05/19/09

Not as great as...

by CSMobileUser2

...it once was. I've going to the baths for over twenty years. Recently I used the ice pool, which used to be filled with ice-cold, clean water. The water was murky, dirty and there were wet towels all over the floor. The food has gone downhill also. I sampled some mushroom-barley soup and it was watery and tasteless. Too bad; it used to be a NYC treasure....

02/09/09

Unique Experience in Manhattan

by oompanyc

an interesting find in Manhattan, this place has a variety of different steam rooms and saunas, and even an ice cold pool. Very cool place for detoxing. They also offer massages, food and beverages, and other miscellaneous items. I had a great time checking this place out...a very young, hip, and friendly crowd...and I felt awesome when I left. Only $30 for a single visit, they do have discount cards for regular visitors.

• Pros: great place to detox, variety of steam rooms and saunas
• Cons: can get crowded

09/13/08

Rejuvenation!

by LGBTBOY

Oh my, Shanda darling if I liked girls, you would be mine! I get massage at least weekly and this is one of the few places that I've been a repeat customer to. Definitely worth the money!

06/06/08

Gone downhill

by nealr2000

I used to love going to this place back in the early 90s. I used to love the cots to rest up in at the end of my session. A lot has changed over the years. The cots have gone and the place just seems to have a more PC theme now. The prices have risen considerably. It's hard to put a finger on exactly what's changed, but it no longer has the same vibe. If you do go, avoid Saturdays as they are very crowded.

• Pros: The heat
• Cons: The prices

02/19/08

GET A MASSAGE WITH SHANDA

by unknotted

Definitely bare bones, not a convential spa treatment but worth a trip. Downstairs is relaxing in terms of the shvitz. Don't go on a Saturday though, way too crowded and full of posers talking way too loudly in the steam rooms about their acting gigs. Once you have sweated out for a good half hour go upstairs and get a massage from Shanda "the girl from New Orleans". I am a massage expert. I have gotten hundreds everywhere from a fancy spa to the local chi gong. This is the best massage I have ever received. I had a horrible pain in my shoulder and she worked out every knot. It was really quite unbelievable. She made no bones about it. As soon as she found the knot and tension she went to work and there was no mercy. It was unbelievable. 3 days later I realized that I felt so strange because I had no pain in my shoulder. For the first time in years. The most amazing thing was that she got rid of years of pain in only HALF AN HOUR and that included a whole body stretch. All in all it is an extremely affordable and effective way to relieve the stresses of city life.

• Pros: excellent massage
• Cons: none really, it's the Turkish Baths

05/12/05

The very definition of old school

by sabine_farm

Went for first time in June 04 and will be returning (I live on the West Coast) Best massage I've ever had. One reviewer is right; it is nothing like a Turkish Hammam, it is ALL Russian Bania. You won't believe how hot the Russian Steam Room actually is, it's brutal. Spend the extra and get the platza. It hurts, but in a good way. The decor is ancient, but the staff is warm and friendly. You'll feel great afterwards.

• Pros: Great Massage, The Platza!, The Russian Steam
• Cons: Decor is old

Traditional Old-World bathing with all the fixins, right in the East Village.

by Contributor

With no extras like towels or slippers--just shaving cream and a less than squeaky-clean environment--this place is not about aesthetics. It's about "shvitzing," the Eastern European bathing ritual which, in addition to a steam and cool down, consists largely of hanging out. In the cafe, fill up on beer and hearty Russian fare while watching TV, or catch rays on the roof deck. Take your choice of heat rooms: Dry, steam, scented, or the cherished Russian. After steam sessions, guests cool down in the "Ice Cold Pool" or triple-jet Swedish shower.

05/02/03

Rough & Rugged Pleasures

by icydew

This is a good place to go for a low cost deep tissue massage and a taste of Russian/Turkish heritage (the various saunas and tubs), but if you are one for high quality pampering then look elsewhere....it is not that kind of place. Every man/woman for him/herself. You will be given the bare essentials and sent on your way to hustle through the crowd of regulars. If you're new beware that you cannot be shy or too afraid to ask questions or you'll never get what you went in for. The simple pleasures will keep you going back for more (convenience all around, easy access to equipment, nonjugdmental crowd, various saunas).

• Pros: Bare Essentials, Simple Pleasures, Heat everywhere
• Cons: No pampering, Hustle & Bustle, Massuer that talk too

01/05/03

russian yes, turkish no

by lasselau

For us who knows what turkish bath really is get very dissapointet when we get to visit the russian -turkish bath. Its more russian bath than turkish. Beside this it is a nice place for relaxing.

Do never give or use there gift citificat becurce they forget to tell you that its only for use evry second week ...

10/11/02

Go back 60 years

by samborek

If you've never back-packed through Eastern Europe you can get a great taste at the Russian Turkish Baths. As soon as you enter you'll feel like you've been transformed. From the woman behind the food counter to the old-school style. Great way to spend an evening. Definitely try the authentic Russian food!

• Pros: authentic, relaxing
• Cons: old