
Last year at this time, we wrote about spa week with an idealist vision of rejuvenation. The unstable economy left most of us with a lot of muscle tension and little to spend on luxury items. But this spring, come to think of it, we’ve earned our exfoliating sojourn in spa la la land.
Spa week 2010 starts nationwide April 12 to April 18, so book your $50 treatments accordingly. With a nod to Earth Day, we selected three eco-minded spas in NYC that are offering great deals for you and the planet.
The Green Spa & Wellness Center | 8804 Third Ave., Brooklyn | 718.921.6100 | greenspany.com
Remind yourself what relaxing is supposed to feel like when you do the 45-minute Go Green Vegan Body Exfoliation with Eucalyptus Aromatherapy. Or if your feet need some love, get the Go Green Vegan Spa Pedicure with Eucalyptus Aromatherapy for 60 minutes.
Ascend Day Spa | 82-62 Austin St., Kew Gardens | 718.846.4601 | ascendspa.com
If you want to be ready for those harsh sun rays, get the 50-minute Collagen Drenched Fire and Ice Facial—fresh apple and grape pulp will be fused with paprika to stimulate circulation and detoxify the skin—or the Pumpkin and Yam Enzyme Peel. If you’re feeling a little adventurous, try the 50-minute Volcanic Pumice Body Polish, which uses finely ground volcanic rock to help reverse dry skin. Or you could always opt for that hot stone massage, which is normally $95.
The Secret Garden | 702 Forest Ave., Staten Island | 718.815.5900 | secretgardenbeauty.com
If your hair looks good and that’s all that matters, take the free ferry to Staten Island for the Eco Hair Color and Blowout or a Cut and Moroccan Hair Treatment. Other spa week offers include a 45-minute Eight Greens Organic Facial or 45-minute Organic Cotton Microdermabrasion.
For a full listing of locations participating in New York spa week, visit http://www.spaweek.com/spas/New-York/
The co-founder and editor-at-large at offMetro, Lauren is a sustainable travel specialist and freelance journalist with frequent bylines in National Geographic, Bicycling Magazine and Shape. Follow Lauren’s adventures at @laurenmati.











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Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine.
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings.
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram