July 13, 2005

The OC in NYC

OC 61 Salon and Spa

The intersection of Madison and 61st: Between Barneys shoppers duking it out for cabs and suits yammering on their cells, it’s hardly a spot you’d call peaceful.

But only if you don’t know about OC 61 Salon and Spa, the little slice of Shangri-la created by Oribe vet Louise O’Connor.

The plush enclave, with its soothing interior and two secret garden terraces, is serious about relaxation. Take-me-away treatments include an acupuncture facial (which targets dark circles and sagging cheeks) and a deluxe pedi that packs in a milk, honey, and rose petal soak, a detoxifying herbal exfoliation and masque, a massage, and polish.

If all this sounds too good to keep to yourself (or if you forgot to order a beach house this July), go for the summer couples retreat, which includes Saturday brunch al fresco (pastries, flowers, the papers) as well as massages, facials, and mani/pedis.

Halfway through your treatments, midtown feels a million miles away.

And by the time you’re done, ditto planet Earth.

OC 61 Salon and Spa, 33 East 61st Street, between Madison and Park Avenues, third floor (212-935-6261).