Summer in NYC is one of my favorite times of year, and one item that has been on my bucket list is visiting the QC NYC spa, which newly opened on Governor’s Island. QC Terme is a chain of luxury wellness spas based in Italy. I visited their Milan location at the beginning of this year, and it was such a memorable experience that I wanted to recreate it in my home city. How do the two compare? Read the rest of my post for my thoughts on the QC Spa NYC, and tips for getting the most out of your stay!
Outfit: Sunglasses | Swimsuit (size 2) – Use discount code VIANNAJS10 for $10 off full-priced purchases. Brand review HERE.
Getting to QC Spa NYC – Governor’s Island
Governor’s Island is one of NYC’s sort-of hidden spots, located just a 5-minute ferry ride away from the southern tip of Manhattan. The island used to be a military outpost, and the QC Spa is actually resurrected from abandoned army barracks. I found this bit of trivia to be super fascinating, especially given the design of the spa’s interiors.
You can get to the spa via ferry from Manhattan or Brooklyn – find routes HERE. (A free round-trip ferry ticket is included with your spa reservation) It took 5-minutes to reach Governor’s Island from Lower Manhattan, and another 5-minutes walking to get to the spa.
Check-In Experience
I booked my spa adventure three weeks in advance via their booking portal. When I arrived on a Monday morning, I was surprised that there was already a long check-in line. The process went quickly. However, if you are going on a busier day of the week, give yourself enough time to check-in!
Amenities at QC Spa NYC vs QC Termemilano
Onto the facilities themselves, I was definitely surprised by how different the NYC spa looks versus the one in Milan. The one here has hospitable interiors that felt like a charming bed-and-breakfast. On the other hand, I would describe QC Termemilano as more posh and sophisticated. The difference just goes to show how much the history of a place can paint its present!
Spa Experience: Sauna, Pools & Relaxation Rooms
Having visited the spa in Milan, I came to Governor’s Island with tempered expectations. My overall experience at the NYC spa was as expected. The offerings are less extensive, but I still consider this spot a relaxing oasis by city standards. As you walk through the spa, you will notice several different saunas, relaxation rooms, and scenic lounge areas with a beautiful view of the Manhattan skyline.
QC NYC vs Milan Spa: The spa pools in NYC are all located outdoors. Think of an average 3-feet pool with warm water. Some have seats where you can activate therapeutic water jets. My highlight was definitely sitting in one, while gazing out into the skyline. On the other hand, in Milan, you get a view of ancient ruins. Both are so special that it’s hard to compare the two!
However, one huge component that QC NYC lacks is that QC Termemilano emphasizes the sensorial experience. In addition to the outdoor pools, QC Termemilano also has indoor jacuzzi pools, rain showers, water beds, and more. Because I visited QC NYC on a rainy day, we were unable to enter the outdoors until the weather cleared up, which is one downside.
Indoor Amenities inside QC Termemilano vs Governor’s Island
Milan: Offers much more diverse indoor amenities such as rain rooms, and other indoor sensorial experiences.
Relaxation Rooms: The NYC Spa had more diverse rooms than I remembered in Milan. The rooms all have a scenic view of NYC. Each room has a quirky theme, which you can sit, relax, ponder, and meditate in.
Food & Beverage Options
The food at Governor’s Island nothing remarkable. I ordered a salmon salad that was overpriced for the portion size, and did not look fresh at all. There is really no way around this since you can’t bring in outside food. My best suggestion is to eat a hearty breakfast beforehand.
The staff serves light refreshments throughout the experience, but they are not enough to hold you over. Similarly, Milan also offered small confections, and food to order. I did not try their cafe, so can’t compare the food quality.
Changing Rooms
I found the changing areas to be super clean in both NYC and Milan. What I loved about QC Spa NYC is that they give you a waterproof tote, which I packed my sunscreen and towel in. In both facilities, you also get flip flops and a robe, which you return at the end of the visit. The NYC spa is also stocked with ample Dyson hair dryers.
Key Differences between QC Spa NYC vs Milan
In summary, QC Termemilano still holds a special place in my heart, but I am thankful to experience a small piece of it in NYC. Wellness spas are definitely more embedded in European culture, so it was no surprise to me that the facilities were more extensive and well-kept in Italy. That said, the QC Spa on Governor’s Island still makes a great staycation. By the end of it, I truly felt that I went away, even though I did not travel far!
Outfit: Sunglasses | Hat | Swimsuit (size 2) – Use discount code VIANNAJS10 for $10 off full-priced purchases.
Summary of key differences:
- QC Termemilano is cheaper (by a lot): A 5-hour pass in Milan is 59 Euros ($64 USD) vs NYC, it cost $144, a whopping $80 difference.
- QC NYC wins by its relaxation rooms, but QC Termemilano has much better water and sensorial experiences.
- The outdoor experiences in NYC are more limited vs in Milan, you have a lot of greenery and walking paths. They even have an outdoor garden, and bio-sauna inside a tram.
- QC Termemilano is more lofty and refined, whereas QC NYC is more quirky and charming.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Stay
Based on my experience, here are some tips to get the most of our your visit to QC Spa NYC at Governor’s Island:
- Check the weather: Avoid the rain if you can. The outdoor pools are a huge highlight, and you may lose time due to bad weather.
- Get there early: The ferry runs every 30-minutes, and the check-in lines are unpredictable. If you arrive early, the staff should be kind enough to give you extra relaxation time!
- Eat breakfast beforehand: The food there is subpar, and having eaten beforehand will give you more space and focus to enjoy the amenities.
- The 5-Hour package was perfect for me: It provided the perfect amount of time to explore everything, and in the case of bad weather, there is a good chance you’d at least make it outside for a small portion of your visit.
- Don’t forget your sunscreen: It is a wellness day after all, and sun safety is important! Even on a cloudy day, I was squinting to keep my eyes open. The sun is strong, so remember to apply!
- Make sure you experience every floor! By the time I left, I realized we never experienced the Vichy Showers because they were located upstairs. I am sad I missed this part, but I know you won’t because you read this post 🙂
I hope you found this guide helpful with tips you won’t find elsewhere. Whether you visit QC Spa in Milan or NYC – Governor’s Island, I hope you have a pleasant and relaxing stay!
