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SPA HOPPING A variety of "journeys" are available to appeal to a range of clients. relax by the indoor pool and work out using the fitness facilities. Such guests are often city dwellers who can't take time out from their lives for a vacation but who desperately need to get away. A full-day journey at the Mandarin Oriental Spa gives them distance from their lives, as well as the luxury and rejuvenation that readies them to face the New York grind once again. Indeed, about 60% of the guests are local residents; many are regulars who think of the spa as a clubhouse. The staff responds by creating experiences and treatments that cater to Manhattanites' interests. During the New York Marathon, for instance, the spa devised therapeutic massages to prep runners' bodies for the long haul, and offered special eucalyptus and salt soaks to help with post-marathon swelling, as well as facials to counteract the effects of hours of perspiration. "You can sense the buzz and special atmosphere during the marathon here," says Hannig, who adds that while the spa is heavily influenced by its Asian roots, "we like to capture the cultural environment of each city." PARTING GIFTS For some regulars, The Spa at Mandarin Oriental functions as a wellness touchstone of sorts. Hannig remembers one woman, a doctor, who decided to quit her job and start a totally different career. "The client came in for a two-hour facial and a luxurious massage—five hours of services in total," she says. "She stayed on property and relaxed in the sauna, the steam room and the vitality pool. She wanted to cleanse and pamper herself in preparation for her 30 DAYSPA | SEPTEMBER 2013 new life. When she left she said she felt amazing." The opportunity for an emotional rebirth of sorts is the Mandarin Oriental Spa's gift to their guests. "Some people might come in crabby but they walk out so happy," says Hannig. "Sometimes people get emotional and teary-eyed and hug all of our therapists. You can leave here feeling completely different, completely transformed." After my treatment, Jennifer shows me a stretch that she thinks will be especially helpful to me: a butterfly leg stretch that she believes will improve my internal functions. "We try to tailor each treatment to the needs of our guests and bring their mind, body and spirit back into harmony," explains Hannig. "We want to be people's first choice for health and wellness, to show a sincere understanding for what they are looking for. We want to be a haven, and whether you visit us once a week, once a month, once a year or once in a lifetime, we want this to be a memorable experience." Post-treatment, I lounge in the Amethyst Crystal Steam Room, a stunning, octagonal-shaped space tiled in shades of gold and featuring a sizable cut amethyst sending out far-infrared radiation and restoring my body's energy. The light reflecting off the room's tiles is rich but not blinding. I draw in the fragrant eucalyptus steam, holding onto it for as long as I can. I'm ready to face the world again—or, at least, Manhattan. Alison Singh Gee is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer.