Aire Ancient Baths opened in New York City in 2012, offering a modern take on the ancient bathhouses of the Roman, Greek and Ottoman empires and a concept which stands out from the ubiquitous USA urban day spa.
A subterranean oasis in the stylish Tribeca district, the 16,000sq ft (1,486sq m) spa is built in the basement of a former textile factory and features a circuit of pools which, like the traditional public baths of centuries ago, enable people to ‘take the waters’ to unwind and soothe the body. Visitors can choose from a warm tepidarium pool, which at 36?C is just below body temperature, float in salt water and listen to underwater music, relax in a 350-jet whirlpool or large pool of a similar temperature and sweat it out in a eucalyptus-scented steamroom before moving onto a 39?C hot caldarium bath and quickly dipping into one of two cold plunges. There’s also a relaxation room with heated marble beds. The idea is create a circuit and repeat it three to four times to relax the muscles, improve circulation, aid digestion and enhance overall wellbeing.
Numbers are limited to 20 people at a time, who book the spa in two-hour slots. A basic two-hour bathing experience in the week starts at US$75 (there’s a supplement at the weekend). Massages can be added on top of that in 15, 30, 45 or 60-minute increments (US$99-US$174). Four-handed massages and rituals are also offered – the most expensive of which is a US$500 Red Wine Ritual where guests soak in a red-wine infused bath before a 90-minute four-hand massage and another 90 minutes soaking in the pools.
Spa Business sent three mystery shoppers along to experience and compare notes and perspectives…
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