The Spa at Mandarin Oriental

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Calling a day spa �heaven� has become an industry cliché, but if ever that label deserved to be applied, it’s to this stellar hotel hideaway. And not just because it relaxes and indulges like there’s no tomorrow: The 35th-floor spa, with its floor-to-ceiling windows framing uninterrupted vistas from Central Park to the Hudson, helps you feel like you’re floating among the clouds. The sprawling space�which includes men’s and women’s locker rooms, a unisex Tea Lounge, corridors of treatment rooms, and sex-specific plunge pools, amethyst-crystal steam chambers, and relaxation areas�is decorated in calming beiges and golds, and Asian-inspired accents. The services, too, incorporate a dash of the Far East: Ayurvedic skin and body treatments; Ama-Releasing Abhyanga and Lomi Lomi massages; chakra balancing; acupressure; and a synchronized Oriental Harmony Journey administered by two therapists all make an appearance on the menu. Guests are encouraged to book a 90-minute block of time in advance, then decide on a mix of treatments after a consultation with a therapist. Along the way, luxury amenities, high-end snacks, and a discreetly attentive staff help make the whole experience near perfect. The only caveat: With most services running $250 or more, your wallet may soon be floating towards heaven, too. — Sandra Ramani

This sprawling oasis offers every indulgence. Many clients opt for the 80-minute wrap treatment, which includes body exfoliation and a scalp massage. Couples packages start at $1,310

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