With US exchange rates being so favourable to Brits, even non-celebrities and mere mortals can take advantage of the most indulgent spa treatments.

Manhattan therapists are incredibly well informed about their trade and customer service is their primary concern. They are usually accommodating to your every need, constantly checking whether the music is too loud or too soft, if the room temperature is comfortable and they wouldn’t dream of leaving you alone when you’re cocooned in a heat-based wrap in case you feel claustrophobic.

They use words like "pore congestion", "pore extraction" and "smart vitamins". Beauty therapists are called "aestheticians", but "skin therapist" is increasingly in vogue.

A re-hydrating facial is the best tonic after a long-haul flight and facials, which locals take very seriously, are the most popular treatment in New York. In the city that never sleeps you might find yourself nodding off during one.

Expert View

My daughter was asleep, bottom in the air, within ten minutes of her treatment

Alice Miles

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Best view - MANDARIN ORIENTAL
80 Columbus Circle at 60th Street, New York 10023 ([001] 212 805 8800; www.mandarinoriental.com)

USP You’ll want for nothing at the Mandarin Oriental Spa, and if you do you’ll get it instantly. A destination spa in the middle of a city where the only thing absent are real live geishas.

WALLET WATCH The Vitamin Infusion Facial 1 hour 20 minutes – $320. Time Rituals can be booked in blocks of time as opposed to specific treatments starting at $450 (£225) for 1 hour and 50 minutes. An Executive Suite costs $2,400.

Best rooftop pool - COWSHED SPA
Soho House Hotel is open to the public, but The Cowshed Spa is only open to hotel guests and members. Cowshed Spa at Soho House, 29 9th Avenue, New York 10014 ([001] 212 627 9800; www.sohohouseny.com)

USP Cool treatments for both sexes in a retro-modern spa at a members' club in the Meatpacking District with a roof-top swimming pool and restaurant overlooking the West Village and Hudson River.

WALLET WATCH My Cowshed massage lasted 60 minutes for $125 (£62.50); a speedy 30-minute facial costs $75; a Cowshed body wrap using sea salt and a choice of wraps, including spicy warming honey and mago wrap, costs $160 for 75 minutes. The 90-minute Cowgroom including a foot scrub and forehead pressure-point massage costs $300.

Best day spa - BLISS SOHO
568 Broadway 2nd Floor, NYC NY 10012 ([001] 212 965 8599; www.blissworld.com/spa/)

USP The first of the renowned spa chain and skincare brand, Bliss SoHo succeeds in offering super-effective services in a fun, "no attitude" atmosphere. Situated in the Notting Hill of New York, it fully encompasses the "SoHo feeling": relaxed, modern and trendy.

WALLET WATCH The Fully Loaded Facial is 1hr 40min and cost $195 (£97). The Bliss Basic Facial is 1hr and costs £50. All products used are available to purchase. The Love Handler treatment tackles the spare tyre and cellulite with a vacuum-assisted massage and adipose-assaulting essential oils (60 minutes for £65).

Best for bling - LA PRAIRIE AT RITZ CARLTON
50 Central Park South, New York, NY 10019 ([001] 212 308 9100; www.ritzcarlton.com)

USP The ultimate in cosmetic bling - a facial infused with 24-carat gold developed by Swiss skincare company La Prairie – the perfect antidote to a hard day's shopping in New York. This Central Park hotel exudes classic opulence and its spa is as elegant as its townhouse home.

WALLET WATCH Pure Gold Radiance Facial and Caviar Firming Facial $275 – 90 minutes. Refining Microdermabrasion Facial $275 – 60 minutes.

Best bar spa - G SPA AT HOTEL GANSEVOORT
18 Ninth Ave between Gansevoort St and 13th St. (212-660-6733; www.gansevoortspaandlounge.com) Email: spa@gansevoortspaandlounge.com Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-8pm; Sat and Sun 10am-7pm

USP A red-glossed basement den with treatment rooms that transform from a spa by day into private club alcoves by night with flat-screen televisions and resident DJs.

WALLET WATCH The Double Happiness Reflexology Treatment costs $75 (£38); Pillow Talk Massage $400. Cheaper standard treatments including the aptly named bikini waxing options of “Go”, “Going” or “Gone” – from $35 to $85.

For more than 200 independent spa reviews worldwide: timesonline.co.uk/goodspaguide

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