IN THE CONSTANTLY CHANGING NEIGHBORHOODS OF BROOKLYN, THE RULES OF THE POSH urban day spa are being rewritten. Situated in an unassuming warehouse district under the busy Brooklyn Queens Expressway, Body by Brooklyn Spa and Lounge has opened its doors to cater to the needs of the immediate neighborhood and beyond. With more than 10,000 square feet of space, a selection of exotic treatments, a fully stocked bar and lounge, and a complete dining menu, this day spa has bloomed beyond traditional offerings and created an expansive one-of-a-kind escape from city living.
"The owners of Body by Brooklyn recognized that there was a lack of any authentic spa facility in the neighborhood," explains publicist Chelsea O'Donnell. "They wanted to set up a place where guests can experience traditional Russian and Eastern European spa treatments in a clean, elegant environment."
Walking into the spa's lounge area, guests immediately feel that dedication toward clean design and a comfortable, relaxing environment. Perhaps even more apparent is the feeling of space. The huge white-tiled floor is broken up into several cozy areas by modular furniture and vertical columns that run throughout the room. Flat-screen TVs adorn all of the walls, enhancing the chic appearance.
 Flat-screen TVs, modular furniture, and original art create a clean, comfortable lounge environment for guests seeking relaxation. |
The lounge is also home to another one of Body by Brooklyn's standout features—a fully stocked bar featuring more than 20 premium vodkas, an ample wine list, and plenty of beer selections. Spa guests are sure to find the perfect drink to accompany their treatments or to complement one of the delicious creations of executive chef Adrieno Rodriguez. The tempting menu offers such healthy and delectable dishes as tuna tartar and garlic and lemon sautéed shrimp over tropical salad with papaya and mango slices. It has already caught the attention of lunch patrons from local businesses, as well as larger corporate groups who use the lounge for the ideal private meeting place.
 Guests looking to increase circulation in their bodies may alternate between the thermal hot tub and the 56-degree cold plunge. |
The Russian-themed spa menu at Body by Brooklyn offers a wide variety of standard treatments as well as several more unusual selections. The spa's most popular treatments tend to be those that aren't typically offered in most day spas. One such favorite is the Red Flower Hammam ($150, 90 minutes), a six-step treatment using fragrant Red Flower products that includes a cleansing using a Moroccan Mint Tea Salt purifier and a full-body exfoliation using Lemon Coffee Blossom Scrub. The skin is then polished with Jasmine Rose Clay, spritzed with Orange Quince Mist, and rehydrated with Tangerine Fig Butter cream. Another distinctive offering is the Rose Quartz Healing and Restorative Facial ($130, 60 minutes), which incorporates products from Babor. Safe for all skin types and based on the positive effects of quartz on the body, mind, and spirit, this facial combines exfoliation, a facial massage using rose quartz stones, and the application of a collagen mask, all of which leave the skin awakened and de-stressed.
 The aromatic cedar sauna, heated to around 160 degrees, helps guests relieve aching muscles. |
Also, the communal wet lounge and a choice of three different sauna rooms are available to spa-goers pre- and post-treatment. Emulating a traditional Russian banya experience, guests can choose to sweat it out in the cedar sauna, the Turkish aroma steam room, or the traditional river rock Russian bath before having a dip in the 56-degree cold plunge pool, which is an ideal way to stimulate circulation, detoxify the body, and promote health and wellness. The spa also offers prepaid passes ($385, 11 daily visits) for some of the more common spa offerings, such as use of the wet lounge. A series of corporate promotions for local businesses has also been launched, whereas employees of the nearby Brooklyn Navy Yard can receive a 15 percent discount on treatments if they show their security badges.
 Body by Brooklyn SPA and Lounge |
Body by Brooklyn's nine treatment rooms allow for up to 200 guests per day at maximum capacity. The therapy team is made up of eight full-time and four part-time employees, and a six-member maintenance team is responsible for keeping the spa clean throughout the course of the day. The staff is rounded out with six front-desk personnel.
With the early success of Body by Brooklyn Spa and Lounge, the owners aren't looking to drastically change their winning equation anytime soon. One possible future enhancement may include a redesign of the spa's facade, making it more accessible with an outside seating area for guests. The model, which is based on a simple, clean design, plenty of space for guests to feel completely at ease, and a community atmosphere, is sure to be a continued success, especially as the neighborhood continues to grow. As O'Donnell says, "The owners want to promote a spacious, elegant environment where both men and women feel comfortable—and with a full bar and flat-screen TVs, it would be difficult not to feel right at home."