New York - February 28, 2003

Never As Good As the First Time

Spa 64 Opens

If you listen closely, you can hear it.

Your inner being, crying for attention. You haven’t relaxed since sometime in 1992. Your back has more knots than a macrame drop cloth. Does the word massage mean nothing to you?

Chances are, if you’ve put it off this long, you’re a spa virgin. Nothing to be embarrassed about. Maybe you don’t like the idea of being poked at by snotty aestheticians who think they’re better than you. Or perhaps you’re plagued by questions of etiquette. (Panties on or off? To drool or not to drool on the massage table?)

Such fears are groundless at Spa 64, where the theme is indulgence without the intimidating spa-titude. Take, for example, the Spa Signature Massage, a pu-pu platter for the neophyte that combines shiatsu, Swedish, reiki, hot-stone therapy, and Thai stretching. Once you’ve made the leap, stick around and get waxed, plucked, and pampered by 64’s easygoing, friendly staff. They even serve complimentary champagne.

Oh, come on. It wouldn’t be a first time if alcohol weren’t involved.

Spa 64, 154 East 64th Street, at Lexington Avenue (212-753-1064).