Normally, a two-hour drive outside the city is all you need to recharge. But the reality is that a lot of the time, you just can’t find that window. Luckily, finding your wellness respite doesn’t always have to be far out of reach. What if we told you there’s a luxurious island spa just five minutes away? You can take in the skyline with a spritz in hand, minus the crowds and sounds of blaring traffic. QC NY Spa is your spa on Governors Island for your escape when work is a priority, but luxury is non-negotiable.
Background
QC NY Spa is not the first of its kind, but the newest in a portfolio of twelve locations. QC Terme (now Spa of Wonders) is headquartered in Italy, with most of the locations scattered around the country. If anyone is an expert in luxury spas, it’s the Italians: the Romans knew a thing or two about baths. The founders, brothers Saverio and Andrea Quadrio Curzio, started their hospitality journey in 1982 and soon became the largest Italian wellness group. So when in 2022, QC NY Spa debuted across the pond, it changed the game for New Yorkers with this spa on Governors Island.
Relaxation Rooms
If your goal is to lounge in a Roman bath, but you don’t have the time to travel to Rome, QC is your next best bet. There are over 20 wellness experiences to wander through at their spa on Governors Island. Although there is light direction upon entering, nothing is set in stone. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure experience. Let us explain.
The Mountain Stube sauna features a facial scrub station with massage instructions and a scented towel. Afterwards, you can continue your beauty routine with a moisturizing and plumping mask in the Fireplace Room, as per instructions.
Or, alternatively, your adventurous spirit may lead you to:
A) The infrared beds for some good old-fashioned light therapy, AKA human photosynthesis.
B) The Upside Down for a topsy-turvy photoshoot (brownie points if you can reach the suspended chessboard on the ceiling).
C) After a few too many Bellinis, and the gramophone blaring twentieth-century classic hits in the JukeBox Club, you can sing along in an oversized armchair and sip on cold apple cider.
You get the picture: three floors filled with experiences and your choice of what and when. You can do a sauna crawl, each with its own theme, scent, and sound, or hyperfixate on your favorite, like the bird sounds in The Park Sauna (no judgment here).
Water Amenities
If you walk down to the bottom floor, you’ll find the aquatic section with foot baths and Vichy rainwater showers to rid emotional tension. Here, you can cry about your most recent breakup or a fumbled deal, and no one would know under the cover of rainfall. The steam room is scented with mint, and showerheads are provided for cooling off; unless you’re a seasoned sauna-goer, relief will never feel sweeter. We didn’t forget the pools—the two networks feature whirlpool stations and panoramic views surrounded by sun beds and cabanas in the garden.
Food & Drink
What you consume is arguably as conducive to your health as wellness therapies; so let’s talk menus. In the Italian spirit, you can’t go wrong with an aperitivo tray. The Bistro offers healthy meal options like a Roasted Citrus Salmon Salad and a Tamari Glazed Tofu Bowl. Moreover, satisfying your sweet tooth is also part of a balanced lifestyle—with options like Tiramisu Pistachio or the Tiramisu Espresso Martini. Another food option is The Flora Cafè, which is decorated in florals and surrounded by butterflies. You can smell the roses, literally, while nursing your cocktail.
Coming Soon to Governor’s Island
QC NY is preparing to open a second building this month. The 15,000-square-foot addition will feature waterfalls, a breath room, a lavender room, waterbeds, and an ice room. Furthermore, the new building will also house a new restaurant—Casa QC. The restaurant will seat up to 142 guests and serve Italian food, including artisanal gelato. And better yet, plans are in the works to expand to a third building in the spring of 2025.
Location
Ferries run daily from Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. So don’t panic if you miss your boat – they run every half hour. The boat ride is so fast that we would barely consider it a commute. The moment you step off the boat, the city skyline is in view. While amenities are usually the main attraction at a spa, the view makes this location special. Whether you come for the day or sunset hours, seeing the bustling city from afar allows you to sink into the me-time mentality. You can peer through most sauna room windows to view the East River, spa pools, or skyscrapers. The 172-acre island, with an award-winning park, vistas, and historic buildings, shouldn’t be missed either. However, explore before you head in, because access is no longer granted once you’ve left the spa premises.
FAQs
Q: Where are the Manhattan and Brooklyn Ferry pickups for Governors Island?
A: Ferries leave from the Battery Maritime Building in Lower Manhattan daily. The NYC Ferry has a South Brooklyn route with stops in the Lower East Side, Wall Street, and Brooklyn waterfront.
Q: What’s included in a QC NY Spa entrance pass?
A: The entrance pass includes a locker with a robe, sandals, and towels. Shower products and Dyson hair tools are available in the shower area. All amenities are also included, except for food and massages.
