The Spa at Hotel Chelsea, New York City
After reading the immensely relaxing descriptions of the Hotel Chelsea Spa in Allure Magazine, I decided I had to try it. Who can resist a garden retreat from the big city? So I rode the elevator up the the hotel’s penthouse and went through the understated door. The spa’s rustic floral decor immediately drew me in. Exposed brick was dotted with roses and lilacs. The friendly staff at country wooden desks quickly checked me in.
Spa decor
I ambled to the change room, which continued the theme of charming bouquets. It was … cacophonous. Guests’ loud conversations echoed through the area, and they did not leave after changing, but lingered and chatted.
Once I put on my robe, I relaxed in the steam room. It was single-gender and herbal scented with a cute, purple interior. Thankfully, the noise in the change room wasn’t audible from there. Afterwards, I tried the cedar suana.
Cedar sauna
This was co-ed, but the spa conveniently provided a button-towel I could wrap around my body so I didn’t need to put on my swimsuit. After baking a bit, I sat on the garden terrace, soaking in the views of New York. It was absolutely beautiful, but like with the change rooms, this area was quite loud. I seemed to be the only guest who had visited the spa alone, and the other parties were chatting. There was a lot of wind and construction noise too.
Garden terrace
As I soaked my feet in a bath of eucalyptus and magnesium salt, she explained I had booked the Lunaris ritual, a balance treatment tuned to the phases of the moon. Currently, the moon was waxing, on its way to becoming full, so the treatment would be energizing and help me focus on my goals.
As the therapist left so I could tuck myself into the massage bed, I couldn’t help but admire the treatment room’s stunning view. The therapist then guided me as I inhaled the moon oil that is at the center of the treatment. Floral scents filled my nostrils: I caught jasmine, lavender and sage.
Treatment room
The oil was then rubbed into my back with long, gliding strokes, and a massage commenced. Far too soon, my therapist told me to turn over. After a few more strokes, she applied an exfoliating cream to my hands and feet, then scrubbed them. After such a calming treatment, it was scratchy and uncomfortable, but my hands were silky smooth for the rest of the trip. I soon returned to the garden terrace to sip tea and nibble a few dried fruits, accompanied by a great number of screeching details of a guest’s friend’s dating life.
Fireplace lounge
Overall, I have mixed feelings about this spa. The treatment was really unique— I got to many spas, and I can genuinely say it was unlike any massage I have ever experienced (in a good way), but it didn’t outweigh how noisy and crowded the spa was, in my opinion. The Chelsea Spa’s website cites “stunning hydrotherapy amenities,” so my expectations were high and I was disappointed by how limited they were. If I was planning a bacherlorette in NYC, I might pick this spa— it seems great for groups who want to come and chat. But it has a bit too much ‘bustle’ for a sole relaxer like me.
I visited The Spa at Hotel Chelsea in New York City, USA.
I paid $275 USD for a 60 minute Lunaris: A Moon Ritual treatment.
I visited in Summer.
