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Escape NYC's Deep Freeze at These Saunas, Spas, and Baths

By Rebecca Jennings
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Photo: Spa Castle Premier 57
By Rebecca Jennings

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Take a long look outside your window, then ask yourself: What could possibly be worth leaving my apartment for? Answer: a hot, steamy sanctuary where the jacuzzis are hot, the food is delicious, and the only freezing cold can be found inside an ice sauna. Here, we've rounded up 11 of the city's best spas where New Yorkers can take a mini-vacay to the baths and saunas of Korea, Turkey, Russia, or Sweden—all without leaving the five boroughs. —Additional reporting by Naomi Collett Ritz


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1. Spa Castle

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131-10 Eleventh Ave.
College Point, NY
(718) 939-6300
(718) 939-6300
Visit Website
Spa Castle in Queens might be a little bit out of the way, but what it lacks in convenience it makes up for in extravagance. There's a Healing Room on the lobby floor, L.E.D. saunas on the first, waterfalls and baths on the second floor, and a fitness center on the third. There's also a restaurant, bar, and a separate food court.

2. The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, New York

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80 Columbus Cir
New York, NY 10023
(212) 805-8876
(212) 805-8876
Visit Website
At the Mandarin Oriental's spa, you're going to get Mandarin Oriental prices: the least expensive massages and facials start around $225, and that's only during off-peak hours. However, you'll also be privy to an amethyst crystal steam room, a tea lounge, the Thai yoga suite, and absurd views of Central Park. [Photo]

3. Spa Castle Premier 57

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115 E 57th St Fl 8
New York, NY 10022
(212) 750-8800
(212) 750-8800
Visit Website
The long-awaited sister to Queens's Spa Castle, the luxurious offshoot opened in December to well-deserved fanfare: For $65 a day, guests can journey through all six different types of saunas in Sauna Valley, hang on the roof deck, order a drink at a swim-up bar, and chill (quite literally) in an "ice igloo." [Photo]

4. Juvenex

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25 W. 32nd Street
New York, NY
(646) 733-1330
(646) 733-1330
Visit Website
What time of day (or night) you chose to go to Juvenex on West 32nd Street makes all the difference. During the day, it's a women's-only facility; at 5pm, it turns into a couple's retreat; and at 4am, it's a wild single's party. Besides all that, the spa's main draw is the twenty-ton Jade Igloo sauna, but there are also plunge pools infused with ginseng and lemon, and a salt detox room.

5. Russian & Turkish Baths

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268 E 10th St.
New York, NY
(212) 505-0665
(212) 505-0665
Visit Website
Arguably one of the city's most popular bathhouses, this East Village spot offers everything from Russian saunas, Turkish steam rooms, a frigid dipping pool, and a Swedish shower. Co-ed baths are offered on specific times each day, and single-day admission is just $35. Want to add a massage? Prices start at $55, and you don't have to book them ahead of time.

6. Great Jones Spa

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29 Great Jones Street
New York, NY
(212) 505-3185
(212) 505-3185
Visit Website
In addition to offering a variety of treatments, the Great Jones Spa also boasts a Water Lounge, which includes a River Rock Sauna, a Chakra-Light Steam, a Thermal Hot Tub, and a Cold Plunge. Admission to the baths is $50, or free for three hours with any spa services. They also offer traditional platza treatments, which is where a specialist scrubs you with a broom made of fresh oak leaves that's been soaked in olive oil soap.

7. Shibui Spa

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377 Greenwich St
New York, NY 10013
(646) 203-0045
(646) 203-0045
Visit Website
Located inside a reconstructed Japanese farmhouse in the basement of the Greenwich Hotel, the upscale Shibui Spa is a total treat. It includes a latern-lit swimming pool and lounge, a traditional Japanese bathing room, and a wide variety of massages and facials. If you're feeling invigorated after all that, you can also hit up the fitness studio for private training, yoga, or pilates.

8. Aire Ancient Baths

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88 Franklin St.
New York, NY
(212) 274-3777
(212) 274-3777
Visit Website
For a spa day that's truly decadent, head to the Aire Ancient Baths in Tribeca. Be warned that prices run high, with a 90-minute soak in the Thermal Bath starting at $75. For $450, you can partake in either the Red Wine or Cava Champagne ritual. Not into that? Standard, 45-minute massages are a more affordable $150.

9. Wall Street Bath & Spa 88

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88 Fulton St.
New York, NY
(212) 766-8600
(212) 766-8600
Visit Website
This bathhouse is larger than most of its counterparts, but people here generally tend to keep to themselves—making this spot perfect for when you're just trying to relax. However, the baths can get crowded on the weekends, so reserve one of the lounge areas ahead of time for just $5 per person. General admission is $40/day, and annual admission, should you want to bathe all year round, is $2,000.

10. Body by Brooklyn

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275 Park Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 923-9400
(718) 923-9400
Visit Website
This 10,000 square foot Euro-spa under the BQE combines the best of Russian, Turkish, and Swedish bathhouse traditions. They offer everything from private parties to massages, and the facility also includes a Martini Lounge that gets pretty busy during brunch hour. Not sure what else to try? The NYT recommends the Red Flower Hammam body treatment and luxurious Chocolate Massage.

11. Mermaid Spa

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3703 Mermaid Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11224
347-462-2166
347-462-2166
Visit Website
It's worth the trek to Sea Gate to experience this authentic banya (Russian for "bathhouse"). For $40 a day, you'll get access to three Russian steam rooms, an ice sauna, the spacious backyard, and a Turkish bath. The in-spa restaurant's extensive menu also includes Old World cuisine from borscht to potato dumplings. [Photo]
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1. Spa Castle

131-10 Eleventh Ave., College Point, NY
Spa Castle in Queens might be a little bit out of the way, but what it lacks in convenience it makes up for in extravagance. There's a Healing Room on the lobby floor, L.E.D. saunas on the first, waterfalls and baths on the second floor, and a fitness center on the third. There's also a restaurant, bar, and a separate food court.
131-10 Eleventh Ave.
College Point, NY
(718) 939-6300
Visit Website

2. The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, New York

80 Columbus Cir, New York, NY 10023
At the Mandarin Oriental's spa, you're going to get Mandarin Oriental prices: the least expensive massages and facials start around $225, and that's only during off-peak hours. However, you'll also be privy to an amethyst crystal steam room, a tea lounge, the Thai yoga suite, and absurd views of Central Park. [Photo]
80 Columbus Cir
New York, NY 10023
(212) 805-8876
Visit Website

3. Spa Castle Premier 57

115 E 57th St Fl 8, New York, NY 10022
The long-awaited sister to Queens's Spa Castle, the luxurious offshoot opened in December to well-deserved fanfare: For $65 a day, guests can journey through all six different types of saunas in Sauna Valley, hang on the roof deck, order a drink at a swim-up bar, and chill (quite literally) in an "ice igloo." [Photo]
115 E 57th St Fl 8
New York, NY 10022
(212) 750-8800
Visit Website

4. Juvenex

25 W. 32nd Street, New York, NY
What time of day (or night) you chose to go to Juvenex on West 32nd Street makes all the difference. During the day, it's a women's-only facility; at 5pm, it turns into a couple's retreat; and at 4am, it's a wild single's party. Besides all that, the spa's main draw is the twenty-ton Jade Igloo sauna, but there are also plunge pools infused with ginseng and lemon, and a salt detox room.
25 W. 32nd Street
New York, NY
(646) 733-1330
Visit Website

5. Russian & Turkish Baths

268 E 10th St., New York, NY
Arguably one of the city's most popular bathhouses, this East Village spot offers everything from Russian saunas, Turkish steam rooms, a frigid dipping pool, and a Swedish shower. Co-ed baths are offered on specific times each day, and single-day admission is just $35. Want to add a massage? Prices start at $55, and you don't have to book them ahead of time.
268 E 10th St.
New York, NY
(212) 505-0665
Visit Website

6. Great Jones Spa

29 Great Jones Street, New York, NY
In addition to offering a variety of treatments, the Great Jones Spa also boasts a Water Lounge, which includes a River Rock Sauna, a Chakra-Light Steam, a Thermal Hot Tub, and a Cold Plunge. Admission to the baths is $50, or free for three hours with any spa services. They also offer traditional platza treatments, which is where a specialist scrubs you with a broom made of fresh oak leaves that's been soaked in olive oil soap.
29 Great Jones Street
New York, NY
(212) 505-3185
Visit Website

7. Shibui Spa

377 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013
Located inside a reconstructed Japanese farmhouse in the basement of the Greenwich Hotel, the upscale Shibui Spa is a total treat. It includes a latern-lit swimming pool and lounge, a traditional Japanese bathing room, and a wide variety of massages and facials. If you're feeling invigorated after all that, you can also hit up the fitness studio for private training, yoga, or pilates.
377 Greenwich St
New York, NY 10013
(646) 203-0045
Visit Website

8. Aire Ancient Baths

88 Franklin St., New York, NY
For a spa day that's truly decadent, head to the Aire Ancient Baths in Tribeca. Be warned that prices run high, with a 90-minute soak in the Thermal Bath starting at $75. For $450, you can partake in either the Red Wine or Cava Champagne ritual. Not into that? Standard, 45-minute massages are a more affordable $150.
88 Franklin St.
New York, NY
(212) 274-3777
Visit Website

9. Wall Street Bath & Spa 88

88 Fulton St., New York, NY
This bathhouse is larger than most of its counterparts, but people here generally tend to keep to themselves—making this spot perfect for when you're just trying to relax. However, the baths can get crowded on the weekends, so reserve one of the lounge areas ahead of time for just $5 per person. General admission is $40/day, and annual admission, should you want to bathe all year round, is $2,000.
88 Fulton St.
New York, NY
(212) 766-8600
Visit Website

10. Body by Brooklyn

275 Park Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205
This 10,000 square foot Euro-spa under the BQE combines the best of Russian, Turkish, and Swedish bathhouse traditions. They offer everything from private parties to massages, and the facility also includes a Martini Lounge that gets pretty busy during brunch hour. Not sure what else to try? The NYT recommends the Red Flower Hammam body treatment and luxurious Chocolate Massage.
275 Park Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 923-9400
Visit Website

11. Mermaid Spa

3703 Mermaid Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224
It's worth the trek to Sea Gate to experience this authentic banya (Russian for "bathhouse"). For $40 a day, you'll get access to three Russian steam rooms, an ice sauna, the spacious backyard, and a Turkish bath. The in-spa restaurant's extensive menu also includes Old World cuisine from borscht to potato dumplings. [Photo]
3703 Mermaid Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11224
347-462-2166
Visit Website