Premier 57: The Ultimate NYC Spa & Sauna Destination

This past summer, my family and I ventured out to Queens to check out the uber popular Spa Castle (see my review here). It was chock full of saunas and jacuzzis and was a blast, literally!! My one complaint was that they didn't have a child care center, so my husband and I couldn't fully enjoy it while minding our little toddler.

Well... The geniuses behind Spa Castle must have realized that adults might enjoy this kind of destination, without kids! So, they took the endless rooms of themed saunas, the infrared beds, the jacuzzis, pools, and spa treatments, they upped the luxury factor 100-fold, built it right smack in the middle of midtown Manhattan, and they made it accessible for ages 16 and over. HOORAH!!! I recently got a personal tour of the facilities just before they officially opened to the public on December 15, 2015, so I am pleased to give you my photo tour of...

Premier 57

Upon entering Premier 57 you are overwhelmed with what a  funky and luxurious establishment it is, I mean, look at the lobby (above, top left)!! With rooms big and small filling up 3 floors of this midtown building, it's rather like a labyrinth and I found myself really turned around and lost several times, but that just added to the intrigue of it all! They have maps scattered about and plenty of friendly staff to guide you to your destination, so don't worry. The above collage features some of my favorite spots in Premier 57 such as the aroma therapy relaxation room (above center), the sleeping room (above right, mats will be provided), the indoor bade pool (featuring tons of various water jets for every part of the body) with swim up bar and tons of lounge chairs (above, bottom left), the Bistro Bar (they have Starbucks!), and the outdoor bade pool (opening Spring 2015).

From the lobby, you'll make your way on to the locker room where you'll find a large locker (below left) and be given a uniform, slippers, and wristband which acts as a digital lock for the locker and as a credit card to pay for food, drinks (yes - they have plenty of alcohol and caffeine), spa treatments, etc. Everything in the entire facility is brand spanking new and top of the line, including gorgeous showers and cubicles for getting made up after your spa visit (below center). The locker room area also houses a sex-segregated hydrotherapy baths (below right; no clothing allowed)

The Sauna Valley is one of the things Spa Castle is so famous for, and if you've been there you will recognize several of the rooms in Premier 57 as well. You'll find the Himalayan Salt Room (helps to regulate water and blood pressure, relieve allergies and asthma, soften and clear the skin, and reduce signs of aging; below right), Far Infrared Sauna (soothes joint stiffness, increases oxygen flow to the brain, improves circulation, detoxifies, and clears up nasal congestion and clogged pores), Gold Sauna (improves mental acuity and concentration, rejuvenates sluggish organs, especially the brain and the digestive system; below left), Chromotherapy Sauna (specific colors are linked to different organs in the body, affecting emotions, moods, and physiological conditions; below 2nd from left), Ice Igloo (improves anti-oxidant capabilities and immune system, firms the skin, closes pores, reduces cellulite, and relieves chronic pain and fatigue), Loess Soil and Charcoal Sauna (Korean yellow clay helps blood circulation and metabolism, relieves headaches, arthritis, liver ailment and obesity; below 2nd from right).

The lower floor of Premier 57 houses their spa treatment rooms. From facials to Korean body scrub to Reflexology to couples massage, the sky (or your wallet) is the limit! See highlights of the treatment floor in my photo collage below.

Pretty awesome, am I right?? If you're interested in visiting, here are the details:

LOCATION: 115 E 57th Street. Take the elevator to the lobby on the 8th floor; facility is located on floors 7, 8, and 9.

HOURS:  Monday - Sunday, 9am - midnight. No reservations required to enter, but are recommended for spa treatments.

ADMISSION:  $65 for a day pass; food, drink, and special treatments cost extra.

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Claims about benefits of sauna rooms and hydrotherapy are from Premier 57's website - I have no research or personal account of them being valid or not. Also, please consult your physician before visiting Premier 57 f you have any health problems or reason to believe any of the facility might be a danger to your health.