New York City Affordable Places

Spa-Nyc.com is an online resource with a directory of New York City spas. The site features reviews and has a side panel of categories including, but not limited to, medispas, hands & feet, and hair removal. But don’t expect their cyber-holding place to hold an aromatherapy candle to the serene spas they feature. The website is messy. The font is blue and white and highlighted and bold and underline. The featured spas on the front are all smashed in, and it is hard to discern why these are featured. Are they advertisements? Is spa-nyc.com getting commission if they refer customers to these spas? Regardless, the presentation is messy and unpolished. You would think after seven years, they can clean up their website.

But for November, it will be worth it to visit spa-nyc.com because they are offering 50% off all spa services as a “thank you” to their clients. (We think it might be conjunctive ploy with the spas to get people in the door; but either way, we’ll take our discount.) There are different discounts for different days that include half off of the following services: hair cut and color, massages, body scrubs, body wraps, Brazilian wax and laser hair removal. It says “Each day you can find different spas offering 50% off of something great.” (They also need new writers.) So you have to click through the specials to avoid misinterpretation, but when I called to book a few, each place confirmed they were offering the 50% off proving the deal solid.

We’ll get to spa-nyc.com with some feedback on their site. You just use your November discount to relax before the holiday rush.

Emma Dinzebach

Everyone complained that SHO Shaun Herrgat’s location (the 2nd floor of the Setai Hotel at 40 Broad Street) was difficult to find. Then they complained the walk to your table took too long. I disagreed. I found it, and as a developer’s daughter, was quite enthralled with the design. Interior architects at  Robert D. Henry created an emotional, if slightly expansive, space. Think Dubai meets Plaza Athenee in Bagnkok. Actually, think the world meets Wall Street. I half-expected Chuck Bass to be waiting for me at the bar.

Instead I found business men at business meetings, a few sketchy mistress-esque dates, some plain ‘ol normal folk, and my patient date still in his suit from work. He looked very handsome. Knowing I wanted to write about it, he arranged for special treatment. We had an informative tour of the extensive floor to ceiling vino gallery and the private dining room (pictured). (He offered to let us to sit in there, but I thought that would be awkward.) Instead, were given our choice of a couple select tables.

Mr. Hergatt is a master of texture mixture and each dish is perfectly sculpted and presented to this degree. There are emulsions, froths, stacks and drizzles with exotic ingredients and exciting combinations. SHO Shaun Hergatt’s tasting menu is just $69 – a fine dining bargain in tough  times. We skipped that as our meal was pre-arranged. (He is an exceptional date, right?). We started with the peekytoe crab, foie gras, trout tartare and something else that slips my mind as we also tasted a lot of wine. The three day short rib, cod and veal tenderloin were our favorites. I wasn’t a huge fan of the rabbit loins, but it could have been my overall aversion to the word loins.

And then, because I’m lucky like this, Mr. Hergatt emerged inquiring into our meal. I was completely taken off guard and combined with the wine might have stumbled over my words, but eventually abruptly blurted out a slew of compliments. I looked at my smiling date. Who just said, “Dessert?”

SHO Shaun Hergatt  The Setai Hotel  40 Broad Street  212.809.3993

Emma Dinzebach

Cheryl Reid, founder of Spa Week and owner of SPA MEDIA LLC, launched the first Spa Week in October 2004 as a way to educate New Yorkers about the benefits of spa services while providing an affordable way to enjoy them. Spa Week gained such industry hype it quickly expanded nationally and caught the attention of major corporate sponsors. (Saab, Allure, etc.) Now Cheryl aims to introduce a new generation of spa goers to wellness benefits they can take part in, at least bi-annually. Maybe it’s for “wellness benefits” or maybe Spa Week is just a genius marketing idea. After all, Reid formerly owned a New York City public relations firm. Either way, Spa Week allows the average Josephine great treatments for just half a hundo – AKA $50.
How to participate? Visit http://www.spaweek.com. Register your name, email and other optional information. Then click on your respective territory. An index of results will appear with – at least for New Yorkers – an overwhelming amount of spa participants. Here it helps to have a specific spa in mind. Ask rich friends which spas they frequent. Each spa lists the Spa Week services they are offering. For instance, Completely Bare offers laser hair removal for bikini or underarm, Fresh in Soho offers a 60 minute Balance and Nourish Face Treatment, and the Salon & Spa at Saks Fifth Avenue offers a 60 minute Therapeutic Massage amongst other services.

How to book? Fall Spa Week runs October 12-18th – as in next week. Make a list the spa/services you intend to book complete with back ups as services do fill up during Spa Week. Try for days when your schedule is more flexible as you want to maximize the benefits of your relaxing services by pairing them with a relaxing day.  Call individual spas to book. Spa Week does not book through their website, but if you sign up on their email list, they do provide spa specials throughout the year.
Emma Dinzebach

Think it can’t get any better, refer a friend to any of their services through August 31st and receive a free lactic baby peel. Tres Belle was also voted “Best in Brooklyn” for permanent hair removal and the kind, patient staff provide free consultations, assess your needs and find an option that works for you. The staff are friendly and sweet. They know how you want to start off your week – mellow, serene – and make it their mission to create a truly mellow Monday or Tuesday, or Wednesday…

Tres Belle Petite Medi-Spa 105 Bond Street; 917-763-6143

Emma Dinzebach