Great Jones Spa is a gem of a spa in Lower Manhattan. Known for a stunning Water Lounge where you can hang out by the waterfall wall and drink smoothies before or after your treatment, Great Jones Spa is a combination holistic spa/hair salon/juice bar and the ideal spot to experience extreme relaxation, downtown style.
Great Jones has been created from two adjacent, turn-of-the-century red-brick buildings that give it a tremendous amount of space -- 12,000 square feet over several floors. The Water Lounge is a dramatic space that begins on a lower level and opens vertically to a skylight, so the sun pours in.
A Sky-Lit Water Lounge
In the Water Lounge you can heat up in a thermal pool, steam room or sauna, then jump into an icy plunge pool. This is common in European spas because it's good for stimulating circulation and the lymphatic system, but hard to find in comfort-oriented American spas.
Lounge chairs allow you to enjoy the scene, cool off gently, or have a snack. In fact, should you become hungry or thirsty, you can order a healthy snack of fruit smoothie before or after a treatment. The organic strawberry smoothie was delicious and refreshing.
And if I had been really hungry, I could have ordered the Happy Hempster Hen (organic chicken with dried apricots, onion, alfalfa sprouts and hemp seed, finished with a vegan tahini miso dressing.
Great Jones Spa's intention is to offer guests good health and happiness through wholeness and balance, providing a haven for your comfort and a path to wellness. “Everyone that steps inside our doors quickly learns that health and beauty are inextricably linked," according to its Mission Statement. "You may simply come in searching for a youthful elixir – but you’ll go home with far more than you expected.”
Even the products available in the lobby reflect the philosophy of wellness. Jurlique, Naturopathica, Pure Fiji and Spa Ritual are among those offered. And the Water Lounge is available for patrons for hours before and after a treatment.
Three Hours For $50
What’s even more surprising is that visitors without treatment appointments can “take the waters” for three hours, for $50. The sauna is indeed impressively huge, reminiscent of an outdoor theater with three rows of seating.
If sauna’s not your cup of tea, try the steam room. The 18 treatment rooms include 2 for water therapies, and a private VIP room is roomy enough for a couples massage. The snacks in the Water Lounge include fresh fruit and an assortment of tea. And the honey comes from an organic farmer in Pennsylvania, I learned.
I opted for a Shiatsu Massage, basically deep acupressure that has been Westernized for our taste. The pressure points are manipulated through your therapist’s fingers and palms, relieving tension while stretching your ligaments. My therapist Juan collected me and led me into a nice-sized treatment room. A good therapist always assesses clients individually and takes specific needs, trouble spots or tension areas into account.
Juan did a fantastic job finding my tension (neck, shoulders, lower back) and releasing it through a series of stretches. “It’s like acupuncture without the needles,” he said. Told I was very tight in those areas, I was instructed to stretch more and be careful not to injure my hips. Advice taken, Juan!
Great Jones Spa's menu of services ranges from a River Rock Facial to Platza and Spa treatment -- a full body scrub and massage in the sauna, all by yourself. Next time!
Great Jones Spa At A Glance:
Type of Spa: day spa and salon
29 Great Jones Street
New York, NY 10012
Phone: 212-505-3185
Great Jones Spa
