Casablanca
Comes to 17th Street
Manhattan's
New Day Spa Millefleurs
by
Lisa Arcella
 Step
through the door and head up the steps of the new Millefleur
spa and you will soon forget you are in New York City.
The fragrant scent of burning amber is first to meet
you, followed by peaceful music and greetings of a welcoming
staff. In the large, open-spaced common area (large
by Manhattan standards) is a Moroccan themed room with
flowing fabrics, low tables, colorful carpets and mint
tea that immediately begins the relaxation process.
"I
have always been intrigued by North Africa and ancient
civilizations," says owner Gina Michael. "Beauty
and spiritual secrets are intertwined to enhance the
quality of life." Michaels
believes the healing begins by creating an inviting
space where celebrities like Liv Tyler and Lawrence
Fishburne, along with the less stellar among us, feel
comfortable hanging out.
The
spa menu features stone and deep tissue massage, reflexology,
aromatic facials, acupuncture, brown sugar scrubs, laser
hair removal, French waxing and threading, pre-natal
and couple massages seven days a week from 9 a.m. to
midnight. A specialty is the herbal steam wrap, which,
according to Chen, contains 116 herbs and minerals and
"will cause a four- to ten-inch loss on the body.
Many customers combine the 2 1/2-hour process with a
facial. But Millefleurs also offers more offbeat fare
like tarot-card readings, Mendi tattoos and even belly
dancing lessons. Michaels says that she is also a medium
who will happily read your future.
There
are only three treatment rooms, although skylights and
high ceilings create an illusion of greater space. When
the weather allows, there is a sauna and open-air massage
area on the roof. Manicures and pedicures are available
in the open room and the spa works with three product
lines: Lierac from France, EmerginC and Essensa herbal
products.
The
combination of the slimming wrap and the wonderful surroundings
and scents left us feeling a few pounds lighter (which
didn't last long) and like we had been on a short, but
exotic vacation—even if it was in the middle of
the concrete jungle.
Millefleurs
Spa
3 E. 17th St. (between Fifth Avenue and Park Avenue
South)
212-966-3656
gigi0986@aol.com.
Second location at 26 E. 64th St.
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