Review of Spa H in New York City

Who needs a destination spa when you have Spa H in your neighborhood? Save money on the plane ticket to Tucson's Canyon Ranch and head over to New York City's Murray Hill neighborhood to Club H Fitness. For the price of your average facial and massage, you'll get that and a pass to the gym and sauna. That's value.

When my friend James told me about his new posh gym in Manhattan's Murray Hill neighborhood, I figured it was too good to be true. After all, he was paying what I spend to wait in line for the treadmill at the low-end (and very bare bones) New York Sports Club. Yet James boasted his gym had new equipment, no waiting-in-lines, a juice bar, flowers at the front desk, fully stocked changing rooms and a luxurious spa.

A luxurious spa? What is this ... Carmel, California?

Tucked into the back of Club H Fitness on East 34th Street in NYC, Spa H offers a complete line of services from massages, scrubs, facials and hair removal. On a recent visit, I opted for a hot stone massage and the Eminence facial, both of which were excellent and on par with other high-end spas I've tried in Manhattan.

I started out my evening with a foot soak, which was just what I needed after a long day's work and walk from Midtown (one downside to the gym is its Eastside location -- it's not close to the work or tourist hubs).

The Eminence Organic Facial ($100 for 60 minutes) was the highlight of my evening. I was cleansed, exfoliated, moisturized and massaged with about a dozen different lotions from the Hungarian organic skincare line, Eminence. At one point, I felt like I was covered with items from every section of the grocery store, all of which smelled heavenly. There was wild plum, Hungarian paprika, sour cherry, apricot, cucumber and rose. The only uncomfortable part was the blackhead extraction, which is never pleasant

A word of advice: Every spa hands you a card at the end of services with a laundry list of products used and Spa H was no exception. Don't feel you have to buy everything. Because facials are usually priced lower than other services and spas depend on sales, a good rule of thumb is to buy one item. If you're going to splurge, do so on moisturizer, serums or scrubs. Skip the cleanser -- you can get a good one at a drugstore.

The hot stone massage ($130 for 60 minutes) was basic and a perfect follow-up to the facial. I was asked to speak up if I wanted the massage harder or lighter, but it was perfect as it was.

If you've never been rubbed down with hot stones, I highly recommend it. The stones are heated in a tub of hot water and the practitioner massages your entire body with them. Done right, it's like heaven. Done wrong, it can be torture.

Overall, the aestheticians and the managers were extremely professional and courteous. My pet peeve during a spa service is being engaged in chit-chat when I just want to float away into La-La Land. This didn't happen.

The spa itself was small, but fully functional. Others on message boards complain about the lack of dressing rooms and lockers at the Spa H location in Hoboken, New Jersey, (you have to change in the massage rooms), but this didn't bother me. The decor was subdued and calming. I found myself surprised that I was tucked away in a gym. There were no clanging barbells here.

I was particularly pleased with the personalized service. The manager had researched this Website and knew I hate wraps (they make me claustrophobic), so she made sure she didn't suggest one to me. This sort of customer service will help this young spa stand out above the rest.

This is the sort of place to escape to after a hard day's work on Wall Street or shopping on Fifth Avenue. It's the perfect escape for locals and tourists alike.

What sets this spa apart from others is that it's part of an overall fitness experience. You could spend an hour working out, then unwind in the sauna, finishing up with a massage, all for the price of the spa service alone. The products are high quality, this spa specializes in Eminence and the highly revered Sonia Dakar line -- both excellent choices.

Manhattan could use more of these. Here's hoping Club H Fitness opens another gym in Midtown where I work, or Park Slope, Brooklyn, where I live. I'd join in a heartbeat and treat myself once a month to the spa.

Spa H Murray Hill
222 East 34th Street (between 2nd and 3rd Avenues)
212-779-1020