New York Spas: Four Seasons Spa at the Four Seasons New York

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

Contact Information Four Seasons Spa Address:  57 E. 57th Street New York, NY 10022 Phone:  (212)350-6420 Web Site More New York Spas • La Prairie at the Ritz-Carlton Spa  • Paul Labrecque Spa • Bliss • Soho Sanctuary • Sports Club/LA 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

The Four Seasons New York is one of the city’s most luxurious establishments, site of the power breakfast and home-away-from home to the rich and famous. Fortunately, you don’t have to be either rich or famous to enjoy the bounty available in the lower level spa. Top-notch treatments range from simple manicures to lavish, 90-minute signature facials.

On a recent (and first-time) visit, I waited in the small lounge area just off the locker room, which holds 64 lockers. It may be tiny, but it contains everything you need for an indulgent experience. With steam and sauna rooms a whisper away and a whirlpool within a few feet, you could make a day of it simply enjoying the warmth. Its wide hallways make it easily accessible to physically challenged spa-goers, too.

While browsing the facility, I took note of the ample supply of available towels, and open shelves invite you to help yourself. Soft, fluffy bathrobes hang from every wall hook in sight, in case yours gets damp from your sauna/steam hopping. A standard exercise facility is right across the hall, in case you get motivated to work out before or after a treatment.

The ambience is one of immaculate serenity, and the constant gurgling of the whirlpool recalls tempestuous ocean waves—a nice complement to the pleasant music wafting throughout. One especially welcome touch in the sauna is the “egg-timer” attached to the wall. When you close the door, simply turn over the timer and you’ll know when 5, 10 or 15 minutes are up. It works better than guessing, my usual modis operandi.

An endless supply of fresh fruit juice, fruit and water is available, too and there is no pressure to purchase any of the products used.

Feeling more stressed than usual (with 3 deadlines approaching) I opted for the 90-minute soothing signature facial. At $235, this would ordinarily seem exceedingly extravagant, but it was more than worth it, thanks to the expertise of Spa Director Suk Mancinelli.

After determining that I required above-and-beyond care, due to an inflamed trigeminal nerve that was pulsing in my upper gum, Suk applied extra smooth strokes along my gum line before proceeding. Using a combination of acupressure, Swedish massage and micro-current electrical stimulation, she was able to locate affected pressure points and relieve discomfort. Suk performed lymphatic draining, steam cleansing, gentle exfoliation, ear manipulation and even a little reflexology for good measure. It was gloriously rejuvenating and completely relaxing.

Other treatments range from a basic massage to the rave-worthy raindrop therapy. With its 5 massage rooms, 2 facial/body treatment sites and 1 manicure/pedicure area, the Four Seasons Spa is not one of the larger facilities in Manhattan, but it’s definitely one of the best.

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