With a bird’s eye view of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline, The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, New York offers the ultimate refuge from one of the world’s most bustling cities. At 14,500 square feet, The Spa features eight treatment rooms, including a VIP spa suite and a tea lounge overlooking the Hudson River. Other amenities include an oxygenated vitality pool, amethyst crystal steam room and experiential showers. Its vitality pool features a proprietary infusion technology that creates supersaturated levels of dissolved oxygen that, when bathed in, offer a slew of antiaging benefits, increased circulation, elevated energy levels and more. Spa guests are encouraged to enjoy a relaxing soak (a minimum of 10 to 15 minutes is recommended) to set the tone and amplify the wellness benefits of each service.
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With a bird’s eye view of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline, The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, New York offers the ultimate refuge from one of the world’s most bustling cities. At 14,500 square feet, The Spa features eight treatment rooms, including a VIP spa suite and a tea lounge overlooking the Hudson River. Other amenities include an oxygenated vitality pool, amethyst crystal steam room and experiential showers. Its vitality pool features a proprietary infusion technology that creates supersaturated levels of dissolved oxygen that, when bathed in, offer a slew of antiaging benefits, increased circulation, elevated energy levels and more. Spa guests are encouraged to enjoy a relaxing soak (a minimum of 10 to 15 minutes is recommended) to set the tone and amplify the wellness benefits of each service.
The self-care doesn’t stop there. A high-performance fitness center with multisensory exercise equipment, a Thai yoga suite adorned with dark teak wood and a deep soaking tub, and a naturally lit 75-foot lap pool are even more wellness perks available for guests to enjoy. Blending Eastern influences with contemporary New York touches, the decor, ambiance and menu offerings in this sky-high sanctuary prove to be an oasis of relaxation. First awarded in 2007, The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, New York is the longest running Forbes Five-Star spa on the East Coast, attesting to the standard and quality of its stellar service and offerings.
Business Savvy
The key to The Spa’s success can be attributed to team collaboration, according to director of spa Laura Lambert. “In current times, it is important to have a well-rounded conversation with both colleagues, management and senior executives, ensuring that our colleagues are not only feeling engaged but passionate about the work they are doing,” she says. “This passion flows right back to our guests and their experience at The Spa.” A constant embodiment of this joint teamwork happens in the form of The Spa’s daily stand-up meeting, where the day’s operations are discussed in addition to current opportunities for guests, employees and facilities.
Collaboration and open dialogue with staff bring synergy to all aspects of the business, from attracting and keeping clients to employee culture and career satisfaction. “This approach allows us to have longevity with our spa colleagues, ensuring they are happy and that the guest experience is consistently being provided at the five-star service expected and deserved,” explains Lambert.
She believes The Spa’s environment and close-knit relationships have contributed to the strong staff retention throughout the years, allowing for steady consistency in guest experience for both new and existing clients alike. Lambert reports that an impressive 95% of spa staff have been employed with The Spa for more than five years, while 70% have been with the company for more than 10.
Signature Service
Guests visiting The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, New York can choose from an enticing menu of face and body treatments, or simply book a length of time for a truly customized experience. The Time Ritual (110-170 min./$485-$735) offers a different approach to the traditional spa visit, in which guests book time rather than a specific service. The result is a holistic journey where time is on each guest’s side, so to speak. “It is a true head-to-toe experience customized to the guest’s needs, plus it allows our therapists to utilize their individual talents to create something tailor-made every time,” says Lambert.
Prior to the service, the therapist and guest have a one-on-one consultation to determine how to best meet their individual needs in their allotted time together. As a signature Mandarin Oriental standard, Tingsha bells are used at the beginning and end of all spa treatments, providing calming vibrations that promote the flow of positive energy and relaxation. Each Time Ritual begins with a soothing foot ritual, designed to restore a natural state of equilibrium, as well as a full body exfoliation, customized massage, facial cleanse and scalp massage. “Outside of our traditional massages, the Time Ritual is our most booked treatment, leaving guests feeling completely relaxed and rejuvenated,” remarks Lambert. The unique ability for guests to take control of each minute spent at The Spa no doubt contributes to its strong local client base while encouraging new visitors and hotel guests to get in on the action too.
Alisha Racker’s career in the beauty and wellness industry spans well over a decade. As a licensed master esthetican, she worked hands-on in the treatment room prior to embarking into the corporate world of skin care as a marketing, PR, event planning and social media specialist. Currently, Racker reports on spa-goings, beauty, skin and lifestyle topics for a variety of industry publications and blogs.
