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Although spas and massage parlors are plentiful in New York, the former rarely focus solely on massages while the latter don't usually deliver the elevated experience many New Yorkers are looking for. That combination—a massage-first spa with a polished, hospitality-driven feel—is exactly what Spencer's Spa seems to be betting on at its SoHo flagship, which opened a year ago, and now at its newly debuted Williamsburg location (with a West Hollywood outpost as well).
During a recent visit, one of the first things that stood out was the not-too-grand scale of the place. The entire space can be taken in almost at a glance, which is surprisingly comforting. There's something to be said for a neighborhood spot that feels intimate instead of sprawling, especially in a city where every new opening seems determined to be bigger, louder and more over-the-top than the last.
Upon arrival, a gracious host leads guests to a small entryway where you're invited to slip off your "outside shoes," pull on a complimentary pair of branded Spencer's socks and change into an incredibly comfortable pair of slippers (those, unfortunately, are not complimentary). From there, you're ushered into a cozy waiting area designed to evoke a classic New York apartment, complete with oversized couches, bowls of mints and chocolates and a choice between tea or orange-infused water. On my visit, the citrusy drink was delightful.
When it's time for your treatment, your massage therapist escorts you to one of just a handful of rooms. They're clean, calming and understated, exactly what you'd expect from a thoughtfully designed spa. And then the real relaxation begins.
The menu is centered almost entirely on massage rather than the broad range of services most spas offer, save for a few facial treatments. Options include deep tissue massage, a lymphatic facial massage, hot stone therapy, prenatal massage and a head, neck and shoulder treatment. Most services are available in 45-, 60- and 90-minute sessions.
For non-members, treatments range from $199 for 45 minutes to $299 for 90 minutes. The membership, however, makes a compelling case for anyone planning to return. Through July 31, memberships cost $99 per month (you can purchase one here), before increasing to $179 monthly in August. Members pay $179 for a 60-minute massage and $249 for a 90-minute session, while 45-minute treatments remain $199 for everyone.
Given the endless energy and constant motion that define New York (plus the panic associated with about-to-collapse buildings in midtown Manhattan), finding a pocket of calm and complete relaxation feels less like an indulgence and more like a necessity, right? See you at Spencer's, then.