Halo Air Salt Rooms

I never heard of Salt Rooms prior to seeing a deal that was featured on Groupon. I read the information about Salt Rooms and was curious about it, so I went ahead and purchased the deal. I mean honestly, I would not pay $100 an hour just to breathe in salt air. But since the deal seems like a deal breaker it does not hurt to try it out.

The place reminds me of a high end clinic of some sort. Not really a spa type of environment, almost feels like you've entered some "clean air, germ free" zone type of feeling. So I had two sessions with them. The first time I got there I was fascinated with the machine, where you step in and this blue cloth will wrap around your shoes. Reminds me of what doctors wear when they are in the ER. These blue shoe wraps is so you won't get salt in or on your shoes when you step inside the salt rooms.

So session one, I was in a 2 person room, but I was in there by myself. I was touching their salt covered walls, was tempted to lick it to see if it was really salty, but I didn't. The salt covered floor reminds me of sand on a beach. Inside the room there are 2 recliners with a blanket on each and a big screen TV. With the TV, you can listen to music, watch relaxing nature shots or watch cable TV. I tested the music and nature option, but got bored and decided to watch Food Network while I breathe in salted air.

While sitting there, for some odd reason it gets chilly, I guess that's what those blankets are for. And every 5-10 minutes a spurt of white smoke/salt would be sprayed through a nozzle in the room. The entire time I was there trying to relax, I would hear doors from other rooms slamming. And on top of that I hear people walking on the wooden floors outside in the hall. It sounds like they were wearing clogs or something. These rooms were not sound proof, so you pretty much hear what's going on outside, so it makes it hard to relax.

Eventually I did fall asleep and the nap I had felt good. But I don't know if it has anything to do with breathing salt air, while I was napping. Because in general all my naps have been good and refreshing after I wake up. The second session I had was in a personal room. This time the noise factor was minimal, at least I did not hear doors slamming and people walking up and down the halls.

Well, I only had 2 sessions with them. I can't say I noticed any changes. But this place does seem very popular because when I tried booking a time to come, most slots are filled. And there's always a lot of people in the waiting area, it's either everyone bought a Groupon deal or they don't mind spending money to breathe salted air.

Also, after the sessions, if you lick your lips, they are salty. So it's no lie that there is really salt in the air.

I purchased two cert from Livingsocial.com

I did not get to use them but livingsocial sent me a reminder which flagged me to make an appt when I called phone number was disconnected. I checked the website & it is temporarily closed. I called Livingsocial.com where I had purchased & in a jiffy refunded me back with no headaches.

Though I didnt get to experience the salt rooms. I am 125% happy with my purchases through Livingsocial.com.
I have purchased so many different deals for great prices & now even with the situation @ hand they made sure I didnt lose out because a company such as HALO couldn't keep there reputation & do right by all who purchased & didnt get the service they paid for....

Instead they up & left without even emailing there customers who paid ahead of time and no service.

Nice to know they up & left.. They should be found & put on "SHAME ON YOU" ON WCBS-TV!

This is a surreal experience.

Due to a recent nasty illness, a friend suggested I check out Halo/Air, the imported salt therapy treatment, ever so popular in Europe. TImeOut NY has a special buy one get one so I decided to check it out.

The place is a sterile white, modern, and just a tad eclectic. It reminds me of some sort of high-tech European spa where the technicians have thick accents and clad in blue booties.

You change into a robe and enter a room, covered in salt floor to ceiling. The ground is a thick carpet of sandy salt. You lay on a plush leather couch and can watch TV, listen to music, read, or nap. While you are in your room for the one-hour session, microscopic salt particles are being injected in the air so you breathe crystallized salt.

It's a bit of a trippy experience. I can't say I felt any immediate health benefits as it's recommended you undergo treatment at least 14 times a year.

I wouldn't write it off as a gimmick but I'm left skeptical, $100 poorer.

I bought this deal thinking "worst case scenario, I get to sit in a super comfy chair, huddle in a warm blanket, watch tv and catch-up with my friend". 3 session later, I still don't really feel a difference, but I haven't gotten allergies this year and it *could be thanks to Halo.

The rooms are pretty cool, covered wall to ceiling in salt with sand-like salt covering the floor while they blow salt in the air at you. You sit/lie in these very comfy chairs, and they offer cable while you relax, along with complimentary bottled water.

Lick your lips at the end of the session and yes - they're salty!

I'm late to the party on this since they are now closed. I liked my experiences here and compared to some I got a pretty good deal. In July of 2010 I got a 2 session groupon and did not have any of the issues-the up-sell they offered my after the 2nd time was 14 sessions for $300 which is 50% off and pretty good. I did feel a lot of mucous break up and since I have not gone since January I did get a sinus infection.

I think they ran into the following problem which is economically people are still screwed here so who can afford $65 to sit in a salt room? There were only so many appointments they could accommodate and I am sure the rent was HIGH. So I theorize they did groupon (because there were like 3 after the initial one) to kind of pump up business and then they couldn't accommodate everyone. I always found the staff to be fine. Maybe the salt room was an idea before its time.

So yeah one star now because your closed.

Quiet, relaxing, and salty.

Not as sterile as they make it seem-- the recliner has visible black dirt marks.

Often times walking into establishments that are unfamiliar or new; you find you immediately decide whether the place is for you; Halo Air provides both ambiance and service.

I decided to try this service because I respiratory issues that often causes problems for my breathing. I decided to go with a coworker who has asthma to try this new "remedy". I heard of the salt rooms of Eastern Europe and the use of the Dead Sea to provide similar experience. I was skeptical but after trying this; I am a believer. Moments into the room with my slippers and robe; I started breathing in the salt infused air; it was a breath of relief. I felt my breathing was more relaxed and any sort of congestion was alleviated by the end of the session. I went back for a second run this week and the same result yielded.

After each session; I felt the air of NYC wasn't a nuisance to my breathing and I woke up the next day with out any congestion. They suggest continual trips for maximum benefits; so hopefully my other sessions further improve my breathing


P.S. rub some salt against your hands; improves your skin.

I was also thinking about what Annie's "worst scenario" -- sitting in a chair and watching TV for about an hour."
I didn't really have high hopes. It was a salt room, a white leather lounge chair, a tiny blanket, with some salt air pumped from a small hole. The room was pretty cold. The TV is hard to work with too.
I was tossing and turning in the chair, because the chair was not adjustable. It was quiet, so good if you want to clear your thoughts or just have sometime for yourself.
I didn't feel any change before or after. But the close to one hour private time allowed me to calm down and pretend my sinus problem was getting better.
BTW, they didn't offer complimentary water.

I also purchased a groupon for here, and groupon did make the mistake of saying it's one hour when halo only offers 50 minutes treatments. the place itself is very modern and clinical. the salt rooms themselves (there are two private rooms and two rooms for couples) have a large screen tv - which are usually dusty from the salt because the salt blows practically right onto them. also the recliners do have some stains on them. i wish they worked on cleaning the rooms up a bit more (esp if i was paying the originaly 100/session). the first time i came in i had a great experience - they offered complimentary water and i watched stepmom and just relaxed. the second time i went - the tv wasn't working. i tried for about 10 minutes or so, and then pressed the intercom button which just started beeping. i finally went outside to get someone to help, who also couldn't get the tv to work. the first 20 minutes of the session were ruined and the last half hour or so was totally boring since i didn't bring much to read. when leaving i asked them to comp me a session given the circumstances, and they were kind enough to do so.
after my 2 sessions, i'm not quite sure whether it's actually made any difference in terms of breathing/sinuses, or my skin. i wouldn't pay the normal price for the sessions, but maybe get another groupon if it's offered. also if you go, be prepared and bring a sweater because it's like 60 degrees in the rooms!

What can I say? This is a really small place and the rooms are even smaller. They felt a bit claustrophobic. The tours they gave were really quick and crowded and there was literally no room to stand without getting in the way. However, the benefits of a salt air room is very productive and beneficial so I will be going back. Just wish the place was a bit larger with more room.