Ohm Spa, a serene day spa seven floors above Fifth Avenue at 29th St. in New York City, is not your usual spa. That's because most spas try to deliver a standardized experience. If people compare notes, you both got the same thing.
The owners of Ohm Spa, Kathy Yan and her husband Jonathan Ho, have a different approach. They are both physical therapists. They understand that all spa therapists have their own style and strengths, and that allmassages and facials don't have to be the same. In fact, they CAN'T be the same.
I think you get the best out of therapists when you allow them to be who they are and respond to what your body needs that day instead of following a strict treatment protocol. And that's what makes Ohm Spa so wonderful.
When I went into Ohm Spa for a massage, my therapist, Nicole, used a lot of compression moves that help realign the skeleton and warmed up my muscles with steaming hot towels -- often reserved for more expensive signature treatments.
Nicole also did something I've never experienced before. She put the hot towel under my neck and used it to lift my head, stretching my neck forward, then to the right and left. "Some people love that move, and some people don't," commented Ho. "But each of our therapists have their own style, and their own following." I loved the move -- and the massage.
Ohm Spa's atmosphere is soothing and comfortable for both women and men, with calming blue and white walls and chocolate brown curtains. The manicure room has killer views of the Empire State Building and two big plasma TV where you can catch up on the latest movies while getting a meticulous mani-pedi combo.
Ohm Spa: The Bottom Line:
This a spa that radiates integrity and excellence, which can be hard to find. Don't expect elaborate facilities like hot tubs, steam showers. In fact there aren't even showers, and you usually undress in the room. But it's clean, elegant spa with terrific therapists. You can find someone you like, who you can afford to see on a regular basis and really take care of yourself. And that's the best thing a spa can offer.
Ohm Spa At A Glance
As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary treatments for the purpose of reviewing those services. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.
