Othership: Sauna 2.0

What if business meetings of the future were held in swimsuits? It’s already happening, each night, in the Flatiron District, just a few blocks from the Empire State Building. The 75-minute experience, described by Othership’s founders as a cross between Cirque du Soleil and group therapy, begins in a common room, where so-called “Journeyers” sip on herbal tea before heading for the 85°C “performance sauna”, kicking off a meticulously choreographed wellness routine which includes anything from deep-breathing exercises and somatic movements to tossing balls of essential oils onto the hot stones – and playing with the steam they create for theatrical effect. After passing through the communal shower, guests enter a cold room with eight bathtubs chilled to a lip-puckering 0 and 4°C. Following a three-minute plunge, a gong heralds round two of the experience. The best part? The cold helps break down social and emotional barriers, creating a deep connection among sauna-goers.

Clemente Bar: Hold the Sauce

Competing with their boozy counterparts has long been a tall order, but the rapid proliferation of “zero proof” elixirs is proof of concept. Gone are the overly sweet mocktails of the past – the newest generation of alcohol-free cocktails relies on innovative distillation techniques and complex flavour profiles. At Clemente Bar, tucked above Eleven Madison Park, the menu – which includes an astonishing selection of non-alcoholic concoctions – surprises and delights. Try a Kalimotxo – a take on the eponymous drink favoured by Spanish university students – reincarnated with a botanical aperitif, cola spices and clarified whey, or a Proxy Fizz, featuring faux gin, green apple and amazake, a fermented rice drink born of a sake-like brewing process. No buzz here, but the vibe is still plenty intoxicating – think art gallery meets cocktail lounge, with original pieces by Italian artist Francesco Clemente, furniture by designer Brett Robinson, and custom lighting by German artist Carsten Höller.

The Hotel Chelsea: Botanical Bliss

Perched on the roof of the newly renovated 19th-century hotel, this retreat with a private terrace has a way of making you forget where you are. With its original brickwork, fireplace, light colour palette and delicate floral arrangements, the spa has all the charm of a Cotswolds garden. You won’t find any futuristic bells and whistles or trend-of-the-day treatment menus here – the beauty routines retain a romantic, ethereal feel. In the six treatment rooms, each featuring limestone basins and Italian linen, facial treatments combine plant-based rituals, choreographed massage techniques and sensory journeys to soothe both body and mind. Bringing back a more human touch to wellness, Hotel Chelsea has launched an “artist-in-residence” programme, starting with Athena Hewett, a renowned facialist and founder of the botanical skincare brand Monastery.

Aman: Banya, But Make It Luxe

Beneath waves of searing heat, all you hear is the rustling of leaves. Your mind wanders, and your body surrenders to pure relaxation. Suddenly, a sharp, icy shock pulls you from your daze and, just like that, you’re back on the 11th floor of the Crown Building, Fifth Avenue’s iconic Beaux-Arts skyscraper. It’d be hard to argue you weren’t warned: before lying down on a wooden table in the heart of this exquisite sauna heated to 68°C, Igor, a banya specialist, carefully walks you through each step of what could be New York’s most extraordinary wellness experience. Following a circulation-boosting, exfoliating massage with oak and eucalyptus leaves, you’re invited to dive into an ice-cold plunge pool. This hot-cold cycle is repeated three times before you’re rewarded with a warm bath on the private suite terrace. There, let yourself float between Igor’s palms before being wrapped in warm towels and settling down into the outdoor bed, where the sound of police sirens will surely snap you straight back to the mad rush of the city. While the traditional Eastern European ritual is as invigorating as it is relaxing, Aman’s take on it is truly next level.

Oases: Ayurvedic Feast

Chelsea is no desert – but an oasis is an apt eponym for this pristine refuge on West 14th Street. The minimalist vibe at this cafe-restaurant was inspired by founder Sonam Sangmo’s Indian and Tibetan heritage. After a career in fashion, she teamed up with RANSD and Studio Rolling to create an all-day hangout: a place you can indulge in ube pancakes with a rare quality ceremonial matcha, or, under the vaulted alcoves of the bar, sip on cocktails with touches of turmeric or saffron oil before sitting down for a meal enhanced by Ayurvedic seasonings, Hamachi crudo and Tibetan momos – or, if you prefer, a hamburger and short ribs. A surprisingly fortuitous blend of American sensibilities and Himalayan flavours.

Equinox Hotel: Sleep Central

Calling all athletes (and sleep-starved travellers): Equinox, a leading name in fitness for over 25 years, made its foray into hospitality in 2019 with a slick hotel in Hudson Yards. Its 212 rooms were designed to promote three essential principles for restorative sleep: they’re dark, quiet and pleasantly cool. A sanctuary for regeneration, “attention to detail” doesn’t quite capture the hotel’s meticulous approach to wellbeing: a selection of different duvets cater to each guest’s body individual temperature, there are shower routines using products by Grown Alchemist for every time of day, and the minibar is stocked with healthful snacks alongside massage guns and “sexual wellness” oils. Hearty room-service options include bone broths, generously portioned salads and traditional burgers – everything you need to fuel up before hitting the gym, of which hotel guests become automatic members for the duration of their stay.

Go East

Two highlights from the Upper East Side.

Sage + Sound: Energy Reset

The Upper East Side isn’t exactly famous for breaking the mould, but Sage + Sound – something between a spa and a life-coaching centre – manages to do just that. From yoga and meditation to sound therapy, aromatherapy, massages and energy work, founders Lauren Zucker and Lacey Tisch have pooled a potent mix of resources that have helped them navigate some of life’s toughest challenges (PTSD, alcoholism, divorce). A must-try? “Manifestation”, a one-hour conversation designed to help you gain clarity, set intentions and gather tools to turn your dreams into reality.

Modern Age: Glowing Up

Growing old can wait, says Upper East Side holistic wellness centre Modern Age, which focuses on addressing the underdiagnosed effects of ageing. The impetus for the game-changing hub sprang from founder Melissa Eamer’s fascination with the concept of “real age”, which depends on countless lifestyle factors – and not necessarily your biological or chronological age. By stripping back taboos and offering complete transparency, Modern Age treatments and therapies are designed to improve every aspect of your body: from skin and hair to hormonal balance, cognitive function, sexual energy, and metabolism. A return to adolescence? Not quite, but it’s a good start.