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Twelve Places to Get a Massage in New York City

By Laura Gurfein
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Photo: Tatyana Vyc/Shutterstock
By Laura Gurfein

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If holiday shopping hasn't already sent you over the edge, that probably means you haven't started yet. And when you get to that point and have the urge to splurge on yourself somewhere in the range of fancy manicure and tropical vacation, a good massage is a happy compromise. Below, we've mapped out 12 spas in Manhattan and Brooklyn where you can find quality treatments, ranging from super-quick services on the cheap to those that'll leave you lingering in accompanying heated pools all day long. Check out our north-to-south rundown of rubdowns right here.


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Eastside Massage Therapy

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You don't need frills like soft lighting and modern furniture when you're headed to a medical massage parlor that's been relieving the Upper East Side of aches and pains for 30 years. Meet with a therapist to discuss specific physical problems before your massage begins; new clients can get a half-hour session for $47 or go the full 60 minutes for $80. [Photo]
351 East 78th Street New York, NY 10075
(212) 249-2927
(212) 249-2927

Bliss Spa

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The company behind those baby-blue bottles of lotion you might have all over your bathroom can do a pretty mean massage with those products. Options range from a rubdown targeted to a specific troublesome area ($80 for 30 minutes) to the body-melting 105-minute head-to-toe treatment ($225), plus reflexology, sports massages, and more. Other area locations include the Waldorf Astoria hotel, Soho, and Hoboken.[Photo]
12 West 57th Street New York, NY 10019
(877) 862-5477
(877) 862-5477

Ohm Spa & Lounge

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Located at the same address that most people have visited once or twelve times for good sample deals, the Midtown South spa is a good four floors above the sale madness, so don't worry about that interfering with your relaxation. Signature massages start at $139 for 60 minutes, and a therapist will meet with you beforehand to discuss which option is right for you. Got a particularly troublesome spot? Do the 30-minute targeted massage for $89. [Photo]
260 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10001
(212) 845-9812
(212) 845-9812

Exhale Meatpacking

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Instead of getting shaky legs at the barre, head down to the subterranean treatment rooms inside the Gansevoort Hotel for a therapeutic massage that'll make you understand the true meaning of the chain spa's name. Try the Exhale Flow (starting at $150 for 60 minutes), their version of the deep tissue massage that they swear is less intense yet promotes more lymphatic drainage and detoxification than the original version. [Photo]
18 Ninth Avenue New York, NY 10014
(212) 660-6733
(212) 660-6733

Red Door Spa Union Square

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Sure, the makeup and nail stations on the ground floor here are fun, but the good stuff is going on in the massage area downstairs. The chain spa's 80-minute signature treatment ($200) incorporates facial acupressure, reflexology, and copious amounts of shea butter for a completely immersive experience. Get a customized aromatherapy add-on before the massage begins, blended by your therapist at no extra cost. [Photo]
200 Park Ave South New York, NY 10003
(212) 388-0222
(212) 388-0222

Great Jones Spa

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Add on a three-hour, $55 pool pass to your massage at this trendy spa (where the signature, deep tissue, hot stone, Thai, and reflexology types all start at $145 for 60 minutes) to let your muscles loosen up in a soak or in steam before your treatment begins. Stop by the in-house juice bar on your way out and consider yourself fully refreshed for when you step back into reality. [Photo: Driely S. for Racked]
29 Great Jones Street New York, NY 10012
(212) 505-3185
(212) 505-3185

Asanda Aveda Spa Lounge

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Head past the makeup and hair chairs for a signature massage ($100 for 60 minutes), where aromatherapy, hot towels, and a heavy dose of the house line's products make for an hour that'll leave you fully un-tensed. They've also got a studio on Park Avenue, but, unsurprisingly, prices are nudged a bit higher there. [Photo]
598 Broadway New York, NY 10012
(212) 966-0219
(212) 966-0219

Aire Ancient Baths

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Make sure to leave yourself some extra time when visiting this textile-factory-turned spa: Each of the basic "relaxing massage" packages—which promise to promote circulation, loosened muscles, and, well, overall relaxation—comes with at least an hour of access to pools of different temperatures, a steam room, and a room where you just sit on heated marble while drinking tea. Weekday prices start at $99 for the 15-minute massage and go up to $174 for 60 minutes; prices are nudged a bit higher on the weekends, so that's all the more reason to take a personal day from work. [Photo]
88 Franklin Street New York, NY 10013
(212) 274-3777
(212) 274-3777

Fishion Herb Center/Massage

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A fashion insider told us she swore by this place nearly two years ago, and Well + Good just said that local gym trainers are obsessed with it, too. And what it lacks in atmosphere—a review on its home page even calls it "dingy"—it makes up for in price, with 60-minute rubs going for a mere $41. [Photo]
107 Mott Street New York, NY 10013
(212) 219-1465
(212) 219-1465

Body by Brooklyn

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We've called this place out before for its very Brooklyn tendencies—also known as adding on a bar and restaurant to its facilities. However, these fun extras don't detract from its top-notch massage services. Try out the traditional Swedish at $99 for 60 minutes, and add on some time to hang out in the wet lounge before and after your rubdown. [Photo]
275 Park Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 923-9400
(718) 923-9400

Melt Massage

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Perhaps the best-named spa on this map—which actually prefers to be called a "massage and bodywork studio"—Melt puts its focus on tailoring treatments to clients' needs, rather than just having them blindly pick one off a menu; 60-minute massages start at $90 and involve a variety of therapy techniques. The same space also holds yoga, Pilates, and childbirth education classes. [Photo]
84 Lafayette Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11217
(646) 450-6358
(646) 450-6358

Relaxing On Smith

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This Carroll Gardens cult favorite isn't fancy, but locals love it for its convenience. They'll get you in and out the door in 15 minutes for just $18—perfect for when you need to squeeze in the tiniest bit of 'me' time into a hectic day. [Photo]
289 Smith Street Brooklyn, NY 11231
(718) 522-6199
(718) 522-6199
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Eastside Massage Therapy

351 East 78th Street New York, NY 10075
You don't need frills like soft lighting and modern furniture when you're headed to a medical massage parlor that's been relieving the Upper East Side of aches and pains for 30 years. Meet with a therapist to discuss specific physical problems before your massage begins; new clients can get a half-hour session for $47 or go the full 60 minutes for $80. [Photo]
351 East 78th Street New York, NY 10075
(212) 249-2927
(212) 249-2927

Bliss Spa

12 West 57th Street New York, NY 10019
The company behind those baby-blue bottles of lotion you might have all over your bathroom can do a pretty mean massage with those products. Options range from a rubdown targeted to a specific troublesome area ($80 for 30 minutes) to the body-melting 105-minute head-to-toe treatment ($225), plus reflexology, sports massages, and more. Other area locations include the Waldorf Astoria hotel, Soho, and Hoboken.[Photo]
12 West 57th Street New York, NY 10019
(877) 862-5477
(877) 862-5477

Ohm Spa & Lounge

260 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10001
Located at the same address that most people have visited once or twelve times for good sample deals, the Midtown South spa is a good four floors above the sale madness, so don't worry about that interfering with your relaxation. Signature massages start at $139 for 60 minutes, and a therapist will meet with you beforehand to discuss which option is right for you. Got a particularly troublesome spot? Do the 30-minute targeted massage for $89. [Photo]
260 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10001
(212) 845-9812
(212) 845-9812

Exhale Meatpacking

18 Ninth Avenue New York, NY 10014
Instead of getting shaky legs at the barre, head down to the subterranean treatment rooms inside the Gansevoort Hotel for a therapeutic massage that'll make you understand the true meaning of the chain spa's name. Try the Exhale Flow (starting at $150 for 60 minutes), their version of the deep tissue massage that they swear is less intense yet promotes more lymphatic drainage and detoxification than the original version. [Photo]
18 Ninth Avenue New York, NY 10014
(212) 660-6733
(212) 660-6733

Red Door Spa Union Square

200 Park Ave South New York, NY 10003
Sure, the makeup and nail stations on the ground floor here are fun, but the good stuff is going on in the massage area downstairs. The chain spa's 80-minute signature treatment ($200) incorporates facial acupressure, reflexology, and copious amounts of shea butter for a completely immersive experience. Get a customized aromatherapy add-on before the massage begins, blended by your therapist at no extra cost. [Photo]
200 Park Ave South New York, NY 10003
(212) 388-0222
(212) 388-0222

Great Jones Spa

29 Great Jones Street New York, NY 10012
Add on a three-hour, $55 pool pass to your massage at this trendy spa (where the signature, deep tissue, hot stone, Thai, and reflexology types all start at $145 for 60 minutes) to let your muscles loosen up in a soak or in steam before your treatment begins. Stop by the in-house juice bar on your way out and consider yourself fully refreshed for when you step back into reality. [Photo: Driely S. for Racked]
29 Great Jones Street New York, NY 10012
(212) 505-3185
(212) 505-3185

Asanda Aveda Spa Lounge

598 Broadway New York, NY 10012
Head past the makeup and hair chairs for a signature massage ($100 for 60 minutes), where aromatherapy, hot towels, and a heavy dose of the house line's products make for an hour that'll leave you fully un-tensed. They've also got a studio on Park Avenue, but, unsurprisingly, prices are nudged a bit higher there. [Photo]
598 Broadway New York, NY 10012
(212) 966-0219
(212) 966-0219

Aire Ancient Baths

88 Franklin Street New York, NY 10013
Make sure to leave yourself some extra time when visiting this textile-factory-turned spa: Each of the basic "relaxing massage" packages—which promise to promote circulation, loosened muscles, and, well, overall relaxation—comes with at least an hour of access to pools of different temperatures, a steam room, and a room where you just sit on heated marble while drinking tea. Weekday prices start at $99 for the 15-minute massage and go up to $174 for 60 minutes; prices are nudged a bit higher on the weekends, so that's all the more reason to take a personal day from work. [Photo]
88 Franklin Street New York, NY 10013
(212) 274-3777
(212) 274-3777

Fishion Herb Center/Massage

107 Mott Street New York, NY 10013
A fashion insider told us she swore by this place nearly two years ago, and Well + Good just said that local gym trainers are obsessed with it, too. And what it lacks in atmosphere—a review on its home page even calls it "dingy"—it makes up for in price, with 60-minute rubs going for a mere $41. [Photo]
107 Mott Street New York, NY 10013
(212) 219-1465
(212) 219-1465

Body by Brooklyn

275 Park Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205
We've called this place out before for its very Brooklyn tendencies—also known as adding on a bar and restaurant to its facilities. However, these fun extras don't detract from its top-notch massage services. Try out the traditional Swedish at $99 for 60 minutes, and add on some time to hang out in the wet lounge before and after your rubdown. [Photo]
275 Park Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 923-9400
(718) 923-9400

Melt Massage

84 Lafayette Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11217
Perhaps the best-named spa on this map—which actually prefers to be called a "massage and bodywork studio"—Melt puts its focus on tailoring treatments to clients' needs, rather than just having them blindly pick one off a menu; 60-minute massages start at $90 and involve a variety of therapy techniques. The same space also holds yoga, Pilates, and childbirth education classes. [Photo]
84 Lafayette Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11217
(646) 450-6358
(646) 450-6358

Relaxing On Smith

289 Smith Street Brooklyn, NY 11231
This Carroll Gardens cult favorite isn't fancy, but locals love it for its convenience. They'll get you in and out the door in 15 minutes for just $18—perfect for when you need to squeeze in the tiniest bit of 'me' time into a hectic day. [Photo]
289 Smith Street Brooklyn, NY 11231
(718) 522-6199
(718) 522-6199