Oasis City
Who in New York City wouldn’t appreciate an oasis? Just the word conjures up images of relaxation and rejuvenation, a balm for our recession beaten brows. I am no different. The spa is my rehab, and I’ve been known to spend hours in a day researching where I can get my next blissful massage, at a reasonable price. So when a pampering package at Oasis Day Spa worth $$$ was given to me during my bridal shower, I treasured it and wanted to find just the right occasion to use it. My honeymoon was such an occasion, and a perfect time to scrub in that bridal glow. Even better, one of my closest girlfriends was coming with me, so on top of all the pampering I’d have an afternoon of girl talk.
Oasis front desk greets you with serene smiles, and a zenish exhibit of products. You’re then gracefully shown to the locker room, and provided a plush robe to slip into and wait in the the center circular lounge for your therapist. The lounge is so dimly lit, the magazines are more of an impression than actual material to read. After a few minutes of squinting I decided to sip tea instead. My first treatment was the lavender sea salt scrub. I’d never had one of these before, and I wasn’t sure what to make of what looked to be a giant flat sink. Eventually what I thought would happen did. I was slathered over it and washed, in an entirely relaxing manner, but not unlike what they do during autopsy scenes in CSI. I could feel the verifiable glow from the scrub down, and my therapist handled all awkward -not-sure-what’s-happening-here situations well.
My second treatment was the Swedish massage. It was honestly one of the best massages I’ve had. My therapist was a woman of little worlds, but with healing strokes. I appreciated her professionalism and I think it shows appreciation for care when your therapist asks if there’s anything specific you’d like them to work on, or any chronic pain that you experience. This was the most enjoyable Oasis Spa experience. Finally, my facial. My facial was the most disappointing. First, he was very late. So late, that my girlfriend suggested that maybe my therapist wasn’t coming, and I should check and verify I still had one treatment left. I got up to do just that, when I ran into my therapist in the hallway, eating lunch. He apologized and asked for two minutes, and I did feel bad interrupting his lunch like that.
I was ready to start over when he came into the lounge. He was gracious, friendly and just charming enough to make me believe he was competent. I was also curious to see if (him being my first male aesthetician) he was as good as the girls. I really wanted him to be, after all it can’t be easy being a boy in woman dominated field, just as it isn’t for women in men dominated fields. But he wasn’t great, the strokes were uncertain, and it definitely felt like he was following a routine, rather then really looking at my skin and determining the best treatment. I also missed the chit chat, the “oh I see you have oily skin …”, or “make sure to wash your face every night”. I feel like these quips are part of the treatment, advice for maintaining their handiwork.
Overall, I felt my treatments at oasis were good, but except for the massage not great. The facilities were also good, but after having seen other spas like Great Jones, it doesn’t quite stack up. That said, Oasis does offer some real steals, checkout:
- Oasis Spa Week: Oct 12 – 16 $79 for treatments (including Swedish massage) usually priced at $110
- 60-minute specialty Aromatherapy Swedish Massage for only $99 (regularly $125). Book any 60 or 90-minute facial and receive a FREE Glycolic Peel Add-on(a $30 value!).
- Lavender Dead Sea Salt Scrub $59 for September (regularly $70).
- $20 OFF Manicure & Pedicure combo’s at 1 Park Avenue
And my personal favorite, 60-min Classic Swedish Massage or Oasis Signature Facial, $90 for all 9AM appointments on Saturday and Sunday. Try it out!
