Who would have thought a mall could house a 5-star resort quality spa?! Yes. It’s true.

A little hidden gem if you will.

This past week I visited Spa Mirbea Albany, NY, a Day Resort for the second time, which is located in Crossgates Mall. I know, Right?! A spa in the mall, ugh. But let me know tell you, as soon as you step foot into this spa you completely forget you are in a mall. Hell, you completely forget you are in Albany, NY. This spa goes beyond all expectations and offers so much more than just spa services, it’s truly a mini vacation away from reality.

Upon entering you’re greeted with smiles from the staff behind the reception counter as well as calming aromatherapy being diffused into the air. The Spa attendant welcomes you, gives your a lush bathrobe and comfy sandals and then escorts you back into the spacious, aesthetically pleasing locker facilities. She’ll show you how the lockers work and also offer a tour of the facilities if you desire. The facilities have it ALL. Each the men’s and women’s locker areas have several showers, a steam room and a sauna. Then the men’s and women’s locker facilities have a back entrance which brings you to the beautiful co-ed relaxation area with plenty of lounge chaises, a soothing water feature as well as a cozy fire place. It’s dimly lit to help you induce a deep state of relaxation, and help drift you away from all your worries. Off the relaxation room, is the hallway that leads to the treatments room as well as a double door that takes you into a warm, airy, almost tropical location where the hot tub is located, also known as the aqua terrace. Here there are plenty of comfortable seating areas, some of which remind me of a private cabana you can rent out at resort hotels as well as a bar where you can order food and drinks, alcohol included… which makes me happy; I can enjoy the ambiance AND sip on a glass of red wine.

Spa Mirbeau also has a french inspried bistro and wine bar, which I did not include in this past visit, but my first time visiting, in May 2018 with 4 other girlfriends, we did enjoy a light lunch and some delicious cocktails in the bistro.  They also have a spa boutique and fitness center with state of the art equipment and offer fitness classes, which I have not yet checked out.

This past visit I was with my close friend, Elicia and we each had massages scheduled. We met at the spa about an hour before our scheduled appointments to enjoy the facilities. We both packed our bathing suits as we were very much looking forward to soaking in the hot tub. After we arrived and checked in and had our bathing suits on, we first decided to enjoy the sauna. After about 10 minutes we decided it was time to hop into the steam room, my favorite. I just love the steam room and they definitely were infusing the steam room with eucalyptus as well, it smelt amazing and I felt it tingle on my upper lip. After the steam room, when we couldn’t take it much longer, we headed back to the Aqua Terrace only to be disappointed that the hot tub was out of commission. We were bummed, but no worries, we poured our selves some cucumber water and curled up on the chaise lounges in the relaxation room and softly chatted among ourselves.

Us two girls, always have so much to catch up on. Our time went by perfectly. Though we were only enjoying the facilities for about an hour, it truly felt like we had been there all afternoon.  At 6 pm, a therapist came into the relaxation room and called my name for my massage. Elicia said, “I was so relaxed I forgot we were even having massages!” We hugged each other goodbye, since I was not going to see her after my massage. My friend, was receiving a 50 minute signature massage then venturing home, and I had signed up for a 100 minute massage.

The treatment rooms are so inviting, each having a cozy fireplace. My massage therapist was AMAZING. I was extremely happy about that, being my last massage, two months prior, was terrible. My therapist took my lead on the amount of conversation. Which I like to chat in the beginning, but then I like to be fully present in my massage and not talk too much. She was fantastic. She definitely had great pressure behind her deep work and nice connecting strokes where my body felt integrated and treated as a whole.  She addressed all my concerns that we discussed prior to beginning the massage plus some.

After my massage I mentioned to my therapist, I was going to venture back the aqua terrace to enjoy a glass of red wine after I used the ladies room. My therapist asked me what was my favorite red wine, which I replied malbec. When I arrived back into the aqua terrace, my glass of wine was waiting for me. I took my glass to a corner on the couch and curled up and sipped on my glass of delicious Argentinean malbec. I was so bliss-ed out. My massage was exactly what my body was earning for and now as I sit there reaping the amazing benefit of the deep work she did and enjoying my wine… I was in heaven.

While I was only inside the spa itself for three and a half hours I felt like I had a mini vacation, feeling completely rejuvenated. I can NOT wait to go back. Which I must add, will be soon, because upon check out I was given a free day pass to come back to enjoy the facilities at any time I chose due to the hot tub being down.  In my opinion I think this is a wonderful gesture.  First, they recognize that we were not able to enjoy all of their amenities that are included in the price you pay for treatments and second a great way of pulling you back in to their spa, which is where you want to be.

If you haven’t already gathered, I highly recommend visiting Spa Mirbeau Albany.  Perhaps I shall see you there soon.  I’m already daydreaming about my next visit.

Zenfully Yours,

Jyll