AIRE Ancient Baths, a wellness brand that originated in Seville, Spain, recently opened the doors to its second location in Manhattan and ninth location globally. The new AIRE Ancient Baths New York – Upper East Side occupies the first three floors of 305 East 61st Street, a historic building built in 1900 that was once used by wealthy New Yorkers and the Museum of Modern Art to house priceless antiques and works of art. I had an opportunity to visit the new location and turned what would have been an unremarkable weekday afternoon into a relaxing and restorative experience.
What We Love
- Flotarium pool, which is suspended between two floors
- Cold plunge pool
- Selection of juices from Pressed Juicery
- Mandatory slippers for hygiene and safety
- Social aspect in that you can enjoy the baths with a partner or friends (provided you whisper)
are designed for relaxation and recovery.
An oasis of tranquility, AIRE Ancient Baths are inspired by ancient traditions from the Roman, Greek, and Ottoman civilizations. AIRE New York – Upper East Side is home to six baths, including The Caldarium (hot bath,104F), Tepidarium (two warm baths, 97F), Frigidarium (ice bath, 50F) and Balneum (jet bath). In a first for the brand, this location is home to a dramatic suspended Flotarium (salt bath) that appears to hover between two floors. The Flotarium is the centerpiece of the space, drawing the eye with translucent glass walls and a glass floor that emanate a rich blue glow.
“As with all AIRE locations, we chose this building extremely carefully,” says Amadeo Serra, CEO of Aire Ancient Baths. “Our design team worked to meticulously preserve the building’s rich character, with exposed bricks, original beams, and vaulted ceilings throughout the space. We are so proud of this new location and look forward to welcoming New Yorkers to experience a new level of relaxation at AIRE Ancient Baths New York – Upper East Side.”
Visitors to AIRE’s newest location can expect to find many of the same elements that have made the brand a global haven of relaxation. Breathing in the calming scent of the signature Orange Garden fragrance, guests navigate pathways bathed in the warm glow of flickering candles. Enchanting decor, hand-selected from shops around the world, completes the immersive experience.
In addition to its iconic thermal bath circuit, AIRE New York – Upper East Side offers its acclaimed selection of relaxing massages, couples’ experiences, and luxurious body rituals. In addition to the suspended flotarium, AIRE also debuted The Signature Monet Experience, exclusive to this location, and inspired by one of MoMA’s most celebrated paintings, Claude Monet’s iconic Water Lilies. This experience invites guests to immerse themselves in the garden that sparked the artist’s masterpiece: from the evocative aromatherapy to a painter-inspired, full-body exfoliation, body wrap, and massage.
An urban oasis to relax and reconnect, AIRE is an antidote to the hustle of the city and today’s culture. Committed to enhancing the brand’s focus on deep relaxation and escape, the 9,600 square-foot new location offers two marble exfoliation beds; 12 massage beds across multiple treatment rooms, including rooms for couples’ treatments; and men’s and women’s locker rooms. In order to preserve the sense of exclusivity, AIRE New York – Upper East Side will host no more than 16 people per hour. Pricing for the 90-minute bath experience starts at $150 per person.
AIRE New York – Upper East Side joins the brand’s other location in New York City, as well as Chicago, London, Copenhagen, Barcelona, Sevilla, Vallromanes, and Almería.
