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Townhouse
Spa
Julie Register visited this day spa in New York City in November,
2006
My first appointment at Townhouse Spa was scheduled
for 11 am. Not knowing how long it would take me to walk from
my hotel to the spa, I allowed plenty of time. I thought I could
relax in the spa if I got there early, since the spa's website
said the "lounge was fashioned by those who desire to linger
and relax after their spa treatments." I arrived at 10:30,
and the receptionist seemed flustered by my early arrival. She
escorted me to the lounge behind the reception / retail boutique,
offered me a glass of water and invited me to sit at one of the
three tables lining one side of the room. The opposite wall was
filled by a lovely backlit onyx bar. I
could see the large, empty nail room in behind the lounge which
would be filled by the time I left. The lounge space was designed
to be a lavish social spa. That evening, the spa was to host a
singles club of 500. While it is well designed for a party, I
felt odd sitting there alone.
The receptionist asked me if I would like to
use the steam room since I was "so early." I said
I would. She said she would return shortly with a form for
me to fill out. She came back, handed me the intake form for
facial treatments, and said I could not go to the women's
locker room (where the steam room is) until 15 minutes before
my treatment. By the time I was escorted downstairs to the
women's spa, there was no time for a steam. I was given a
locker, instructed to change into the robe and sandals, and
told that my therapist would come for me there in three
minutes. About three minutes later - just time for me to tear
off my clothes and put on the robe - Mandy came to get me.
In the treatment room, Mandy gave me a terry wrap
and had me get on the treatment table. She started the facial
with a gentle cleanser followed by hot, eucalyptus-scented towels.
She examined my skin and said I had combination skin - oily on
the forehead, nose and chin and dry on the cheeks. She asked what
my facial care routine was and suggested I apply eye cream twice
a day, particularly in winter, to help prevent wrinkles around
the eyes. She then said she would proceed with a Townhouse Purifying
Facial (Luzern products). Mandy applied a pumpkin enzyme mask
under steam, massaged it in then removed it with hot towels. She
applied a gel that she said would make extractions easier and
provided a lovely face massage. More hot towels. Then came the
extractions. This was followed by a serum on the T-zone to calm
the oiliness and a hydrating serum on the cheeks. A piece of cloth
was put on top to help the skin absorb the serums. Then came an
oxygen mask blended with hydrating serum and covered with another
piece of cloth. While the mask worked, Mandy massaged my shoulders.
Then came more hot towels, a spritz of toner, a pleasantly scented
moisturizer and a bit of sunscreen. The skin on my face felt very
soft and moist when done.
My next treatment was the SpaOceana Detox. Dubbed
"Peace in a Pod," the capsule was open, filled with
water and waiting for me as I entered the room. Therapist, Julie,
handed me a shower cap and disposable panties (a thong, really)
and instructed me to climb in the water filled with a relaxing
and hydrating mixture of Vitamin C, E, A & K, Green Tea, and
essential oils. She then programmed the capsule to spray the 20+
massaging jets along my legs under the water and left the room
for 10 minutes so I could enjoy the bath in privacy (note: this
treatment is not for the modest as you are essentially naked during
a good portion of it). The pod changed color from red to green
to blue. The jets pounded my legs which were sore from a hard
workout the day before. I found that if I slid myself up and down
and back and forth, I enjoyed the water jets more. There were
a number of blue rubber balls around the top of the tub. I wasn't
sure what they were for, but I supposed you could play with them
like one would a rubber ducky. At the end of the 10 minutes, Julie
returned and held up a large towel for me as I got out of the
tub. I sat while Julie drained the tub, put the blue plastic table
on top and plugged it in. The mystery of the blue balls was solved.
They supported the blue table. I got on the table, and Julie scrubbed
my skin with an exfoliant containing a blend of orange, fennel,
lemon, apricot seed and lactic acid to gently remove dead skin
and stimulate circulation. This was followed by an application
of a sea clay mask with oak root extract and essential oils to
detoxify and purify the skin. When done, Julie lowered the top
of the capsule so that only my head stuck out and programmed it
- a little beep with each of the 32 keys touched. This mask, partnered
with radiant heat and steam, is designed to combat the build-up
of toxins while re-mineralizing and oxygenating the skin.. The
capsule filled with steam, and Julie massaged my scalp - very
relaxing. Julie left the room again to get me a cup of detoxifying
tea while I enjoyed the rest of the steam. However, in the last
few minutes of the program, a "Vichy Shower" with heads
aimed between my hips, mid section and chest sprayed very cold
water three times in a row. All the relaxation vaporized. I was
completely tense wondering if there would be more cold showers.
Julie returned, lifted the capsule top and rinsed the seaweed
mud off. I drank the cold tea and showered the rest of the mud
off in the locker room shower. My skin felt incredibly smooth
after this treatment.
Other treatments offered at Townhouse Spa include:
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Townhouse
Purifying Facial
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Epicuren
Enzymatic Facial
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Sonya
Dakar Fitness Facial
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The
Ultra Luxe Age Control
Facial
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Actifirm
Cellular Treatment
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Super
Sonic Skin Polisher
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The
Townhouse Star Facial
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The
Men's Cleansing Facial
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Body Therapy
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Townhouse
Relaxation Massage
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The
Herbal Poultice Massage
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Cacao
Butter Stone Massage
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Pedicures
- The Townhouse Pedicure
- Sole Nourishing Pedicure
- Happy Hour Pedicure
- Buff Pedicure
- JellyBath™ Pedicure
Waxing / Threading
Packages
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The 6,000 square-foot Townhouse Spa encompasses three floors:
the top for men, the bottom for women and the middle to mingle,
shop, dine and have nail services. Both men's and women's floors
have treatment rooms for facials and massages, steam rooms,
showers, and locker resources. The men's floor has a lounge
where men can watch sports and movies, play video and board
games in plush leather sofas and armchairs. The Phoenix Suite
is located on the women's floor and offers a fireplace, large
LCD screen, and a private steam and shower.
photos Julie Register 2006
except those marked * which are provided by Townhouse Spa
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