I previously expressed my enthusiasm for a spa day over partying or shopping in a blog post from nearly five years ago, Hasta Spa Vista. Whether in PHL or NYC, there is only one spa to frequent: Rescue Spa. And no, while I have not been there myself, a good friend of mine who is Manhattan-based has verified that the Manhattan location is equally as chic as the Philadelphia location. In fact when I was sorting out her birthday gift exactly four years ago, I asked her husband where I should procure her a spa gift certificate and he “casually” asked her. Her answer was Rescue Spa.
Rescue Spa relocated between the time we left Philadelphia in 2019 and when we returned in 2023. The previous location was at the corner 17th and Walnut Streets. The new location as of the end of 2022 is in the old Barney’s Co-op space in Rittenhouse Square. This new two level location is missing a few of the amenities from the old location: a locker room, steam room, and dry sauna. However, I received intel that a third floor may eventually accommodate those services, albeit at an additional fee. As of now, only the first two floors are open: first for retail and second for service rooms.
My go-to services are sports massages and facials. I get the former before and after running races and the latter as a reward to myself for finishing a race. For my birthday, I like to splash out with a hot stone massage and a facial, with the LED add-on. 10/10, every time!
