Green Tea Spa

When a friend told me about Green Tea Spa, I thought “Is that an organic food store?” A little googling and citysearch led me to their website, where I discovered that Green Tea was not only a really popular name for a massage spas nationwide (who knew?), but also Murray Hill’s answer to the cheap Chinatown massages…but nicer.

Green Tea Spa is named after green tea, which they provide after every service. The green tea is said to speed post massage blood circulation while circulating toxins and uric acid in the joints, which will later elimate through sweat or urine. Basically, it cleanses you and gets out all your nastiness. Who couldn’t use that? Green Tea Spa provides back, foot and full body massages for men and women as well as foot reflexology, accupuncture and spa facials. The full body massages are their forte and for the mere price of $48, a true New York City bargain.

Unlike the cheap massages of Chinatown, they don’t bring you into a dark room with questionably sketchy sheets. The rooms are nice and smell like aromatherapy, and the staff are kind and soothing. The regular full body massage is the perfect amount of pressure on back, arms and legs and leaves you feeling peaceful and relaxed days after. Just specify your aches and pains and the therapists will customize your massage with a combo of Swedish, Shiatsu and Deep Tissue. (Word of caution, Deep Tissue really gets in there. It’s not for pain-phobes!) Make sure you note sports injuries/pains, headaches, sinus issues, etc. There masseuses specialize in tailoring each massage to your needs.

For $35 you can also get a hot stone facial. My friend splurged and indulged in one raving about how it helped her headaches and sinus issues. I’m not going to lie, I was jealous. Next time.

Green Tea Spa  240 East 28th Street between 2nd and 3rd 212.683.4048 Open daily 10:30-10 p.m.