I had a case of writer's block when I (repeatedly) sat
down to write about Cornelia, a new spa in midtown Manhattan. It wasn't
from a lack of things to say. It was from too much. I was overwhelmed
by a long list of distinctive details that combine to make Cornelia
a truly exceptional spa. Here goes...
Cornelia
is located in the newly redesigned Ferragamo flagship building on
5th Avenue. The spa's 21,000 square feet are divided between the 8th
and 9th (penthouse) floors. Customized care is the core of Cornelia.
It starts with moment you enter the building and follows you throughout
your stay. As my husband and I entered from the street, we were greeted
by a receptionist who escorted us to the 8th floor. The elevator opened
into a large, bright area defined by a glowing onyx wall. On one end
of the space is the reception desk and on the other is the 600 square-foot
boutique displaying the Cornelia
signature line of products and luxury
lifestyle items. Tucked away on the far end of the boutique is
a special room Cornelia designed for "those who wait" -
husbands and friends who wait for their loved ones while they experience
the spa. This private room
is equipped with a television and computer with Internet access. What
a thoughtful touch! There is another thoughtful touch next to the
elevator doors - umbrella stands containing Cornelia
signature umbrellas that are complementary to guests who may need
them.
As
Jeff and I checked in at the reception desk, the Concierge offered
us a selection of water, tea, juice and fruit. We sipped tea and nibbled
on grapes and apple-sized strawberries while we browsed in the boutique.
When finished, we were escorted to the appropriate changing rooms.
Elena, the attendant, greeted me and selected a robe and slippers
for me. She asked me to choose a locker.
The lockers do not have numbers, but are identified by the guest's
name. Elena attached a label
with my name on it to the locker. The full-length locker
holds a personal safe, hangers, cubbies and a mirror. The women's
changing room
is large and bright with a steam room, private showers and vanity.
Silver tiles adorn the showers
while toasty towels await on towel
warmers. The vanity is stocked with everything you could need
from brushes
to June Jacobs
and Ferragamo
products. The smaller and darker men's changing room offers similar
amenities as well as a plasma TV, custom-sized men’s-only robes,
man-sized bath sheets and a complimentary shoeshine. In addition to
robes and slippers, the changing room attendants provide both male
and female guests with a T-shirt and lounge pants, giving them a choice
of what to wear to and between treatments. A small woven tote bag
is also issued to hold personal items, magazines, and a iPod with
over 10,000 musical selections that the guest may listen to throughout
their stay.
I
headed down the hallway
lined with tile and Venetian plaster to the Relaxation Library where
Jeff was waiting for me. Butler greeted me and offered refreshments
and a warm neck pillow. The Relaxation Library is divided into two
areas. The first is a social area where talking is permitted. The
comfortable chairs have individual reading lights and side tables.
The second is a quiet area with teak lounge chairs and Cornelia signature
wool blankets from Scotland (which are found throughout the spa).
Cornelia
uses an exclusive client data treatment tracking technology that seamlessly
links the spa experience and to ensure each staff member knows each
guest's name and schedule, something that certainly personalizes the
experience for the guest. This is also used to record guests' preferences
so the spa will know them for future visits.
After a brief rest, our therapists came to collect us from
the Relaxation Library and led us to our spa suite, one of 11 private
facial and body treatment rooms on the 8th floor. There are a two-room
spa suite, three massage rooms (Tei - Linden Tree, Stejar - oak tree
and Stele - many stars), three facial rooms (Liliac, Zambila - spring
flower and Stele - many stars) and one private facial suite used exclusively
by Ms. Zicu. The walls and ceiling of each room
are decorated with Venetian plaster and the environment of each room
can be 
customized
for each client. Music is pre-programmed per the client's request
from over 10,000 songs. The rooms are individually climate controlled.
All technical equipment is hidden in custom-built dark wooden cabinetry.
Each room is equipped with a special salt
filter to clean the air and enhance health similar to the salt
caves in Romania. Massage treatment rooms have attractive heaters
for the stones used in stone therapy treatments (as opposed to turkey
roasters). Facial rooms are equipped with an autoclave to sterilize
instruments. Most impressive (and reassuring)!
The
spa suite is large enough for two treatment tables and connected to
another room. Together they are perfect for groups and parties. Jeff
and I each received a Cornelia Signature Facial. Because each client
is unique, each service is customized to reflect each client's needs.
So Jeff's facial was not exactly like mine, but there was at least
one thing they had in common. We each had two therapists. While Ana
was attending to my face, Leslie was massaging my arms, hands, legs
and feet. While Lana was giving Jeff his facial, Sofia was massaging
his arms, hands, legs and feet. My facial included a papaya massage,
extractions, a sterilizing wand and a Comfort Zone hydrating collagen
mask to help reverse the aging process by strengthening and stimulating
the skin’s natural collagen production while anti-oxidants calm
and moisturize. However, I enjoyed the massage so much, I didn't pay
that much attention to the mechanics of the facial. Neither did Jeff.
I do know the results of the facials were great - supple, luminous,
healthy-looking skin.
Unfortunately,
we did not have time to spend the entire day at the spa and enjoy
it as a "resort." We did, however, have time to tour the
rest of the facilities. In addition to the reception area, boutique,
separate men's and women's locker rooms, relaxation library and treatment
rooms, the lower floor has a salon, barber shop and a conference room.
The salon offers a shampoo
area, hair styling
area with sliding mirrors (you can choose to watch or not), separate
foil room, manicure
area (with Cornelia polish), pedicure area, and refreshments.
The traditional barbershop
is equipped with a plasma TV and offers hot lather and continental
shaves, cuts, color as well as hand and feet grooming.
The
8th and 9th floors are connected by both an elevator and a wide circular
staircase. The bright penthouse floor houses Cafe Cornelia and two
areas that were unfinished at the time of my visit (but should be
ready by summer).
The
bright Café Cornelia - surrounded by windows and topped by
skylights seats 35 and offers an appealing, healthy menu for breakfast,
lunch and light fare such as Chop Chop Salad Provencal, Miso Salmon
Sate, Key Lime Parfait and Chocolate Raspberry Napoleon. Renowned
caterer Abigail Kirsch has created an eclectic menu and celebratory
wine list to be savored throughout the day.
*Passing
through the cafe, you enter a hallway lined with gold-flecked green
tile - the spa's wet area. On one side of the hallway are two wet
treatment rooms named Amara meaning mud lake and Sare meaning salt
and two massage rooms. On the other are three European Soaking Baths
in private suites named AEPI with expansive windows and skylights.
At the end of the hall is a bright room with windows and skylights
and a watsu pool
large enough for two.
The last area is the outdoor rooftop garden. While it
did not resemble a garden yet, I found it interesting how well the
building's parapets shielded the street noise below. The roof garden
will feature a large whirlpool for relaxation, spray-tanning facilities
and a private environment for guests sunbathing alone or with a group.
There will also be four rooftop outdoor massage stations.
Cornelia delivers a wonderful experience now. I can't
wait to see it when it's finished! Twice as nice?
Cornelia Day Resort
Named One of the Best New Spas by 2005 Robb Report
$50-
