New Yorkers know how to brave the cold. Five inches of snow? Twenty-mile-per-hour winds? The challenges are met with a shrug, a grimace and an extra layer. Here, life keeps moving no matter the weather. I try to remember this as I’m standing before Forbes Travel Guide’s Four-Star The Spa by Equinox Hotels‘ cryotherapy chamber, but find, faced with three minutes in a negative 150-degree chamber, my mask of Manhattan blasé is slipping.
Shrugging off my gray hooded robe, I feel like a boxer stepping into the ring as the spa attendant hands me my gear: a pair of heated Champion socks, slippers, a fleece headband and gloves. I am told to pick a song to play through the sealed chamber’s speaker and notice the last person chose the Beach Boys’ “Kokomo.” Clever, but I go with Lana Del Rey’s “Off to the Races.” Curious and stalling for time, I ask what’s the most popular selection and learn that guests typically pick their go-to hype songs, but some surprisingly opt for no music.
My “valet” remains in the room, reassuring me that the cryotherapy chamber door will stay unlocked. As I enter the chamber, I’m greeted with a rushing blast of frigid air, a personal polar vortex. I stand, frozen to the spot, in the middle of the chamber. For the next three minutes, I scream, curse and sing, but my willpower, steeled by thoughts of the countless times I’ve waited outside in the freezing rain for a restaurant table and every block I’ve trudged down in half-melted snow, wins out. My time is up. I emerge from the tundra victorious.
According to the Global Wellness Institute, cryotherapy has grown more popular in recent years as a wellness treatment. Aside from a mega endorphin rush, cryotherapy promises muscle recovery from post-workout soreness (like one giant ice pack) and improved sleep. However, if your dream of a good night’s rest has nothing to do with the cold, there is no need to worry — the Four-Star Equinox Hotel New York has you covered there as well.
The words “well-being” and “lifestyle” frequently get tossed around, but this Manhattan marvel integrates wellness into every facet of the property. It makes sense, given the brand behind the hotel is largely responsible for launching the concept of luxury gyms for the modern day.
Equinox Hudson Yards gym seamlessly leads into The Spa by Equinox Hotels, a haven dedicated to personal transformation. Like the fitness center, the spa aims to deliver results. Individual goals provide the treatment menu’s structure, offering distinct options for beautifying, healing, temperature therapies, inner bodywork and improved sleep.
You can choose your own adventure, selecting a service from each category. Say you’re looking for a quick collagen boost. Start with a 30-minute session in the touchless, detoxifying Gharieni MLX i3Dome; followed by a Morpheus8 microneedle facial; and finish with a NutriCleanse IV drip (a potent mix of vitamin C, glutathione and B12). While it may sound more intimidating than a traditional Swedish massage, this is not your typical spa service, and The Spa by Equinox Hotels is far from your typical hotel sanctuary. Here, results are prioritized over relaxation.
Luckily, this cutting-edge wellness hotel does prioritize relaxation in its 212 guest rooms. Many properties promise bedtime serenity, but few take this charge as seriously as Equinox Hotel New York. By design, the accommodations incorporate the essential elements for proper rest. The hotel’s motto, “Dark, quiet and cool,” is not just a slogan but a result of scientific studies of the optimal sleeping environment. You won’t find any pesky blinking lights in the rooms, thanks to the thoughtful design. Industrial-strength blackout curtains and a motion-detected sensor ensure total darkness. Heavily insulated floors and walls free the room of any outside noise, an impressive feat in an infamously loud city. The breathable fiber of the bedding regulates body heat, which, as any hot sleeper knows, is a critical component of slumbering through the night.
The Hudson Yards hotel’s careful consideration of all elements of wellness stands out. No detail was overlooked when creating the guest experience. For further proof, check out the RoomBar stocked with supplements, the gut health room service menu (which includes dishes like a kimchee scramble with turmeric and a mango-matcha bowl), the designated daytime and nighttime Grown Alchemist cleansers (the evening’s soothing chamomile, pepper and tangerine feels like a cup of tea, but in a body wash) or the dedicated laundry bag, just for gym clothes.
A transformative energy permeates Equinox Hotel New York, a testament to the immense effort put into creating a space for guests to unlock their full potential. The property believes in the power of every guest, and this feeling is contagious. So, why not unroll the complimentary yoga mat and try an evening meditation or even a cryotherapy session? You shouldn’t let a little cold stop you.
