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?
How are you feeling today? The Well has a service for that. With an encyclopedia of options, The Well prides itself on providing a 360-degree approach to care. They offer massages and facials, saunas with eucalyptus branches, meditation domes, Reiki, and more. The treatments at The Well position it between Eastern and Western healing practices. Expect a massage therapist to ask about your latest moods and an energy healer to ask about a crick in your neck. “I want to create that opportunity for other people to have a different tool kit,” says The Well CEO and cofounder, Rebecca Parekh. “Something else to help navigate the stress, the anxiety, the loneliness—all the things that people are feeling in the city today.” The Well is meant to be a space where New Yorkers can step away from their hectic lives.
What’s the vibe?
The Well is situated in the land of doctors offices and fast casual dining (Union Square/Flatiron). But the bright and airy entryway and friendly receptionists immediately create a subtle shift in energy. You may notice your jaw unclenching and your shoulders drawing down. What is that lovely smell, you ask? The Well has its own signature scent, sourced from natural herbs and essences. When choosing real estate for the spa, the team looked for high ceilings and an open floor plan, even consulting feng shui specialists to help design the layout. Rounded shapes, natural materials, and cool, creamy whites give the first floor a clean—but not clinical—serenity, while the basement feels warmer and cozier. They would never advertise it, but north of 300 plants call The Well their home. They even have someone whose sole job is to nurture them!
The history?
Parekh likes to say that the original story of The Well dates back to before she was born. Her mother taught yoga when she was pregnant, and Parekh grew up among alternative healers, hearing warnings about added hormones in food and other dangers of modern life. Fast-forward to an intense career in finance in New York City, where she met her cofounders, Sarrah Hallock and Kane Sarhan. Their first iteration of The Well offers quarterly membership in addition to monthly and annual membership-based model that created the community they were looking for. Now, their flagship space is accompanied by locations in Costa Rica, Miami, Los Cabos, and Mayflower Inn & Spa, Auberge Resorts Collection in Connecticut.
What should you try?
The number one rule of going to a spa is that you must get a massage. I very much enjoyed the Integration Massage. My massage therapist first did a brief assessment of my health and stress levels, and then used a variety of methods like dry brushing, hot stones, and lymphatic drainage to melt the tension away. I was also lucky enough to work with the empathetic director of vibrational energy healing, Valerie Oula, who used Reiki and Emotional Freedom Technique (also known as tapping) to relax me. It is worth mentioning that any service at The Well should be accompanied by a visit to either of the two saunas (my favorite was the humid sauna). And lastly, as Parekh points out, “food is really our love language.” Try almost anything from their lobby restaurant, The Well Kitchen & Table.
How environmentally friendly is it?
The Well acknowledges that there is always more work to be done, but they take active strides in this area. Massage oils and scents used throughout the space are wildcrafted and sustainably sourced, and the ingredients used in the kitchen are organic and healthful. Their cleaning products are nontoxic, and the women’s club is stocked with organic tampons. Wherever possible, The Well is ready to think local, organic, and earth-friendly.
Who can go?
Anyone can get services from The Well, but it is worth noting that members who pay monthly or yearly get access to certain perks like their relaxation lounge, preferred pricing, mindful movement classes, and more.
Booking details for The Well New York
Address: 2 E 15th St, New York, NY 10003, United States
Read more from Vogue’s Global Spa Guide.