The Peninsula New York Opens New Spa

The Peninsula New York opened the first high-profile urban hotel spa in New York City back in the '80s. Now it's looking to reclaim the high ground with the grand reopening of The Peninsula Spa by ESPA.

It's a changed spa landscape in New York City, with plenty of competition at the luxury end, including The Spa at Mandarin Oriental NYC, Cornelia Day Resort, and The Guerlain Spa at The Waldorf=Astoria, and Caudalie Spa at The Plaza, which just opened last fall.

So what is The Peninsula Spa by ESPA bringing to the party? First, it's BIG -- 35,000 square foot -- with 12 treatment rooms, a sun-lit movement studio, fitness center and a glass-enclosed pool featuring panoramic city views. That's one reason they're calling the three-story spa "an urban resort destination."

The spa technologies are interesting. Thermal suites feature aromatherapy steam rooms, saunas, "experience" showers, and ice fountains, set against a backdrop of 24-karat gold Bisazza mosaic. The private spa suite featuring city views, steam shower and whirlpool bath with chromotheraphy lighting. Men's and women's private relaxation lounges featuring personalized music and lighting, as do the treatment rooms.

It's beautiful, with a contemporary, nature-inspired design by Alexandra Champalimaud. And all the Asian, Ayurvedic and European treatments are designed by ESPA, a global spa consultancy. The actual treatments are exclusive, but I noticed that the concept of customized two-hour treatments called "Peninsula Ceremonies" are similar to the "Time Rituals" ESPA created for The Spa at Mandarin Oriental NYC. (And it's keeping them!)

The Spa will be the first in the United States to offer ESPA's Super Active Facials, three new high-performance treatments that combine scientifically proven all-natural products with specialized massage techniques to deliver both immediate and long-term results. One of the criticisms of the traditional ESPA facials is that they're a little too low-tech and "natural" for the price. A sixty-minute "Intensive Facial" will be $195 at The Peninsula Spa by ESPA, and a 90-minute "Super Active" facial will be $350.

The signature Peninsula Ceremony is the Deep Tissue Experience, a therapeutic massage with a vigorous, free-flowing joint release technique. It is $465 for two hours. The Yang Soother and Yin Uplifter helps restore balance to the body and mind. Read The Peninsula Spa by ESPA menu.

The Spa is the flagship spa for ESPA in the U.S. and the latest to open as part of the Peninsula Wellness program. Reservations for the Spa can be made directly at (212) 903 3910.