Best Day Spas in New York City

There are countless day spas in New York City. How do you tell which spas are the best? This list will help. I've complied a list of the best day spas in New York City, ranging from relatively affordable spas like Oasis to super-luxury urban hotel spas like The Spa at Mandarin Oriental.

If you're interested in buying a spa gift certificate at a day spa in New York City, here's what you need to know and look out for.

Best Day Spas In New York City

Spa at Mandarin Oriental , New York, 80 Columbus Circle at 60th St. 212-805 8800, 866-801-8880. This is a gorgeous but pricey spa with great views of Central Park and fabulous amenities like the "Heat Experience" rooms for men and women. It's one of the best hotel spas in New York. Read my review of The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, New York.

Cornelia Day Resort , 663 Fifth Ave. 8th Floor, 212-871-3050, 866-663-1700. This lives up to its name of a day resort, with terrific service and a rooftop garden and spa cafe. When you get a facial, two estheticians work on you -- one gives your a foot massage. It's also the first in New York City to offer watsu.

Ajune, 1294 Third Ave. 212-628-0044. This is an elegant medical spa on the Upper East Side that offers everything from basic Swedish massage ($105 for sixty minutes) to medical microdermabrasion and laser hair removal.

Babor at Takashimaya, 693 Fifth Ave., 212-350-0119. This is an exquisite little spa tucked away on the 6th floor of Takashimaya, the luxury Japanese department store. Read a review of Babor at Takashimaya

Bliss Soho , 568 Broadway, Second Fl. 888-243-8825. This is the original Bliss location started by Marcia Kilgore in the mid-90s. Sleek and modern, but some customers think they push products a little too much during facials. There are two other locations: Bliss 57at 19 E. 57th St., Third Fl. and Bliss 49 in the W. Hotel.

Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa,691 Fifth Avenue at 54th St. 212-546-0200 This was one of the originals and still has a large loyal following. A fifty minute aromatherapy massage is $110. It has also added Botox to its menu of services.

Great Jones Spa, 29 Great Jones St., 212-505-3185. Located in downtown Manhattan, this spa is knows for it "wet lounge solarium" with hot tubs, cold plunge pools and saunas, available to all guests up to two hours prior to and one hour following spa treatments. A sixty minuteSwedish massage is $130.

Haven , 150 Mercer St., 212-343-3515. A serene neighborhood spa with nice facilities. A sixty minute Swedish massage is $115.

Juva , 60 E 56th St,(212) 421-9501 This is a medical spa offering therapies that lighten sun spots and treat acne. This is a place to go for results rather than mere pampering.

Juvenex , 25 West 32nd St., 5th floor, 646-733-1330. This spa offers unusual saunas, steam rooms and plunge pools, including the Jade Igloo, made from 20 tons of semi-precious stones. It is clothing optional for women only from 6 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Men and women are allowed from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., but bring your bathing suits. It also has a full menu of spa services, like a hot stone massage ($125 for 60 minutes).

La Prairie at The Ritz-Carlton Spa , The Ritz-Carlton New York Central Park, 50 Central Park S., 212-308-9100. This is a small but elegant spa with just six treatment rooms. It has an emphasis on anti-aging treatments.

The Mezzanine Spa , 62 Crosby St., 212-431-1600. This is a medical spa in Soho that offers both Western and Eastern treatments.

Millefleurs Spa, 3 E. 17th St. 212-966-3656, This Morrocan-themed spa at Park Avenue and Fifth specializes in a 2 1/2 hour herbal steam wrap. It is also open until midnight -- nice for hard-working Manhattanites.

Oasis Day Spa , 1 Park Ave., 212-254-7722. Oasis has three Manhattan locations: Park Avenue at 33rd., Union Square, and the Affinia Dumont Hotel at 34th and Lexington. It also has an airport spa at JFK.

Spa at The Four Seasons,57 East 57th, 212-758-5700. A small but exquisite luxury spa in mid-town Manhattan, right on Central Park. This is also one of the best hotel spas in New York.