Welcome to Vogue’s first-ever spa guide—a compendium of the 100 best spas worldwide, pulling from the expertise of our global editors. There is a lot out there in the world of wellness, and we are here to sort the cryo from the cold plunge, the infrared light treatment from the IV infusion. Or if your path is a more holistic one—there’s something for you here, as well.
Why go here?
Visiting an Aman is a bit like getting on a spacecraft destined for planet Luxury. From the moment you enter the hotel’s lobby, you’re enveloped in an all-encompassing aesthetic, each detail—from the sprig of eucalyptus poking from a hammered pewter pot to the swathes of haute taupe decor—calibrated to create a just-so environment that banishes the hectic hubbub speeding along 57th Street outside. This hotel might be in the very heart of Manhattan, but it is also worlds apart. It is also worlds apart from the traditional bastions of luxury in New York City. Unlike some of its storied (and stalwart) Midtown neighbors in the hospitality space, this hotel is not coasting on Gilded Age laurels, but rather trying to reinvent what high-end hotels might look like in New York City. As the first location from the Aman brand on the East Coast, and the third in the United States (an Aman in Beverly Hills and Miami Beach are both expected in 2026), there’s a lot riding on the experiment.
What’s the vibe?
Is this the best spa in New York City? It is certainly striving to set a very high bar. Housed in a three-story 25,000-square-foot complex, the spa has an overall aesthetic that can be described as Asian minimalist. The long robe I was given to wander the halls looked like something Calvin Klein might have designed in the ’90s crossed with a kimono. But simplicity doesn’t extend to its footprint: The enterprise is a warren so complex that the path from one area to another can—at least for this guest—require a guide. Where’s the 65-foot pool? Behind an unmarked wood-paneled door that opens up into a lofty atrium-like space; the private yoga studio where an excellent teacher refined the articulation of my spine, took place inside what felt something like a private bento box, sealed off by key card access. This is the vibe at Aman: extensive yet extremely private. The super-effective soundproofing helps as well. On the day I visited, I was told the place was fully booked; I never heard another soul.
The history?
Ever since it opened its first outpost in 1988 on the Thai island of Phuket, Aman has assumed a game-changing position in the hospitality landscape, earning a reputation for an über-refined simplicity that deftly incorporates the environment in which each hotel is situated. Aman New York, as mentioned, is something of a testing ground for the more urban expansions taking place in North America in upcoming years—and that philosophy extends to the spa as well. (“If you can make it here…”) It’s not exactly an easy test: The feel of a New York City hotel is necessarily going to be different from the previous ones that have set the tone, say, in the Utah desert. To establish it’s footing, the hotel and spa seem to have taken an “anything all the time” approach, with a menu of offerings that is truly encyclopedic, ranging from private fitness assessments to ultrasonic scrubbings, acupuncture, deep-tissue massage, Hydrafacials, the most up-to-date IV infusions, and plastic surgery consultations. The medical spa, a new addition in the fall of 2023, is an outpost of the plastic and cosmetic surgery center Bodysculpt and offers a range of assessments and treatments that can be done at the Aman. A little filler with your room service?
What should you try?
You can’t really go wrong at Aman. What you should try depends on what you’re looking for, and—further channeling the spirit of New York, you can get pretty much anything here. Perhaps the most exceptional (and immersive) way to experience the spa is to book one of its two Spa Houses: a suite larger than many a Manhattan apartment that encompasses a double treatment room, a spacious living area, and either a hammam or banya. On the dreary January day I visited, the large outdoor terrace was nonetheless a pleasing boxwood-enclosed haven, with both a cold plunge (no thanks) and a more inviting hot bath.
How environmentally friendly is it?
Though it’s hard to imagine that a luxury spa in the middle of New York City has a limited environmental footprint (the climate control alone must be significant…), the spa has made distinct efforts in this realm. Its unique line products are vegan, cruelty-free, and housed in recyclable glass bottles, while any recyclable packaging you might encounter has been vetted by the Forest Stewardship Council.
What else do we need to know?
Pools are too few and far between in New York City, in my opinion, and this is one of the most beautiful I’ve visited. You might be feeling too blissed out to engage in vigorous laps, but I highly recommend making time for, at least, a quick paddle.
Who can go?
The Aman Spa New York is currently open to hotel guests, Aman club members (who have paid a hefty fee for their memberships), and people who have purchased one of the hotel’s residences.
Booking details for Aman New York
Address: 730 5th Ave, New York, NY 10019, United States
Read more from Vogue's Global Spa Guide.
