MYSTERY SHOP Aire Ancient Baths Our three mystery shoppers compare notes on a Roman bathhouse-style spa, built by a Spanish company, in New York City A
ire Ancient Baths opened in New York City in 2012, offering a modern take on the ancient bathhouses of
the Roman, Greek and Ottoman empires and a concept which stands out from the ubiquitous USA urban day spa. A subterranean oasis in the stylish
Tribeca district, the 16,000sq ft (1,486sq m) spa is built in the basement of a former textile factory and features a circuit of pools which, like the traditional public baths of centuries ago, enable people to ‘take the waters’ to unwind and soothe the body. Visitors can choose from a warm tepidarium pool, which at 36˚C is just below body temperature, float in salt water and listen to underwater music,
VITAL STATISTICS
Address: 88 Franklin Street, New York, NY 10013, USA Times: 9am–11pm every day Web:
www.ancientbathsny.com Twitter: @ancientbathsNY
relax in a 350-jet whirlpool or large pool of a similar temperature and sweat it out in a eucalyptus-scented steamroom before moving onto a 39˚C hot caldarium bath and quickly dipping into one of two cold plunges. There’s also a relaxation room with heated marble beds. The idea is create a circuit and repeat it three to four times to
relax the muscles, improve circulation, aid digestion and enhance overall wellbeing. Numbers are limited to 20 people at a
time, who book the spa in two-hour slots. A basic two-hour bathing experience in the week starts at US$75 (there’s a supplement at the weekend). Massages can be added on top of that in 15, 30, 45 or 60-minute increments (US$99-US$174). Four-handed massages and rituals are also offered – the most expensive of which is a US$500 Red Wine Ritual where guests soak in a red-wine infused bath before a 90-minute four-hand massage and another 90 minutes soaking in the pools. Spa Business sent three mystery
shoppers along to experience and compare notes and perspectives…
The bathhouse concept with its pool circuit makes a refreshing change in the USA day spa market
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spabusiness.com issue 1 2015 ©CYBERTREK 2015
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