MYSTERY SHOP
A few weeks after visiting, Davis recognised the stylish facility in a fi lm featuring Keanu Reeves
A NOTE OF URBAN COOL ALICE DAVIS, MANAGING EDITOR, LEISURE MEDIA
We arrived in New York on the coat tails of snowstorms. Manhattan, despite its bright blue skies, was freezing. What better way then to spend a Sunday morning than to soak in Aire’s thermal baths? The reception area is stylish
with comfortable seating and the beginning of the experience is well-managed with detailed instruction and orientation. You’re given some strange-looking fabric socks to wear to prevent slipping, which isn’t the nicest feeling on your feet, but it’s understandable for safety reasons. We were given a quick
briefing on the different pools, but weren’t told
Then you’re left to your own
devices – namely, soaking in the baths and enjoying the surroundings. The whole experience is quite sociable. You’re not allowed to be too noisy, but you can chat quietly which adds to the enjoyment. The baths hit a note of
anything about their benefits, which would have been interesting to know. The staff said they’d find
me when it was time for my massage. That was OK, but I would have rather been told a specific time.
urban cool. The pools look bright and inviting against the dimly lit backdrop of subterranean brick chambers – it’s moody and atmospheric. I thought it was the kind of place you’d shoot a movie or a music video. I’m not one for a weak
massage and my therapist was great. She explained she likes to start off quite firmly and
then ease off if you ask and she was happy to customise the treatment around my needs. It was an invigorating
massage. The only downside is that you have to put your wet swimwear and socks back on if you want to go back in the pools. Aire Ancient Baths is a
relaxing, social and pretty cool thing to do – especially on a winter’s day or night when New York is biting cold. A few weeks later I watched a film. In one part, Russian gangsters partied with beautiful models until Keanu Reeves burst in and started shooting… Can you guess where they filmed that scene?
RIGHT TO REPLY: CO-FOUNDER, ARMANDO PRADOS “We work very hard to create a unique experience in every sense and nothing makes me more happy than hearing that clients enjoy it. The entire setting is designed for people to let go and relax and part of that is having your massage happen at any moment rather than clock-watching. That’s also why there’s no set circuit: we give a tour explaining the different baths, but think it’s important to allow each client to listen to their body and move freely – some want to spend 30 minutes floating in the salt pool, while others love the hot-cold alternation. We do have a brief explanation of the health benefits of our pools on the website, but we’re working to add more details.”
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spabusiness.com issue 2 2015 ©CYBERTREK 2015
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