1, A, B, C, D at 59th St.-Columbus Circle; N, Q, R, W at 57th St.
Payment Methods
American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Special Features
Good for Couples
Profile
Owner Faina Shafir, who’s been working in the medical and skincare fields since 1971, insists on personally training each of the dozen or so staff members at her Midtown West day spa. Originally from Moscow, Shafir believes the Europeans have it right in requiring rigorous medical training from its estheticians. Her spa, now on West 57th, is only a block from its original location opened in 1987, and boasts a long list of “one of the firsts:” Airbrush tanning, grape peels and scrubs, couples massage, and threading were all offered here before the trends went widespread. The space, all white and blonde wood, is inviting but spare, and feels a little cramped: Six small rooms, one with a steam room and shower, accommodate facials, body scrubs and wraps, massage, waxing, threading, and mani-pedis. A retractable screen between two of the rooms, even when closed, diminishes the feeling of privacy, but when opened, creates ample space for bridal events, couples treatments, or spa-themed birthday parties. Ever popular is the list of more than eighteen different facials, which are performed under the watchful eye of Shafir. The dedicated expert can be found on-site seven days a week. — Kathryn Williams
Extra
Pay cash and get 5 percent off. Treatments bought in packages are usually 10 to 20 percent cheaper than à la carte. The spa’s website features promotions that change monthly.
Men's Grooming Treat yourself to the three-and-a-half-hour “executive” package: a steam shower, sea-mineral or peppermint body sugar scrub, European massage (a mix of Swedish and deep tissue), European facial, paraffin hand treatment or manicure, plus a snack. Or just get an hour-long aromatherapy massage, by yourself or with your bride.
Bridal This low-key spa overseen by the meticulous Faina Shafrir has adjustable walls
to host parties of up to eight (save 10 to 20 percent on groups). The “Champagne
Extravaganza” for two ($229 per couple) includes a steam shower, body scrub,
massage, chocolate, and Champagne, but the salon is known for its facials: There
are no less than eighteen different ones on the menu.
2.5
"Not Recommended" Average Reader Rating on a Scale of 10
After getting my facial here left me with more to be desired. The first thing I noticed walking into the room was that there were no products on display in original packaging. All the creams, lotions, masks, etc were in white containers. This leads me to suspect that they don't use the same products during the services as displayed or sold at the spa. Also, there was a big bottle of Duane Reade brand Aloe Vera gel with a $3.99 sticker which I know was used as one of the steps during my facial. One would think that if you're paying over a hundred dollars for a facial, better and more expensive products would be what's going on your face. Putting aloe vera on my face for 10 minutes is something I can easily do at home.
The other annoying thing is that the facialist could not stop 'selling' products to me during the facial. I went there to relax, not to listen to someone talk about all the creams and acids and stuff that I should buy and use. She would make a good car sales person.
The spa was very small. The decor and atmosphere felt more like a doctorÂ’s office and customer service deplorable. The 1 star rating is much too generous.
I had to leave a 30% deposit for the reservation of 7 people which was several hundred dollars, then the owner (Faina) tried to leave that amount on my credit card as well as charge me for my service ($159), my friends had all paid for their services in full, she told me to get my deposit money back from them. Very shady, beware!!!!!!!"