Spiritual Renewal at a Spa

Simply Spa at 104 W. 14th St. doesn't need any more publicity, as this spa keeps cropping up in various reports of celebrity sightings. Normally, this type of business wouldn't rank high on my priority list of places to visit because I am not the spa type. But it seemed like the ideal birthday gift for a young woman laid low by news that her cancer had returned. I was originally scheduled to visit the spa soon after it opened in 2003 because it sounded like a unique enterprise designed to cater to the stressful lives of New Yorkers. I never got around to it. A few weeks ago, my sister called to ask about this spa because her daughter-in-law Tara, who had been diagnosed with third-stage ovarian cancer last year, was seriously depressed. She had been in remission after an operation and chemo treatments and had responded so well she had gone back to work. The cancer recently returned and she was back undergoing more chemotherapy, and my sister was concerned that her depression would retard her recovery. My sister wanted to give Tara a spa treatment for her 32nd birthday and asked me to make the arrangements. I arrived early last Thursday so I could check out the spa. Don't be put off by its location. West 14th Street is in the midst of gentrification, and the street entrance to the spa next to a discount store bears no resemblance to what awaits its clients on the second floor. There the door opens to a pristine, bright yet soothing operation. White billowing curtains frame the windowed wall and the decor is geared for serene comfort. Simply Spa's creator is Christine McKelvey, and she couldn't have been more gracious while we awaited the arrival of my niece Tara, whom I hadn't seen since her diagnosis. She gave me a tour of the spa and introduced me to her staff. The overall effect was cool, immaculate, and tranquil but as the original appointment time passed and Tara still hadn't made her appearance, I grew rather antsy. Ms. McKelvey was quick to assure me that she could reschedule her appointment and unlike many other proprietors she showed no rancor at this disruption of her tight schedule. The thing that makes Simply Spa so special and a boon to the pressured working man or woman is that clients book a time slot instead of treatments for various services. The rooms are set up so the treatments, including a mobile manicurist, are brought directly to the client instead of the client moving from room to room. Multiple therapists can work on the client in one area, and the client can elect when they arrive which services they want. One thing I also noticed on my tour was that all the treatment rooms had sinks in them, something that I've learned is not standard in all spas. Simply Spa obviously plays meticulous attention to health guidelines. I also learned that 25% of the spa's clients are men. Finally, Tara appeared and my first reaction was joy that she was safe. The second was the realization that her long dark hair was gone. She was all apologetic. Heavy traffic and her unfamiliarity with Manhattan traffic had delayed her drive in from Queens. She seemed eager for her massage and pedicure. Ms. McKelvey did everything possible to make us both feel comfortable even though I knew that other clients would be arriving soon for their appointments. While waiting for Tara, I sat at the makeup counter in the reception area and browsed through the myriad gift sets and bottles of lotions available for sale in the display cases. An hour later, Tara came back into the reception area and the first word out of her mouth was, "Excellent." Her legs had been paining her and now she felt great. We said our goodbyes and I took Tara for lunch to get an evaluation of her experience. She had nothing but praise for her masseuse and the spa. She described the treatment room as being extremely soothing. The lighting and music lulled her into a complete state of relaxation. The massage table she lay on had a warming pad that made her feel warm and snuggly under her sheet. She said she was so peaceful she didn't even know when another therapist came in to do her pedicure. All in all, the gift was a perfect one. Tara was positively glowing and full of renewed spirit, telling me that she was going to beat this latest challenge. Her life had changed but it now had more meaning. Once upon a time, she told me, she had this burning desire to be a lawyer. Now all she wanted was to be around to see her son grow up. I sat across from this remarkable woman in complete awe of her spirit and energy. I know of no one who deserved an hour of pampering more than Tara. Thank you, Simply Spa, for doing such a splendid job.