Tel: 212-956-2888

The meditative yin to bustling Fifth Avenue's yang, the Peninsula's new ESPA is a polished acacia and bamboo cave. Step off the elevator onto the twenty-first floor and immediately feel coddled—by signature ESPA herbal fragrances and the staff, who are attentive but not bothersome. Deeper into the cave is the relaxation room, equipped with plush beds and headphones tuned to Zen-like sound tracks. Treatments begin with a tea ceremony and range from an oil-controlling tea tree and thyme facial to an aromatherapy massage that eliminates jet lag. For the ESPA stamp, splurge on the Spirit of Peninsula body treatment, which goes from a footbath to a salt massage to a detoxifying mask in two hours. Guests are encouraged to while away a whole afternoon here: After your treatment, hit the tea lounge and "thermal suite," with steam rooms, ambient "experience" showers, ice fountains, and saunas; or take a dip in the glass-enclosed pool upstairs.