New York Spas: The Greenhouse Day Spa Midtown Oasis

A Spa Site Guest Article by Naomi Serviss, an award-winning travel/entertainment writer based in New York.

Facial Treatment Room Manicure/Pedicure Stations with TV Manicure/Pedicure Stations without TV Hydrotherapy Tub Spa Retail Area Contact Information The Greenhouse Day Spa Address: 127 East 57th Street New York, NY 10022 Phone: 212-644-4449 website More NY Spas • La Prairie at the Ritz-Carlton Spa • Paul Labrecque Spa • Bliss • Soho Sanctuary • New York Spas: Sports Club/LA New York • Four Seasons Spa at the Four Seasons New York • The Greenhouse Day Spa Midtown Oasis • Elizabeth Arden Red Door Salon and Spa • Faina's European Skin Care Center and Day Spa • Faina's European Skin • The Emerson Inn & Spa • Copperhood Inn and Spa • Day Spas in Manhattan - Downtown (Below 34th Street) • Day Spas in Manhattan - Midtown (between 34th and 59th streets) • Day Spas in Manhattan - Uptown (above 59th street) • More Day Spas in New York • Resort, Destination and Hotel Spas in New York About Naomi Serviss Email: naomiserviss@hotmail.com More Articles by Naomi Serviss

Finding tranquility on E. 57th Street in midtown Manhattan is as challenging a goal for most urban dwellers as finishing the New York Marathon. Yet, with tenacity and perseverance, both goals are within the realm of possibility. And I’m happy to announce my success in achieving one out of the two goals. I’ll let you figure out which one.

Which brings me to a little oasis of tranquility: the Greenhouse Spa, a delightful addition to the recent Steiner Inc.- acquisition of the successful franchise. Enter the narrow building squeezed between two others and head straight back past the cosmetics department. Climb a few stairs and you’re about to temporarily leave the stresses of New York behind. The pleasant waiting area is lined with white upholstered bench seats, complemented by the hard wood floor beneath your feet. Lovely white flowers sit on a counter top, along with 3 silver candle holders. A CD of Sade wafts in the air and, if you gaze up, you’ll see a skylight revealing two looming skyscrapers above. You’re soon greeted by your therapist who whisks you up some more steps and down a narrow corridor, lined by white walls.

With space at a premium, you change in the treatment room and there your adventure will begin. Carmen, whose tiny stature belies her ability to wring tension out of a cramped shoulder, is an expert at the well-being massage, one of the Greenhouse’s signature treatments. She used an assortment of oils (including chamomile, geranium, lavender), something called muscle melt, and chakra balancing to restore equilibrium.

After an hour being kneaded, oiled and softened, it was time for my Japanese silk booster facial which was unlike any I’ve experienced. For one thing, there was no bright light shined on my skin, while an esthetician clucked over the size of my pores. That always makes me think I’m being interrogated for a crime, not to mention feeling guilty over not having perfect skin. No bright lights, no magnifying glass. And it began with a brief foot ritual. Yes, foot ritual, a mini-reflexology that was wonderful. Then my arms, neck and head were massaged. I thought perhaps a mistake had been made and I was in for a body facial. But then the real work began.

My face was gently warmed with washcloths, cleansed and the best part—no extractions were performed! No one likes to talk about it, but that is never a pleasant experience. Instead, my face was covered in a healing mask, prepared for my sensitive skin, which was followed by toning sprays. It was possibly the most relaxed facial I’ve ever experienced. Afterwards, I floated to the pedicure area, also smartly designed with built-in bench seats in each cubicle. There are pull-down trays for your pleasure, in case you order a spa lunch (the fruit plate was fresh and bountiful). Small individual televisions sit on another built-in shelf, if you absolutely must have your soaps.

This ultimate spa pedicure was memorable too, starting with a lower leg massage with an invigorating minty scrub paste. My feet soaked in a warm milk bath and looked good-to-go by the time the afternoon was up. The only caveat: the halls were often quite noisy during a treatment, which is always a distraction. Even if you are concerned you might be hurting your therapist’s feelings (one of my problems), it’s in everyone’s best interest to mention it diplomatically.

Same goes for music being played during a treatment, especially massage, where the point is to get away from stress. If the music selections are not to your liking, speak up. Everyone’s taste runs different. For instance, I learned that when being massaged I prefer nature sounds to opera, popular singers and Gregorian chants. And if the therapists are savvy, they will quickly adjust your environment. Happily, as soon as I mentioned my difficulty in relaxing because of the music, the therapist quickly left, found a more soothing selection and returned. It was a happy ending all around.

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