by Ashley Parriman
Feline Day Spa aims to provide a retreat from the cares of the day and allow one to emerge rejuvenated. The spa is spacious and takes up an entire floor of the gracious old building it occupies on West 75th Street. Unlike many city spas, most of the 10 treatment rooms in this full service spa have windows. The waiting area is pleasant and well maintained; there are hard wood floors, lights are dimmed, and the area is quiet. A sign requests customers to limit cell phone usage to 3 minutes and asks that customers be quiet. Tea, coffee and bottled water are available for customers. Altogether, the atmosphere is professional yet calming.
Feline is run by Ingvor Wurmbrand. I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Ingvor and learn more about Feline. Established 32 years ago, Feline was one of the first spas on the Upper West Side. Ingvor took over management of the spa 22 years ago. Today, Feline Day Spa is one of the few NYC spas that are accredited by The Day Spa Association. The spa employs 33 people, which enables the spa to have enough employees on hand to meet the demands of customers 7 days a week. Aside from the fact that it's open every day, Feline sets itself apart from other NYC spas by offering an extensive number of treatments, including: therapeutic massage, reflexology, manicures and pedicures, vascu lyse, lash extensions, and microdermabrasion. Feline is one of the few spas that offers electrolysis. Feline's most popular treatments are facials, massages, pedicures, and refloxogy with a pedicure. Customers particularly love Feline's 4 layer facial mask. Spa packages, including full and mini luxury days, are available.
While Feline focuses primarily on facials, massage and body treatments, it also offers hair styling and makeup application. One can enter Feline, have a spa treatment, get hair done, and "walk out like a fresh new woman."
Feline is also unlike typical spas in that it has an outstanding staff retention rate. Many of Feline's employees have worked there for more than 25 years. Ingvor notes that for her clients, this sort of continuity is "...like coming home. It's so nice to come home."
Despite Feline's status as the oldest spa on the UWS, its prices are moderate, and as Ingvor says, "Not downtown prices." While a simple facial at a similar spas often costs $125, Feline's facials are $98.
Aside from the spa services, Feline's extensive selection of beauty and skincare products are another reason to visit. Feline stocks items from the following lines:
- MD Forumulation
- Dermalogica
- SkinCeutircals
- Phytomer
- Dr. Temt Anti-aging
- Morroccan Oil Hair Care
- Spa Technologies Body Care
- Bare Escentuals Make-Up
- Repechage Skin Care
Despite the economic downtown, business at Feline is still bustling. As for the future, Ingvor says that Feline will continue to provide excellent services, offer new treatments, and aspire to be the best spa in the city.
Feline Day Spa
M-F 8 a.m.- 8 p.m.
Sa 9 a.m.- 7 p.m.
Su 10 a.m.- 7 p.m.
215 West 75th Street
New York, NY 10024
212-496-7415 or 212-579-8145