, consider a three-hour ritual including a private bath upstairs infused with a choice of red wine, cava, or olive oil. Info: ancientbathsny.com

THE SPA AT MANDARIN ORIENTAL
A destination unto itself, the hotel’s Asian-inspired spa offers an unforgettable experience that starts with a shoe exchange ceremony, customized tea in the Oriental Tea Lounge, and 45 minutes in the spa vitality pool and amethyst crystal steam room. Now is the time to disconnect and realize the transformative effects of unplugging. Treatments range from hydra-facials to massages. And for New Yorkers who spend too much time hunched over their laptops or cradling their phones, The Spa offers the Digital Wellness Escapee for their neck, shoulder, and hands and zeros in on relieving tension—looking for a particularly lavish retreat? The Thai Yoga Massage helps you find balance. It’s well worth a visit where some of the treatment rooms are over the top, with gorgeous views. Info: mandarinoriental.com/new-york/manhattan/luxury-spa

SPA DE LA MER
 The stunning Baccarat Hotel is ideal for French skincare brand La Mer. The decadent spa transports guests into the immersive, highly curated world of La Mer and is adorned with a marble-tiled, 50-foot pool, murals, and light resembling a posh European seaside retreat. Make waves for their anti-aging innovation; treatments like their Miracle Broth Hydrating Facial are superb. This oasis is a necessity! 
Info: baccarathotels.com/spa-de-la-me