Essential Therapy

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(917) 512-4525

122 E. 25th Street (Between Park Avenue and Lexington Avenue)
New York, NY 10010 40.741 -73.9844

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Neighborhoods: Kips Bay, Midtown

www.EssentialTherapyNY.com

What People Are Saying About Essential Therapy

The Owner

Essential Therapy

Owner

Essential Therapy, located in Midtown Manhattan in NYC, is dedicated to the healing power of massage. Through our therapeutic techniques & our ability to communicate with the minds & bodies of our clients, we offer a true transformational experience. Our massage therapists offer deep tissue massage, Swedish massage, Shiatsu massage, Thai massage, sports massage, medical massage, pregnancy massage, & chair massage.

In addition, you can enjoy a variety of relaxing spa facials at Essential Therapy. Our Facial treatments are customized to our client's individual needs. We use pure organic products to treat our clients' skin to an exotic fruit & herb based Eminence Organic Skin care line.

At Essential Spa Therapy in NYC, you can enjoy one of our various spa packages. In addition, we invite you to call us to set up a spa birthday party, spa bachelorette party, & a girl spa party.

CityGrid

Read more from the owner

Featured Review

Sandra Ramani

Contributor

The Scene – Owned by Carlos Araque, whose credits include a stint as offical massage therapist to the Mets, Essential Therapy is housed in quiet quarters at the back of a Flatiron-area office building. The warm waiting lounge, three dimly lit treatment rooms and sleek bathroom (with shower) are surprisingly spacious; the pervasive scent of essential oils relaxes clients instantly. – – The Services – Expert in a number of massage styles--including Swedish, deep tissue, medical, craniosacral, shiatsu, hot stone and prenatal--Essential's staff of therapists tailor each…

Editor's Tips

Save Money:
The therapist has worked with celebrities such as Harry Belafonte, Christina Applegate and the New York Mets.
The Extras:
The staff considers clients friends and treats them as such by putting out a newsletter and offering seasonal specials.
Look Good:
Take advantage of their Core Strength Vinyasa yoga studio.
ambiance
96.54999732971191% positive
  1. “Best atmosphere for a great massage and relaxation”
  2. “Just a few words - great people, great ambience, great massage.”
  3. “The yoga classes are fun and challenging.”
  4. “The ambiance was perfect and even the candle lit waiting area felt relaxing.”
  5. “Very cozy setting and I highly recommend their spa service.”
  6. “We thoroughly enjoyed our experience and found that the spa, overall, had a pleasant and inviting atmosphere.”
  7. “The place is very cozy and clean.”
  8. “Plus the facilities are great and I thought it would be a very romantic date”
  9. “The staff was friendly and professional and the spa is comfortable, clean and cozy.”
  10. “The massage was excellent and the atmosphere very cozy and relaxing.”
  11. “Homely atmosphere at great prices!”
  12. “The place is nice, very clean, the decoration is beautifull.”
  13. “Although it is a big place it is very warm and cozy.”
  14. “The atmosphere was charming and the staff was very friendly, I will most definitely return.”
  15. “The staff was pretty rude and the atmosphere was sketchy.”
  16. “the massage released all negativity, i felt completely comfortable with the professional, most importantly i was restored to an amazing peace between mind and body by the end of my hour massage.”
  17. “The atmosphere was nice and clean.”
  18. “loved the pace, his thoroughness, responsiveness, as well as the atmosphere of the whole space.”
  19. “The staff is friendly and location is clean and comfortable.”
  20. “By far, the best and most fun yoga is found in Sadie Nardini's class at Essential.”
  21. “Although they have expanded over the past couple of years to include yoga, facials and childcare in a HUGE, gorgeous space, they have retained the warm, intimate atmosphere that kept me coming back!”
  22. “Relaxing atmosphere and great massages”
  23. “The place is BEAUTIFUL, ambience is very relaxing and Jacuzzi was amazing.”
  24. “The place is nice, beautifully decorated, good location, clean.”
  25. “The facilities are really nice, comfortable, and quiet.”
  26. “The therapy rooms are comfortable, softly lite, soothing music and quiet.”
  27. “great massages, great customer service and great atmosphere.”
  28. “The space has a gorgeous atmosphere and a friendly staff!”
  29. “The space is nice when you walk in, but the ambience disapears once you go downstairs to where they do the massages (i.e. you pay upstairs in the nice waiting room and don't see the sketchy downstairs till after....)”
food quality
100.0% positive
  1. “The yoga program is kick-your-booty, expand-your-heart amazing, the staff are friendly and helpful, the prices are lower than anywhere else, the massage the best in town, and the space decadent, delicious - with things like a vevet pillow-lined lounge roo”
  2. “It was so relaxing and rejuvenating, products they use smell delicious and I like the fact that it?”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “good to know that there is a place where you can always get a good massage and won?”
  2. “was looking for a good place to go for a massage, with decent prices, and I chose this place because there were so many good reviews and they had a deal ($75 for an hour massage+use of their jacuzzi, sauna & steam room).”
  3. “would have to say that this was the best massage therapy place I have ever been to.”
  4. “Overall, I think its a great place.”
  5. “The spa seems like it is going to be a nice upscale place, but it was quite lacking.”
  6. “Its very nice place.”
  7. “At least i can vouche that this is a great spa and i would HIGHLY recommend this place to EVERYONE!”
  8. “what a great place!”
  9. “This is great place!”
  10. “Other than their great massage, the place was nice and the people were friendly.”
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. “Carlos is a fantastic masseur, and I plan to return to Essential as often as I can.”
  2. “would definitely recommend this spa and I know that my friends would be happy to return.”
  3. “The atmosphere was charming and the staff was very friendly, I will most definitely return.”
  4. “just very disappointing the last 2 times, and am hestitant to go back or recommend it, without knowing the name of a good practioner”
  5. “can't wait to go back - Carlos is amazing.”
  6. “highly recommend this spa and can't wait to go back!”
  7. “would go there again and would recommend it for anyone who wants quality service for a reasonable price.”
service
80.06999969482422% positive
  1. “The staff was very friendly, facilities clean and my massage was excellent.”
  2. “The staff was friendly and professional and the spa is comfortable, clean and cozy.”
  3. “The atmosphere was charming and the staff was very friendly, I will most definitely return.”
  4. “The people are nice and they are really experienced at what they are doing.”
  5. “the people at the front desk are so rude unhelpful and they are defintely not a place to go if you are looking to relax and have a pleasant welcoming.”
  6. “At Essential Therapy I had a wonderful experience, my masseuse was skilled and attentive.”
  7. “would go there again and would recommend it for anyone who wants quality service for a reasonable price.”
  8. “liked everything starting with the placebeautiful oriental style, soft light of candles, nice smell; friendly stuff and most importantmassage.”
  9. “also find that the people that work here are happy, smiley people that help with the positive nature of the spa.”
  10. “The space has a gorgeous atmosphere and a friendly staff!”
  11. “worst customer service EVER !”
  12. “Just a few words - great people, great ambience, great massage.”
  13. “They are all terrific, very attentive and able to change the pressure as I asked (I love deep tissue).”
  14. “The front desk employees were rude and lazy.”
  15. “It's very clean, I love the people, they are very welcoming.”
  16. “There is no way I should be responsible for their mistakes and rude behavior.”
  17. “great massages, great customer service and great atmosphere.”
  18. “The place is beautiful and the people are even lovelier.”
  19. “Instead, what I got was an unbelievably rude receptionist (which is unheard of in a spa) and an even ruder owner.”
  20. “Overall the place is beautiful, the staff was gracious and welcoming.”
  21. “My aesthetician was extremely knowledgeable, professional, and sincerely friendly.”
  22. “Although they are growing I still get the same personal and friendly service from the helpful staff when I am there for my weekly massage.”
  23. “It's not so easy to find good therapist and believe me not so many people in New York know what it's true Shiatsu.”
  24. “The place is relaxing, the service, is amazing.”
  25. “Lets see, bad staff attitudes: they are r.”
  26. “the massages are however very good, but the bad customer service puts a bad taste in my opinion that I find it hard how other reviewers dont say anything.”
  27. “Making the appointment was easy, all the reception people I dealt with were very nice and accommodating (I read some negative reviews, and was hesitant, but had no problems).”
  28. “The staff was so friendly and accomodating.”
  29. “Other than their great massage, the place was nice and the people were friendly.”
  30. “Carlos gives the best massage I have ever had, and I would recommend him to anyone--especially people who are active.”
  31. “The friendliness of Carlos, Olga and their staff makes Essential Therapy a wonderful environment to just kick back, relax and be catered to.”
  32. “The yoga program is kick-your-booty, expand-your-heart amazing, the staff are friendly and helpful, the prices are lower than anywhere else, the massage the best in town, and the space decadent, delicious - with things like a vevet pillow-lined lounge roo”
  33. “Overall, I didnt feel a sense of a nice luxury spa, instead of it was just ok, and the rude staff made it worse.”
  34. “The entire staff is great, and there is no wondering"will I get a good person?”
  35. “The staff is friendly and location is clean and comfortable.”
  36. “horrible manager”
  37. “The service that I received was very good.”
  38. “My therapist, Raul was extremely friendly and professional.”
  39. “Many places have a good masseuse or two on staff with the rest just OK.”
  40. “The staff is so friendly and warm.”
  41. “in my case receptionists were very friendly and attentive.”
  42. “Wow, I have to say it takes alot of talent to make a horrible spa, and these people really did it.”
  43. “Beautiful facility, highly skilled therpists, warm customer service.”
  44. “ve been looking for a clean place to get a massage from professional people who care and a Jacuzzi which isn?”
  45. “Very cozy setting and I highly recommend their spa service.”
  46. “The staff was pretty rude and the atmosphere was sketchy.”
value
73.33000183105469% positive
  1. “The value was great too!”
  2. “Another thing that makes this palce great is that they do "discount certificate" - at certain times you can purchase half price certificate which is good throughout the year.”
  3. “huge showerhead, good pressue.”
  4. “Even the most expensive spas have simple nice painted room but at Essential Therapy every room is different.”
  5. “The receptionist gave me a bill for the more expensive hot stone massage, and I told her my massage was a regular one-hour.”
  6. “The yoga program is kick-your-booty, expand-your-heart amazing, the staff are friendly and helpful, the prices are lower than anywhere else, the massage the best in town, and the space decadent, delicious - with things like a vevet pillow-lined lounge roo”
  7. “was looking for a good place to go for a massage, with decent prices, and I chose this place because there were so many good reviews and they had a deal ($75 for an hour massage+use of their jacuzzi, sauna & steam room).”
  8. “There was something about the website and I thought the prices were good.”
  9. “Homely atmosphere at great prices!”
  10. “We plan on going at least once a month; the prices are good too.”
  11. “When I told the front desk that by definition, my boyfriend paying full price is not a promotion or a discount, I was told "oh now you're getting into technical terms.”
  12. “good massage here costs about $120, and for that money, you want to leave feeling relaxed.”
  13. “The outside of the building is not much to look at but stepping into the soothing space and letting supremely nice and interested therapists talk your muscles into relaxation is worth it.”
  14. “Which suits me fine, since the gift certificate is for the full, regular price of the massage-- there was no discount, and therefore it's not a promotion.”
  15. “would go there again and would recommend it for anyone who wants quality service for a reasonable price.”
wait time
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. “Overall, I would say this was probably the worst spa experience I've had in a long time.”
  2. “Because of this, it is a little crazy during the after work hours, but as long as you know you are going there to have one of the best massages in New York, you will not be disappointed”
  3. “was thrown out on the sofa for 50 minutes for finally hearing the receptionist say ' Oh I think we forgot about you " with a big smile on his face”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/30/11

Fantastic

by alicat9916

So I bought a last minute Groupon for a 45-minute massage here. I really needed one, my back and shoulders were killing me. I had never been to this place, and I was worried that I needed an hour not just 45 minutes, etc.

Anyway it was fantastic -- I had Jan ("yan"), and he found every single knot in my back. He would use all sorts of techniques, and later I thought of all the other massage therapists in my life and why weren't they doing these, etc. 45 minutes seemed to last a long time, there was no wasted time. Feels great after, so glad I went.

The place is also nice, the massage room smelled really good, and they used some sort of aromatherapy oils, it was a really nice touch.

Also bonus to the really cheerful and nice receptionist -- I hate cranky receptionists, I'm at a spa to get away from cranky people.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

04/04/11

Friendly, relaxing, and proffesional atmosphere

by Pedro r

To start, when entering the place I felt like I was somewhere else, almost like entering a temple, very peaceful, and jet modern.

I really enjoy soaking in the hot tub, then I went to the sauna. Tried the steam room, took a shower, and then when I had left behind all the stress, I got an A-1 massage by one of their therapist.

After the massage, I could not resist the temptation, and went back to the sauna and the hot tub. They also provided me with a robe, towels as needed, and a disposable pair of flip-flops .

In general, I felt comfortable and relaxed. Is was a treat after a cold winter day that lasted for days.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/29/10

Simply the Best

by SamSam111

I got a Groupon as a present from my friend. I called and set up an appointment, receptionist was quite nice and friendly.

I didn't have big expectations but the place blew me away. At first when you come in it seems like a small place but when I was taken to the locker room I realize it's quite a big place.

I loved the decor, it's cozy and warm not like other places that are big and impersonal. I felt very welcome and at peace.

My massage was just perfect. I didn't have to explain too much to my therapist, she just knew exactly where to go and what amount of pressure to apply.

In overall I had a great experience, and very pleased with the service. I'll give the decor a 10.

I highly recommend it, I will be back.

2 Star Rating: Below Average

08/02/10

change in management?

by sueshii

I used to be a regular at Essential therapy for massages and used to love it, but my last visit has me looking for a new spa.

Usually the service and quality of the massages are great, but on Sunday from the moment we walked in the receptionist was very short with us and I felt like I was walked into the DMV. I was totally unwelcome and was a total bother to the receptionist. i had my massage and it wad not the quality i was used to, it was uneven in pressure and she would do one thing to one side of my back and then half of that to the other side...it was so strange.

Then on the way out again, the receptionist was rude and I felt more stressed out that when I walked in!

I'm so sad cause I use to loved this place and this last experience was SOO bad that I don't want to go back.

Thanks Goodness it was cheap but I'm willing to go somewhere and pay a couple extra dollars to really be relaxed.

  • Pros: price
  • Cons: service
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/31/10

Great Massage

by grass4

I had a good time. I went for a spa package (basically massage and facial) and both services were great, especially I was impressed with my Deep Tissue Massage - probably the best I've ever had! I overheard two other ladies in the locker room and they seem to be very pleased with their massages as well.

The staff was friendly and professional and the spa is comfortable, clean and cozy. Great job and I will be back.

  • Pros: great massage, sauna
  • Cons: no snacks, tea etc

The Details on Essential Therapy

Place Categories:

  • great deep tissue massage
  • great upscale place
  • great whole experience
  • friendly entire staff
  • recommend luxury spa
  • clean facilities
  • inviting intimate atmosphere
  • very knowledgeable therapist
  • good prices
  • very nice showers
  • great services
  • worst massage therapy experience
  • not recommend essential therapy
  • recommend highly
  • best yoga teachers
  • amazing carlos
  • never good hot stone massage
  • comfortable location
  • extremely knowledgeable aesthetician
  • great hands
  • rude receptionists
  • fun yoga classes
  • nice reception people
  • worst spa
  • beautiful gorgeous space

Message from Essential Therapy

  • Early Bird Massage -$75
  • Eminence Organic Facial in NYC
  • Spa Packages & Spa Parties

Essential Therapy, located in Midtown Manhattan in NYC, is dedicated to the healing power of massage. Through our therapeutic techniques & our ability to communicate with the minds & bodies of our clients, we offer a true transformational experience. Our massage therapists offer deep tissue massage, Swedish massage, Shiatsu massage, Thai massage, sports massage, medical massage, pregnancy massage, & chair massage.

In addition, you can enjoy a variety of relaxing spa facials at Essential Therapy. Our Facial treatments are customized to our client's individual needs. We use pure organic products to treat our clients' skin to an exotic fruit & herb based Eminence Organic Skin care line.

At Essential Spa Therapy in NYC, you can enjoy one of our various spa packages. In addition, we invite you to call us to set up a spa birthday party, spa bachelorette party, & a girl spa party.

Essential Therapy

"It Takes Two, Baby" - $60 off your Couple Massage

Book with a friend or significant other and you'll receive $60 off a couples massage or $30 off two 60-minute massages! That's only $80 per person or $160 for both of you for One Hour of one of the city's best deep tissue massages (reg. $220)

Essential Therapy - 122 E. 25th StreetNew York, NY10010 - (917) 512-4525

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