Shangri-La Day Spa

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Forget otherworldliness. Shangri-La is content to orchestrate comforts of a homier sort. Housed in a former dentist’s office, the Upper West Side spa proffers standard services—massage, aromatherapy, herbal body wraps, and Guinot-based facials—in four simply appointed treatment rooms. And while this neighborhood spot may lack the glitz and glam of other spas, that may be the point: A Buddhist-educated native of India, owner Kelsang found inspiration in Tibet, then incorporated essential oils and traditional rituals from both countries. Shangri-La’s most desirable attribute, apart from its gentle vibe and 8 p.m. closing time, is accessible during the summer months, when the glass doors slide open to reveal a quaint hydrangea-filled garden where couples book tandem massages with lunch or snacks. — Chanize Thorpe