By Julia Szabo
Beauty Buzz
Welcome to a playground where luxury brands now leave their sought-after stamps on spa treatments: proof that wellness truly is the ultimate luxury.
On the fourth floor of the House of Dior flagship on 57th Street, enjoy scientific skin care treatments such as ultrasonic exfoliation, cryotherapy and light therapy. 23 E. 57th St., 646.290.6699; dior.com
Two historic luxury brands—Park Avenue’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel and the house of Guerlain, Parisian perfumers par excellence—have partnered to provide a comprehensive urban retreat offering a menu of services from massages and facials, as well as a 10,000-square-foot fitness center with an arctic cave and steam rooms for women and men. This oasis of well-being in the heart of Manhattan, located on the Waldorf’s fifth floor, celebrates the history of its iconic location, so be prepared for time travel to the decadent 1920s, upgraded with today’s high-tech advancements. 301 Park Ave., 212.872.4950; waldorfastorianewyorkspa.com
Luxury skin care brand 111SKIN opened its first U.S. spa in The Plaza hotel in September 2025. The 8,000-square-foot space combines clinical treatments and indulgent rituals with the brand’s signature products. 768 Fifth Ave., 4th floor, 212.872.7200; 111skinspa.com
Majesty’s Pleasure, a Canadian nail care emporium, has arrived in the Flatiron District to ensure that New Yorkers’ fingertips and toenails stay polished with style and safety. The secret weapon is Dazzle Dry—a lacquer that also happens to be nontoxic, hypoallergenic, vegan and cruelty-free. 45 E. 20th St., 2nd floor, 646.722.8352; majestyspleasure.com
In the beauty arena, face yoga is an Instagram phenomenon, while on the nutritional supplement front, it’s all about life extension. Combining both trends, aesthetician-to-the-stars Georgia Louise Beauty Longevity Atelier—whose clients include Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt—offers pristine facial-sculpting implements for giving the face a rejuvenating workout: the Lift + Sculpt Butterfly Stone (made of rose quartz, a stone thought to enhance energetic healing properties) and stainless steel cryo freeze tools. 157 E. 81st St., Ste. 1, 212.472.1400; georgialouise.com
CHILL-OUT SESSIONS
Join the private cold-plunge club. The Chelsea wellness spot Saint features four private sauna-ice bath chambers, each with a Nordic-cedar sauna and a shower area in Brazilian slate. 242 W. 29th St.; saint.nyc. In the Flatiron District and Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Othership’s cold-plunge enthusiasts (from $64 for a drop-in session) are treated to essential oil mists and “vocal toning” (participants are encouraged to hum, chant and make resonant sounds) and self-massage with gua sha tools to stimulate lymphatic drainage. 23 W. 20th St., 212.381.1699; othership.us
SEASONAL SOOTHING
Located on Governors Island, QC Spa New York offers heated pools with views of the NYC skyline for year-round use. The property provides a fall and winter escape with heated outdoor pools, steam baths and massages. 112 Andes Road, 646.402.9647; qcny.com. The temporary wellness offering at The William Vale Winter Spa in Brooklyn, open from December through March, delivers a winter-themed wellness experience, with the hotel possibly adding cold plunges in future warmer seasons. 111 N. 12th St., 718.631.8400; thewilliamvale.com
Show of Strength
NRTHRN Strong has already opened its first New York City studio in the Flatiron District, debuting in early October 2025. The Copenhagen-based concept, now rebranded as NRTHRN Strong, had a successful pop-up in the Hamptons over the summer before settling into its permanent home at 35 West 21st Street. This boutique fitness studio is centered around a patented machine inspired by cross-country skiing. The indoor workout combines cardio, strength and mobility training using a machine with skis that glide on rails and elastic resistance bands attached to poles. Reflecting a minimalist, Nordic design, the space has light woods, clean lines and a cozy “hygge” atmosphere. 35 W. 21st St.; nrthrnstrong.com
The 17,000-square-foot Workshoppe NYC center features four floors dedicated to fitness and wellness. Cardio includes Peloton, Precor ellipticals and FreeMotion treadmills. The best strength training facility on the Upper East Side offers equipment by Atlantis, Arsenal, Booty Builder, Panatta Sport and Primal, along with functional turf training. Classes include hot yoga, hot Pilates, Body Pump and boot camp. 1120 Third Ave., 646.222.3482; workshoppefitness.com
Eat Here Now
Chef John McDonald (Lure Fishbar) promised “a fresh, elevated take on coastal dining,” and he delivered: The menu at his recently opened Seahorse features inspired combinations of Greenmarket produce with raw and cooked seafood, all designed for discerning pescatarians who insist that omega-3s be equally sexy and healthy. Offerings include Maine cod with green olive tapenade and tomato reduction, and steelhead salmon with sorrel emulsion, chanterelle mushroom and cipollini. 201 Park Ave. S.; seahorsenyc.com
Across town, chef Flynn McGarry (Gem Home) helms the equally sea-worthy Cove, “showcasing local farmers and fishermen,” with a nod to sustainability: ample vegetable-forward options—including sea veggies, as in wakame with golden beets, roses and smoked dates—and “low intervention” wines from France and America, curated by wine director (and Flynn’s sister) Paris McGarry. The menu changes frequently and is focused on locally sourced produce. 285 W. Houston St.; cove-nyc.com
The Mediterranean diet remains the gold standard of heart-healthy dining, and the future will see a wave of intriguing new Hellenic food establishments, notably Pixida. 245 Fifth Ave. In a sign of the times, hearty American breakfast comfort fare is no longer the draw at the former site of the Upper East Side’s storied Neil’s Coffee Shop—that Lexington Avenue corner space is now home to Dear Margo, a mecca for Mediterranean clean cuisine: mezze, salads, sea bass and pita sandwiches, served in an airy space named for restaurateur Dean Pashalis’ Greek grandmother. 961 Lexington Ave. Meanwhile, uptown’s Carnegie Diner & Cafe owner Stathis Antonakopoulos’ newest venture, midtown’s Delos, features light entrees like fagri fillet with chickpea puree and celery broth. 1185 Sixth Ave.
Coming later this winter: Kabawa, a Caribbean restaurant by Momofuku chef Paul Carmichael, inspired by his upbringing and global culinary journey. 8 Extra Place, 646.790.8747; kabawa.com
In Tribeca, wellness-minded home chefs will welcome Meadow Lane, a new gourmet and health food market, offering a high-end experience comparable to Erewhon’s. Expect organic, high-quality and locally sourced items. 355 Greenwich St.