A Day in NYC
Sometimes all you need is a mini vacation. No need to fly out; vaca is close by, not exactly in my backyard. My favorite thing to do is to take my mini vacation to NYC from Delaware. It’s only 2 hours away. It’s the perfect day trip, or in my case, 24 hours in the city for some fun.
My goal for my short stay was to relax. Completely detach from my phone and my responsibilities for at least the next 24 hours. So I decided at the last minute to book a drive to NYC for 24 hours. NYC can be costly, so this will not be a budget trip at all. This was a trip of convenience and relaxation. I normally would book a hotel in Chelsea, but due to the last-minute booking. I ended up at the Motto in Times Square.
Silly Me, I worked a night shift before my trip, which I regret because the lack of sleep played a huge role in my night out in the town. I ended up booking a spa day at The Bathhouse in Flatiron for 2:30 PM. I would normally have a Spa Day at Sojo Spa but wanted to try a new spot out in NYC.
The Bathhouse Flatiron Review: So Much for Relaxation
The Bathhouse Flatiron is nestled within the bustling streets of Manhattan. The starting rate for a day pass is $40. However, by the time I booked my reservation, the price was $82 with tax. I didn’t end up with any messages. I just wanted a day of quiet in between saunas and cold plunges.
The moment I stepped into the facility, I didn't feel welcome and kind of blind. The building has very dim lighting. I approached the front desk, letting them know I had an appointment. The receptionist didn’t check my time or name. She just asked if I had been there before, and I told her no. No other information was given to me being a first-timer. She just asked me to give her my arm for a bracelet and pointed me in the direction of the steps. I had to ask if I could link my card to my bracelet. From the beginning of entering the building, I was confused. It didn’t help that it was damn near dark due to the dim lighting in the building.
I eventually proceeded to the women's area, where I would find slippers, showers, lockers, and towels. There were no clothes, which I hated. The towels were so small, and me being a plus-size girly I was disappointed. The towels were the size of hand towels. When asked if they had bigger towels, I was told it’s one size fits all. Which wasn’t the case for me.
I ended up braving the facility alone and realized that maybe this wasn’t exactly what I signed up for. The bathhouse had a quiet area, two cold plunges, several pools, and at least 3 saunas. Not only were they all packed with people. It all felt like a social hour instead of a spa. I found the only time people weren't engaging in talking was in the saunas. Even in the quiet area, there was loud chatter. For me, there was no meditation. I spent most of my time jumping from cold plunges and saunas for 3 hours until I got bored. It was a little intimidating that this is considered a pickup social spot for locals. Had I known, I would have just gone to World Spa or Sojo Spa.
I will say that there was a towel ceremony during my time in the spa. Everyone squeezes into the sauna, and for 15 minutes there is a guided meditation with essential oils. After 15 minutes, it was suggested to jump into a cold plunge for another 15 minutes, which I did. It was a great feeling. Afterward, I got bored and never made it to all the pools or the infrared sauna because it was so dim I kept getting lost and very overcrowded. Usually, I would spend over 5 hours in a spa, but I became so overstimulated that I only gave it 3 hours.
I ended up in the cafe and ordered dumplings and a recess drink before heading back to the women's area for a shower and departing. I will say the locker rooms were great and the amenities inside were amazing. If I were to go back to The Bathhouse, it would have to be early in the morning when I know there are not so many people.
Checking In: The Motto Time Square
After my day at the spa, I checked into my hotel at the Motto. The Motto is a newer brand of Hilton Property. It’s a boutique hotel, which I love. Checking in was easy, and the staff was friendly. My room was small, like most NYC hotels, but it was just me. As a Gold Hilton Honor member, you get $18 credit to use at their restaurant, which I thought was great. The room was cozy and a few blocks from Radio City and Times Square.
Heading Home
I ended up with steak & Eggs for breakfast at their restaurant called The Alderman. Breakfast was delicious and fulfilling. I used my daily $18 credit, so my tip ended up being $29. I found their restaurant decor to be refreshing and cute. After getting ready, I departed pretty early, around 9 am to get home for work later in the day.
