The River Rock Hot Stone Facials at the Great Jones Spa are well worth the price, and the atmosphere can't be beat.
For Halloween 2007, my friends and I booked 60-minute $150 River Rock Hot Stone Facials at the Great Jones Spa at 29 Great Jones Street in Lower Manhattan (212 505-3185)
Hot stone massages are an ancient therapy dating back more than 5000 years to India’s Ayurvedic tradition of healing. According to Ayurveda, flow of the body’s energy source or “prana” can be aided by hot stones.
The Spa
The Great Jones Spa is located downtown on Great Jones Street near Lafayette. The spa has a more holistic and less clinical atmosphere compared to other Manhattan Spas we’ve visited. The lockers are roomy, the quilted robes soft, and the women’s showers laden with shampoos, conditioners and body lotions. In the lounge we found an assortment of teas, spring water, juices, nuts and fruit.
Before our facials we spent a half hour in the thermal hot tub. With services of $100 the water lounge can be used for up to two hours before and one hour after spa services. The wet lounge solarium sits beneath a 3-story indoor waterfall surrounded by lounge chairs. After our facials we relaxed on warm wooden benches in the chakra-light steam bath followed by a dip in the cold plunge pool and an invigorating shower.
The Facial
In softly lit rooms, our faces were gently cleansed and exfoliated and then massaged with citrus-scented oils and alternating hot and cold stones. Cold stones relax and tone muscles and reduce congestion while hot stones increase blood and lymph circulation, which helps repair and renew facial cells. While masks worked their magic, hot stones massaged our necks and shoulders.
Results
My younger companions glowed. My skin appeared clear and smooth. Even my usual puffy eyes looked refreshed. As we headed to the Village Parade, heads turned and we smiled.
