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The Spa at Mandarin Oriental
Category: Beauty and Spas Day Spas Day Spas [Edit]
80 Columbus Cir35th Fl
(between 62nd St & 63rd St)
New York, NY 10023
Neighborhood: Upper West Side
(212) 805-8880
- Nearest Transit:
-
59 St - Columbus Circle (1, 2, A, B, C, D)
66 St - Lincoln Center (1, 2)
57 St - 7 Av (N, Q, R)
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage
- By Appointment Only:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
20 reviews for The Spa at Mandarin Oriental
20 reviews in English
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Review from Lauren L.
9/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
Going for facials anywhere can be a little nerve-racking if you have ever had a bad experience. My last facial was about 3 years ago due to a horrid experience at a spa connected to my gym at the time where the person doing the extractions hurt me and made my face look like I was attacked by a man-of-war jellyfish.
I had stayed at the Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong and had a massage there so I had a good experience with the brand and decided to give the New York Spa a try. The people who work here are very professional and serene. The view is very nice and high up (35th floor). The decor is very well thought out there is an amethyst steam room, a jacuzzi and a relaxation room post treatment. with lounge chairs and a partial view of central park.
What I was most impressed with though was the facial I received especially with my phobia. The lady that did it was either Swedish or Danish I know her name started with an E... and she was phenomenal. I chose the nature facial and it was the best facial ever. The massage technique on the face made relax right away and all the products were super soothing. The scary part for me is the extractions even though my skin does not get very clogged I had been hurt before (see above). I felt no pain it was expertly done I just felt the slightest pressure no pain, no bleeding no swelling or other such nonsense. The whole facial experience was ethereal. By the end of it I was in a meditative state and completely at peace. She was also very kind and not at all pushy with selling the products at the end which could sometimes ruin the experience for me. I left glowing feeling ready to take on the world. Mandarin Oriental & facial Lady I love thee! -
Review from Angela I.
Manhattan, NY
1/15/2012
I visited the spa today as a last minute idea and luckily they had plenty of spots. I booked an appointment for a $90 pedicure which includes full use of the spa. The service is "A+". We walked in and upon registration we were offered a yummy homemade berry tea. The receptionist escorted us to the locker room. We received robes. We spent the next 3 hours between the hot tub, steam room and relaxation room (overlooking the hudson). Overall it is pricey, but worth the experience and service. I forgot to mention the place is immaculate - Feng Shui all they way!
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Review from Jane L.
Portland, OR
11/21/2011
I am not someone who has any kind of beauty routine short of plucking the errant eyebrow hair so imagine what an incredible experience my facial was! I felt utterly spoiled and now I don't think I can ever go back to those days of neglecting my skin. I could get used to this!! Looking forward to my next one..
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Review from Toby S.
5/25/2011
Blissful. Completely worth the money. This spa changed my life. You have to be independently minded though. I went for a half day treatment and they gave me a "schedule" ... which to me, meant really nothing. I just knew that I had to be in the tea area at 1pm and 4pm and someone would come get me. Otherwise I just wandered about in the amazing Vitality Pool and Steam room... took a bunch of showers... hung out in the relaxation room. You have to do your own thing. If you need someone to take you around and tell you how awesome you are, this isn't the spot. But the therapists are SUPER. They ask you what you like, how you are feeling, what you do... all just to get an idea of what treatments they will be giving you.
Great experience. I will go back... but not for the half day again. I did it, it was great, and now I know what I like.
I was so blissed out when I left I was actually getting emotional when I hit the busy Manhattan streets and got into the subway. My tip: Have a car or cab waiting to take you home. Also you should bring in some freshly washed clothes with you so you can change into a nice clean outfit. -
Review from Kelly S.
3/22/2011 ROTD 10/28/2011
"Worth Every Penny...If You Have an Extra 50,000 Laying Around"
Yes, I scrounged 50,000 pennies from my piggy bank to spend one glorious afternoon at the Spa at the Mandarin Oriental. After lugging my sack of change through the hot, sweaty streets of Manhattan, I was ready for the cool respite of the 35th floor, high above the throngs of grossy people.
You are greeted at the front desk with tea and spa slippers before you walk back for a tour of the treatment rooms and water therapy room.
I picked the Spa because I had a hankering for a jacuzzi and water therapy pre-treatment. I feel in love love love with the water therapies at the Wailea resort in Maui, and was looking to re-create a teensy bit of that experience in NYC. Knowing that teensy-ness would apply to the size of any spa in NYC, I was overjoyed to find a wade-in jacuzzi pool. One side has an immersed chaise lounge built of metal tubes. You can have a lie down on the metal tubes and the jets and bubbles come from underneath you, so you're nestled in a jetty-bubbly-uplifting-rollicking water bed of actual water. I did not move for 25 minutes until my treatment started.
The Spa is not a place to cheap out, so I opted for the 2 hour Time Treatment, where you basically customize your 2 hour treatment. I ended up opting with their suggestions. I started with a body scrub-first a brush down with a hard brush, then a slathering of minty exfoliating rub. An all-over mini-massage to smooth out your skin. After a quick hop in the en suite shower, I had a long, luxurious traditional massage with some sports massage thrown in to ease my tired muscles. Followed by a facial massage (not a real facial, I don't do those) and a scalp masage. During the 2 hour treatment, I entered a zen-like blissful state, not quite sleeping and not quite dreaming but just luxuriating in the warm, enveloping feeling of having my muscles pulled and prodded into mush.
Afterwards, I napped in the relaxation room, sipping orange water, noshing on dried apricots and nuts, watching the leaves blossom in Central Park. Then headed to the locker room to slowly dress and return to reality. My skin was smooth, my muscles melty, my mind blank as I was whisked down the elevator to the hot, mean streets of Manhattan...
(...and MSG for HOCKEY...where I promptly lost all Zen in chanting "fight! fight! fight!)
This girl would make the Manadarin a monthly-must-do if it weren't for having to haul all those troublesome pennies.Listed in: Harder, No, Right There,…
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Review from h i.
New York, NY
9/5/2011
The spa is lovely and luxurious. The steam room and jacuzzi are nice, and the area is very spacious, especially for NYC. The massage itself was great, but I've had better masseuses.
This is great as a gift for someone, or if you are really looking to pamper yourself - little too expensive for the actual service provided though, or to go for regular massages (I paid $380 with a 20% mandatory tip included). -
Review from Joanie K.
8/22/2010
It's the Mandarin Oriental... any treatment or service from this place is guaranteed to be well done. Was not disappointed!
My masseuse gave me the hardest massage I've ever had.(I was actually sore!) It was a really really long week so had way too many knots to get out in an hr session. However, whatever was massaged out stayed that way for a few days. Also, beds are heated!
My favorite part of the massage was the windows in the room. Huge fan of natural light so we had the blinds open during the session. YAY!
Relaxation room was also pretty fantastic -
Review from Pinky and the B.
New York, NY
4/4/2011 1 photo
This spa is the most luxurious elegant, beautiful high end spa in the entire 5 boros no question! I have been to most of the spas in the city and can give truthful details. Expect to be wowed by the beauty and elegance. It is unmatched in the city. That is a fact.
Many of the spas in the city are really just high end salons. I think if anyone works and lives in NYC a spa is almost a necessity due to the stress and demands of living and working in the most high energy and high demand city in the US. Having said all of that , here is my educated opinion of this spa.
The pros.
1. the most beautiful relaxing spa in the city period. There are no competitors. A lot of money was spent putting it together.
2. if you are looking for a relaxing day an oasis from the stress of the city, need a mental health day , or or on your honeymoon and want to try the couples room The Mandarin Oriental is unmatched!
3. highly trained professionals who are trained to give you your space and not crowd you and to talk softly so your day is relaxing and you get the feeling of not being in NYC.
4. the services themselves are only as good as the professionals giving them. Here is a little secret that is just common sense and it can apply to other industry's as well ,there is no such thing as a spa with all of the best employees. They are the same people who have worked in other spas in the city and landed a job here. You can get a top employee or a mediocre one.
the cons
1. the turn around of employees is incredible. They can't seem to hold onto anyone so if you call for a treatment with an employee you like the problem is you may not get them the next time since they may have moved on. So either it is run poorly or they do not treat their employees well. A happy employee makes for a return customer this is just common sense but they do not seem to have figured that out (whoever runs it)
2.The employees cross the line( in my opinion) of being professional and cold across the board. What I mean is they all seem to be like trained soldiers and possibly afraid to lose their jobs so they can't be relaxed in the services they provide.
3. It is not like going to a great hair salon where the name of the stylist is what draws you. There is too much turn over for that kind of following here in my opinion. I went to one spa for years and had the same person do my facials. I do not know if that exists here. It does not seem possible.
4.the 4th and worst part to me is the main reason I can't give it 5 stars. The times I went ( I haven't been in a few years) the way they charge is not understandable or even fair in my opinion. I do not want to have to get a calculator and try to figure out the price. Just give me the price straight up ,what is the problem with that?
It goes beyond the expense. I would assume it would be expensive with the money they put into it. You won't find this level of high end spa else where in the city. But the way they charge was backwards and in my opinion not fair. The way they charge is not per treatment. Example there is not a set price for the facials. You buy time blocks. Almost time shares it is so expensive. You can't prepare for the amount you will spend since there is not a set price. There were no prices on the web site. I feel this pricing system is some what deceptive. You have to practically be a math genius to even begin to understand this system.
If they had set prices on the site and were upfront about it, I might change my mind.
So bottom line I would only recommend it if you have tons of money to burn. Just being there it is a calming and lovely. I would recommend it for honeymoons or special occasions. I can't even begin to describe the beauty and luxury of it! Again there is nothing else like it, no other competition in the city!
But the pricing system is so stressful that it takes away from the other wise lovely experience. I can't afford to go any more so that is my experience with it. For the average New Yorker looking for stress relief I would say the cost is too much but it is a special occasion place for sure! Probably better for tourists or those with expense accounts. Again it is not the price I am talking about. It is the pricing system and in my opinion it is deceptive and ends up to be stressful dealing with it. Just simplify it and put prices on the web site! -
Review from Julie K.
Brooklyn, NY
6/12/2011
Best spa in NYC, but not necessarily best spa in the world. Either way, it deserves a 5-Star rating. It's a true oasis from the city. I will definitely be back after I have the baby.
Check-in was professional and quick. Locker/shower room was very pleasant, spacious, clean. I was there on a Saturday afternoon, and I felt like I had the whole locker room to myself. It was very peaceful.
Being pregnant, as an alternative to using the steam room, they suggested the pool one floor above. I took advantage of that and was able to relax for a good half hour in the water.
The treatment waiting room was also spacious and clean. The spa is on the 35th floor, so it was nice to be away from any street level noise. The view of the west side was nice too.
Now to the treatment itself. The only treatment I can review is the pre-natal massage, and it was pretty amazing. The first few minutes were spent fiddling around with their cushions...they don't use tables with a belly-hole in it (which is not recommended anyway by doctors)...they use these adjustable cushions made to prop up the torso with a divet in the middle for the pregnant belly. Since I'm late in my 3rd tri, I couldn't get completely comfortable with the cushions, so we did a side-lying massage. The lady knew exactly how to position me on my side with towels and cushions...the table was electronically controlled (think craft-matic adjustable bed:), so she positioned my upper body so that there was no pressure on me. Perfect! After that it was an hour and 20 minutes of bliss.
The relaxation room was wonderful too. The beds were plush and positioned to give maximum privacy.
The only bad thing was leaving the spa into the rush of the city. Seriously, I should have just hopped into a car and gone home. This might sound melodramatic, but getting knocked around and watching all the people in time warner center was so annoying. I had to get out of there. -
Review from luca l.
NY
3/7/2008
I prefer to come here during the day. The spa is immaculate and so is the service. The locker rooms are spacious and the relaxation room is comfortable - if you can get it alone - the beds (which seem to have a sheet you could pull around them) face one another and are close, but comfortable with a great view to the side.
MASSAGE
The massage was mediocre - hence the rating -surprisingly average at best. The therapist actually rubbed something the wrong way and it was painful. I have never experienced that before, even in much cheaper institutions. The overall massage outside of that was average.
PRIVACY
For the most part you can have privacy - its hard to generalize, but the lack of manners by those who feel its okay to stare in the locker room was better here. In other words the clientale (older) was more on the discreet side *but not entirely*(younger).
I usually find employees at high end places tend to have an attitude - not those that assist you directly but those who do peripheral but nonethless important work - resentment perhaps- but here they treat it like an art- well trained in making you feel special.
ATMOSPHERE
The steam room and whirlpool are well done- spacious for New York. Bright day light views - you can see into other buildings.
ETIQUETTE
Women only designated areas and you are allowed to go nude or topless if you want - or with disposable undergarments should you forget your own.
RECOMMENDATION
If you are thinking of giving this as a gift for someone I would recommend it 100%. It leaves an impression. -
Review from Nicole M.
Forest Hills, NY
5/8/2010
THIS is how you do a spa day. Going here for massages has honestly spoiled me to the point where a massage anywhere else seems pointless. You get what you pay for and the service and treatments are AMAZING. I was experiencing back pain and the masseuse evaluated my pain, massaged it out, then gave me advice to prevent it from happening again.
The facilities are spotless. The robes are warm, soft, and fluffy. I love that if you book a body treatment, you get use of all the facilities all day - the jacuzzi, the steam room, the sauna, the showers, the "relaxation' room, complete with healthy little snacks, teas, and citrus water. The views from every room are to die for.
Spend one day here and you'll leave feeling like you've been on vacation for two weeks. -
Review from Vicki Y.
San Francisco, CA
2/2/2009 5 photos
i love this place. love! if the spa at MONYC were looking for a wife, this little piggy would volunteer! Had the best massage of my life when I was staying here last summer for my birthday. Ever since, I've been on a quest to find something that approaches the same level, hence my latest list, Piggy's Ultimate Spa Tour!
Staff: ultra polite, friendly & helpful
Massage Therapist: clearly blessed with supernatural massaging skills (^(oo)^)v
Facilities: spotless, well laid out, serene and beautiful
Relaxation / hot tub / sauna / steam room areas: spacious, fantastic views of the city, quiet
Treatment rooms: spacious, city views, and they put a little flower arrangement under the table for you to look at when you're facedown on the table, how cute!
well? why are you still here and not off booking your appointments people?!? (^(oo)^)Listed in: Piggies around the world!, Piggy's luxe spa tour!
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Review from cate p.
Washington, DC
10/9/2010
A few years ago, I did a spa package in Hong Kong which was amazing. That was the best $500 I have spent in my entire life. I could not imagine spending that much on any indulgence unless it were an uber special time (and for me it was being in HK) and it was worth every penny.
I enjoyed a 50 min massage here in NY before. I came in with my husband for an 80 min about a month ago and it was again, amazing - the service, the ameneties (water treatments), the actual massage. I've never had other services except the massage at this location but this last time I had a guy named Alex. He is the best therapist I've ever had in my life and I have had countless massages in my life from high end spas. I've tried them all :)
I have a bad back and sit in front of the computer all day so I joke that I typically have to get regular massages not for relaxation but for therapy just to get through another day. I don't know what Alex did but I was beyond impressed. I agree with the poster with the sentiment THIS is how you do a spa day. It is pricey but I have not found another place other than somewhere out of the country or a destination spa that provides this level of service. -
Review from Michael C.
Westwood, NJ
6/25/2011
Absolutely amazing! I got the VIP Spa room as an anniversary gift and it was hands down the best spa experiences I have ever have. It is pricey but well worth the money, my wife and I left feeling like we were away on vacation for a week. You would think for the money you would have something negative to say but we didn't. Worth every cent!
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Review from Dena S.
New York, NY
8/7/2008
I have been to the spa at Mandarin Oriental before - in both Miami and London - and was impressed at both those locations. The New York locale, however, needs to work out a lot of kinks. Although my massage ok, one of my friends could only describe her massage as being as painful as chinese water torture - no pun intended. Its sad when the masseuse gives you extra time and you are wishing it would end. The space is beautiful and reception and check in are exceedingly polite and organized. For the price however, there are much better choices in NYC and I will be going back to Cornelia or Great Jones......
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Review from Kathy P.
New York, NY
10/20/2008
The best anniversary present my husband has given me so far .....my vitamin infused facial was amazing! I have been to both the DC and Miami MO spas. Loved them both. Miami has the best atmosphere....no city streets right outside... but NYC had amazing customer service. I went on a Monday morning so I had the entire place to myself--much more relaxing than a crowded weekend.
My esthetician was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable and took time to sincerely explain why this facial was so amazing! Collagen mask, OJ-smelling vitamin scrub...it left my face glowing.
The humming drill from construction that I heard in the waiting room was really the only iffy moment for me. I don't understand why so many people say this spa is a bit over-rated. Yes it is very expensive...$305 = tip for my 80 minute facial. But you can use the spa facilities and basically make it a good 3 hour session of BLISS if you'd like. For a special occasion --make the jump to MO and enjoy it. The massages are probably great, but I loved my facial so much that I would request it again for a special special gift.
I left smelling like patchouli flowers and spices. I felt divine...and I was shocked that as I walked through the lobby to leave--I was 1000% more relaxed and blissful than when I came in.
I say-it IS worth it. -
Review from Ivy G.
Manhattan, NY
2/22/2011
By far the worst spa experience I've ever had! Having been to many amazing spa's in my life, I was not impressed.
I took my best friend here for her birthday thinking I can't go wrong. Its Mandarin Oriental, one of the best luxury spas in NY right? Wrong! I've had better spa days at my local nail salon.
The disappointment begins when you walk into the waiting area that's too small and just blah. You are greeted by unfriendly spa employees who lead you into the 100 degree locker room. I understand it's a spa and spa's are kept warm on purpose but this was unnecessary. Who wants to be soaking wet with sweat before their treatment? Shouldnt the changing area be a little cooler than the heated facilities? At one point It got so bad that my friend and I complained to the attendant who told us that people like it this hot and there was nothing she could do about it. The slippers they provide you with are disgustingly worn out and I refused to put them on my feet. My friends amenity kit had a used mouthwash inside. I used what I assumed was eye makeup remover because it said so on the bottle and it burned my eye so badly I couldnt stop tearing. Not sure if that was really eye makeup remover or if someone switched bottles. The whirlpool had no cold plunge pool nearby and no ice or cold towels in sight. There was absolutely no escaping the heat! When it came time for my facial I was looking forward to getting some sort of relief, but again with the temperature issues. The treatment room was boiling hot! I told the girl to please do something about the heat otherwise I wouldn't be able to continue with my facial. Which was definitely not worth the $300+ I paid. She didn't pull my hair back or put a terrycloth headband around my head, so my hair kept getting in the way. I didn't receive any sort of hand/arm massage which is customary when getting a facial. She slapped on a mask or two and massaged my face and it was over. As we were getting changed in the dreaded locker room, my friend and I got so nauseous from the heat we threw our clothes on and ran out like lunatics. I was so upset about how the day turned out. I tried to give my friend a nice birthday present and it turned to s*#+. We ended up complaining about our experience, which I never do, to the manager and got some sort of a discount. I wish I could get that entire day back along with the $600 I wasted. There are so many better spas to go to, don't waste your time or energy on Mandarin. -
Review from taisiya a.
New York, NY
11/22/2009
Everything about this Spa is Absolutely Amazing! By far my favorite place in NY. :-)
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Review from Genevieve B.
Middletown, NY
4/16/2011
I came here with my mom and sister, all for pedicures. Let me start off by saying that it's a little difficult for me to rate spas, as I compare all of them to my gold standard, which is the Qua spa in Las Vegas, which is both fabulous and huge. However I have to say this place is very nice. It's small, but clean, though slightly lacking in bathroom amenities. Before my pedicure I used the water treatment area. The jacuzzi pool was very nice, not too hot, and I liked the bars that allowed you to lay in the bubbling water and relax. You did have to kinda hold onto the bars in order to stay in place, otherwise the bubbles will push you right off! The steam room, is hands down the best steam room I have ever been in, due in fact, to how the steam is generated. Rather than loud and overpowering jets of steam every couple of minutes, there's a big pot in the middle of the room, with stones on top, and the steam gently and quietly rises from the pot. There's also a shower to cool off between the steam room and the pool, with different settings. Definetely try the "fog" setting, which is this fun cool mist. This is the only room that was hot, so hot that they suggest you spend max 30 min in there, and I did have to step out midway and just cool off in the relaxation room. My pedicure was great, the woman's name was Carmela if I'm not mistaken, and she was very skilled and efficent, she really took her time in taking care of my feet. This visit was very enjoyable and we all left relaxed and happy, with very pretty toes!
Listed in: Spa's
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Review from Elysium s.
New York, NY
3/31/2008
This is my little oasis of pure self indulgence where i come to get away from the madness of the city. The spa is very soothing and immaculate. I start off by breaking into a sweat at their top of the line gym. After my work out i jump into my swimsuit and head over to the penthouse lap pool where i have a beautiful view of the city while i do my laps in the heated olympic-size pool. After my work out i melt into the hot whirl pool and relax. After i have had more than i can handle i cool off in the forest shower then head to the steam room. Once I'm done with the steam room i take another shower with their lovely scented products and go to the dimly lit waiting area where i am served the most amazing berry tea as i enjoy the view and wait for my treatment. I have to say i have been to many spas east coast and west, and this is the best spa i have been to. It is a little pricey but having access to all the amenities, and swimming while it's snowing outside is well worth it!
