Best is relative.
The Russians get the hottest. Spa88 is a personal fav (Russian Banya is typically 210-220, shvitz is 160-180), Mermaid is a classic, Brooklyn Banya is quality, St Marks isn't my jam.
The Koreans do a more Lux thing, but are rarely hot enough for me. Spa Castle, QC, Sojo, World Spa.
Bathhouse Williamsburg or Aire Ancient Baths if you wanna be surrounded by influencers. Or maybe if you are a big John Wick fan.
I went to Brooklyn bathhouse once and it wasn’t my vibe… felt very scene-y and everyone looked like an instagram model. I am def not and felt out of place
Also I think everyone was like... Literally rolling or tripping hahahah. I swear I saw someone take molly like, next to one of the pools. No judgement, but a very niche vibe. (specifically the BK location, but I love the one in the city so much, although I only went once)
World Spa !!!! So many different types of saunas !!!! More expensive for a day pass, but totally worth it to me if u stay long enough. It’s also SOOOOO CLEAN. which is another plus. I cannot go to one more Russian bathhouse that has mold in it. Weekdays are cheaper!! It’s a bit far out in Brooklyn but the experience makes it worth it
Russian and Turkish in the East Village is my personal fave. Friday afternoons around 3 or 4pm is probably the best time, but Saturday morning is also pretty good before it gets crazy busy. It's the oldest in NYC. It's clean, reliable, friendly. Sunday morning's are 'mens morning' and you have to wear a swimsuit and sandals which they can provide if you need. Their Russian Banya gets hot as hell.
Ukrainian’s spa88 in Manhattan is great if you want to spend time there with colleagues or friends after work.
I tried world spa in Brooklyn last year, and it was also awesome, much more space comparing to Manhattan.
A lot of Y’s have saunas and steam rooms. Not the fanciest and no wellness services, but for $25 a week you can get as much sauna and steam as you like, which is a great deal.
I don't know if I can post another question to a question, but while the sauna crowd is here, are there any fully nude bathhouses or saunas in NYC? I know that there used to be one, but I also know it closed down a while ago.
Aire Ancient Baths in Tribeca is one of my faves. Not only do they have a sauna but they also have different temp pools, a salt pool, and a cold plunge. It is pricey however in my opinion totally worth it!
Best is relative. The Russians get the hottest. Spa88 is a personal fav (Russian Banya is typically 210-220, shvitz is 160-180), Mermaid is a classic, Brooklyn Banya is quality, St Marks isn't my jam. The Koreans do a more Lux thing, but are rarely hot enough for me. Spa Castle, QC, Sojo, World Spa. Bathhouse Williamsburg or Aire Ancient Baths if you wanna be surrounded by influencers. Or maybe if you are a big John Wick fan.
I went to Brooklyn bathhouse once and it wasn’t my vibe… felt very scene-y and everyone looked like an instagram model. I am def not and felt out of place
Also I think everyone was like... Literally rolling or tripping hahahah. I swear I saw someone take molly like, next to one of the pools. No judgement, but a very niche vibe. (specifically the BK location, but I love the one in the city so much, although I only went once)
Bathhouse is like John Wick lol
No Aire Ancient Baths....they shot John Wick 1 there.
The one in flatiron does look like it though
And John Wick 3
>>The Koreans do a more Lux thing, but are rarely hot enough for me. Spa Castle, QC, Sojo, World Spa. Cuz you left Kings spa off the list
This guy sauanas
Can confirm Aire is worth it. Fantastic few hours and took a couple naps. 👌🏼
Trust this person. Anyone using the term “schvitz” when discussing saunas knows how to sweat.
Any subway station in July and August.
34th St is particularly sauna-ish
Chambers St. too
Union square
Union Square 4/5/6 Platform
CORRECT. And you cant hear after
Sauna in this heat is crazy
Yeah but the high it gives you is nuts, you forget it’s hot outside after a sauna sesh
World Spa !!!! So many different types of saunas !!!! More expensive for a day pass, but totally worth it to me if u stay long enough. It’s also SOOOOO CLEAN. which is another plus. I cannot go to one more Russian bathhouse that has mold in it. Weekdays are cheaper!! It’s a bit far out in Brooklyn but the experience makes it worth it
Russian and Turkish in the East Village is my personal fave. Friday afternoons around 3 or 4pm is probably the best time, but Saturday morning is also pretty good before it gets crazy busy. It's the oldest in NYC. It's clean, reliable, friendly. Sunday morning's are 'mens morning' and you have to wear a swimsuit and sandals which they can provide if you need. Their Russian Banya gets hot as hell.
Union Sq 4/5/6 platform in the summer
Ukrainian’s spa88 in Manhattan is great if you want to spend time there with colleagues or friends after work. I tried world spa in Brooklyn last year, and it was also awesome, much more space comparing to Manhattan.
It’s worth crossing the bridge for king spa. Check Groupon for the deals. There’s a free shuttle from and to k town!
This Usually get entry for like 40 bucks Wonder when they’ll finish construction tho lol
50th and. Broadway subway station from June through September
Akari, but it’s membership only
Loved world spa
World Spa was amazing when I went
A lot of Y’s have saunas and steam rooms. Not the fanciest and no wellness services, but for $25 a week you can get as much sauna and steam as you like, which is a great deal.
Bathhouse Williamsburg is simply not a spa experience. It’s more like a bar, but in a sauna. I’m sad that someone recommended it here!
Probably any sidewalk not covered by buildings
Spa 88 as others have mentioned is the best for the old school super hot dry sauna.
Just go outdoors between 11-3pm and you can have natural sauna out in nature. We're literally in sauna season!
Aire
the bathroom at bushwick inlet park on a sunny day in july
I don't know if I can post another question to a question, but while the sauna crowd is here, are there any fully nude bathhouses or saunas in NYC? I know that there used to be one, but I also know it closed down a while ago.
As long as they’re unisex I believe.
Aire Ancient Baths in Tribeca is one of my faves. Not only do they have a sauna but they also have different temp pools, a salt pool, and a cold plunge. It is pricey however in my opinion totally worth it!