Portofino Sun Tanning Ctr

Recommends

DonnaMcElroy

Joined 3 years ago

Great Tanning place. Deserves its five star ratings.

Clean, friendly, knowledgeable, and didn't smell too chemically inside.

Overall a much better experience than Sole di Paradiso. In addition to having a much better atmosphere, the prices are also more reasonable.

Doesn't Recommend

AngelaNeel

Joined 5 years ago

Wasn't Impressed at SOHO Location. The receptionist was very nice and informative. However, the bed was outdated and the bulbs did not seem strong at all, like maybe they hadn't replaced them in a while. I ended up spending $45 on one tan and a packet of lotion. I spent twenty minutes in the bed and don't feel like I got any color at all. Of course, I could go back, but it would be pretty expensive. They said you needed an appointment for the spray tan. I expected more too from the SOHO location. The decor seemed old and outdated as well. Also, I remembered the two for one deal on the way out and asked the receptionist about it. She said she just forgot to mention it to me when I signed up. I think they don't mention it unless you ask about it. Anyway, I probably have a free tan now, but I'm not sure I'd go back. I'm going to try City Sun and I'll let you know how that goes...

Recommends

Sandy333

Joined 4 years ago

Best Tanning Salon in New York City. I just joined Citysearch and saw that Portofino was #1 nominated for best tanning salon in the city. I would have to agree. It is always a pleasant surprise how much I enjoy going there. I found the salon after a friend came to a wedding looking gorgeous and tan and raved about it. I like to get a spray tan whenever I know I am going out for a special occasion. The whole process takes about 30 minutes and the spray girl is so sweet and makes you feel totally comfy stripping down to nothing... but be warned that you have to get a mani/pedi BEFORE the spray. I almost made that mistake my first time. Ask for Maria or Stella--they have been great. OH and the girls at the desk are fun too. haha lots of good things to share about this place :o)

Recommends

RileyHall222

Joined 4 years ago

Dark Tan - Classy Place. I went to Portofino and the place was awesome. They told me to go and review them online if I liked my experience. Well, I am here doing just that! Very clean place, which is important to me. The beds all look brand new and shiny and the one I used gave me color that I could see even as I walked out. I liked the staff and the candy they have for you when you walk through the door!

Recommends

trixie258

Joined 4 years ago

2 Airbrushes for $99!!??. I went to Portofino today and got 2 personal spray tans for $99. That is awesome!!!! I have heard of places that charge $99 for just one. This place is good, the girl is skilled, and I love the color I've got. Will definitely be going back here instead of the other place I used to go.

Recommends

AshSampsonite1

Joined 4 years ago

Great Spray Tan. I got an awesome spray tan here. My mom has been spray tanning back at home and she urged me to try it. I chose this place because it seemed nice and kind of upscale. I figured, for my first time I wanted to try it at a nice place. I loved it and really liked the girl that did the spray tanning, too. I sometimes am cheap about tipping, but I gave this girl a fat tip because I was so impressed. Highly recommend!

Recommends

FunnyFrannie17

Joined 4 years ago

Vitamin D help. My doctor actually told me to go tanning. Not a joke. Because I don't ever see the sun here in the city, it turns out that I have a Vitamin D deficiency. Hence-PORTOFINO! The staff there is so helpful. The girl picked out a lotion for my sensitive skin and recommended the best tanning machine for me. I felt a little weird the first time tanning, but now I've visited a couple of times and it is a nice break in my busy work schedule.

Recommends

MirandaSITC

Joined 4 years ago

LOVE this place. Portofino Tanning is the best tanning salon in New York City (perhaps in the world), hands down.

The staff is unusually knowledgeable, friendly and eager to help. They make sure you get the deepest tan possible without burning. They take the time to get to know each customer and always check in with me to see how I like my tanning results. The managers are in the salon on a regular basis and know every customer by name. Walk in the front door and you'll feel like you've stepped into a party with a group of old friends.

The beds are always clean and they have XM radios set up in each room. The have a variety of other services available too like teeth whitening and spray tans, but I haven't tried those yet myself. (I have been meaning to check out the UV free sprays) It IS a little odd that they are tucked away on the 4th floor.

Bottom line: I'll never tan anywhere else!

Doesn't Recommend

NEWYORKER

Joined 4 years ago

AWFUL!!!!! DON'T go for spray tan!!!. I went to Portofino after reading all the great reviews here. I really wish I didn't and I'm very disappointed. The woman who did my tan was not very nice and didn't really seem to wanna be there. (which is fine just don't show it to me....) the color she did was not the one I asked for. Therefore she had to do it all over again. The Spray itself was very bad quality (I think it went bad). It took hours to dry....

My skin is looks awful my tan is uneven I have spots of color all over my body and my skin tone is Orange at places and dark and unfaltering at others.

Thank God this will fade eventually . Instead of bragging about my tan I need to hide it with long sleeves in the middle of the summer.

VERY UNPROFESSIONAL. I will NEVER go back there again.

Recommends

bride2bmaureen

Joined 4 years ago

great for first time tanners- brides. I have never tanned in my life because of all of the skin care hype. BUT I am getting married in about a month and I decided I couldn't be in that white dress, getting hundreds of pictures taken, and look like a pale ghost fading into my bridal gown.

SOoo--off to Portofino I went. I called first and chatted with a gal who was so friendly and patient as I asked a million questions. She eased my fear and simplified this process. I came in, bought an intro package, a bottle of tanning lotion that is made for sensitive skin, and bit the bullet. My first experience was such a surprisingly pleasant one. I will be back all month to build up what will hopefully be a nice little wedding day tan. I would recommend this place for anyone with anxiety about tanning, or wants to really feel in good hands.