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.
Photo: Robert Rieger/Courtesy of Aman NY
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.