The 10 Best Day Spas in New York City Based on Google Reviews!

top day spa

The city can be quite exciting and magical, but sometimes it can get super busy too. What better way is there to unwind than with a relaxing spa day? Your time and money are precious so you would not want to go to just any spa, but rather the best that the Big Apple has to offer. Read on to explore the top 10 best day spas in New York City based on Google Reviews, as well as a brief history on spas and how they became associated with mental health and wellness.

The origins of spas

Spas have largely become associated with healing practices. No one knows for sure how this association came about, but there are a few clues. One is due to the word’s etymology. “Spa” is an acronym of the Latin phrase “Salus per Aquam” which means “health from water,” which is exactly what many spas do–heal you with water. Another idea comes from 1596 when Timothy Bright discovered a well and called the resort The English Spaw, and began to use the word Spa as a generic description. Another theory is that the word “spa” is named after the Belgian village, Spa, where hot mineral springs were used by Roman soldiers to treat sore muscles and wounds from being in battle.

While many people think that spas come from the Romans and their ancient baths, there is evidence that suggests spas have been around thousands of years before. Romans used baths to heal their wounds and viewed it as a form of rest and relaxation, but this was between 27 B.C. and 14 A.D. The Romans actually imitated and surpassed many of the Greek bathing practices in terms of the size and complexity of their baths; the Greeks have been using bathing techniques way before the Romans.

Greek philosopher Hippocrates, who was alive around 400 B.C. (over 2000 years ago), proposed that people become sick due to an imbalance of bodily fluids, and as a result should have a bath and scented massage everyday to heal themselves. We see the influence of balneotherapy, also known as the use of bathing to treat disease, today through mineral-infused treatments, using a hot tub after swimming, or swimming in seawater which is known as thalassotherapy.

In 1326, Collin le Loup, an ironmaster from Belgium, discovered chalybeate springs, which are natural mineral springs containing iron salts, in Liège, Belgium. Due to this, a health resort came about and the term “spa” began to refer to any health resort around the springs and became associated with curing disease. Other rituals beyond these locations were being practiced as well, such as ryokans in Japan, hammams in Turkey, and Finnish saunas and steam rooms, which were growing in popularity around the world as well. 

In 16th-century England, the old Roman ideas of medicinal bathing were revived at towns like Bath. In 1596, William Slingsby, an English soldier, discovered a chalybeate spring in Yorkshire. He built an enclosed well known as Harrogate, the first resort in England for drinking medicinal waters. 

Spas have become very popular today and are focused on mental and physical health and wellness more than ever. For example, massages aim to heal muscle aches and pains, facials work to cleanse the skin, and steam rooms help with detoxifying. Other spa locations include yoga, fitness, or meditation centers, and even include food and cafes. Spas are increasingly popular today and have become largely associated with providing a blissful escape from the stresses of everyday life’s responsibilities and tasks. 

The 10 most highly rated spas in New York City

10. Great Jones Spa

4.0 Stars with Over 360 Reviews

Located at 29 Great Jones Street, New York 10012, Great Jones Spa is known for their water lounge and towering three-story water tower. There are a variety of services offered including Hydrafacials, massages, facial treatments, body treatments, manis and pedis, waxing, and use of the water lounge spa. 

Regarding the water lounge spa, this includes many different activities. Their River Rock Sauna is made with river stones which are designed to help you sweat out toxins, stimulate your circulation and release endorphins to calm and relax you. The steam room will help elevate your mood and balance your metabolism, detox your body, and boost your immune system. The jacuzzi is great for relaxing sore muscles, stimulating circulation, improving the appearance of cellulite and enhancing your sleep. The spa recommends following this with a cold plunge for rejuvenation. Dipping in the cold plunge after a steam, sauna or jacuzzi is very therapeutic and will both stimulate your circulation and bring clarity and focus to your mind. 

9. QC NY Spa

4.0 Stars with Over 900 Reviews

This spa is located just outside of Manhattan on Governors Island. QC NY Spa overlooks the city skyline and offers over 20 wellness experiences. Designed to relax your body and soul, wellness experiences include spa pools, saunas, relaxation rooms, steam baths, Vichy showers, foot baths, and more, all while looking at the gorgeous views. You can lounge and rest on an infrared bed, detox in a themed sauna or steam room, and feel your body and skin become purified. Some unique wellness rooms and experiences include the City Sauna, Panoramic Spa Pool, Underwater Music Spa Pool, the Jukebox Room, or Reflection Room.

8. Rescue Spa

4.3 Stars with Over 200 Reviews

Rescue Spa is located at 29 East 19th Street, New York 10003 (with a location in Philadelphia too). According to their website, the spa offers a highly personalized, integrative and comprehensive approach to skin care and beauty. A Rescue facial, one of their best known treatments, includes a thorough diagnosis of your skin as well as an analysis of your lifestyle and the subsequent effects on your face. Rescue’s Skin Care Experts go through extensive training to consult and advise clients on the products that are best suited to each individual’s needs according to their skin’s current state. Rescue Spa guides clients through the constantly evolving, sometimes challenging, and at times overwhelming world of skincare and beauty. 

7. World Spa

4.3 Stars with Over 2000 Reviews

As the name suggests, World Spa includes treatments inspired by cultures from all over the world. Located at 1571 McDonald Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11230, World Spa was once an abandoned parking lot which has now been turned into a 50,000-square-foot wellness oasis. The wellness sanctuary consists of three floors with cultural experiences at every corner, such as authentic banyas, Finnish saunas, Turkish and Moroccan hammams, cleansing Himalayan salt therapy, Japanese onsens, infrared room, rooms for large parties, and more. 

6. The Couple Spa 

4.4 Stars with Over 200 Reviews

Located at 320 E 65th St, New York, NY 10065 in the Upper East Side, The Couple Spa specializes in treatment packages for couples. The founders felt that people wanted a new activity to do together besides going to movies and dinners, and find another intimate way of reconnecting with each other. ​Over the years, The Couple Spa’s core values focus on relaxation, health, and connection. People who visit enjoy the serene music, warm colors, great service and complimentary wine and tea, which gives them an overall feeling of relaxation. In order to be happy, one must also be healthy, which The Couple Spa strongly recognizes. They believe that revitalizing your body with a massage/facial physically releases dopamine within your brain, causing a sense of well-being. Plus, taking care of your body also leads to better mental health, reduces depression and anxiety, and can also inspire a better attitude toward any relationships you have, thus improving your social health. Regarding emotional connection with others, the spa seeks to provide the opportunity to reconnect with loved ones–the experience is designed to encourage conversation in order to promote a feeling of intimacy.  

5. New Sanctuary Spa

4.6 Stars with Over 230 Reviews

New Sanctuary Spa is located at 179 Madison Ave Fl 2 New York, 10016. The spa focuses on wellness, healing and deep relaxation. It takes inspiration from serene granite caverns and brings people a feeling of rejuvenation within the mind, body and spirit. New Sanctuary Spa therapists will help guests personalize their experience based on their individual needs in terms of duration, amount of pressure applied, and massage style preference ranging from traditional to modern. The spa uses essential oils, infusions, and other therapeutic methods to promote wellness.

4. AIRE Ancient Baths

4.6 Stars with Over 1.7K Reviews

AIRE Ancient Baths has locations all over the world, with the New York one being at 88 Franklin Street, New York 10013 in the heart of Tribeca. The popular destination was originally an 1883 textile factory and has been transformed into a bath house that will make you feel like you have been transported to the ancient times of the Roman, Greek and Ottoman periods.

The bath house offers a unique relaxation space experience for your mind and body to get rid of the stress from everyday life and responsibilities. The experience includes a thermal tour in a setting where you can move freely; you will go on a journey of sensations as you walk through baths at different temperatures and enjoy admiring the architectural design of the building along the romantic candlelight and the aroma of orange blossom. You are welcome to complete your experience with a massage or ritual to achieve a feeling of complete relaxation.

3. Oasis Day Spa

4.8 Stars with Over 380 Reviews

Offering two locations, Oasis Day Spa’s New York City destination can be found at One Park Avenue (Between 32nd St. & 33rd St.) New York, NY 10016 (the other location is in Westchester). Oasis Day Spa recently celebrated their 20th anniversary in NYC of providing unparalleled service of relaxation, revitalization and rejuvenation. They have luxury locker rooms with steam and showers as well as an elegant, spacious relaxation room. From small gatherings or meetings with mini-spa treatments, to a bachelorette party, to renting out the entire spa for the evening, to weekend mini-spa destination retreats, Oasis Day Spa has offerings to meet your needs. They also have a retail boutique featuring skincare by Elemis, Eminence and GM Collin, plus gift items from Trapp Candles, Tocca Beauty, and more. 

2. Renew Day Spa

4.8 Stars with Over 1.4K Reviews

This spa is located at 10 Bowery Street, 2nd Floor, New York 10013. When you visit Renew Day Spa, you will find a sanctuary to relax and find the healing you seek. The studio aims to restore the body and mind by focusing on body work and foot reflexology. These experiences have helped clients with physical stress and everyday worries, thus leaving them feeling refreshed and restored.

1. ZZ Day Spa

Over 3000 5-Star Reviews

ZZ Day Spa was awarded the #1 day spa in New York City as well as the #1 spa in the city with over 3000 Five-Star reviews. There are currently three locations in Manhattan, including 7 West 36th Street, 7th Floor New York 10018, 5 West 35th Street, 1st Floor New York 10001, and 120 East 56th Street, 2nd Floor New York 10022. ZZ Day Spa staff wants whoever walks through the doors to feel loved, cared for, and leave knowing they are a friend. The spa’s goal is to not just provide the spa experience, but for you to take home memories of the spa being the most cherished part of your day, whether you’re a regular guest or visiting for the first time. They strive to be the most guest-centric company in the world. ZZ Day Spa offers facials, massages, birthday packages, couples packages, bachelorette packages and more. 

Conclusion

Step away from everyday life for a moment and visit a top-rated spa in New York City. Each spa wants to make you feel relaxed, calm, rejuvenated and refreshed, so take your eyes off that client presentation and spend the day at a spa. We are confident you will not regret it.

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