Nickel Spa for Men
77 8th Avenue
New York, New York
212-242-3203
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Not holding his Frenchness against him, we recognize Philippe Dumont as a man with a vision: He opened arguably the first men-only spa in Paris in 1996 (nickel is French slang for being clean and feeling good), well ahead of his time. A no-fuss men's skincare line followed (his Morning-After Rescue Gel quickly became the must-have grooming accessory for models, celebs and clubbers), and his male spa empire quickly spread to the States. His Manhattan spa dedicates 4,500 square feet to massage, skincare, manis and pedis (men are permitted to say that here), all housed in an ultra-modern space that evokes the minimalist design aesthetics of Philippe Starck and the masculine, raw steel look that mirrors his product packaging. It's definitely not old school like some spots on this list, but rather a contemporary haven for metro Manhattanites who own a keen eye for the fashion-forward. Outlets in San Francisco and London have followed.

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Photos: Courtesy of Nickel Spa for Men