Portofino Sun Tanning Center

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1300 3rd Ave
New York, NY 10021

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(212) 988-6300
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Reviews
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Best

I went to Portofino to get an airbrush, as they call it, for my wedding. I was a little neurotic about the results. I could NOT be orange or fake looking for my wedding. I came...

Worst

I went to Portofino because of its reputation, and was extremely disappointed. The 3rd Ave. location is claustrophobic, and the staff was aloof. I called to inquire about pac...

great airbrush service 7/3/2009

I went to Portofino to get an airbrush, as they call it, for my wedding. I was a little neurotic about the results. I could NOT be orange or fake looking for my wedding. I came in about a month before the big day just to try it out. I loved it and my pale skin looked gorgeous and tan (and without any real SUN!) I had Stella spray me both times and she was great. She was sweet, professional and very thorough. I am definitely thinking about extending this treat to more than just my wedding day. Thank you Stella and Portofino for helping me feel beautiful for one of the most important events of my life! :o) Pros: custom spray tans, great technician Cons: lasts a week more
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best salon on the east side 6/27/2009

This place is nuts! And i kinda LOVE that it is. I honestly wouldn't want to tan where it was quiet and empty...so I tan with all the other upper east siders at Portofino. I use the S-class-always. I call ahead and make an appt for fear that if I just show up, I will be stuck reading their magazines and eating little candies forever. The guy that usually works at the desk is fun, sweet and knows his stuff. TWO THUMBS UP TO THIS ROCKIN PLACE Pros: tanning beds, experienced employees, fun Cons: packed packed packed more
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Recommended tanning salon in the E. 70s 6/13/2009

I have been prepping my skin for summer at Portofino for about 3 years now. Here is what I love: -They have packages for all budgets. (some of us don't have the standard upper east side bottomless wallets) -You still get to people watch the clientele with the upper east side bottomless wallet -The tanning beds are effective. -The lotions smell like heaven. -The store is clean and the employees chill. Don't like: -waiting forever for my machine when I forget to make an appt. -they aren't open past 10pm. Pros: occasional celeb sighting, great tanning, clean Cons: waits for popular machines more
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Memorial Day Tan 5/24/2009

I went here on Friday and then again this morning, and I had to give SOEMTHING back so here it is!!! In a review! Portofino Sun Center for reals rocks. I am so tan!!! I have a really important picnic tomorrow where I plan to ask out my coworker. I just wanted some color to give me some confidence! Portofino gave it to me in just two tans and I love them for it!!! Pros: Best tan in 2 visits Cons: Busy more
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Great Tanning Beds and Service 5/16/2009

I have started a routine on Saturday mornings to do a little tanning session on the way home from the gym. It is like my day of pampering and I just love it. I am a little nervous about tanning my face, so I use a machine that the face bulbs can be turned off. There is always a clean towel, goggles and candy, plus the manager knows my name and always has my tanning lotion ready to go. I feel like good customer service is hard to find in this city, and I just love going to a place that seems to value it's customers. I always make an appointment so I don't have to wait and they honor it every time. Also, my tanning results are great, natural, and I don't burn. (I always tan in the 360 bed) Pros: staff, strong safe beds Cons: no shower there more
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Whiter Teeth - with a tan! 5/10/2009

I went to get my tan last week and saw that Portofino Sun Center now offers teeth whitening as well. At first, I was a little hesitant, but the girl behind the counter showed me her teeth - and they were gleaming white. She explained how the process worked and I decided what the heck. I tried it. It was cheap and easy. And my boyfriend loves my new smile :) Pros: Both a tanning salon and a teeth whitening place now! Cons: Busy more
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spray tanning is cheap and brills 5/9/2009

I shave. I exfoliate. I throw on baggy clothes. I show up at Portofino for my scheduled appt. I walk out 20 mins later looking like I was on a week long Caribbean vacay. Seriously-it is that easy. With my pack of 10 sprays it is like $40 each time which is def the cheapest I've seen and I ALWAYS get compliments on my ""tan"". Pros: spray tans, prices of packs Cons: not available late night more
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FAST, EASY, EFFECTICE 5/3/2009

LOVE this PLACE!!!! THEY DO WHAT NO ONE ELSE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO DO - THEY MAKE TANNING QUICK, EASY, ANNONYMOUS. I ALWAYS GET RESULTS AND NEVER GET A HASSEL. THE GUY AT THE DESK KNOWS WHATS UP! I AM A BROWN MAMA NOW! Pros: In and out within 20 minutes - WITH A TAN more
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favorite tanning salon in NYC 4/27/2009

Portofino is my favorite tanning salon in all of New York City. I float around to the different salons around the city, but because I live on the upper east side this one is my home base. I grew up in California and need sun in my life. Portofino saves me from looking like a pale ghost and keeps me happy when I have to be stuck inside at work all day. They provide eye protection in each room, there is always water and candies, and the prices are much cheaper than LA. My friends and I are hooked. Pros: location, selection of tanning beds, prices Cons: no double sessions more
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love the tanning 4/25/2009

I am not used to this high-tech tanning equipment, but I must say-i LOVE IT! It is clean, quick and powerful. It is also a people watching hot spot. I've spotted a couple of celebs the past few visits and if not famous, still fab. The employees are trendy and fun and it's all around a highlight of my week. Thnx Portafino. Pros: top notch equipment Cons: can't think of a one more
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Stress Free Tanning 4/23/2009

This place is discreet and classy. I just go in, tan for ten minutes, get my vitamin D, and leave. No one hassels me, no one embarrasses me. I don't want to have to talk about it ya know, I just wanna go in and go out. Portofino keeps it simple and I appreciate that. Pros: No stress Cons: Tanning - I've gotta cut back more
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Teeth are brighter and WHITER 4/17/2009

I moved to this store from my closed one further downtown. I was cranky about it at first, but honestly--i will now trek all over this city for PORTOFINO. seriously. they keep upgrading and making the salon better and better. I just tried their new teeth whitening last week and my boyfriend loves the combo of my white teeth and golden tan. i do too! I've done other strips and gels before and so far this is my fav. The tanning has always rocked and now i have two reasons to head in there. Pros: teeth whitening, tans Cons: closed store on 58th, packed! more
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TAN!!! 4/16/2009

I'm Irish. Nuff said. I have tons of trouble getting color, and whenever i do, that color is ...... .... RED! Well, not at Portofino! I got BRONZED and GOLDEN and I would even go so far as to say...... TAN! Thanks to these guys, I feel a little more confident going to this wedding I have to go to next week where I have to wear a pale pink dress. Now I won't look paler than the dress! What a good tanning place - one who actually realizes that all skin isn't made equal. Some of us need a little more.... finesse :) Pros: First place that has ever actually tanned me :) Cons: I'm pale - that WAS a con, until I came here more
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Awe-some tanning! 4/12/2009

I love tanning here, especially when I have to get ready for an event. I had a huge easter party to go to last night (and also something this morning). My tan at Portofino got me there and looking good. I like their options - many machines to choose from, each one recommended for a certain type of ""tanner"". Pros: Dark color more
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Awesome Airbrush 4/5/2009

I got a spray tan (or ""Airbrush"" as this fancy place calls it) and am glowing like a sun bathed goddess :) No, seriously though, this girl Stella was my airbrush tanner (is that what you the person who does it to you???) and she was great. Explained everything and really made the experience easy. The best surprise came when I paid! It was only $65!!! I actually was surprised. Their regular tanning is $35 so this seemed like an amazing deal to me. Pros: Airbrush is really good Cons: What are the drawbacks? more
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Perfect place for pre-vacation 4/3/2009

thank you portofino. truly thank you! I just came back from vacation with my family and was able to enjoy the whole week running around outside and playing on the beach without burning. Tessa, you were right, your SPF lotion (california tanner?) was perfect. I used it on my own skin and slathered my kids with it each morning. My package is up, but I am thinking about coming every now and then just to keep up my tan (and pretend I am still on vacation). I have recommended this salon to my friends and I had to share my experience online. TWO THUMBS UP!! Pros: building base tan Cons: i wish i could keep it up all year more
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UV-Free Tanning is Rockin 3/26/2009

I cannot handle this weather!!!! I am sick of looking like a ghost and waiting for the sunshine. I went to Porto fino and they rocked my socks off... or at least brought me back to life for a week. I had never done this before so i was the annoying girl with a million questions, but the spray tan girl was patient and sweet and talked me through everything. If this gross weather keeps up I might start the tanning beds, but for now, the UV free is amazing. The free candy is a nice touch too. Pros: UV free tans, the spray tan girl Cons: $65 each time more
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Best Tanning Around 3/25/2009

This place really is a popular, effective way to tan. You can be in and out within 20 minutes if you make an appointment. Call ahead. Since they honor appointments, you may as well make one to save yourself the time. Its sometimes crowded, but only because the results are so good. Everyone comes out looking dark and healthy. I like the couch in the waiting room and the staff seems to know what they are talking about. Good tanning salon on the Upper East Side. Pros: Dark Color, Clean, Not too pricey Cons: Busy more
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Tanning and Service is GREAT 3/17/2009

My wife has been a client at Portofino for years, and after burning like a lobster on my last vacation she convinced me to go a few times to prep my skin. I don't know anything about tanning, but the staff always suggests the best lotion and bed for my fair, easy-to-burn skin. Not only are they so knowledgeable about tanning, but they are genuinely friendly. Once again, my wife was right--Portofino gets my highest recommendation. Pros: recommendations for tanning beds Cons: little embarrased to admit I tan more
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HOTTIES IN THE SALON!!! 3/15/2009

I swear, I thought Equinox had the hotties on the Upper East Side. NOPE! Its this upscale Tanning Salon! Holy mama there were some good looking dark people walking in and out of this place! ALSO good, you don't have to be a rich person to tan like one! They have deals for those of us who walk to the tanning salon - not just the peeps hoppin out of their towncars! I got 10 tans for $99. That is pretty much as cheap as you can get it in NYC. I also left with a nice tan. Pros: Umm.... the amaaazing people that tan there! Cons: I have to look all sweaty after I tan more
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Editorial

  • This sunshine-yellow salon's tanning beds, headlights, and airbrushing booths will keep you basking year-round in summer's glow.

  • 10/5/2008 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Payments: American Express, Visa, Discover, Master Card
  • Neighborhoods: Midtown, Upper East Side
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