I had to laugh as my taxi pulled up to World Spa in Brooklyn’s Bed-Stuy neighborhood. Nestled between rows of body shops and “Flat-Fix” places, World Spa is a body shop, indeed. At 50,000 square feet, World Spa is a wellness factory, newly built (in the spirit of Manhattan’s Meatpacking shopping district) on a gritty street under the elevated F train line. And at 45 minutes from downtown Manhattan, World Spa qualifies as a destination spa for most New Yorkers.
Luxurious & Egalitarian
Since opening in December of 2023, the place has been a quick success. Arriving at 11 in the morning on a Tuesday, I was surprised to find people already queued up behind velvet ropes. Luckily, the lobby, like the rest of the spa, is as crisp, efficient, and hushed, as a chic hotel. Throughout my four-hour stay, that busy-but-hushed quality was the nicest surprise: the vibe is convivial but not loud, luxurious yet egalitarian. It was pleasant to hear people quietly enjoying themselves, and I never felt alone.
An exterior shot of World Spa
BK Developers, a real-estate development group, had a dream of building a spa in Brooklyn, but after a fruitless search for an affordable location, they settled on an unused parking lot space they already owned. Smooth move: the spa has been so busy the group is already in plans to build locations in Manhattan, Florida, or Los Angeles. The three-story complex is lush, scrupulously clean, and did I mention huge? Decor leans hard on log walls and mud plaster, which gives a retro Santa Fe vibe. Every detail is intentional, apparently, incorporating authentic building techniques. (I will reluctantly give them a pass for the Santa Fe realness.) I did love the Moroccan mosaic-tiled hammam.
Brookyln’s Burgeoning Spa Scene
Brooklyn is enjoying a burgeoning spa scene–from the posh Bamford in Dumbo to the hipsterish Bathhouse in Williamsburg. World Spa stands apart, well in sheer size, but also in the variety of experiences. On offer are traditional Russian banyas, Finnish saunas, Turkish and Moroccan hammams, Himalayan salt therapy, Japanese onsens, aroma sauna, and my personal favorite, a deep-penetrating infrared sauna.
I tried all of the above but couldn’t brave the cold plunge or the snow room.
“I wish I had opted for the Vinek Platza . . . one can only take so much relaxation.”
I sampled a relaxing, though average, 50-minute massage in the comfortably appointed treatment area. In retrospect, I wish I had opted for the Vinek Platza, a Russian ritual involving being thrashed by burly men with sticks. One can only take so much relaxation.
Much More to the Menu
Another excellent standout is the atrium dining lounge serving an extensive menu of breakfast, lunch, and dinner items, a traditional banya menu, poke, and kosher foods. Your wallet may hate you later, but you will not soon forget eating oysters and day-drinking in a fluffy robe, in public.
The Moroccan Hammam
The crowd is mostly couples and smaller groups, with the occasional corporate group. Personally, I wouldn’t want to lounge around nearly naked with my workmates, but kudos to them for giving HR something to do. One last thing: with all the couples around, this might not be the best place to seek solace after a breakup, but certainly fun for a day out with your more adventurous friends.
Editor’s Note: Prices start at $90 for an all-day pass Tuesdays through Thursdays; $95 for Mondays and Fridays; $115 for Saturdays and Sundays. Spa Treatments range from $195 to $320 for massages and $205 to $500 for facials. For my money, their signature rituals are a great value at $130 – $205 for a unique experience. Guests are required to bring a swimsuit and flip-flops, though flip-flops are available for purchase. Cellphones and wallets are discouraged, with an electronic bracelet set up for payments for services like treatments and food.