Spa of choice
Some completely new, others new to us
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Bellava MedAesthetics & Spa |
Bellava MedAesthetics & Spa Bedford Hills
What makes it great: This beautiful new spa combines medi-spa services with a decadent, relaxing atmosphere. Whether you're here for fillers, injections, or laser lipotherapy—under the guidance of medical director James Lyons, MD. - or face and body treatments or professional make-up services, you will be pampered and pampered, starting with hot Amanzi tea served in the living room. Signature treatment: Shirodhara massage ($75 for 40 minutes), an Ayurvedic healing therapy where a warm jet of Indian oil flows rhythmically over your forehead while two therapists tend to your head and feet. The sky! Leave the oil on for a few hours—or overnight. You won't believe how silky smooth your hair is the next day. What's New: Edge Systems' HydraFacial is the latest in non-laser skin resurfacing, promising to reduce fine lines and brown spots (among other benefits). We're also big fans of the Desert Heat Body Wrap, where you're slathered in mineralizing Arizona desert mud and wrapped in a warm cocoon, emerging like a very relaxed butterfly. Reserve: 182 Rte 117 Bypass Rd (914) 864-2140;
bellavaspa.com.
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Pleasant Derma Glow |
Derma Glow from New York
North Salem
What makes it great: The infectious energy and sheer cuteness factor of Jennifer and JoAnne Sciarrino, the 27-year-old identical twins who own it. Cozy space - there are three treatment rooms plus a small manicure and pedicure salon (we love the couch and oversized pedicure buckets) - it feels like you're on vacation with your girlfriend. Signature Treatment: The signature facial is pampering at its best ($115 for 75 minutes). Of course, you get all the usual stuff like cleansing, toning and skin analysis, but what really sets this treatment above all else are all the little extras, like the foot rub, hand massage and sleep-inducing shoulder/neck/décolleté massage. What's new: For those in a hurry, there are a variety of quick treatments, such as a deluxe leg and foot service ($40 for 30 minutes) that includes dry brushing, massage and wraps, and specialized décolleté and back treatments ($50 for 30 minutes) that improve skin tone and texture. The spa also sells a limited, but impressive, collection of jewelry and other items, including one-of-a-kind button rings by local resident Nancy Ellis. Reserve: 1 Dingle Ridge Rd (914) 338-7822; dermaglowofny.com.
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East meets West at Miriana Day Spa |
Miriana Day Spa
Thornwood
What makes it great: Miriana is where East meets West, where the ever-friendly owner Miriana Li, who hails from Hong Kong, employs a dedicated Asian staff, all of whom are trained in Eastern wellness techniques. Lia's influence permeates everything, starting with the small but serene front lobby where she acts as hostess, inviting her guests to enter another world. ("It takes twenty hours to fly to Asia," she notes, "or you can come here.") The space is bigger than it seems, with five treatment rooms, a steam hydrotherapy room, two showers and a lounge. Each room beckons with a jar of freshly baked cookies from Pleasantville's Jean-Jacques' Culinary Creations. Go ahead, take two - this is, after all, a day to treat yourself. Signature treatment: Thai Herbal Ball Massage, an Eastern treatment that uses warm herbal balls wrapped in muslin to massage you into oblivion ($140 for 90 minutes). We also love the rose petal salt scrub and massage which starts with a full body scrub in a warm steam room with a little spa mist followed by lots of warm water being poured over your body, followed by a one-hour massage ($140 for 90 minutes). What's New: A warm paraffin facial helps increase hydration and stimulate new skin cell production, making it ideal for winter weather ($100 for 90 minutes). Reserve: 590 Commerce St (914) 773-2300; mirianadayspa.com.
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Massage Envy |
Envy Spa massage
Scarsdale
What makes it great: Yes, it's a national franchise with a bit of a clinical vibe, but once you step outside the closed doors, you're off to dreamland. Because it's membership-based, one-hour massages are just $59; facials, $69, so you can indulge often. Signature Treatment: Massages are the heart of the business - it's called Massage Envy for a reason. Don't just expect plain Swedish or deep tissue; therapists apply different techniques depending on where the tension or tightness is. What's New: New upgrades to aromatherapy massage oils are now available. Reserve it: 777 White Plains Rd (914) 902-9200; massageenvy.com.
Emmary Day Spa
Chappaqua
What makes it great: The fact that owners Nancy Toland and Susan Beirne are constantly tweaking their menu and offering new and interesting beauty products and lotions (check out GrandeLash-MD, a lash and brow formula created by White Plains resident Alicia Grande). Signature treatment: HydraFacial plus microcurrent and LED therapy give your skin a "workout" designed to restore facial muscle tone. While the word "microcurrent" might sound scary, the treatment is actually relaxing and comfortable, and leaves you with a natural flush that lets you face your day, truth be told, without makeup ($100 for 20 minutes for a Mini HydraFacial treatment; $175 on 60 Minutes; the series is available).
What's New: "The Big Event," a combination of Mini HydraFacial, microcurrent, LED therapy, and contouring mask that delivers great results just in time for your wedding, bat mitzvah, high school reunion, or whatever "big event" you have ($200 for 75 minutes; book at least four to 48 hours in advance). Also worth noting: 45-minute facials and massages are offered every first Tuesday of the month for a discounted price of $50. Reserve it: 24 S Greeley Ave (914) 238-8830; emmarydayspa.com.
Therapeutic balsam massage
Rye
What makes it great: Owner Michelle Kelly Dillon's one-room spa, located on the second floor of a Victorian house, may be small and lack the accoutrements of a traditional spa experience, but it packs a punch. It is especially adapted to work with cancer patients, pregnant women and the elderly. Signature Treatment: Therapeutic Relaxation Massage, a customized combination of Swedish, deep tissue massage, acupressure, shiatsu, reflexology and craniosacral techniques ($100 for 60 minutes). What's New: Medical massages are a big part of Dillon's business. They will also make home visits for the cost of the office service, plus parking, tolls and a $50 travel fee. Reserve it: 43 Locust Ave (914) 500-1760; balsam
massage.com.
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Rachel Rose Day Spa |
Rachel Rose Day Spa
Hartsdale
What makes it great: It can be a bit difficult to find, but once you do (above the Drexel Heritage furniture store at the entrance on the left), you'll be transported to a land of flowing dresses, cozy slippers, and quiet bliss. Signature Treatment: Rachel Rose's signature massage uses a combination of warm, damp towels and lightly scented rose oils to balance and relax you. After your therapist focuses on your knots for an hour, we guarantee you'll leave in a Zen-like state that lasts even as you turn your car back onto Central Avenue ($125 for 60 minutes, $190 for 90 minutes). What's New: The Red Carpet Celebrity Facial is an age-defying skin-tightening treatment that uses NuFace, a microcurrent device designed to stimulate and lift ($170 for 75 minutes). Reserve: 110 S Central Ave (914) 948-7500; rachelerosedayspa.com.
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Mir |
Peace has no borders
Eastchester
What makes it great: It's eco-chic goodness laid out in a boutique atmosphere. Formerly known as O Day Spa, the two-room facility uses only organic or natural products for treatments. The spa recently merged and adopted the name of its mobile branch, Tranquility Has No Boundaries. Owner Meredith Grasso Gilbert specializes in off-site spa parties (think bridal showers, bachelorette parties) as well as one-on-one massages, turning your home into a haven of comfort. Signature treatment: the Green Goddess facial treatment, a classic designed to pamper the skin and relax the mind. And yes, that includes the delicious-smelling creams you'll be tempted to buy on your way out ($100 for 60 minutes). What's New: Rose Petal and Rose Hip Facial (Valentine's Day; $100 for 60 minutes, each), along with a Firming Rose Petal Body Wrap ($110 for 60 minutes). The spa has also started offering children's and teen parties (for ages seven and up), which include mini facials, mani/pedis, make-your-own lip balm and more. Reserve it: 434 White Plains Rd, Ste 1 (914) 652-7111; tranquilityhasnoboundaries.com.
Addison Street Spa
Larchmont
What makes it great: The home environment (there are five treatment rooms), along with owner's mom Janet Azar
homemade cookies in the waiting room and decadent treatments done right. Signature Treatment: The Trilogy Hot
Stone massage includes deep tissue massage, Swedish massage and hot stone massage for an intense body-warming experience that relaxes stubborn knots ($125 for 60 minutes). What's new: Seasonal specialties are often promoted, which often combine treatments, for example a classic European facial combined with a sports massage or a body wrap with an ear candle. Reserve it: 9 Addison St (914) 833-3223; addisonstreetspa.com.
Spa Adriana
Eastchester
What makes it great: From the moment you walk into Adriana - with its intimate European ambiance and trickling waterfall - you'll feel the tension melt away. Signature Treatment: The Universal Contour Wrap, a two-hour process where you're first wrapped like a mummy in bandages soaked in a warm Dead Sea clay solution, then in what looks like an aluminum space suit to keep your body warm. The wrap cleans the skin while compressing soft fatty tissue, which the spa maintains and makes the body temporarily firmer and tighter ($275 for two hours). Also popular: Adriana's Signature Facial ($150 for 90 minutes), an intensely satisfying facial with two individually tailored masks, deep cleansing, extractions and a relaxing décolletage massage. Reserve it: 212 Main St (914) 395-1555; adrianaspabeauty.com.
Old favorites
Of course, we are easily swayed by the news of new and great places, but we don't forget our old places either. Here are eight spas that have stood the test of time
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Spa Ritz-Carlton |
â– Angelface Day Spa(322 Underhill Ave, Yorktown Heights 914-245-1084; angelfacespa.com) is intimate and homely. Think overstuffed sofas and chairs, varied nooks and crannies, sparkling chandeliers and country cottage ambiance. Facials are the spa's specialty—although there are a number of other excellent services. The latest is the Organic Green Tea Antioxidant Facial, which soothes and hydrates skin while calming irritation and redness ($110).
â–Oasis Day Spa(50 Livingstone Ave, Dobbs Ferry 914-409-1900; oasisdayspanyc.com/westchester) has everything you'll ever need or want in a spa, from our favorite muscle-melting massage ($125 for 60 minutes, $160 for 90 minutes) to a moisturizing facial and body wrap made from organic seaweed for spray tanning. Open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., you can book whenever you want. New on the menu is a decadent scalp "facial" with Moroccan oil.
 Oasis Day Spa | â– O2Living(6 Yellow Monkey Village, Cross River 914-763-6320/914-763-6342; o2living.com) has a cozy atmosphere: the staff is soft-spoken, the mood relaxed, and the mind-body fusion mission sincere. Opt for reflexology with Eva Vaughn, a European-trained therapist whose firm fingers intuitively know exactly where your trigger points are ($120 for 60 minutes). We heard that she also does excellent facials using Dr. Hauschka's method; see website for details. |
â– Park Avenue Medical Spa(495 Main St, Armonk 914-730-3333; parkavenuemedicalspa.com) is like having Park Avenue—Manhattan—in Westchester. A wide variety of non-surgical (eg Botox, facial fillers, vascular laser therapy) and surgical treatments (eyebrow lift, eyelid surgery, facelift, etc.) are available, along with traditional and funky spa services: hot stone/chakra massage or facial scrubs from papaya, can anyone?
â– Ritz-Carlton Spa(3 Renaissance Sq, White Plains 914-467-5888; ritzcarlton.com/westchester). If heaven were a place that could be programmed into your GPS, it would take you straight to this spa (on the 9th floor), where, as you'd expect from a hotel of this caliber, you'll be treated to pure indulgence with the ultimate in superior service. , soundproofed rooms and a spa menu so extensive you could stay for days. The Ritz is known for its "Seasonal Indulgences," exfoliating body treatments recently revamped and updated with new Skin Authority and Eminence Organic Skin Care products ($220 for 90 minutes).
â–Riverspa(50 S Buckhout St, Ste 202, Irvington 914-591-5757; riverspaonhudson.com) has been called "SoHo meets Westchester," thanks in part to its sweeping Hudson views, airy loft-like space, and Zen-quality serenity. People swear by the Fusion Massage, which combines Swedish, deep tissue and sports massage techniques ($65 for 30 minutes, $105 for 60 minutes, $145 for 90 minutes), though the Crystal Facial—basically microdermabrasion, but with more of a lightening component— is the treatment of the moment among women of a certain age ($160 for 60 minutes).
â– Epidavros Day Spa(272 N Bedford Rd, Mount Kisco 914-244-4422; epidavros
dayspa.com) operates under the motto "Recover your soul". We love the Raindrop Therapy Massage, where essential oils in the form of raindrops are applied along the spine and massaged with hot stones ($135 for 60 minutes).
â– Richard Scott Salon and Day Spa(15-17 S Moger Ave, Mount Kisco 914-242-1700; richardscottsalon.com) Seasonal body treatments using Peekskill-based Crater Lake Company skin care products keep this old favorite at the top of our list. In February, try a body scrub and chocolate covered strawberry pedicure. Every season brings a new flavor - so stay tuned.
Special services
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Spa Edamame |
For pregnant women:
Spa Edamame(5 Maple Ave, White Plains, 914-948-1279; maternity destination.
com) is located within Destination Maternity and is exclusively dedicated to pregnancy treatments. New to the menu: the "Basq Ultimate Pregnancy Massage," postnatal "Mama Mio Bootcamp" treatments and the "Naturopathica Plant Stem Cell Facial," all of which address key pregnancy issues.
For fans of vegan and organic farming:
Small spa(1 Baltic Pl, Croton-on-Hudson 914-552-0983; lepetitespany.com) presents a tough choice between its Signature Facial, a customized treatment featuring a luscious grape skin antioxidant serum, an organic sunflower eye cream, a soothing exfoliation for lavender feet , and a foot massage ($125 for 75 minutes) or a volcanic ash facial that helps detoxify and heal the skin ($115, 60 minutes). Each spa service includes aromatherapy and meditation for a complete mind/body relaxation experience. Appointments are limited to Thursday and Friday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. or during the day on weekends.
For teenagers:
Leather N.Y.-Westchester(118 S Ridge St, Rye Brook 913-213-5724) recently added Angela Iaco to its roster of experts. Iaco, who previously worked in salons in Manhattan, has more than eight years of experience working exclusively with teenagers, not only giving them facials ($50 for 30 minutes), but also educating them about skin health.
Spa in a hurry (and at affordable prices)
It's a new trend - spa treatment without taking off your clothes or spending a lot of money. And it's all done in tastefully decorated rooms where huge sunbeds lull you into deep relaxation, giving you a break in the middle of the day with time left to get back to your busy schedule. Plus, most are open late - usually until 9pm.
â– Footsie reflexology(213 E Main St, Mount Kisco 914-864-1673; footsiereflexology.com) is the equivalent of a nail polish spa: quick but valuable services that give you the little relaxation power you need. Thirty-minute foot reflexology, $28; body, with clothes, $35.
â– Lily's foot care(118 Mamaroneck Ave, Mamaroneck 914-630-7090 or 914-630-7091) opened last August, offering foot pampering at recession-busting prices (think $20 for 30 minutes; $28 for 60 minutes).
â– Oriental foot reflexology(5 N Moger Ave, Mount Kisco 914-218-8904, 365footcare.com) offers foot scrubs, massage and pressure reflexology: 60 minutes for $38, hot stone work for $45 and a combo, 30 minutes of reflexology and 30- minute body work, for $55.