Cleo Spa: The Perfect Place To "Chill Out"

[Sampling out the nail polish. Photos by Patrick McMullan]

Go HERE for more photos by Patrick McMullan.

According to Susan Shin, the trend in spa life is evolving to combine relaxing "antioxidant" boosted infusion cocktails with rejuvenating and relaxing spa services. If this is the case, I hope the next trend is to replace business dinners at Steak Houses and cocktails after work in crowded bars with socialization within the spas. Imagine closing a multi-million dollar deal over Vanilla Chai Martinis or GreenTEAnis after getting a 120 minute shiatsu or hot stone massage. Oh how great life would be! And perhaps more productive and less stressed.

More story and photos below:

To test out Miss Shin's theory, we spent our Monday Evening at the fabulous Cleo Spa and Salon on the Upper West side attending a "Chill Out" evening sponsored by NAVAN liqueur. We sipped fusion cocktails mixed with the relaxing NAtural VANilla essence of NAVAN (derived from vanilla orchids from Madagascar) in the form of Vanilla Chai Martinis and GreenTEAnis. We were treated to vanilla infused hot towels and scented hand massages which lead to a pleasureable unwinding experience.

Some of the attendees enjoying the same experience included Paul Johnson Calderon, Melissa Foss, Anisha Lakhani, Kristian Laliberte, Keith Lissner, Douglas Marshall, Alex and Simon van Kempen, Nick Raynes, Lilly Schonwald, Victoria Kirby, Tia Walker, Megan Zillis, Roy Teeluck.

Thus, the theory is true, there is an uncanny natural synergy of the spa environment with the soothing flavor of cocktails infused with natural vanilla in NAVAN. The environment of Cleo Spa and Salon is sumptuous and no details to creation and decoration have been left undone. For example, Korean artist Ran Hwang’s wall installation is a fuchsia and gold cherry tree, composed entirely of buttons attached by pins (a Zen-inspired vision brought to life).

Also, woven into the environment are natural materials such and wood and stone, giving rise to a modern interpretation of a luxurious beauty care lifestyle. Ensconced inside, the world fades and a natural habitat emerges. The 5,000 sq. ft. spa’s soaring 26 ft. high ceiling uplifts the soul and provides a haven -- Cleo takes a holistic approach to beauty and offers a beauty care environment that can be incorporated into the daily life of men and women.

On the list of spa services are facials, manicures and pedicures featuring green tea and milk treatments, a hair styling salon, massage services which include Swedish, deep tissue, shiatsu, hot stone and aromatherapy massages, a tanning room which utilizes a 100% organic spray tanning system, and an exclusive VIP beauty care area featuring a cantilevered stone fireplace, available by appointment only.

Cleo is located at 157 Freedom Place (66th Street b/w West End Avenue and West Side Highway).