I make it a point to visit a spa in each city I travel to, which is a goal rarely achieved on New York Fashion Week trips. When my flight home was postponed due to a snow day, I knew I would finally have a chance to indulge. My girlfriend and I made lemonade out of lemons by scheduling services at NYC’s best and most luxurious hideaway – the Spa at the Mandarin Oriental New York.
I’ve been to the renowned Ritz Carlton La Prairie Spa, a beautiful space but nothing compared to this. The Mandarin has a relaxation area at the top of the building with a gorgeous 360-degree view that – aptly enough – includes Lincoln Center, a sight I enjoyed much more once the hustle and bustle had finally ceased. My stay began in a sitting room with a hot cup of tea, then I ventured deeper into the spa, which includes a wet room, the amethyst steam room, a vitality pool, and a multi-spray shower meant to emulate the feel of the rainforest with both gentle sprinkling and storm speeds.
And, of course, there are the services themselves. Nicolette is the best massage therapist I’ve ever had, and I visit spas on a regular basis. The deep tissue massage left me feeling like a brand new woman! Afterwards, I sat under a warm blanket in the relaxation room, so cozy that I was afraid I would fall asleep and nap there all day. If I had to be stuck in a snowstorm, at least I found my way into a nice, warm oasis – the perfect end to another hectic Fashion Week!
Images courtesy of George Apostolidis and Mandarin Oriental