Spa 88

Loved it. I've heard many good things about this place and wanted to try it for myself. I went with my husband and we've decided that we're going back once a month as a relaxing "date night". It's incredibly relaxing and a great way to start (or end) a weekend. more

As I've traveled all over the world, I've sought out hot springs and spas and this one gets one of my highest scores for innovative, clean, fun, imaginative and relaxing. There are many different hot rooms to visit of various types, styles, and heat, each with its own atmosphere. It's a perfect place to relax at the end of a hard week and feel rejuvenated. It's first stop for me on my next visit to New York! more

The most relaxing place I've ever been in my entire life. Spa 88 gives you various saunas with different themes and temperatures which affect the body in different positive ways. If life has you stressed out and your body is tense then this is the place for you. more

A friend of mine recommended I go to this spa and I have to say it was a unique experience. The message was beautiful; oiled the body; washed the hair; beat with small bushes in the steam room. You have to experience a Russian Bath once in your life and Spa 88 is just the place you can do that. This was an enjoyable experience. more

Dirty and rundown. Plus don't expect to get any type of customer service here. As you can see the owner is off his rocker. more

If I could put zero stars I would. This spa would not honor a Travel Zoo coupon that clearly stated you could have lunch and spa admission. Spoke to staff and owner and they said no lunch honored and that it's my problem and to call Travel Zoo to get a refund. Do NOT go here, you will be treated poorly and will get ripped off. Horrible business. more

Below are some of the responses from manager Dmitry L. of Spa 88 to customers. Don't believe me? Go to Yelp. You decide. 1) If you you live in the city, where prices are a little higher than in Brooklyn, you should move to Brooklyn and enjoy that banya where people jump in the pool situated right in the middle of the dining tables and water splashes in your food. That's just one of the things people are complaining about the Sheepshead Bay banya. 2) As you correctly pointed out, you know little about what a true Russian bathhouse is all about. Comparing Korean bathhouses to Russian banyas is like comparing dog eating with dog grooming. Your complaints are rather pathetic. Yes -- we do provide a personal lock box for storing your valuables at the front desk as a free service to our patrons. That's in addition to a regular locker downstairs. Instead of complaining about that, you should be thankful. Now, why complain about the baby stroller? We do not discriminate against children and infants, so naturally you would see a few children here and there in our place. If we did discriminate, we would rather ban people like you who sniff around our employee-only basement instead of enjoying the steam in the common area. We also do not discriminate against fat people. You saw a fat man downstairs, so you felt like whining about that in your review as if we are at fault. Fat people are also entitled to some happiness. 3) Another day, another idiot. She states she has never been to our facilities, but then she is dumb enough to still write about us. We will make sure she never enters though. Step inside and you will be fly out faster than a soccer ball. 4) Maybe people like you deserve to break their necks in the shower. Come and get your $10 and don't cry like a baby about being cheated 5) 80% of the Travel Zoo clients are begging us for more deals. But only the cheapest losers complain about the deeply discounted $24 deal that includes a three course lunch and one day admission. more

After a deep tissue massge, I was left black and blue. Two weeks later, I am still experiencing pain. I have taken photos in case there was permanent damage, but thought the least I could do was post a review to warn others. On top of that, day pass services weren't nice either. Jacuzzi had scummy film on top, steam room never stopped steaming, so you had no relief, etc. more

After reading all the reviews here I decided to write my own to clarify the confusion among the negative reviewers. First of all, this place is not a typical "spa" where you get your nails done. Spa88 is a Russian banya first, then everything else. 'Banya' generally means a sauna or steam bath. A unique characteristic of a Russian banya is a procedure that many people refer to as "platza". It's the revitalizing beating experience with bundled birch and oak leaves. Another essential component of a good Russian banya is in the quality and temperature of the heat inside the steam room. Spa88 offers all those components: stone steam room, sweltering heat, and if that's not enough -- go for 15 minutes of scalding platza mixed with freezing cold plunge. Do not go to Spa88 if all you want is to get your nails done. Now, is Spa88 clean? It's cleaner than most banyas I have visited in the Soviet Union and then in the Russian Federation. What else can you find at Spa88? Turkish steam room, infra-red room, Finnish sauna room, juice bar, swimming pool, jacuzzi, tanning booths, a VIP room with billiards and another jacuzzi there, a smoking room (never used it - I don't smoke), massages, facials, etc. My usual Spa88 day: (1) start with the main Russian banya room, (2) then the cold plunge, repeat that 15-20 times, finish up at the Russian restaurant on the second floor. more

After reading all the reviews here I decided to write my own to clarify the confusion among the negative reviewers. First of all, this place is not a typical "spa" where you get your nails done. Spa88 is a Russian banya first, then everything else. 'Banya' generally means a sauna or steam bath. A unique characteristic of a Russian banya is a procedure that many people refer to as "platza". It's the revitalizing beating experience with bundled birch and oak leaves. Another essential component of a good Russian banya is in the quality and temperature of the heat inside the steam room. Spa88 offers all those components: stone steam room, sweltering heat, and if that's not enough -- go for 15 minutes of scalding platza mixed with freezing cold plunge. Do not go to Spa88 if all you want is to get your nails done. Now, is Spa88 clean? It's cleaner than most banyas I have visited in the Soviet Union and then in the Russian Federation. What else can you find at Spa88? Turkish steam room, infra-red room, Finnish sauna room, juice bar, swimming pool, jacuzzi, tanning booths, a VIP room with billiards and another jacuzzi there, a smoking room (never used it - I don't smoke), massages, facials, etc. My usual Spa88 day: (1) start with the main Russian banya room, (2) then the cold plunge, repeat that 15-20 times, finish up at the Russian restaurant on the second floor. more

I used to go to Spa 88 when I was in college a decade ago. Must not have cared back then about things like service and facilities. Went back this past weekend and realized this place was awful then, and is STILL AWFUL NOW. Their changing rooms are the wosrt I have seen in spas on this caliber. They were understaffed, repeatedly ran out of (dirty and stained) towels, and again, have the WORST facilities. WILL NOT COME BACK until they renovate and start caring about their clients. If you have a car, check out BRC Sauna in Jersey. That's how you run a banya. more

I used to go to Spa 88 when I was in college a decade ago. Must not have cared back then about things like service and facilities. Went back this past weekend and realized this place was awful then, and is STILL AWFUL NOW. Their changing rooms are the wosrt I have seen in spas on this caliber. They were understaffed, repeatedly ran out of (dirty and stained) towels, and again, have the WORST facilities. WILL NOT COME BACK until they renovate and start caring about their clients. If you have a car, check out BRC Sauna in Jersey. That's how you run a banya. more

I just got back from Spa 88 and i cannot believe you guys would endorse that space! i got there super early i i could steam for my massage but when i made the appointment the guy did not specify that i had to bring a bathing suit. Desperate for my massage and a steam i bought one. i got there and had just enough time to take a shower only there was nothing but cold water... ICE COLD. Then i had to use the ladies room and the toilet was clogged. i went up to my massage which was the worst i have had in my life and considering i am a 41 year old former massage therapist who gets massages at least once a month that is shocking. i took a quick steam and was hungry but although a lunch was supposed to be included in my package i was not at the spa at lunch time so the guy said i could have a juice. other food being served was ridiculously expensive ESPECIALLY when you consider they only got a "B" grade from the NYC department of heath. So me and my juice went to get changed so i could go home as i was PISSED! So im standing naked in the ladies room and realize i am alone in there with a MAN who is trying to fix the toilet!!! i was furious and asked him to leave (i was now wrapped in a towel) and HE WOULD NOT! A woman that worked there took me to one of the massage rooms to finally get dressed! Should be avoided at all costs! more

I just got back from Spa 88 and i cannot believe you guys would endorse that space! i got there super early i i could steam for my massage but when i made the appointment the guy did not specify that i had to bring a bathing suit. Desperate for my massage and a steam i bought one. i got there and had just enough time to take a shower only there was nothing but cold water... ICE COLD. Then i had to use the ladies room and the toilet was clogged. i went up to my massage which was the worst i have had in my life and considering i am a 41 year old former massage therapist who gets massages at least once a month that is shocking. i took a quick steam and was hungry but although a lunch was supposed to be included in my package i was not at the spa at lunch time so the guy said i could have a juice. other food being served was ridiculously expensive ESPECIALLY when you consider they only got a "B" grade from the NYC department of heath. So me and my juice went to get changed so i could go home as i was PISSED! So im standing naked in the ladies room and realize i am alone in there with a MAN who is trying to fix the toilet!!! i was furious and asked him to leave (i was now wrapped in a towel) and HE WOULD NOT! A woman that worked there took me to one of the massage rooms to finally get dressed! Should be avoided at all costs! more

I went with my friends to Spa 88 to celebrate our friends 40th birthday party. It was a great birthday gift. WE did the saunas and the colg plunge (Not sure what it does to one) It certainly was invigorating and we felt clean and healthy afterward. We treated him to a massage (The woman was wonderful..excellent hands) and then we ate in the restaurant. We ordered stuffed cabbage, big salads and appetizers The food was excellent and healthy! We swam laps in the pool all this for $32...food and massage were extra. I highly recommend this place for an afternoon or evening experience!!!! You can also buy discounted 10 packs 10 for $250.!!!IT IS A MUST HAVE! more

Spa 88 is great inside. Wood paneling makes it feel like a ski resort. Pay $32 for all day use and detox in authentic Russian bath house. This is a slice of life. The food is EXCELLENT!The pool is NEWLY renovated and clean also a great temperature this is a place to rejuvenate. They have dedicated massage therapists that are from the old country..This is a unique New York Experience...but you must also try the food..it is made from scratch and very well priced!!! more

Spa 88 is great inside. Wood paneling makes it feel like a ski resort. Pay $32 for all day use and detox in authentic Russian bath house. This is a slice of life. The food is EXCELLENT!The pool is NEWLY renovated and clean also a great temperature this is a place to rejuvenate. They have dedicated massage therapists that are from the old country..This is a unique New York Experience...but you must also try the food..it is made from scratch and very well priced!!! more

I went with my friends to Spa 88 to celebrate our friends 40th birthday party. It was a great birthday gift. WE did the saunas and the colg plunge (Not sure what it does to one) It certainly was invigorating and we felt clean and healthy afterward. We treated him to a massage (The woman was wonderful..excellent hands) and then we ate in the restaurant. We ordered stuffed cabbage, big salads and appetizers The food was excellent and healthy! We swam laps in the pool all this for $32...food and massage were extra. I highly recommend this place for an afternoon or evening experience!!!! You can also buy discounted 10 packs 10 for $250.!!!IT IS A MUST HAVE! more

I read those reviews of Spa 88 and to tell u the truth it looked skanky-I was in the neighborhood and I stopped by and it looked different inside. I went inside for a tour..it was renovated to pool was redone and the food was being served in the main area downstairs. THE FOOD LOOKED REALLY GOOD so I ordered a salad and soup and it was so fresh and clean. I decided to pay 32 to use the spa and it was well worth it. IN THE PAST SPA 88 WAS FILTHY-BUT NOW IT IS CLEAN AND I LOVED IT!!!! more

I read those reviews of Spa 88 and to tell u the truth it looked skanky-I was in the neighborhood and I stopped by and it looked different inside. I went inside for a tour..it was renovated to pool was redone and the food was being served in the main area downstairs. THE FOOD LOOKED REALLY GOOD so I ordered a salad and soup and it was so fresh and clean. I decided to pay 32 to use the spa and it was well worth it. IN THE PAST SPA 88 WAS FILTHY-BUT NOW IT IS CLEAN AND I LOVED IT!!!! more