Byrdie HQ Says These Are the Best Spas in NYC

In a world where staying busy, tired, and stressed is practically used as currency, it's easy to forgo self-care in favor of deadlines and a social life. As someone who has certainly gotten caught up in running from meeting to meeting or the office to dinner and barely getting enough rest to do it all over again, I get it. The thing is, maintaining a balanced mind and body is just as important as furthering your career and drinking that pricey cocktail. Perhaps more so depending on who you ask.

So in the hopes that you'll take more than a few minutes for yourself today, we've gone ahead and researched the best spas in NYC. Below, find our favorites along with the treatments that are most intriguing… and effective.

Joanna Vargas Spa

Why we love it: If you ask any beauty editor where to get the best facial, they'll likely recommend Joanna Vargas Spa. Founded by celebrity aesthetician Joanna Vargas, the spa also offers body treatments, LED treatments, and massages. Vargas is known for her ability to blend plant-based ingredients with technology to help each client achieve their most refined, glowing skin.

Treatment to try: All of the Joanna Vargas Spa are worthwhile, but the Supernova Facial should be at the top of your list. It helps resurface the skin thanks to a nutrient-rich liquid exfoliation. Your aesthetician will then use micro-current technology to contour and de-puff your skin and follow it up with a collagen mask to pack vital nutrients into your skin. Your luxe facial experience is rounded out with cryotherapy which boosts cellular metabolism, circulation and oxygenation.

Price: $325

Aire Ancient Baths

Why we love it: Inspired by ancient Roman, Greek and Ottoman traditions, Aire Ancient Baths is a tranquil space focused on helping you achieve a balanced mind and body. A visit to the space will take you on a sensorial journey that includes taking a dip in various thermal baths.

Treatment to try: Aire Ancient Bath's signature treatment, The Ancient Thermal Bath, is a must-try. You'll be able to tour each bath—which includes hot baths and ice baths—at your leisure. You'll also have access to the facility's ​​relaxation area to rest on warm marble stone and light refreshments like water or tea.

Price: $115 for 90 minutes

Rescue Spa

Why we love it: Rescue Spa prides itself on creating a warm retreat environment for its guest. The spacious facility offers treatments for your face, body, hair, and nails. It's also home to a luxury retail boutique, making it the ultimate destination for your every beauty need.

Treatment to try: If you're looking to remove age spots, freckles, or redness, book the Forever Young Skin Rejuvenating Treatment. The best part? This service requires no downtime.

Price: $650 for 60 minutes or $800 for 90 minutes

Shibui Spa at The Greenwich Hotel

Why we love it: Shibui Spa strikes the perfect balance between traditional and modern. Their treatments center on an appreciation for nature, and the facility's practitioners are experts in ancient and contemporary healing techniques. While at Shibui Spa, you can enjoy amenities ranging from relaxation lounges to traditional Japanese soaking tubs.

Treatment to try: When you visit Shibui Spa, try the Healing Ritual. The ritual begins with a cleansing signature soak in a private Ofuro tub and is followed by a 90-minute massage that targets muscle tension.

Price: $380 for 105 minutes 

The Well

Why we love it: The Well is a modern wellness club. It blends the benefits of Western medicine with the wisdom of Eastern healing. The 13,000-square-foot facility is home to integrative medicine doctors, health coaches, and skilled practitioners who work together to build customized plans for members based on their goals. The club includes a full-service spa with steam and sauna, an organic restaurant and vitamin bar, reflexology lounge, yoga and meditation studios, private training gym, and classroom for weekly classes.

Treatment to try: The Well's Lymph Drainage Massage & Dry Brushing helps stimulate your body’s circulatory and elimination systems. The treatment also helps to reduce swelling, minimize the appearance of cellulite, and promote relaxation. However, it is important to note that this treatment is not recommended for anyone who is or could be pregnant or anyone actively sick with a cold or flu.

Price: $175 for 60 minutes and $260 for 90 minutes 

Daphne European Skincare and Sugaring Studio

Why we love it: Daphne is a quaint, chic spa in NoLIta that exclusively carries Biologique Recherche's extensive range of skincare products—including cult (and Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen)–favorite Lotion P50. The menu features clinical, customized, results-driven facial and body treatments.

Treatment to try: Combining two of the spa's most popular treatments, The Glow is an illuminating facial with non-surgical facelift results and a detoxing body wrap (that's said to burn up to 3000 calories). First, a combination of personalized Biologique Recherche masks and peels are applied, followed by a personalized eye treatment and oxygen infusion for an immediate and visible lift in your skin. Next, an infrared blanket is used with Sudatonic creams to flush toxins from your body. You'll notice an improvement in skin texture, cellulite, bloating, and stretch marks.

Price: $299

Pratima Spa

Why we love it: Pratima's SoHo spa offers a calming, healing escape from the busy, buzzy New York life. The interior is dark, ornate, and shockingly plush—covered in maroon velvet and wooden accents. Pratima is an incredibly wise Ayurvedic specialist who can diagnose you just by looking at you.

"I have noticed through my years of practice that today's women seem to suffer from imbalances due to stress and the so-called 'superwoman syndrome,'" Pratima says. "Whether it's a career, family, social life, or any combination of these roles, women put enormous pressure on themselves, which manifests into frustration and stress, showing up in the skin as well as internally such as premature aging, acne, allergies, dehydration, etc. It's one of the body's ways of trying to dispel negative emotion. And while we may try to mask these emotions, our bodies do not lie."

Treatment to try: The Shirodhara body massage. It's an Ayurvedic ritual to "quiet the mind." Following a nurturing front body massage, warm herbal oil is gently poured over your third eye to deeply lull your senses and help to relieve insomnia, improve memory and focus, and restore peace of mind.

Price: $171

Haven Spa

Why we love it: Haven feels serene yet still affordable and easily accessible. Nestled on Mercer Street, find peaceful pampering and a comfy lounge where you can hang out in between treatments.

Treatment to try: The Fire and Ice is a resurfacing facial that uses medical-grade therapeutic masques and anti-inflammatory botanicals to clear your skin, minimize pores, reduce fine lines and smooth, soften, and encourage skin renewal. It helps to hydrate, treat discoloration, and stimulate circulation, all while invigorating your mind and senses. It's a truly unforgettable facial.

Price: $210

Ling Spa

Why we love it: The spa's founder, Ling Chan, opened her first Ling Skin Care spa in 1984 in New York City. Since then, she's developed her signature facial treatments based on Asian beauty principles and works to balance her clients' skin while preventing and treating other skin ailments. The space and treatment rooms are clean, comfortable, and minimalistic.

Treatment to try: The Oxygen Sparkling Glow facial consists of a therapeutic face, neck, and shoulder massage to help you relax; an organic apple peel to digest skin impurities; and an oxygen mask, which utilizes carboxy technology to instantly boost your skin's radiance. Our wellness editor, Victoria, says not only did she fall asleep during the treatment, but it also gave her "an instant face-lift." See, the facial concludes with Ling's Energy Lift treatment, a heated tourmaline gemstone used to infuse "oxygen plasma potion" serum into your skin while also firming and contouring.

Price: $150

Take Care Spa

Why we love it: The Take Care space is like an Instagram dream world: well lit, minimalistic, and decorated with plants and crystals. It's smaller than I had imagined, with just one treatment room, but what the spa lacks in size, it makes up for in relaxation and effective treatments. Sadie Adams, the founder, studied anatomy, Ayurveda, and yoga therapy—which led her focus on regenerative therapies and healing. That being said, the spa doesn't just offer essential oils and holistic remedies, but rather incorporates scientifically proven, clinical treatments into its list of offerings like LED lights, microdermabrasion, and stem cell facials.

Treatment to try: The Microcurrent facial is one you've probably heard of before—a fine electrical current, strategically applied, fosters a healing environment and safely brings tissues to a younger, healthier function. This one works in just one session (with added results after a few more) and left my face jarringly sculpted, toned, and glowy.

Price: $300