The time has come to tell you of my first New York spa experience, and it was a doozy! Firstly I have to declare that I decided the true and honest way to get a real feel for a spa is to have two treatments. I felt that just one treatment wouldn’t give a fair and accurate experience, enough so to really provide a good review. Gosh I am a hard worker!

First up was the La Prairie Spa at The Ritz-Carlton New York. I was welcomed to the spa by some lovely staff at the front desk who then showed me through to the locker rooms and treatment lounge. Now everything was overwhelming so I am going to breakdown the spa experience by section so I can portray everything just as if you were there with me.

Locker Rooms

The adorably lady like locker rooms has beautiful marble floors that complimented the Cream walls and lockers. There were large floral printed soft furnishings, a gorgeous dressing table complete with La Prairie products to use at your leisure and large vanities with complimentary EVERYTHING to freshen yourself up before or after your treatment. I mean everything! There were toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, hair ties, razors, shaving cream, shower caps and even feminine hygiene products. Even a Hair Dryer, Straightener and Curling Tong with ample hair styling products were available for use. Don’t know if you can tell but I was really impressed with the amenities!

In each locker there is a large terry towelling gown to change into and some hard plastic slippers. The robes could have been softer and the slippers weren’t the most comfortable but seeing as though your only in them for a few minutes I was able to bare it.

Treatment Lounge

After changing into my robe and slippers I took a seat in the female treatment lounge where I wait for my massage therapist to come and collect me. I purposely arrived a little early for my appointment to make sure I could scope out the spa and make lots of notes which turned out to be ideal because the waiting lounge was divine. Decorated with soft floral furnishings, big pouffy arm chairs and an old-fashion day bed, the space was chic and elegant. Against one wall sat a beautiful (oh, I so wanted to take it home with me) dark wooden buffet with a platter of fresh fruit, large glass urn of iced lemon water and a jug of tea. Champagne and wine were also available but I thought I would be good and stick to tea which was served in feminine fine china with a cute little pot of honey on the side.

While relaxing in the lounge I looked over the music menu to select which music I would like played in my treatment room but the list had over 50 tracks to choose from so I ended up leaving it to my therapist to decided (I felt he was ready for the responsibility). The menu was expansive and included everything from Cafe Del Mar to orchestral violin to Annie Lennox! There were a large selection of coffee table books on topics like American History, Art and Photography stacked in front of a window and there was hot neck towels kept in a warmer for you to use at your leisure. Put all these things together and the space became very warm and inviting.

Treatment 1: Diamond Perfection Service

The treatment starts with my therapist David escorting me to the treatment room (hrmmmm, this sounds a little seedy but I swear, its not! Keep reading). The room is dimly let and has some nice fragrant oils burning but nothing too strong, just how I like it. Sitting on the bed is a silver tray with four super-sized La Prairie products. David explains what each product is and how they will be used in my treatment. First up is the Cellular Softening and Balancing Lotion which is a toner-like product applied first to prep my skin. Next is a specially formulated Cellular Microdermabrasion Cream that contains extracts of Diamonds, Quartz crystals and Pearl. After the first two applications there is a quick shower to wash off the excess and then the massage treatment begins. Two La Prairie creams from the Skin Caviar line are used for optimum hydration. The Skin Caviar Luxe Body Emulsion goes on first, which is a light and soothing lotion, then the Skin Caviar Luxe Body Cream goes on like thick slime but as it is worked into the skin it turns silky and revitalizes the skin.

Each part of my body was done individually and I felt like no bit of skin missed out. The microdermabrasion was very relaxing and felt more like a salt scrub then like microdermabrasion which I am used to being harsh and scratchy. After the micro I was wrapped in towels while David got the shower to perfect temperature and stepped out of the room. A little bowl of extra Microdermabrasion Cream is left in the shower just in case there are any parts you feel need more attention and being one to not waste anything, I used it all. Hey, it is good stuff!

Once all was washed off I quickly patted myself down and jumped back into the amazingly comfy bed ready for phase 2. I just made it as well because as I was trying to position myself under the sheets David knocked on the door to come back in. Phew! Did I mentioned that the sheets were A-MAZING?!? They had to be at least 1000 count. Heaven.

Anyway, so David asked me how my skin felt, which I had totally forgot to pay attention to (what a tool). I quickly felt my arms and was shocked to find them softer than the 1000 count bed sheets, well almost, but they were amazingly silky.

The massage phase of the treatment was great, and the products were heavenly but my back was a mess. I hadn’t had a massage in so long that even the slightest pressure went pain waves through my entire body. Luckily we got my back out of the way first. I do think I have discovered that leg massages are just wonderful and especially when you’re traveling. All those heavy shopping bags really gives your legs a workout.

Once the treatment was all complete David again left the room while I put back on my robe. He waited outside the room with a glass of lemony fresh iced water and then escorted me back to the lounge. I didn’t want my time at the spa to end so I enjoyed the shower facilities which had the best water pressure for hair washing I had ever experienced. Oh and it got to super boiling hot temperatures, YAY! I helped myself to some other amenities and applied a fresh coat of La Prairie facial moisturiser before heading back out into harsh reality…..of shopping.

When proceeding to the front desk to make payment I could see the same four products on a silver tray waiting for me. Linzee, the receptionist kindly went through them again before showing me the deluxe sample of Skin Caviar Luxe Body Cream she was sending me home with.

Post Treatment

My skin stayed super smooth and I couldn’t help but keep feeling my previously bumpy arms that now had no sign of dry, itchy bumps. My skin looked healthy with a subtle glow and shine, not oily. My back was a little tender in certain spots from the massage but that is more than expected when you haven’t had a massage in years.

Cost

The Diamond Perfection Service with detailed exfoliation and massage is US $310. Now remember with the US all prices exclude Tax and Gratuities. New York tax is 8.875% and this applies to everything you pay for in New York, whether it be a service or goods or even a Big Mac from McDonalds. Gratuities for a high-end service is expected to be a minimum of 18%. While these costs might sound expensive you have to think about what it would cost to have that in Australia and you know the answer is far more than 400 odd dollars.

Details

The La Prairie spa is located at The Ritz-Carlton New York, 50 Central Park South, New York. To find out more about the spa head to their official website or call +1 (212) 308-9100. The Diamond Perfection treatment is popular in the Winter/Spring seasons and this location performs 20-30 per month. I personally think its a great treatment for anytime of the year and really gets your skin back to being baby smooth.

In Australia you can purchase La Prairie products from David Jones or call 1800 649 849 for your nearest stockist.

Now don’t go to far because I will be telling you about my second treatment at the La Prairie spa very soon. Oh and you will want to know about this one!

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