By Pamela Jacobs

Times Square, the pulsing heart and midpoint of this city, is anything but calm. It’s bright, it’s alive, but it’s not soothing. And yet, right in the center of it all, lies a luxury spa within an elegant and graceful hotel that transports guests to another dimension, a place where the noise, hustle, and bustle instantly disappear. The Chatwal Spa by Kashwére, in the Chatwal Hotel, is one of the city’s loveliest gems.

It was after a particularly long and stressful day that I ventured into the spa, desperately needing both a facial and a bit of peace and quiet, and I had heard The Chatwal Spa would do the trick. Immediately upon entering, I felt I could let out a deep breath and relax. Aesthetically, it’s a true urban oasis. Warm colors and pleasing lighting await inside the 2,400 square foot spa, along with a relaxation area with made to order healthy spa cuisine; two saltwater plunge pools (both hot and cold); a saltwater lap-pool able to simulate natural water currents; a manicure and pedicure room; and a cardio/strength fitness studio. The design blends perfectly with that of the hotel itself, a Gotham-deco reminder of old New York and elegant days gone by. Perhaps my favorite element of the spa, besides the treatment I was about to receive, were the private changing suites—a unique and highly appreciated aspect that I haven’t seen anywhere else. How many times have you been at an upscale spa where you have to stand and change in front of ten other women? Here at The Chatwal Spa, there are three large private changing suites—huge, beautiful bathrooms with soft, plush towels and robes (warmed over towel warming racks), upscale amenities and finishes, a steam shower, aromatherapy choices, and everything you could possibly need pre- and post-treatment. All of the robes, towels, and linens are made by Kashwére—hence the name, The Chatwal Spa by Kashwére—and are the softest, most luxurious items of their kind. After admiring my private changing suite for a bit longer than necessary, I sipped a chamomile tea in the relaxation area, and almost forgot I was in Manhattan.
In one of their three treatment rooms, a soft spoken, professional, lovely young woman gave me The Chatwal Signature Facial, a 60 minute treatment infusing my skin with powerful antioxidants, leaving me clean, glowing, and beyond relaxed. The spa offers an array of face and body treatments, including traditional massage and skincare, energy treatments, prenatal massage, marine treatments, floral steam infusions, sunless tanning, age-defying solutions, light therapy, waxing, and hair treatments. All are provided by experts in the field, leading to noticeable results and very content guests. One of the main philosophies of The Chatwal Spa is to appeal to the five senses: color & light therapy in the treatment rooms (sight), Kashwére luxury spa apparel and linens (touch), signature Chypre scented amenities (smell), customized Spa aperitifs (taste), and your choice of musical playlist (sound). If there were indeed a sixth sense, The Chatwal Spa could reach that, too. Combining every element of what an experienced spa-goer seeks—luxury, refinement, relaxation, aesthetics, quality, and results—The Chatwal Spa by Kashwére might be New York’s one true oasis.

**Just in time for the official start of summer, The Chatwal Spa is offering a Full Body Detox & Slimming Program.  The program includes weekly body and facial treatments at The Chatwal Spa with unlimited access to the Spa’s saltwater pool-lounge or fitness studio, customized at-home treatment regimens by Spa Technologies and advanced supplements by GliSODin Skin Nutrients Advanced including the Advanced Detoxification Formula and Advanced Slimming Formula. Participants can make a selection between a two-week detox program or a combined detox and slimming program for a full one-month program.

The Chatwal Hotel

130 W. 44th St.
212-764-6200
www.thechatwalny.com/spa