Ora Acupuncture Studio

This exuberant Firmdale Hotels offering is sort of the perfect mix of over-the-top design flourishes and straight-up excellent hospitality, which makes it an instant hit for kids. Dotted with dog statues and bright colors, the rooms are fun, rather than stuffy, and there are lots of considerations for little ones: Adjoining rooms, cots, pint-sized bathrobes, a kid’s menu, plus babysitting service. There's also an on-site screening room.

We almost don’t want to put any more of a spotlight on this hotel, as its lobby lounge is one of our favorite places to get work done outside the office. It’s hardly ever crowded, and there are always tables and couches available—some near a log fire—for meetings, lunches, and laptop time. Located right near Washington Square Park, The Marlton’s dark, artful interiors, elegantly outfitted rooms, and snappy Margaux restaurant, bar and lounge area, makes it a pretty great spot.

The Mercer is known for its practical, elegant spin on comfort: Homey amenities include a library of books and movies, while the rooms are modern and simple, with special attention given to good bedding and spacious bathrooms.

The rooms at this renovated Soho hotel are decorated smartly and elegantly with plenty of comfort and flair. People flock here for the scene-y rooftop pool, and incredible views of Manhattan from the gym, the sky bar, and many of the rooms.

Between its penthouse bar, its dance club, Le Bain, The Standard Grill, and the Biergarten, it seems that this is where everyone wants to see and be seen on any given night in New York. The ultra modern interiors are worth checking out, as is the architecture: The building straddles the High Line and boasts incredible views of the Hudson.

As the crown jewel of restauranteur Keith McNally’s downtown empire, Balthazar channels all the charm and style of a Parisian bistro—booths and antiqued mirrors included. Dining here feels like an event, and as such it draws big crowds for its Coq Au Vin, Moules Frites, and burger. We actually like its adjacent bakery best, where you can take perfect croissants, loafs of bread, and coffee to go.

Bustling, no-frills, and speedy, the chalkboard of reliable specials (and menu classics) pleases all palettes: For one, they do a really good and simple Rigatoni Pitti. There’s seating inside and out, though in warmer months, you’ll want to grab a chair on the sidewalk patio.

This high-end sushi spot occupies a classic Soho brownstone, and it’s an institution for great fish and unexpected presentation—don’t miss the bigeye tuna tart, which is a knockout. The three distinct dining rooms are elegant and inviting and great for groups (provided you book well in advance). And don’t be surprised if you get in a long conversation with the chef, who makes the rounds to say hello.

Rooted in an appreciation for traditional French cuisine, Jody Williams's beloved neighborhood wine bar is a favorite for indulgent pastries and French toast at breakfast, and snack-size French Coq au Vin and the like at lunch and dinner. It's as good for a quick bite to eat as it is for a full meal, and the setting, with a tin ceiling, exposed bricks, and French-style cafe seating, is a perfect, romantic spot for a date or intimate dinner. Williams' food is so good, and the concept so well-received in the city, that she's taken it to Paris, where even the hard-to-please French have welcomed her style of French cooking.

The Cuban-style food and quick take-out (especially the corn) satiates that very specific craving, and the place is always flooded with people from midday to midnight. There's a location in Tokyo, and strangely enough, in the Malibu Country Mart.

This Italian spot on Thompson Street boasts Vito Schnabel's artwork on the walls, Zac Posen designed uniforms, a floor inspired by The Godfather, and a slightly more upscale version of the Italian-American fare you'll find at their other restaurants. And like the good old days, the food is rich and luscious from lobster ravioli to sides like artichoke hearts and corn tartufato.

Incorporating North African and Middle Eastern flavors makes this a bit more than your average Provencal-centric restaurant. There is always Bouillabaisse on the menu, but you can have that, Tunisan flatbreads, and a Chicken Tagine, too. Just like the food, the decor—tiled floors and accent walls, rattan seating, and old wooden tables—fully captures that bright, airy Provencal sensibility.

This is definitely one of the best soba joints in the city. Go for the Mera Mera Dip Soba, with minced chicken and a fiery broth: The noodles are packed with flavor, chewy, and perfectly al-dente. Don’t miss the homemade silky tofu, sprinkled with grated ginger, scallions, nori and bonito flakes, which is as creamy and delicious as a hunk of fresh burrata.

This Peking Duck-dedicated spot—tucked away in a converted laundromat beneath RedFarm—has the sort of exquisite Chinese food that you’d expect from Ed Schoenfeld and Joe Ng. While the Peking Duck was excellent (you have to reserve one in advance), we were most blown away by the uni noodle and octopus salad and the crab fried rice.

Both a shop and tapas bar, we head here for hard-to-find Spanish ingredients like Bomba rice, excellent Manchegos, smoked paprika, and an endless variety of delicious preserves. It's nearly impossible to walk away without snacking on one of their perfect tortillas. There's also a market in Queens.

Don Angie is classic red-sauce Italian, with the requisite pull-apart garlic bread and chrysanthemum salad buried in Parmesan cheese. The pastas are spectacular, and you really can’t go wrong, but make like every other table in the room and order the lasagna. This is a tough reservation, but we’ve heard if you go around opening and ask the host in person, they can often score you a spot later that week.

Owned by the adorable husband/wife team Sarah Schneider and Demetri Makoulis and chef Nick Korbee, Egg Shop was founded on a mutual love of the egg sandwich. That said, their menu has since expanded to include all kinds of egg specialties, from ricotta scrambles to smoked salmon benedicts. There's also a location in Williamsburg.

EN Japanese Brasserie flies a bit under the radar, which is a great thing because it means that it's generally quiet and hushed. While the tall ceilings make the space feel much bigger than it actually is, the vibe is still warm and inviting. The traditional Japanese cuisine goes way beyond sushi (though the sashimi hardly disappoints) and offers great options for picky and adventurous eaters alike. There are six private rooms modeled after a meiji-era apartments; the intimate spaces only hold up to 20 people.

We were thrilled when Igancio Mattos (formerly of Chez Panisse, Il Buco, and Isa) opened this spot on East Houston (he now has Café Altro Paradiso nearby on Spring Street). The dishes are of a Mediterranean slant, and while they’re unfamiliar and unexpected, he never sacrifices taste or pleasure for innovation. There are many swoon moments on the menu: egg salad on matzo, raw scallops with yuzu, beef tartare with sunchoke, and ricotta dumplings. It’s a small spot with rustic accents that never threaten to overshadow the food. It can get quite loud, and tables can be hard to come by, but if you can get one, go.

Restaurateur Gabriel Stulman (of Happy Cooking Hospitality) re-concepted his West Village Italian restaurant, Perla, into Fairfax, a Mediterranean eatery with a straightforward menu of inventive dishes you'll want order over and over, oh and a great wine list. Part of the swap was changing out formal dining room tables for more casual living room furniture and communal tables (many of the pieces taken from the Stulman's own home), making it super comfortable. It's also a great place to host a party.

Inspired by the word for everyday food in Swedish (husmanskost), the fare here is generally rooted in comfort and familiarity. That said, chef/owner Ned Baldwin is too pedigreed to keep it simple, having come from Prune. You’ll find everything from little neck clams to a perfectly prepared burger.

We like to stop by this homey café and wine bar for the occasional snack—a house-cured plate of salumi and a glass of wine—just as much as for a full, rustic meal. With gallerist David Zwirner as one of its backers, it’s no surprise this artfully restored ex-lumber supply space fills up with the art crowd on a regular basis. It's ideal for an event, too—their skilled planners will design a beautifully rustic event at long tables in the back rooms.

Indochine's opening back in 1984 was actually a dinner in honor of Juilan Schnabel—and the entire art crowd showed up to celebrate. Blessedly, the place hasn't changed much since then; the wallpaper is iconic, and the Chilean sea bass has garnered a cult-like following. They know what they're doing, so you can trust them to handle private events of any size.

Jean’s is the kind of restaurant you might have found in late-’90s St. Tropez—clubby, intimate, and legitimately chic. (If “clubby” is something that would normally put you off: fair, but stay with us for a moment.) The crowd wears Bode and Eckhaus Latta; tables fill up with outrageously good Caesar salads, French dips, burgers, and fries; and the spicy olive-oil martini will change your life. Everyone is here for a good time, and they’re having it.

In SoHo, King, the work of two alumni of London’s River Café, is the toast of the town. On the menu: hand-rolled ricotta ravioli with pesto and elegant dishes of wild striped bass.

Lafayette serves all three meals in a beautiful brasserie space: Copper pots hang in the kitchen, horseshoe-shaped booths are spacious and inviting, while the clean, fresh look of the bakery—with blue-and-white patterned floor tiles and lots of white marble—offsets the rusticity of the dining room. We like the oysters, along with the rotisserie chicken for two and an order of the fries. It's also a great place to meet for breakfast, with simple, quality dishes that all have a French twist. The private wine cave has its own bar, which makes it ideal for office holiday parties.

Despite its two-floor, 100-plus-seat space, tables are somewhat hard to come by at L'Artusi, which makes the spots at the white marble bar all the more valuable. The menu centers around several pleasing pasta dishes, with Italian-inspired seafood and meat mains, plus plates like L'Artusi's roasted mushrooms with pancetta, fried egg, chilies, and ricotta salata. There's also a serious wine list, and Sunday brunch to consider.

Modeled after a classic French bistro, you can't help but feel like you're in Paris here. When you try the food—light, fluffy crab cakes, delectable bouillabaisse—you'll feel truly transported. This is a great place for brunch.

This tiny corner restaurant has a great neighborhood vibe and hearty, Mediterranean-inspired dishes. It's the kind of place you can always rely on for homey classics, like eggplant parm and a perfect roast chicken.

This hangout for Australians (for real) offers an insanely delicious burger, along with meal-worthy salads. It's a great pit-stop for a quick bite should you be shopping your way through Nolita. The original location has doubled in size (expanding into next door's space) since opening in 2003, and there is another location on the border of Murray Hill and Gramercy.

Lombardi's gets the title of being the U.S.'s first ever pizzeria, meaning it does receive its fair share of tourists. The best way to get your hands on this pizza is to order for take-out. Lombardi's has tough competition, but this is certainly a contender as one of the best in the city.

Now under the ownership of Joe Bastianich, Lupa is full of ambiance and offers all sorts of affordable pastas served family style. Our favorite: Bavette cacio e pepe. It's simple but the quality of the ingredients makes it luxurious. You'd never know it, but they actually have a private room in the back. Or, for a larger group, you can reserve the entire restaurant.

This great neighborhood spot—care of the team behind The Little Owl—is one of our favorite spots for lunch. The American fare is simple and delicious, meaning the turkey sandwich is perfect, and the burgers are pretty great, too.

The décor is nothing special, but the Middle Eastern dishes—standards from tabbouleh to falafel, plus their trademark oven baked "pitzas" (that's a pita served like a pizza)—are more than a cut above your standard Turkish café. Plus, it's really well-priced. We love this as a lunch option or as a crowd-pleasing take-away.

While it’s nothing special when it comes to atmosphere and décor, this unassuming Japanese nook in Soho serves up delicious Kyoto-style food, including plenty of super fresh sashimi and small, flavorful cooked dishes. We’re partial to the Omen udon noodles, served simply with seaweed and hot or cold broth. This spot is a big hit among artists, actors, and creatives, who probably love the food as much as its hushed, relaxed vibe.

Everyone in New York has their own best-of list, but the wood-fired pizza at Pasquale Jones, from the same folks behind Charlie Bird, is a solid contender. The littleneck clam and salsiccia pies are standouts, and a nice match to their wine list, which has some great reasonably priced bottles. The action here centers around an open kitchen and two wood-burning stoves; the booths—though limited—are roomy and good if you’re dining with littles in tow. Reservations are hard to come by, so walking in is your best bet, though be prepared to take several spins around the block while you wait. (Worth it, still.)

It’s a weekend in New York. In other words, head to Pastis—it has returned, and it’s done so perfectly. The subway tiles, the vintage mirrors, the mosaic flooring, and best of all, much of the original menu are still there. Order a dozen oysters, maybe the Gruyère omelet, and glass of light rosé—everybody else is. Then sit back and enjoy the real reason you’re here: The stellar people-watching.

From the dining room at Raf’s, you can watch almost everything on the menu emerge from the vintage bread oven in the kitchen’s back wall: escargot, brick-oven chicken, leeks vinaigrette, and other French-Italian magic. Order more than you have room for, let it load up on your teeny table, and don’t skip dessert from pastry chef Camari Mick.

Run by the Raoul brothers and their family, and open in Soho since before the neighborhood scrubbed itself clean, patrons return again and again for the bistro fare, and the charming, authentically eccentric vibe. It genuinely feels like a secluded little Parisian nook, where you can find great French staples and a late night scene at the bar.

Rubirosa, by the people behind Staten Island’s Joe & Pat’s, is known for their “tie dye” pizza (a vodka-sauce margherita with a pesto drizzle) but we’d argue every pizza on the menu is equally deserving of the attention. The pies are big, with thin, crispy crust. Most people stick to the pizzas, but you’d be right to explore the other red-sauce classics: chicken parmesan, spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna, baked clams—all good.

It's no surprise that Major Food Group's take on the deli has been a big hit. Come in the morning or afternoon for bagels, smoked fish, and chopped salads.

The scallion puffs are a heavenly riff (yes, puff-pastry) on scallion pancakes; the scallop crudo in gingery broth is invigorating, cozy, and something you wish were easy to whip up for week day dinners; and the cashew-eggplant dish is molten, epic, perfect. This gem in the West Village showcases the beauty and expansiveness of Chinese—and Chinese American—food.

We frequently dream of a slow, savor-every-minute dinner at Shuko, where incredible hand rolls and sushi sets make for a great omakase.

The menus for lunch and dinner here include the standards—there's hummus, tzatziki, boureki, and the like—but this isn't your typical family-run diner. The chef turns out fresh interpretations all day long. At lunch, we tend to gravitate toward their big, fresh salads, and in the evening, we love combining "mezedes"—hearty veggie dishes—with our mains.

A two-month wait for a seat at Nakazawa’s bar, a chef whose claim to fame is having worked under Jiro, is not unheard of. Pedigree aside, the wait for the restaurant makes total sense: You’ll get 20 perfect pieces of perfect nigiri. The cuts are gorgeous, and it’s dressed up ever so slightly with just an ingredient or two (yuzu paste, lemon, salt).

Thai Diner is like if a classic American diner copulated with a tiki bar, and there’s nothing quite like it. At brunch, you get babka-and-Thai tea French toast and steak-and-egg lettuce wraps. At lunch and dinner, you might go for bok choy chowder and green-curry bucatini. A lot of it is unconventional, sure—but put your trust in chefs Ann Redding and Matt Danzer, whose previous restaurant Uncle Boons is much-missed in Nolita, and you’ll never be disappointed.

Torrisi reopened in 2023, just a block up from where the original Torrisi Italian Specialties made a name for chefs Rich Torrisi and Mario Carbone a decade prior. The new Torrisi is a fancier affair, with white tablecloths and servers in starched shirts. That said, the food is even better than at the O.G.—go for plates of ragù, rotisserie, and ravioli, and whatever specials are posted on the wall today.

Grilled mushrooms and smoked scamorza, wild boar ragu... the Italian small plates from chefs Jody Williams and Rita Sodi are ridiculously well done. Another major draw: The gorgeous outdoor patio. As Mario Batali put it, this place "is everything right about the West Village."

This is the sort of kid and group-friendly spot that every neighborhood needs. The focus is on hearty pizzas, pastas, and veggie-driven sides. No big surprise since these are the people behind Five Points (RIP) and Cookshop.

It's really easy to miss the stairs to the downtown space at Peasant. While the main dining room at this Nolita mainstay has a subtly fancy vibe, the basement is decidedly more cozy and relaxed. Rickety communal tables, rustic details, and candles are a little romantic, sure, but it's not at all cheesy. You still have access to the full menu—don't miss the seasonal pastas—as well as the standout wine selection.

Nothing gimmicky here, just well-executed steakhouse classics. The West Village’s 4 Charles is a lamb-chop, brick-chicken, little-gem place. (It’s the signature of Brendan Sodikoff, the guy responsible for Chicago’s steakhouse renaissance.) Like its predecessors Au Cheval and Gilt Bar, 4 Charles is old-school, complete with wood-paneled walls and tufted-leather booths. Get the burger, and you’ll be chasing that high forever.

Aby Rosen's nightclub, which spans the entire second floor of Nolita hotel 11 Howard, is supposed to be a total scene at night (that is, if you can catch it on a date when it's not closed for events), but we actually like it just as much in the early evening for after-work drinks. The room is lined with velvet banquettes and a long bar that's lit from underneath, with bouquets of cherry blossoms and fresh blooms in every corner.

This downtown wine bar is from the same team behind some of our favorite bar-restaurant spots in London and Paris. The concept is a cozy, candle-lit, living room-esque space with plush couches and decorative throw pillows, mod chairs, and marble-topped tables. The wine list is unsurprisingly very French, and impressive, plus there's a small but sufficient small-plate snack and dinner menu. In other words, this makes an excellent date spot.

Speakeasy-style Temple Bar was the place for martinis in the ’90s, and while it’s been reborn under new ownership, the moody, elegant vibe remains the same. It’s a grown-up place with a discerning door guy; dress nice.

Ok, yes, you might take one look at the line at All’antico Vinaio and swear off the whole endeavor. But get in that line, and you’ll (eventually) walk away with one of the best sandwiches you’ve ever eaten. This family-owned shop started in Florence in 1991 and landed stateside a few years ago; people keep coming for its just-baked schiacciata bread, Florentine salami, and friendly service. Could the sandwiches be a little more loaded? Sure. But it’s still the best Italian sandwich you’ll get just about anywhere.

As the crown jewel of restauranteur Keith McNally’s downtown empire, Balthazar channels all the charm and style of a Parisian bistro—booths and antiqued mirrors included. Dining here feels like an event, and as such it draws big crowds for its Coq Au Vin, Moules Frites, and burger. We actually like its adjacent bakery best, where you can take perfect croissants, loafs of bread, and coffee to go.

The hand-rolled, wood-fired bagel sandwiches at Black Seed are actually easy to eat (they’re much smaller than their brethren), and for the most part, they’re great—particularly for those times when the only thing that will satisfy is a bagel sandwich. Favorites include: beet-cured gravlax, a basic tuna salad, Tobiko spread, and the egg salad (though it’s heavy on the dill). There’s now a location in the Financial District and East Village, in addition to the Nolita original.

Both a shop and tapas bar, we head here for hard-to-find Spanish ingredients like Bomba rice, excellent Manchegos, smoked paprika, and an endless variety of delicious preserves. It’s nearly impossible to walk away without snacking on one of their perfect tortillas. There’s also a market in Queens.

They brew Intelligentsia coffee here, and make a mean macchiato, though it's their work with a chai (and alternative milks) that is really winning hearts across the city. They also serve insane donuts.

Founder Rachel Krupa had an ambitious goal when she opened The Goods Mart in Silver Lake: to create a convenience store unlike any other in the country. Now, with the Silver Lake location sadly shuttered, The Goods Mart has made a move east, occupying a much-needed space on Lafayette in SoHo. Think of it as the corner store for a new era, where prices are low, the quality is high, and the mission is rooted in community. Shelves are devoid of artificial colors, flavors, and other nasties and even the slushies are made with organic ingredients and served in paper—not plastic—cups. But back to the mission: Customers have the option of donating to different monthly charities at checkout, while good food approaching its sell-by date is delivered to the homeless in partnership with the nonprofit Lunch on Me.

Some people are saying this is the east coast counterpart to Erewhon, and the comparisons are apt: This boutique health food store has a stellar hot bar, an especially well-curated selection of healthy snacks, and as many functional beverages you could try in a year. The vibe is really good and the service is friendly, if not always fast.

We’re Jack’s Coffee loyalists in Amagansett, and you can find all the same magic—perfectly roasted beans, egg breakfast sandwiches, simple salads, a smattering of good juices—at their Greenwich Village flagship.

This shop has been around forever, and they can help you find literally any healthy, impossible-to-get ingredient you can imagine. There's a vegan bakery, a juice bar, and plenty of organics.

While you don't want to bring too much web-dependent work since the Wi-Fi can get choppy if the café is packed (it's small and gets full on weekends), this is probably the prettiest spot in the city for an afternoon of writing or reading. While the French-inflected menu is full delicious options, it's the cookies—arguably the best brain food ever—that get the most praise. And the coffee game is pretty strong, too.

The gorgeous Marlton Hotel lobby happens to be home to a great espresso bar. Here, you'll find a simple but perfectly executed offering of coffee drinks, teas, and snacks. While tables tend to go fast, you can usually grab a couch or armchair.

This ice cream place is run by Nicholas Morgenstern, a classically trained pastry chef (he was formerly head pastry chef at Gramercy Tavern) who turned out to be a whiz at crafting elevated flavors. Using only the highest quality ingredients, if you're craving a creamy and non-processed—treat, this is the spot. Beyond the scoops, the shop is incredibly charming: The exterior is painted royal blue and the inside is set up like an old-fashioned parlor with counter seats and a window ledge.

There are few weekend morning activities quite as essential as picking up coffee and bagels at a local neighborhood shop. In the West Village, the place to go is definitely Murray’s, a long-time neighborhood favorite. They offer every conceivable type of schmear, including a great egg salad. There are tables for eating in, though these travel well, making them pretty perfect picnic fare in warmer weather.

No matter that no more than five people can fit in Olive's at once (and that it's really easy to miss when walking by), the sandwiches, soups, and salads here are mighty: While the offerings change daily, you can always count on a pretty delicious (and hearty) turkey sandwich, or a chopped salad packed with everything you could ever want. There's also a location in the Financial District.

Good Brazilian pão de queijo is weirdly hard to come by in the city, but anyone who's had a taste of these gluten-free cheesy puffs will tell you that sniffing them out is a worthwhile cause. Not only does this Greenwich Village café churn out really good Brazilian pastries; it also sources coffee almost exclusively from Brazil, South America, and Africa. What’s more, the space itself is comfortable and welcoming, so you never feel like you and your laptop are unwanted.

PopUp’s bagels are worth the hype. They’re incredible right out of the oven—which, since they churn out fresh bagels all day, they always are. Their “rip and dip” cream cheese method is inconvenient if you’re on the go, but perhaps you’ll take it as an invitation to sit and savor breakfast.

We dare to say this hole-in-the-wall (literally), Israeli place makes the best falafel sandwiches in the city. In fact, they make three varieties of the best falafel in the city. Get a sandwich to go and wash it down with their perfect, equal parts sweet and tart lemonade. There is also a location in Nolita.

Whether you’ve had Van Leeuwen on the streets of Brooklyn or in Culver City, it’s instantly recognizable. They’re particularly famous for their vegan ice cream, a combination of cashew milk, coconut milk, cocoa butter, and carob beans that’s incredibly creamy and indulgent (and a major victory for the dairy-sensitive).

For our second brick-and-mortar venture, we brought a bit of West Coast to New York: Taking inspiration from 1930s Hollywood homes designed by Billy Baldwin and Paul Williams, we tapped LA design firm Commune to bring the Noho space to life. The 2,100-square-foot shop echoes a private residence—enter from cobbled Bond Street into to a large room stocked with a curated selection of pieces from brands like Officine Générale, Matteau, Ciao Lucia, and our own G. Label by goop. A clean beauty apothecary is stocked with goop-approved products, and a fully-functioning kitchen showcases wares from our favorite home goods lines, and plays host to cooking demos.

In a sprawling, white-washed space on Crosby Street, BDDW shows off Tyler Hays's genius. And what that manifests as is beautifully designed and hand-crafted furniture, ceramics, and rugs—all with a rustic yet pristine, modern feel. It's stunning, particularly in the way that it's presented in pretty suites throughout the labyrinthine space. Along with Hays's work, BDDW also carries a few other equally exquisite items like Lindsay Adelman's sculptural lighting and Kieran Kinsella ceramic side-tables.

If you’re hosting (or looking for a hostess gift), this is the store to count on for colorful martini glasses, pretty cocktail napkins, and nice olive oil in a cute bottle. They have two stores: This one’s in the West Village and the other is in Greenpoint.

There aren't many better jewelry boutiques in the country: Offering a mix of new and estate pieces, the curation here is stunning, but also cool (sometimes a hard-to-accomplish feat). The original is in the Brentwood Country Mart in Los Angeles.

Crate & Barrel's sister store is full of modern, really well-priced furniture items and home accents, making it a great stop when in need of a few practical pieces for a quick home upgrade. We always stock up on their glass and dishware—they're great, easily replenished, kitchen basics.

Specializing in contemporary photography tomes, Dashwood is lined with every important book on the subject. The owner and staff are always up for helping you find something special or just for a good photo chat. Watch out for their own beautiful editions, including their two books with photographer Ryan McGinley.

The broad cobblestone streets between Bowery and Lafayette are a fitting entryway to the charm of deVOL. Founded in 1989 by two design graduates from Loughborough University, the English countryside–charactered kitchen interiors duo expanded across the pond back in 2019. This showroom boasts four awe-inspiring kitchen setups filled with dreamy cabinets adorned with handcrafted hardware and fixtures, Italian marble sinks, and an intoxicating scent of wild fig and grape. Almost all items are handmade in their Leicestershire workshops. If you can manage to pull yourself away from the dreamy kitchens, the basement is a wonderland of perfectly curated vintage furniture, antiques, and brocante.

After spending decades in the art, antiques, and design world—at places like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the antiques store Didier Aaron, and with the interior designer Jacques Grange—Jill Dienst opened her own gallery in 2005. Now housed in a former warehouse in NoHo, Dienst + Dotter offers a highly curated selection of furniture, paintings, objects, lighting, and books, the staple of which is Scandinavian art and antiques, pure and minimal.

Lit up like a rainbow, The End of History is one of the more unique stores in the city—if not the United States. Here, you'll find really, really beautiful cased glass that's highly collectible (with prices to match). It all looks so stunning as a grouping, you'll want to take at least three pieces home. They also deal in really beautiful and rare pottery making the store an inspiration point for many home designers.

The showroom, in the original Tiffany & Co. silver department building, is not only a stunning space, but it offers an encyclopedia array of hardware options from all styles and periods—they have the largest collection of hardware catalogs in the world. Along with their own gorgeous line, they also carry designer objects from Ted Muehling, John Iversen, and Marina Beaulieu, a few of which they manufacture, too.

The vintage collection at Funny Pretty Nice leans into colorful ’90s and Y2K styles, and it’s a treasure trove of Missoni disco pants, low-rise Fendi skirts, and the silk slips Victoria’s Secret once did so beautifully.

Occupying a sliver of space in a quiet stretch of Soho, Global Table is one of those places that's packed from floor to ceiling. Sourcing items from all over the world, the prevailing aesthetic is bright, colorful, and modern, though they also have a great selection of wooden serving pieces, like salad bowls and cutting boards. It’s rare to walk out empty-handed.

100% of the proceeds from this popular used bookstore go to its very worthwhile charity that provides housing for those in need (if you're looking to unload your bookshelves, bring donations here). The gorgeous space, lined with dark wood shelves, is also available for wedding rentals. There are Housing Works thrift shops that sell furniture scattered across the city.

This shop from the Il Buco team is focused on homewares sourced from across Italy. There are gorgeous hand-blown glasses, rustic linens, and every conceivable kind of serving bowl.

Over the past few years, this lingerie boutique has grown and opened up several shops all over the city. It turns out there was a real hole in the marketplace when it came to lingerie: A place where you can find pretty lingerie that you don't feel silly wearing everyday, which means a tasteful mix of brands like Bordelle, Agent Provocateur, and Cosabella, in both basic nudes and bright colors.

We’ve gooped about Kirna Zabête before, as the owner Beth Buccini has pretty amazing taste. At her decked out Soho shop, she displays only the best pieces from high-end brands like Saint Laurent, Bernadette, and Sauer.

Because it started as the jewelry extension of the East Village tattoo parlor, New York Adorned, you might expect that the jewelry here would be of the skull and crossbones variety. But it's actually gorgeous, and for the most part, dainty. They also have an excellent—and unexpected—range of home goods and gifts.

Perfect little cashmere cardigans and sweater dresses, slouchy tunic tops, and floral printed camisoles are typical of the Parisian-inflected kids clothing here. Prices are steep, making this a good option for a special gift.

Benjamin Sormonte and Elisa Marshall–founding partners behind the charming, chic, and decadent Maman cafés (and one of our all-time favorite chocolate chip cookies)–opened this marriage of a marketplace, café, and boutique in the heart of Soho. Stocked with coveted French brands, from eclectic textiles to botanical creams to wears for littles, this is one of those shops we can spend hours in–literally. Bonus: It's an ideal spot to grab a housewarming, birthday, host, anniversary, you-name-it gift–and there's a gorgeous West Elm-clad patio out back where you can take a respite and enjoy Maman's incredible menu.

Fine jewelry that’s also fun is hard to come by—unless you happen to stumble into this bubblegum-pink Marlo Laz boutique. Glowing marble display cases house everything from gemstone-studded starburst earrings and playful heart-shaped signets to the brand’s signature “Porte Bonheur” pieces (it’s French for lucky charm).

As if founding and designing the now international furniture brand BDDW wasn’t enough, now the brilliantly creative (and energetic) Tyler Hays has opened up a second space in Soho named after a general store in his hometown of Lostine, Oregon. The reference to Hays’s childhood memories is ever-present here: Everything in the shop–from clothing to knives, butter dishes, and beyond—is handmade in Tyler’s studio in Philadelphia.

Mud, by potter Shelley Simpson out of her Sydney studio, is synonymous with Australian ceramics. Simpson’s porcelain is paper-thin and rough-hewn, and fashioned into large serving platters, everyday dishes, flatware, you name it. Some pieces have a pebble texture, others smooth, in off-white, bright peach, blue, and yellow.

Based in New York with showrooms around the country, Nanz works closely with architects and designers to get their custom work just right, providing pretty much any custom hardware you can think of for your project. Highly professional—and armed with great aesthetics—we'd recommend them, and their work, for any restoration need. They also have a massive online catalog, which is an excellent tool if you’re looking for ideas.

Owner Karin Bereson prides herself on making her cozy store the sort of place where you can shop, but also just hang out. As an avid collector, almost everything here is one-of-a-kind, though you'll also find their now-famous boot clogs.

Joanna Bibby, Solenne de la Fouchardière, and Harriet Maxwell MacDonald’s rough-luxe furniture, lighting, chandeliers, and accessories bring a sense of ethereality to any room, and their store is a wonderful showcase of the breadth of their refined style. At OCRE you’ll find beautiful pieces in all categories, from the small accents to the big, thematic pieces. Along with OCRE's line, there’s a scattering of small curios and functional, beautiful objects sourced from all over the world.

Paula Rubenstein's eponymous store on Prince Street in Soho (which she occupied for more than 20 years) made her a bit of a local legend. While now on Chrystie Street, as ever, her shop is full of incredible found objects, from industrial furniture to Navajo weavings to antique signs—the endless shelves of yellow-paged books alone are enough to occupy an entire afternoon. The collection of fabrics and linens is the stuff of dreams.

Proenza's first brick and mortar in Soho is everything you'd expect from this much-loved label: The space is a slick, geometric gray, with inlaid marble walls that are the perfect backdrop for the duo's structural pieces.

Each season, Rachel Comey designs at least one item that becomes an instant classic, worn at offices and dinner parties from Williamsburg to the Upper West Side. For years, she's been one of New York's most influential designers—and a sweetheart among local editors and buyers for her playful yet grown up pieces. We love the breezy Charles de Lisle interiors that make a feature of the exposed wood slat ceiling.

With its workshop in Grand Rapids, Michigan and a roster of lighting designers that includes Lindsey Adelman, Jason Miller, and Bec Brittain, it’s no wonder Roll & Hill has been among the most in-demand lighting studios for New York’s in-the-know. The cat’s out of the bag now, though, with a sleek space in Soho that highlights each sculptural piece with just enough furniture to give it context. It’s a traditional showroom, so you won’t walk away with anything, but everything is technically for sale.

Iconic design duo Roman and Williams have curated their Soho brick-and-mortar into a decorator’s dream. It’s full of original furniture, avant-garde lighting, glassware, sculpture, and home goods made by master craftsmen around the world. And did we mention there’s a full-on restaurant situation inside the shop? La Mercerie is super-romantic, with a French menu, and Guild Bar is open early evenings for French fries, caviar, and cocktails. (Best part is: If you’re obsessed with the glass your drink is served in, you can take a whole set home.)

These guys make the best denim. That includes a tight run of classic cuts in just a few different washes, all of them perfect. But we’re especially into their signature styles: ’90s straight-cut jeans, low-rise pairs with drawstring closures, and ones with colorful hand-painted stripes up the back (more wearable than you think).

If we were to name the most loved bookstore in the city, this would be it (after all, it's been operating out of the same location since the '20s). The staff picks and recommended reading tables are always on point, and, along with fiction and non-fiction titles, their photography and fine art section upstairs is wonderfully comprehensive, as is their dimly-lit rare books floor.

A longtime mainstay in the village, the hand-picked selection at this crammed and cozy little shop is amplified by the store's incredible staff and their spot-on recommendations. Unsurprisingly, readings here are a warm and intimate experience.

Back in the '50s, when famed industrial designer Dieter Rams was the head of design at Braun, he developed a modular shelving system to hold his now-iconic hi-fi systems—and a company, started by Neils Vitsœ, was born. The system has been in production ever since, and in an anti-obsolescence testament, it's changed very little, meaning that original Vitsœ owners can still add onto, and change, their systems today. It's incredibly strong (Rams was an architect), meaning it can house huge vinyl and coffee table collections—and then you can take it with you when you move. (The planners will re-draw your systems for you for free.)

Created with Watches of Switzerland

Donald Judd moved into 101 Spring Street in the then derelict Soho in 1968, and over the course of twenty-five years, renovated each of the five floors in the building according to his singular aesthetic. The result is a space that is as much a home as it is a piece of art. The Judd Foundation opened up the space to docent-led tours, where visitors get to see his custom-made furniture, and the art and objects he acquired over the years. It’s a wonderful window into Judd’s entire sensibility.

The Whitney—a long-time doyenne on the UES—shut its doors and moved to the Meatpacking District, where it sits in a Renzo Piano–designed building at the southern end of the High Line. The Whitney decamped because of space constrictions uptown, a situation that's now eased by its 200,000 square feet. Bonus: It's open until 10 p.m. on Fridays.

Beauty Supply is the downtown salon where you go for a cool-girl cut or lived-in color that channels off-duty model vibes—and it's not uncommon to find an actual model sitting in the salon chair next to you. Owner and colorist Emaly Baum has earned a devoted following among blondes—her roster of A-list clients includes Scarlett Johansson and Jennifer Lawrence—who turn to her for exceptionally natural color and her signature "good grow-out." Since opening in 2021, Beauty Supply has moved a few doors down to a larger, airy space to meet the growing demand. There's a large table at the center of the room where you can work while your color processes or you get a blowout, plus a well-curated selection of products that includes goop clean favorites like Reverie. It's nestled on a charming block in SoHo known as "Little Paris"—a fitting spot for a salon where you always walk out with effortlessly undone, French-girl hair.

Broome Street Yoga is Gwyneth's go-to yoga studio whenever she's in New York City, offering what she describes as a "deep miracle" inside the body. It's located inside a Hindu temple in lower Manhattan, grounded in traditional practice, and dedicated to the ongoing study of yoga. Classes span multiple styles—from breath-focused sessions to those incorporating meditation, sound healing, or strength-based work—so there's something for every level and interest. Many classes are also available online, making it easy to stay connected whether you're in the city or not.

Get a facial with aesthetician Crystal Greene at her serene SoHo studio and walk out looking—and feeling—fantastic. Her treatments are a beautifully pampering haze of face massage, firming laser (she uses the obsessed-over LYMA), gentle exfoliation, powerful masks, and a custom blended serum infusion she concocts on the spot for clients’ specific skin concerns. She’s intuitive, radiates calming energy, and her hands—not to mention the results you see—are pure magic.

We love their big old-fashioned sign and window displays which make it look like it’s still a mom and pop shop from the 1960’s. Inside, it’s the opposite, full of their own ever-growing and excellent line of body care products, and the best of what’s new from other brands like Diptyque, La Roche-Posay, and Boiron. They take great care to stock the best offerings in beauty and body care, so it’s always fun to go and pick up a special treat. They also fill prescriptions.

They've got every treatment under the sun here, at a range of prices. If you're not looking for a massage or facial, just book the water lounge and spend the day between the pool, the sauna, and the jacuzzi. It's fun to do with friends.

This quiet, underground spot in Soho is the sort of place where roses float in bowls of water and treatment rooms are candlelit. We come here for the waxing, specifically for “The Gourmet.” With essential oils and vitamin E to reduce irritation and redness, it's a smooth finish all around.

Visit world-famous brow expert Jimena (pronounced him-eh-nuh) Garcia at her Soho studio on Broome Street, at Chanel’s atelier down the street (she’s the brand’s first-ever brow artist), or in LA or Paris, where she travels to see clients (she also offers virtual sessions). Wherever you catch her, rest assured her face-transforming powers are in full effect. Garcia is amazing at creating flattering, natural-looking brows, and she’s full of tips on how to maintain them at home, too—embrace a little imperfection is a crucial one. But get in to see her, if you can—she’s the ultimate brow whisperer.

Jin Soon Choi, the fashion world's go-to for nails, has taken her tiny nail salons to the next level. Each mani and pedi is more like a mini spa treatment for your hands and feet, with a menu of massages, essential oil and hydrating treatments to choose from. Her technicians are great, the space is lowkey, and blessedly low-tech (no vibrating massage chairs, here), and she has a five-free line of polishes, too (goop did a collab with her). There are also locations on the UES and Tribeca.

Husband-and-wife team Shinnosukae and Megumi Kida launched this intimate, six-seater salon in 2014, and it’s since become a favorite of an in-the-know clientele that includes models and celebs seeking a low-key hair fix. Cozy as it is, you’ll never feel rushed. In fact, the warm, attentive service, plus cool and comforting interior (brick walls, rustic-chic wood fixtures, and plenty of plants) make it a nice little getaway for both men and women. It somehow manages to be a barber shop and full-service women’s hair salon (color, cuts, blowouts all on offer), all while maintaining a homey, comfy vibe.

This all-natural Australian brand's first salon in New York is beautifully turned out in an airy, semi-industrial space in Meatpacking. Haircuts, blow-outs, and color treatments are all done using Original & Mineral products, which leave hair in much better shape than when you walk in.

The haircuts here are expensive, but it is a worthwhile, once-in-a-lifetime treat. Orlando Pita and his staff have created the looks behind many a fashion show, editorial shoot, and ad campaign: In other words, they know what they're doing, and will arguably give you the best cut of your life.

Oula—a maternity center that combines midwifery and obstetrics for prenatal, delivery, and postnatal support—is an incredible option for pregnant people seeking low-intervention births. The staff of midwives is brilliant—friendly, vivacious, knowledgeable, supportive (there is zero judgment whether you want an epidural or drug-free delivery)—and visits feel unhurried and comfortable. They take insurance including some Medicaid, and are committed to inclusive and equitable care to serve a diverse patient base. There's another location in Brooklyn.

The Skin Lab evokes a ramped up version of what you feel slathering on The Rich Cream (or any other totally amazing Augustinus Bader product)—luxurious, refined, completely innovative, and located at the intersection of indulgence and science. The studio is complete with the classic Augustinus Bader–blue, copper detailing, and the most high tech facials. You start off with a skin consultation with an expert and choose your preferred treatment. We love the Ultimate Facial, which combines customized skincare picks, exfoliation, micro current, oxygen therapy, ultrasound, and LED—all completely tailored to your skin’s needs. Even better, they have a three-treatment approach to help you find the best route for your glowiest skin ever.

In a city flooded with Duane Reades, this neighborhood pharmacy is a standout. The pharmacists are the friendliest around and know their stuff, so don't be afraid to ask for advice. You'll also find great alternative health products, cosmetics, and vitamins.

The space is an eco-haven, designed with renewable, sustainable flourishes (the walls are made of cork, seagrass, and recycled wood)—and the facials are healing, pampering, and just: beyond. The Custom Superfood Facial floods skin with nutrients from tamarind, acai, turmeric, and manuka honey, while the Light “Isun” facial features a miracle trifecta of microcurrent, LED light, and nurturing essential oil blend that thoroughly revives skin. The infrared saunas are each tucked into a cozy private room with a shower—and they aren’t hooked up to Bluetooth, which means the promise of a genuine digital detox, too.

Wagner, who also moonlights as a painter, is chill and wonderful, meaning that an hour spent with her skilled hands is kind of like hanging with a friend. A recovering tanning junkie herself, Wagner is nothing short of a magician when it comes to banishing sun spots and UV damage. Product-wise, the focus here is on holistic and organic ingredients–she uses her own skincare line made with a white turmeric and tiger grass stem cell complex.

This serene French-inspired oasis is tucked away in Beverly Hills. Caglia herself has over twenty years of experience and a touch that’s both soothing and assertive, and she customizes her facial to suit any concern. Microphoto treatment tightens pores, radiofrequency lifts, peels help tone and soften discoloration, and a massage with a rose quartz roller helps drive in Caglia’s beautiful botanical infusions. You amble out completely rejuvenated.

Legendary naturopathic doctor Nigma Talib approaches the skin through the gut, the mind, and some superstar clean skin essentials (we’re obsessed, more on those later). She’s starred on an episode of The goop Lab, and appeared in person at In goop Health. A session with her can start with face mapping, where she takes a long look at your skin to discover what’s happening within (dairy-, wine-, and sugar-face are all common diagnoses), along with blood tests, stool samples, and a deep but gentle line of questioning to get at underlying issues before she works her magic. What follows is customized to your skin and body: radiofrequency, bespoke peels, LED, oxygen-infused antioxidants, vitamin or peptide infusions, and more. You’ll walk out of the treatment room looking fresh and renewed, but note that these are no ordinary facials or one-off treatments. Talib gives each of her patients “homework”—lifestyle and dietary changes to make and maintain for long-term healthy, beautiful skin. (If you can't see her in person, you can also follow her tips on Instagram.)

Even one trip to skin guru Kát Rudu’s sleek Venice studio can change your skin. (The gorgeous Rudu, with her impossibly poreless complexion, is her own best advertisement.) Combining the purest healing botanical ingredients—soothing chamomile extracts, brightening papaya enzymes, hydrating aloe—with corrective modalities like CO2 lasers, microneedling, and radiofrequency, the facials here are deep and utterly transformative.

Mila has been taking care of many high-profile LA women for decades, all of whom swear by her skin and body treatments. More specifically, it's her European facials (tack on a dry contouring session for a bit of extra lift), "face-changing" line of skincare products, and discretion that keep everyone coming back.

Shani is a name you hear whispered around Los Angeles—usually by those friends who have particular glowy skin. The aesthetician opened a beautiful, neutral-toned studio in Beverly Hills to perform those dewifying facials as well as microcurrent and LED treatments.

Perhaps the most luxurious part of the exquisite, Kelly-Wearstler-designed Proper Hotel is the adjacent, also-Wearstler-design Surya Spa. The cleansing Panchakarma detox wellness programs that last anywhere from 3 to 28 days are the biggest draw: For up to four hours a day, you go for custom restorative treatments, detox, and healing experiences like private yoga, sound baths, Qigong, breathwork, energetic healing, and more. The Nasya treatment isn’t like any facial you’ve had before: You sit as your face, neck, and shoulders are cleansed and nourished with herbalized oils, vigorous massage, aromatic steam (to help clear nasal passages), and the wood and bone tools of traditional Ayurveda. The treatment can help relieve brain fog, stagnant energy, tension, headaches, and congestion. The spa shop is worth a few moments on the way out: The collagen cream is hands down the richest cream we’ve ever tried, the bath soaks are the ultimate luxury (the whole box equals one fantastic bath), and the almond-flour-based spa breads are the among the most delicious things you’ll ever eat.

The signature treatment here, the Tina•K facial, uses dermaplaning and a diamond-encrusted pad developed by spa owner Tina K. O’Brien to remove the topmost layers of your skin for a truly deep cleanse. Next, layers of oils, serums, and masks are massaged into skin, cocooning it in a deep layer of moisture and nutrients. You’ll walk out undeniably fresh-faced—skin looks even-toned and glowy.

Her laid-back personality and healing approach to skincare has made Vanessa Hernandez one of the most in-demand aestheticians in LA—so much so that she’s added five other expert aestheticians to her studio. The treatments range from microdermabrasion to oxygen therapy to vitamin infusions to customized facials.

Perched on a hill above an endless, undulating view of beautiful vineyards, Auberge du Soleil has set the standard in Napa luxury for thirty years. The property’s incredible spa is replete with light-filled treatment rooms overlooking an olive-tree-flanked courtyard. The Best of Auberge Facial spoils you for life, fortifying skin with nourishing, collagen-infused serums, hydrating masks, balancing botanical enzymes, a powerful dose of antioxidants via the deservedly obsessed-over Vintner’s Daughter, and pure olive extracts sourced from the property’s groves right outside.

We love this sleek, supremely restful spa. The facials are superb; the In Fiore Facial starts with a deep cleanse, followed by their coveted Slap, Tap, and Roll facial massage and a brightening peel.. And we’re equally obsessed with Bright Eyes, a powerful collagen-supporting therapy for the undereye area that soothes and tightens. The lounge has a cozy fireplace, as well as organic teas and delightful chocolates to nosh on while relaxing. The outside deck, with its lounge chairs and incredible view of the bay, is a blissful way to ease back into reality post-treatment.

Walk into this crisp white studio adorned with lush flowers, exquisite trinkets, and Monastery’s line of gorgeously scented, super-effective skincare, and instantly, you feel restored. A facial with founder and formulator Athena Hewett takes you to a new level, however: She customizes each step to your skin, deftly combining the traditional exfoliation, cleansing, and extractions with high tech treatments and ancient techniques. Athena’s personally trained every one of the expert estheticians on staff; you saunter out sculpted, glowing, and completely rejuvenated.

As a licensed acupuncturist, herbalist, and therapeutic massage practitioner for the past twenty years, Gia DiMatteo is impressively intuitive when it comes to skin, and so is the rest of her team. Their holistic approach even includes sound therapy: Aestheticians begin and end treatments with tuning forks, and the vibrations reverberate through your body, easing you into relaxation mode. They vet all the products they use and sell for synthetic fragrance and potentially endocrine-disrupting ingredients. The treatments, too, are serious business: There’s facial cupping, an ancient massage technique believed to support circulation and nutrient supply; facial acupuncture, in which ultrafine needles are inserted into the face at synergistic points to help support collagen production and wake up skin; and sessions involving extractions, calming LED light therapy, and potent masks for breaking up congestion.

A giant indoor lap pool set about with cushy chaises is where you wait for your treatments at this sleek, chic, Bergdorf- and Central-Park adjacent hotel and spa. They offer just about everything: Morpheus8 radiofrequency microneedling, total health resets with functional doctors, sessions with visiting wellness leaders, special “Banya Houses” where couples or groups can spend the day getting treatments together, access to plastic surgery services, vitamin and NAD infusions, cryo-therapy, and much, much more. The Advanced Aman Facial, which uses all Aman products specially made in Japan, combines ultrasonic exfoliation, electric muscle stimulation, face and scalp massage, cryo bulbs, a marine mineral mask, and Aman x 111Skin Nourishing Gold Algae hydrogel face and eye masks for the glow of your life.

Tucked inside the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, the Bamford Haybarn Spa is a 5,000-square-foot oasis marked by hand-carved doors and branch shelving. Here, in the nine treatment rooms, Lady Carole Bamford applies her "global wellness" approach to the menu of treatments which range from massages to facials—all of which are guided by Ayurvedic principles and use the brand's in-house line of skin care.

This impossibly lovely, holistic spa-grocery-apothecary is serious about skin—and offers some of the most exquisite complexion-perfecting treatments: The Integrative Therapy for Biome Rehabilitation balances the skin’s ecosystem with a bespoke pre- and probiotic mask, herbal compression, blue-light therapy, and more, while the Integrative Therapy for Reducing Redness and Reactivity incorporates infrared phototherapy, lymphatic drainage, and herbal treatments to soothe inflamed skin. If you’re not too blissfully relaxed post treatment, peruse the store, which stocks everything beautiful, organic, and small-batch you could ever want—local honey, health-supporting herbal teas (their chrysanthemum-infused Rest & Digest blend is next-level), the crispiest apples, and the brand’s own skincare line that’s hand-crafted right here. There's a second location in Carroll Gardens.

Christine Chin is a celebrity in the realm of skin care, and with good reason. Her sessions are intense in the best way: She will target every pore on your face, delivering the sort of thorough cleanse that has some clients digging their fingers into their palms. Steaming, rigorously energizing facial massage, extractions, a variety of detoxifying masks, glycolic peels, and collagen treatments are her specialties.

Get a facial with aesthetician Crystal Greene at her serene Madison Avenue studio and walk out looking—and feeling—fantastic. Her treatments are a beautifully pampering haze of face massage, firming laser (she uses the obsessed-over LYMA), gentle exfoliation, powerful masks, and a custom blended serum infusion she concocts on the spot for clients’ specific skin concerns. She’s intuitive, radiates calming energy, and her hands—not to mention the results you see—are pure magic.

Louise’s skincare philosophy is straightforward—energize skin cells, tone muscles, and stimulate the lymphatic system—and translates to treatments that include stem cell application via micro-needling, firming galvanic current, lifting microcurrent, and sculpting facials. Every session, whether it's a cryo facial or a radiofrequency session, starts with an in-depth consultation. There's a lengthy waitlist to get in with Louise herself, but a session with a member of her team is an exquisite, skin-perfecting experience.

Legendary Hungarian skin guru Ildi Pekar draws on the healing botanical remedies her grandmother used to concoct with the herbs from her garden, along with high-tech therapies and treatments from all manner of traditions. Microneedling infuses skin with botanical stem cells and supports collagen, the acupuncture facial is as dramatically tightening as it is anxiety-easing, and Pekar’s magnetic cupping stimulates blood circulation.

The fact that sought-after NYC aesthetician Jessica Bowers never wears makeup is proof of her skill. Her hidden West Village skin studio (she refers to it as her “skin-care speakeasy”) opened in October 2020 and has been booked solid ever since. Bowers offers customized facials (we love the classic illuminating facial), as well as treatments like microcurrent, scalp massages, and lash tints, which can be booked alone or as an add-on to any facial. What’s surprising is not that she’s busy, but that her super-simple skin routine yields such incredibly glowy results.

Scoring a facial with the actual Joanna Czech is like hitting the skincare lottery—though one with any of her personally-trained aestheticians at her new, soaring downtown studio is, too. Famous for her signature, manual sculpting massage which includes intense massaging and “slapping” (which is more invigorating than painful), Czech’s seemingly-simple methods keep her extremely well-known clients’ skin glowing and healthy. Every facial focuses on skin support at every turn, starting by treating the lipid (top) layer of skin, and moving on to microcurrent, hyaluronic acid patches, oxygen infusion, microneedling, and more as needed. Czech’s eponymous skin care line is clean and absolutely fantastic. There is a second location in Dallas (and a residency at Blackberry Mountain in Tennessee).

Joanna Vargas first moved to NYC in hopes of pursuing photography, only to discover that she actually cared a lot more about skin. Perpetually on the cutting edge of the latest and greatest in skin-enhancing treatments, Vargas is brilliant at collagen mask therapies, resurfacing via nutrient-rich liquid exfoliation, cryotherapy, and glowifying oxygen modalities. The microcurrent-, microdermabrasion-, oxygen therapy-centric Triple Crown Facial, one of her hero treatments, smooths lines, brightens, lifts, and some clients say, accentuates cheekbones without ever having to go under the knife.

Every facial from Madalaina Conti really delivers. The esthetician specializes in inflammatory skin conditions and integrated wellness, so her treatments incorporate modalities ranging from gua sha to radiofrequency, microcurrent, buccal massage, and more. She’s best known for the Synergistic Signature Qi Facial, a treatment that uses 24K gold-plated micro magnets to create an electromagnetic matrix that helps sculpt, depuff, and repair. It’s brilliant for all skin types, but especially fantastic if you’ve got sensitive or blemish-prone skin.

Larissa Thomson was a fashion editor in her previous life, so her take on clean beauty is one of the more gorgeous we’ve ever seen. Everything from Vintner’s Daughter and Tammy Fender to True Botanicals and...goop skin care is beautifully laid out and easy to shop for. The treatment rooms are stunning—we want the wallpaper, the mirrors, everything. And the treatments themselves are next-level and nourish, detoxify, and tighten pores with transformative therapies like microcurrent, intense facial massage, and radiofrequency.

Hidden on the top floor of a charming building in Tribeca (the elevator opens directly into an airy, high-ceilinged, all-white oasis), this sleek studio is where Raquel Medina-Cleghorn’s roster of famous clients go for sculpting, high-tech, skin-reviving facials and body treatments. Medina-Cleghorn employs ultrasound, intra oral massage, microchanneling, LED photobiomodulation, and more to bring skin to life. She herself is a calming presence, and when you walk out of a session, the difference in your skin is noticeable.

The duplex spa is enormous and luxurious, with high ceilings, plush couches, and a posh aesthetic that manages to be both modern and comfortable. There’s a hair salon, nail studio, and fourteen treatment rooms where you can get a variety of skin-perfecting therapies like the Fix-It-All facial, an over-the-top combination of micro-current, microdermabrasion, LED therapy, and more to lift, tighten, and smooth. A facial with founder/skin-whisperer Danuta Mieloch is transformative—her touch is exquisite, and you emerge looking beyond glowy.

Sofie Pavitt, a New York licensed esthetician and certified acne specialist, is famous for her no-nonsense approach, inspired by frequent trips to Seoul. So don’t expect sound baths or whispering receptionists: Pavitt personalizes every treatment with high-tech devices, light peels, LED, and many questions about your lifestyle and routine to get you to your glowiest skin ever. Her namesake product line offers the perfect balance between good-for-you ingredients and potency (the Clean Clean Cleanser is a fan favorite).

A boutique facial studio on the border of SoHo, Ställe Studios is one of the most sought out facials in NYC. Founder and head esthetician Elizabeth Grace Hand (she worked previously at L’Oreal and Dr. Barbara Sturm) knows how to transform skin into the glowiest, freshest-looking version of itself. Each treatment starts with an in-depth skin analysis to create a treatment exquisitely tailored to your skin. Whether it’s the buccal massage, sculptural facial, glass skin peel, or signature facial, each treatment is out-of-this-world incredible.

This stunning wellness studio is 13,000 square feet of soothing neutrals and light toned woods. We love the airy wellness cafe, and the seemingly unlimited menu treatments. The facials are some of the best in the city; their signature one, a totally custom, 90-minute experience, incorporates the LYMA laser and a series of Biologique Recherche products to cleanse, soothe, and hydrate. Plus, you bring home a personalized routine recommended by one of their master estheticians.

Many of the treatments here call on the power of Chinese medicine to heal, energize, and enhance skin. Founder, acupuncturist, and herbalist Sandra Lanshin Chiu uses gua sha—an ancient Chinese medical massage technique that incorporates a jade skin-care tool to relieve tension, support circulation, and flush out toxins for a brighter, smoother complexion—in many of her treatments. The Acne Rehab is one of her most impressive: The aesthetician uses botanicals, gua sha, and facial cupping to break up stagnation in the underlying tissues and restore balance. (Chiu emphasizes that fantastic skin happens from the inside out—but that it’s also important to pamper the skin’s surface.) And we keep coming back for the cozy cups of licorice root tea, prized in Chinese medicine for its calming effects.

It’s hard to pull yourself out of your canopied, curtained, supremely cosseting bed at this chic, Celerie-Kemble-restored hotel to walk through the gardens to the Connecticut outpost of The Well spa, but do it. The spa’s airy, enormous and as luxurious as it gets. A gorgeously-tiled, soaring-ceilinged greenhouse surrounds a giant soaking tub; the treatments are next level (try the Reiki under a down comforter, atop a heated bed, in a grove of spruce trees by an ancient pond, for example); and it’s worth coming back just for the bone broth. The Triple Lift facial is epic, layering endless active serums with something called a Remodeling Machine and another called the Micropuncture Lab to help stimulate collagen production for pretty stunning, immediately visible results.

Enormous, airy, and right off Route 27 for easy access, this multi-level spa is famous for its massive blue apothecary cabinets stocked with organic herbs, health-supporting teas, exquisite skincare, and giant glass tincture dispensers. We love the soft linens, textured walls, and the impressive lineup of treatments, especially the facials.

The farm-to-face facials at this 9,000-square-foot, 3-level spa on Lake Massawippi at the exquisite Manoir Hovey in the countryside near Quebec sources ingredients directly from the land nearby. The Honey Bliss facial is our favorite, combining a delicate honey exfoliant (from beehives on site), crystal-infused moon water, snow and reishi mushroom, and botanical peptides for glowy, ultra-moisturized and super-nourished skin. Don’t miss the Nordic thermal experiences, either.

The 30,000-square-foot Seawater Spa at Gurney's Montauk has just been reimagined with help from the team behind AIRE Ancient Baths. This summer, they’re hosting a La Prairie pop-up from June 15 through September 11, with ocean-view facials and body treatments, plus they’re offering new VOYA thalassotherapy journeys built around the restorative power of the sea. The spa also runs a summer workout series with Pilates sculpt, bootcamp, restorative yoga, strength training, and sound baths.

The Eau Naturale treatment is completely restorative, reviving skin with layer upon layer of beta glucans (commonly taken in supplement form for glowy-skin support), fatty acids, ellagic acid (linked to skin elasticity), and antioxidants via beautiful, organic, botanical formulas.

The Faena Hotel's Tierra Santa is a burst of color: A rainbow-striped rug runs through the spa’s lobby, which is outfitted with bright Juan Gatti artwork and floral-printed poufs. Inspired by an array of South American (and some South Asian) healing traditions, Tierra Santa has a gorgeous Turkish-style hammam and offers a full wet spa experience (waterfall shower, herbal steam room, wet scrub, sauna, and ice parlor); many of the treatments include ritualistic wellness aspects. The Hammam Rose Ritual is one highlight: During the treatment, as you lie on top of a warm marble slab, a therapist will scrub your entire body for what is likely to be the most thorough exfoliation of your life. Following this, you’ll be covered in ridiculously soft foam and then a soothing clay and later treated to a massage. The Tree of Life Vibrations treatment takes place on a heated sand bed and incorporates handmade Himalayan singing bowls into another supremely relaxing massage. Other massage options are more conventional, as are the facials—the Triple Lift Advanced Facial concludes with the Remodeling Face Machine from French brand Biologique Recherche. The Hyper-Customized Facial uses Naturopathica, one our favorite clean, nontoxic brands, and begins with facial steaming and gentle extractions, followed by lymphatic drainage, a congestion-soothing calendula mask, and a glycolic peel. The glow you leave with is...unreal. Led by two doctors, Tierra Santa also has a holistic, preventive medicine program that includes digestion-focused health therapies.

Surrounded by the vintage stores and oyster bars of Magazine Street, Elisabeth Isbell’s cozy spa and salon is great for glossy manicures and pedicures, as well as blowouts—but the facials are especially fantastic. We love the Classic European facial and the super soothing Revitalizing Eye Treatment, which can be added on to any facial, and includes an undereye mask and a pressure-point massage.

Cocooning robes, a eucalyptus steam room (we recommend sweating it out there pretreatment), and Swarovski crystals lining the ceiling of the reception area set the decidedly plush tone that encourages you to (happily) disconnect. The popular Classic Court Facial is a mashup of rousing face massage, gentle exfoliation, plumping masks, plus add-on therapies like LED lights, microdermabrasion, and oxygen treatments.

This super authentic Ayurvedic spa and retreat in the Blue Ridge Mountains is both rustic and luxe. Everything here, from the cooking classes to the yoga sessions, aligns with Ayurvedic principles. The beyond amazing, recently renovated spa has tons of different treatments, but we like the Signature Facial. All of the nourishing products are made on the premises and work to bring harmony to your doshas. Bonus: You can add on a warm-oil scalp massage to any treatment.

Set in the historic countryside of Franklin, just minutes from Nashville, Southall combines ancient therapies, the newest in tech, and a warm, personalized approach. They use only clean products, like Naturopathica and Seed to Skin, and they incorporate ingredients grown on their farm (just outside) into the treatments. A team of expert estheticians analyzes your skin to create a custom experience, no matter what your skin issue. And steam and sauna sessions—and/or dips in the mineral pool overlooking Lake Mishkin and the farm’s medicinal garden—are included with any service.

High up in the Great Smoky Mountains on 5,200 acres, Blackberry Mountain (the equally luxurious and rustic sister property to the Blackberry Farm resort) has incredible hiking, next-level fitness, relaxing sound baths, cozy fireside meditation, forest yoga, and more, but leave at least a day on your itinerary just for the gorgeous Nest spa. It’s the first ever Joanna Czech-certified spa in the U.S.—you can get Czech’s famous 80-minute Method facial which includes an incredible sculpting and lifting facial massage, exfoliation, extractions, and Czech’s serums, creams, and masks plus modalities like microcurrent, cryotherapy, radio frequency, and/or microneedling. Each facial finishes with rejuvenating LED light therapy and each esthetician is hands-on trained by Czech herself (Czech also does residencies)—amazing.

Owner Cleise Gomes moved to Chicago from Brazil in 2000, and has been working to bring traditional Brazilian beauty techniques to the U.S. ever since. Gomes is famous for her waxing techniques, but it's her facials that are actually one of the city's best kept secrets. There are glycolic peels, oxygen and LED light therapy, and a face massage-focused session that includes a rousing, heavenly scalp treatment.

Dr. John Q. Cook has 20 years of experience in skincare and has two beautiful Whole Beauty Institutes (one in Winnetka and another in Gold Coast) to show for it. What takes the clinical facials (they also perform fantastic medical-grade chemical peels) to the next level is the meticulously developed Whole Beauty product line; his team of aestheticians will send you home with a set of products specifically picked out to extend the effects of your time in the office. There's also a location in Gold Coast.

Mireille Hamon counts Oprah among her many makeup and skincare clients. The skin guru grew up and received her training in France, which explains her brilliant less-is-more approach. She’s a wizard at clearing blemishes via gentle steams, soothing masks, and careful extractions. Her LED light therapy and microdermabrasion sessions are stellar. And the woman is also an eyebrow genius.

The Few Institute is primarily a plastic surgery center, and a very well-respected one at that (he recently worked with us on our bestselling Youth-Boost Peptide Serum). The Skin Clinic inside is run by a badass team of aestheticians who specialize in seriously effective, medical-grade peels (which they'll customize to your specific skin type), and deeply restorative treatments like the Oxygenating Trio Facial in which skin is flooded with antioxidants to treat and prevent free-radical damage, as well as the 90 Minute Luxury Facial, a combination of steaming, deep exfoliation, microdermabrasion, and heavenly scalp massage. Afore, Few’s skincare line is brilliant; we love the absolutely next-level retinol.

There are only two facials on the menu, but each treatment is tailored entirely to you. Your session starts at their Ritual Bar where you meet with a holistic esthetician for a consult; after that, they mix up a totally custom mask and face oil to be used during the session. You can add on treatments like gua sha or jade rolling, but whatever you choose, you leave feeling (and looking) incredibly refreshed.

The only 5-star spa in Wisconsin and inspired by the rejuvenating properties of the mineral rich waters of the city’s neighbor, Lake Michigan, this spa is filled with deeply restorative amenities such as cold plunge pools, saunas, steam rooms, and transformative facials. The signature is 80-minutes of intense hydration, firming, and toning. The treatment includes cleansing, toning, exfoliation, extractions, and facial massage as well as back, arm, and hand exfoliation. All their expert aestheticians are hydrotherapy and oncology trained.

The same way the spiritual vortex of Sedona draws seekers, it draws healers—and you can work with the best of them at Mii Amo. For 3, 4, 7, or 10 days—no more, no less—visitors follow personalized programs designed by a guide. Depending on a guest’s needs, a journey might include traditional spa offerings, like enzyme wraps and lymphatic facials, as well as specialty services, like shirodhara and Reiki healing. Spiritual treatments—meditation, hypnosis, past-life regression, and more—can be emotionally intense and incredibly cathartic. During downtime, you might explore intuitive watercolor, hikes in the canyon, dry sauna, or private pickleball lessons.

Tucked into the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains, Miraval Arizona is a one-stop shop for all things wellness. This 400-acre desert retreat is the kind of place you can go on a friends’ getaway or a solo journey—and return home feeling totally reset. The rugged, cacti-dotted terrain is the backdrop for a huge variety of activities like horseback riding, the Miraval’s famous Equine Experience with Wyatt Webb, hiking, and botany-focused tours. The spa, with its army of healers, wellness practitioners, and massage therapists, is just as fantastic. The most popular treatment is the amazing Cara Vida facial, which starts with a gentle cleansing, exfoliation using chia seed husks, and two masks: one made of comfrey, green tea, citrus, and rose; the other of honey and cold-pressed chia seeds. All programs are fully customizable: Guests can begin their morning with reiki, try an aerial yoga session in the afternoon, and wind down with a hot stone massage in a temperature-controlled outdoor tent.

Forty minutes from downtown on a particularly spectacular bend in the river, Lake Austin is as amazing a day spa as it is an overnight retreat. Either way, you can use all the spa facilities, the restaurant (many ingredients come from an on-site organic garden) and participate in daily fitness activities from water yoga in the stunning, barn-enclosed warm pool, paddle boarding, and hikes to river-based workouts). There are more than 100 services on the extensive mind- and body-nourishing spa menu—everything from standard Swedish to Chinese-medical cupping treatments—with specific options for mothers-to-be, couples, and groups. The facials are particularly incredible: herbal enzyme peels, fractionated laser treatments, and luminizing vitamin C therapies, plus specific options for mothers-to-be, couples, and groups. Post-treatment, you can lounge by the series of swimming pools in the large hillside garden.

If you’re in need of a wax, a quickie facial, a mani/pedi, or just about any self-care treatment you can think of, milk + honey is the spot. It’s ideal if you need to be in and out, but it’s also a solid option if you want to spend an afternoon with friends thanks to the serene lounge area, where you can hang out between treatments. If you’re after a one-and-done style pampering, go for the “Spa Partisan” that packs in a body polishing treatment followed by a steam under a canopy, and a 60-minute body butter massage. (It’s as good as it sounds.) Facials—which are anywhere from 60- to 120-minutes long—are completely bespoke. The estheticians take the time to talk to you about your goals, then create a treatment with decongesting ultrasonic therapies, gentle extractions, fruit acid peels, and powerful peptide treatments. End your experience by wandering through the smartly curated shop, which includes milk + honey’s own line of products. They have several other locations throughout the country, but the 2nd Street District location is the flagship.

The chic, intimate Verbena spa is one of our favorite things about the Austin Proper. Get the Proper Facial—a skin-soothing 60 minutes of cleansing, exfoliating, masking, toning, and moisturizing with Monastery Made’s incredible products like the super rich, hydrating Attar balm, hyaluronic-acid-infused Flora Botanical Cream Serum, plus a custom detoxifying clay and hydrating masks (made specifically for the spa). You can also customize your facial with fantastic add-ons like Saint Jane’s featherweight CBD serum and body cream (the latter is for an epic hand-arm massage) or TheraFace PRO’s percussive massage, heat, and cryotherapy treatments.

There are excavated river rocks embedded in the floor of the lounge area, a tribute to the stunning mountains surrounding you. Treatments here incorporate everything your skin needs to thrive—antioxidants, vitamin C, kaolin clay, peptides, enzymes—and aim to support collagen, mitigate free radical damage, target hyperpigmentation, and illuminate.

This sprawling spa complex operates out of the Hotel Crescent Court, so a full day is well spent here: They offer private yoga and Pilates classes, a health-centric café, and treatments that range from the basic (manis and pedis) to the intense (hardcore lymphatic-draining treatments). We love that the spa is open to kids, too, with a full menu of kid-friendly treatments (and snacks in the café).

Dallas friends swear they’ve experienced the best facials of their lives at the hands of Joanna Czech, who incorporates LED therapy into her treatments. After studying biology in Poland, she made a name for herself in NYC before adding her studio here in Dallas in 2012. Instead of selecting a treatment from a menu, your aesthetician analyzes your skin, discusses goals with you (which could be anything from treating sun damage to glowier skin for an event that evening), and then gets to work. Every facial focuses on treating and supporting the lipid (top) layer of skin, and you can add on microcurrent, hyaluronic acid patches, oxygen infusion, microneedling, and more as you need. Czech’s eponymous skin care line is clean and absolutely fantastic. There is a second location in New York City.

The treatment rooms, as well as all of the massages and facials, are inspired by the sacred kiva rooms used by Pueblos for religious rituals. Start your experience with smudging, chakra balancing, or a mindful meditation while you look out over the serene desert. If your skin is having trouble adapting to the desert climate, try the Moisture Drench Facial which gives skin a bouncy, youthful glow.

Set in the foothills of Santa Fe, this Japanese bathhouse/spa/restaurant/guesthouse is one of the most beautiful, relaxing places on earth. The outdoor baths—an enormous communal one and many private individual tubs—are surrounded by pinyon pines and overlook stunning sunsets and moonrises. All of the facials incorporate a firm Japanese face massage aimed at encouraging circulation and contouring the face muscles. The Japanese Organic Massage facial uses fast, light strokes to remove impurities and encourage lymphatic drainage.

Every treatment at this stunning spa in the middle of the Colorado Plateau starts with a smudging ceremony—a nod to the Navajo, who have lived here for centuries. The swirling smoke clears your head, helping to set the intention for the rest of the experience. Next you get a custom-blended aromatherapy shower, and only after that does the facial begin. The Amangiri Signature is a classic cleansing facial, while the Zone Facial uses targeted pressure-point massage for toxin elimination, and the Hot & Cold Stone Facial, which includes a neck and shoulder massage, is supremely relaxing. Each treatment ends with an incredible crystal sound bath.

This spa’s signature facial isn’t your standard cleanse, exfoliate, and moisturize. Instead, it’s a four-step treatment that uses vitamins, minerals, electrotherapy, and some Hannibal Lecter–esque equipment to cleanse, brighten, and tighten skin. The sixty- and ninety-minute treatments start with cleansing and exfoliation. Next, a cotton fabric saturated with yucca-root solution is placed over the face. Over that hovers an infrared dome to encourage detoxification, after which the aesthetician does extractions with a small vacuum. Finally, your face and neck are wrapped in cotton soaked in an anti-blemish, anti-aging solution, and a galvanic current is run through the skin. The entire process feels a bit ticklish—and yields bright, bouncy skin.

The design at Löyly (which is Finnish for the steam that comes off hot rocks at a sauna) is distinctly Scandinavian, with beautiful hardwood floors and minimalist wooden lounge chairs set around the communal space. The facials, though, are decidedly unminimalist: There are nourishing masks; steamy, aromatic compresses to calm skin; layer upon layer of oils, creams, and hydrosols; detoxifying facial steams; and more. There’s a second location in Northeast Portland.

Set on a protected cove with gorgeous reefs and warm pristine water, this resort is luxe and deeply restorative—and so is their spa. There is only one facial on the menu, and that’s because the master aestheticians personalize everything to your skin’s needs. After a consultation, there’s cleansing, exfoliating, masks, and serums to get your skin silky-smooth and seriously radiant. The best part is the lymphatic-drainage massage that leaves you firm, sculpted, and walking out in a trance.

Surrounded by white-sand beaches and tropical rainforest, this resort is drop-dead amazing on all counts, but the spa—which uses much-obsessed-over Tata Harper products for all of its facials—is next level. The Remodelage Facial is 90-minutes of remodelage (a sculpting massage technique) and facial cupping that boosts skin detoxification, long-lasting hydration, and some pretty major contoured effects.

Perched on a raw, wild cliff overlooking the Pacific, Mukul Resort brings a dose of open-air luxury to a quiet stretch of Nicaragua’s coastline. The spa’s six gorgeous suites each incorporate a different ancient healing tradition, along with powerfully healing Nicaraguan ingredients. Treatments here are over-the-top 120-minute mashups of herbal steaming, honey-cucumber tonics, lymphatic drainage, craniosacral therapy, and soothing masks made with regional flower essences, volcanic clay, and potent herbs.

Costa Rica’s Talamanca Mountains are home to two-toed sloths, vibrant pink hummingbirds, and hill after hill of coffee farms—and Auberge resort Hacienda AltaGracia. You could, if you wanted to, come here just to hang in the spacious casitas and enjoy the resort’s leafy, vivid-green surroundings. But we’d argue the real magic happens at the destination-worthy spa, The Well.

World-famous dermatologist Barbara Sturm’s work is incredibly high-tech—her endogenic blood therapy, for example, takes dermal fillers like hyaluronic acid and enriches them with regenerative elements taken from a patient’s own blood. At the same time, she’s passionately clean and nontoxic in her approach—a rarity among dermatologists. After researching both techniques and skin-care ingredients at her clinic, she’s come out with a line that manages to be super effective, luxuriously textured, and chic as hell all at once. Treatments at her clinic run the gamut from low-tech to super advanced, from lymphatic drainage and microdermabrasion to hyaluronic-based mesotherapy, nonsurgical face-lifts, and microneedling.

Right on the Bosphorus, the Peninsula Hotel overlooks Hagia Sophia and the Topkapi Palace along with the wide river. There’s a buzzy rooftop restaurant, but our favorite is the elegant, airy, sublevel spa made with floor-to-ceiling marble, saunas, a luxurious indoor pool, lavish traditional Turkish baths, and calming relaxation rooms. The Holistic facial—60 minutes of brightening, smoothing, plumping magic with botanicals and antioxidants—is a must.

Right on the ocean near Palermo, Verdura Resort is serene, relaxing, and all out luxurious. The stunning Irene Forte Spa, surrounded by olive trees and orange groves, is a playground of thalassotherapy pools, Finnish saunas, steam rooms, and more, but the facials are next-level. Each one uses Forte’s luxe, clean skin care line—made with botanicals sourced on Verdura’s own organic farm. We love the Etna Age-Defying Facial—90 minutes of cleansing, toning, and exfoliation, face massage, lymphatic drainage (they use cold volcanic stones sourced from Etna mountain), and a moisture-bomb hyaluronic acid treatment to seal it all in. You’ll walk out totally relaxed, refreshed, with a luminous glow.

People have traveled to Fiuggi for centuries just for the natural spring water, which, legend has it, is healing. At Palazzo Fiuggi, you’ll drink it, soak in it, and shower in it. But the real force behind this destination spa is the medical team, who will tailor your experience according to your goals and the health evaluation you take upon arrival. Your results inform the rest of your stay: Will you spend long mornings trekking through the countryside and afternoons in the thermal baths? Or will you spend the week detoxing, following your doctor visits with lymphatic massage and cleansing rituals in the hammam?

This is the woman responsible for helping in-the-know Londoners achieve that glow-from-within radiance. Amanda Lacey's legendary facials are gentle and pleasantly old school—no lasers or needles in sight. Instead, she relies on time-honored facial massage, quality, natural products, and educating clients about preventing future damage. Clients swear by her eponymous product range for at-home maintenance.

Unlike many aestheticians who rely solely on traditional lotions and potions to treat skin maladies, Anastasia Achilleos targets the facial structures, including the lymph nodes, fascia, and muscles. She offers a huge range of therapies, including deep cleansing, steam, extraction, and bespoke massages to lift, depuff, soften dark circles and hyperpigmentation, and reduce congestion in sinuses. Her sessions are relaxing, and she makes sure to teach her clients how to best manage their skin at home.

OG skin whisperer Linda Meredith has worked on everyone from Farrah Fawcett to Kate Middleton, and she's one of the facialists local goop friends swear by. An appointment at her Knightsbridge salon is definitely worth the splurge. Her team identifies, treats, and eliminates skin conditions with restorative algae-oxygen therapy, plumping collagen treatments, and more.

Andrea Pfeffer’s passion for glowing, balanced skin led her to create this beautiful, intimate studio with a menu of novel, high-tech facials. The salon started a bit of a craze for collagen-supporting copper microneedling, but what really sets it apart is that no matter how cutting-edge the treatment or how hard-core the extractions, needling, or vitamin infusion, there's an exquisitely relaxing facial massage built in to your session.

Coined “The Bradden Method,” Sarah Bradden’s signature cosmetic acupuncture facial is both a spiritual reset and a sculpting face treatment. Each treatment is tailored to your needs (and every visit is different) and includes a mix of acupuncture (for face, neck, ears, or body), Reiki, reflexology, massage, LED light therapy, and activated oxygen therapy. You’ll leave with a goddess-like glow and a restored sense of balance and relaxation.

London-based Fatma Shaheen’s treatments at the flagship Matchesfashion’s townhouse in Mayfair are booked months in advance (fans include Naomi Campbell, Naomi Watts, Candice Swanepoel, and Irina Shayk). Her most-popular facial, the SDL Facelift, is pricey, but worth it, with ultrasound, vitamin peels, radiofrequency, and something called a Glow Pen—which combines microneedling with electroporation, a form of microcurrent designed to deliver active ingredients into skin. The results—lifted, glowy, sculpted skin—are unmatched. Skin Design London also offers services at John Bell & Croyden and 180 Health Club in London. And in January, they will also be offering an exclusive treatment, called The Freeze Glowlift during a 3-month residency at Selfridges.

Using a mix of acupuncture, LED light, and even tuning forks (the vibrations have soothing, stress-easing effects), the facials here leave clients with a serious glow, balanced skin, and an even deeper sense of calm. We’re especially in love with the Chi Rejuvenation Facial, fifty minutes of acupressure, gua sha, and jade rolling, all of which energize skin by supposedly stimulating the flow of chi.

In 2002, pharmacist Margo Marrone and her husband, Francesco, created a beautiful, wildly successful chain of wellness dispensaries in London devoted to their ever-expanding, luxurious, certified-organic line of homeopathic remedies, skin, hair, and body care. Their flagship store also has a gorgeous spa where all of the products are used. The facials are amazing: We especially love the vitamin C and papaya enzyme peel, the express thirty-minute facial with microcurrent, and the amazing Rose Diamond Facial, which combines a diamond exfoliation with an oxygen-infused mask and lifting massage for super glowy skin.

This studio was founded by superfacialist Vaishaly Patel, and the skin-care treatments are incredible. The signature facial combines Patel’s famous techniques (deep cleansing, extraction, microdermabrasion, and high-frequency treatment) to create a custom plan to improve your skin on the day of your appointment. All facials include a craniosacral massage to treat tense areas at the scalp, brows, and jaw—heaven.

Much like his culty product range, Hervé Herau's dermatology practice is not widely publicized—in fact it's almost exclusively a word-of-mouth operation. We first heard about his restorative treatments (each one is 100% personalized, which explains why there's no treatment menu on his site) from a friend who swears that a session with him is like hitting the beauty jackpot.

Clients swear that Joëlle Ciocco’s blend of buccal massage (to stretch and tone facial muscles) and product (her eponymous line of cleansers and serums) will absolutely change your skin. What's truly remarkable is that she's actually a biochemist by trade, so there's real science behind her technique. An appointment with Joëlle is not cheap, but the results are priceless. That said, booking with a member of her team is the next best thing and much easier on the wallet.

This is one of those spots that doesn't feel like it could possibly be in a bustling city: Faced with a flowering courtyard, stone walls, and a glass ceiling, La Maison Dr. Hauschka is oh-so-quiet. Fitting really, because the facials and massages are relaxing enough to knock anyone out. Their signature facial, developed by Dr. Hauschka co-founder Elisabeth Sigmund, is two hours of pure bliss—deep cleansing, layers of masks, compresses, and incredibly effective skin care.

Surprisingly, Le Bristol is the only Parisian hotel allowed to perform facial treatments using La Prairie products. Much like the product line itself, the driving force behind the treatment menu is rejuvenation—as evidenced by treatments like the Caviar Lift Facial and the ultrasoothing Platinum Rare Haute Rejuvenation facial. The best part? You can drop off the littles at the Kids Club for the duration of your treatment.

While there are many reasons we love Douro Valley, the fantastic treatments at the spa are at the top of the list. Many use Seed to Skin products; others use scrubs and salves that are made on-site in the Alchemy Bar from botanicals grown on the property (you can book a session to make your own, too). The signature Warming Schist Vinotherapy, a full-body scrub (with a concoction of grape seeds, oils, and port) followed by a mini facial and a full-body hot stone massage using local schist, is pretty incredible. But don’t miss the Golden Aura Facial—both plumping and glowifying, it leaves your skin sculpted, refreshed, and radiant. (You can also upgrade several of the spa services with a Theragun add-on.)

This enormous spa in the middle of the Alps, high above Lake Lucerne has everything from an infinity pool and private spa suites to 3 different kinds of saunas and a series of Kneipp baths. It also has two facials that are hard to decide between: The Dr Burgener Repairing Gold and Green Caviar Facial, which uses ultrasound, green caviar, pulverized pearls, and gold trace elements to revitalize skin, and the 111Skin Signature Harley Street Facial, which calms and coddles skin to the nth degree. Originally designed to accelerate the post-surgery healing, it works to strengthen the epidermal barrier, tamp down irritation and redness, and super-moisturize skin (unsurprisingly, it’s extremely popular among skiers).

The famed wellness escape tucked in the rainforest of Bali, Shambhala Estate is as luxurious as it is supremely relaxing—especially in the fantastic, open-air spa. Acupuncture, Indonesian massage, and all manner of treatments are all on the menu but we’re especially obsessed with the facials, all which use the clean Ayurvedic brand Sundãri. Opt for the Intensive Healing Facial if you’re sensitive (the star ingredient is soothing neen oil) or if you’re looking for glow, choose the Essential Supplifying facial with nourishing oils and exfoliating—either way, you can’t go wrong.

This spa’s minimalist, plant-filled waiting room is an antidote to the hyperactive Bangkok streets, and the hospitable staff gives you lemongrass tea while you wait for your treatment. And the treatments are efficient: After less than an hour, we left with brighter, glowier skin than we arrived with. It’s a medical spa, so you can choose from basic treatments, like a sensitive skin facial, or more clinically advanced ones that incorporate medical-grade injectables, microdermabrasion, and lasers. You can meet with a staff dermatologist for a skin consultation and help navigating the menu. But the goldmine here is the classic rejuvenation facial—a fifty-minute lymphatic massage/marine collagen mask/radio frequency/oxygen mist hybrid—which leaves you with the kind of soft, springy skin that you can’t stop touching.

Kamalaya, on the lush Thai island Koh Samui, combines Eastern and Western medical treatments for as full a reset as you want. When you’re not busy with past-life regression therapy, Reiki, sound baths, herbal soaks, and massages for everything (head, hands, feet, you name it), spend some time floating around the verdant grounds: You’ll find coastal yoga pavilions, cold-water plunge pools, otherworldly steam rooms, and a contemplation cave once used by Buddhist monks.

Relaxing at a spa set on top of the world’s largest salt lick—the place is absolutely alive with wildlife—it’s hard to imagine wanting to do anything besides watch the animals and take in the incredible view, but the hour long “Afrique Arising” facial revives sun-baked, wind-whipped, safari-dry skin like nothing else. Ultra-moisturizing—it incorporates the organic, omega-rich, Africa-sourced Terres d’Afrique line—and peppered with fantastic massage techniques, the facial works to restore elasticity, hydration, smoothness, and glow.

The white marble spa in the exquisite boutique hotel Riad Farnatchi in the center of the medina is just incredible, and the facials are especially great. The Ananda Face Therapy involves an aloe vera and pomegranate cleanse, honey exfoliation, and detoxifying green clay mask, then you’re smoothed down in nourishing sandalwood and rose otto oils during a luminizing marma face massage. Other therapies couple traditional healing treatments with corrective technologies, incorporating essential oils like rare Ethiopian-sourced frankincense and sonic wave therapy.

Just off one of the busiest streets in Marrakech and hidden behind an ornate wooden door is one of the city’s most gorgeous hotels and hammams. The spa is bursting with bright, saturated colors, not to mention all sorts of fantastic treatments. The facials, all of which incorporate locally produced argan oil, are amazing. We love the Purity and Glow facial which deeply cleanses skin using gentle ingredients.

After spending the day driving around in the dry, dusty African bush, treat your skin to this full-on, rehydrating, ultra-moisturizing facial. Overlooking a lagoon of hippos, The Bush Spa offers relaxing facials and body treatments, combining both Eastern and Western techniques to revitalize skin, using products made with local extracts and botanicals. We love the Fresh Up facial to deeply cleanse and moisturize, or the Illuminating facial to wrap skin in a soothing, brightening pink clay.

Set on a private island in the Caribbean (it’s two miles off mainland Antigua and reachable only by boat) and enclosed in lush tropical foliage, Jumby Bay has 4.5 miles of powdery shoreline that are completely surrounded by crystal-blue coral-reef-sprinkled water. Every suite has a private plunge pool, and beautiful winding bike paths (the whole resort is brilliantly carless) take you right to the spa for sunrise yoga or breathwork or a treatment in a room with views of the ocean (you can actually hear the waves and breathe in the salt air). Get the facial (Tata Harper–designed, of course) with face-mapping therapy, exfoliation, massage, skin-reviving botanicals, and deep moisture.

There are just two facials on the menu at this quaint cottage-spa that’s perched on a serene lagoon (you can paddleboard right up to the entrance), and both are fantastic. Inspired by traditional Jamaican recipes and made with healing herbs and roots cultivated at the property’s own farm, the facials incorporate tension-relieving acupressure, cleansing muds, smoothing algae masks, and glowifying wild-harvested seaweed treatments.

The view alone will send you into raptures—the spa overlooks the Blue Mountains of Jamaica—not to mention the heavenly foot soak you get upon arrival. As you soak, an aesthetician determines the best treatment for your skin. They’re experts at tension-relieving face massage, deep pore detoxification, and revitalizing tired skin with island plant essences and unique lymphatic drainage acupressure techniques.

Every corner of this resort and spa on Paradise Island (yes, exactly) is beautiful. The eight private spa suites, all of which have both a lounge and a treatment room, are designed with Balinese accents like ornate wooden carvings and huge double doors that open so you can hear the ocean during your treatment. Facials fuse Asian beauty practices with Caribbean ingredients like algae, red coral, and lupin to nourish and fight sun damage.

We cannot get enough of this gorgeous hotel, especially the mostly-outdoor spa, where you’re surrounded by lush vegetation, palm trees, lava rock, and warm island air (there’s even an open air sauna). The treatments are all amazing, but the exclusive goop Glow facial is the ultimate: Layers of exfoliation, hydrators, and clinically-proven actives combine for a skin-boosting treatment that leaves anyone with the softest, smoothest, glowiest skin ever.

Joali Being, on its own private island in the Maldives, has a guiding philosophy of weightlessness. Here, that means letting go of your regular habits for a more intuitive way of life. It’s easier to sacrifice your attachments here, digital or otherwise, and it’s no mystery why: The island, covered in immaculate palm groves and dotted with modern Maldivian architecture, is so beautiful that you wouldn’t want to miss a moment. There’s an antigravity yoga pavilion, immersive wellness experiences, therapeutic and alternative healing therapies, an herbology center, a hydrotherapy hall that includes a sensory-deprivation room, sound therapy hall, and more.

A thirty-minute consultation determines the oil blends, herbs, food, and treatments most effective for your skin—and your Ayurvedic dosha. You arrive at the spa via a dhoni, a traditional Maldivian wooden boat that slices through turquoise waters. The facials combine high-tech medical therapies with ancient holistic practices; some treatments are even tethered to the cycles of the moon. The Ananda is particularly complexion-perfecting: Sixty minutes of marma massage (a traditional Ayurvedic technique) followed by light massage strokes that leaves you refreshed and drop-dead radiant.

It’s unlikely that you’d fly to New Zealand for the Healing Manuka-Honey Facial at The Spa at Kauri Cliff, but if you make it there, go for the 90-minute version, which is a fantasia of local Manuka honey, Rotorua thermal mud, and crushed paua shells from nearby Pink Beach, not to mention an incredible back massage. The spa itself, set amid fern glens and bubbling streams at the edge of the Totara forest, is pure Middle Earth. If you can, have your treatments done outside with birds singing all around you—heaven.