The stage was well set. The cast was well rehearsed. Everything was in place at the Spa at Mandarin Oriental, New York to create a peaceful journey to relaxation and renjuvenation high above and far away from the busy streets of Manhattan.

When I made my reservation, I had been told to come early to enjoy the Heat Experience, so I checked into the reception desk about an hour before my treatment. The receptionist invited me to sit on a bench and asked my shoe size. She then brought a wooden tray bearing a pair of spa sandals and a delicate orchid. She offered the sandals to me, took my shoes then gave me a tour of the spa. We passed the Oriental Tea Lounge where a couple was enjoying a spa lunch and where I should go just before my treatment. She took me to the Women's Changing Room and showed me how to use the keypad on the locker. She gave me a bracelet of healing stones with my locker number on it, showed me the women's Heat Experience and Relaxation Lounge then left me so I could enjoy the facilities.

The Women's Changing Room had subdued lighting, slate floors and warm wood cabinetry giving it a grounded feeling. It's unusual wooden sinks highlighted the space. I exchanged my clothes for the robe and towel in my locker and headed for the Heat Experience.

The Heat Experience combined three heat/water elements - a Vitality Pool, the Amethyst Steam Room and the Cooling Shower. The 96.8-degree Vitality Pool contained a selection of hydrotherapy body jets, a floor jet and reclining “air bed” lounge with jets to gently massage the entire body. It was designed to aid in the relaxation of tired and aching joints. I poured myself some lemon water, turned on the Vitality Pool jets and entered the pool. The contoured shape of the metal tubes made a comfortable place to recline in the hot bubbling water. They are also at a depth that prevented me from floating off them. I enjoyed the pool for about 15 minutes then cooled off in the Cooling Shower. The Cooling Shower had three choices that produced fog, rain or drizzle, each with a different color - yellow, blue or red. I finished my 30 minutes - the maximum suggested total time - in the fragrant, moist heat of the Amethyst Crystal Steam Room* where the temperature ranged from 107-114 degrees. This steam room was lined with iridescent tiles and featured a domed ceiling. It was designed to induce mental peace, tranquility, inspiration and meditation by channeling the healing powers of a large amethyst crystal that served as the centerpiece for the room.

I spent the rest of the time before my treatment in the Relaxation Lounge cooling off, enjoying the views of Central Park 280 feet below, listening to the water flow into the stone canoe and out into the floor, sipping lemon water and having a snack of dried fruits and nuts. A control panel offered a selection of pop, classical or new age music. The lounge was light and airy with bamboo flooring and floor-to-ceiling windows. Long gold drapes offered privacy between lounge chairs. My therapist, Wafa, popped in and said she would come back for me when it was time for my appointment - no need to move to the Oriental Tea Lounge.

Wafa appeared as promised and escorted me down a hallway to a softly-lit treatment room with a gold ceiling. She started my 2-Hour Time Ritual by inviting me to sit while she served me herbal tea then bathed my feet. She explained that in ancient times people would walk great distances to visit others. When they arrived at their destination, their hosts would bathe their feet to welcome them as she was doing now. She asked me a number of questions to determine what treatments to provide during our time together. We agreed on the treatments and Wafa dried my feet. She had me smell two oils. The one I liked best would be used for my massage. She rang a Tibetan chime to clear the room's energy (hers, mine and the client's that had been in the room before me). She noted that the next time the chime rang would be the end of the treatment.

Wafa started my treatment with a dry brushing followed by a salt scrub. I rinsed off in the shower and noted how smooth my skin felt. I returned to fresh linens on the treatment table. Next came a truly fabulous ayurvedic Ama Marma massage designed to create a balance of the elements and Chakras in body and spirit by releasing congesting and restrictive toxins and freeing the flow of natural energy through the body and mind. Wafa liberally poured the oil I had selected earlier on my skin and massaged my body slowly, paying special attention to marma points. From time to time, she used hot stones to enhance the massage. It felt wonderfully relaxing. When this was done, Wafa gave me a soothing mini facial followed by a heavenly scalp massage using pink mud. The icing on the cake was that the spa exclusively uses E'SPA products - some of my very favorite!

When the chimes rang, I knew the treatment was over. I felt terrific. I was relaxed, my skin was soft and my face felt rehydrated and fresh. Wafa escorted me back to the Relaxation lounge to recover. After I returned to myself, I went to the Changing Room and got dressed. At the Reception Desk, I placed an order for E'SPA products to take home for mysef and friends (something I do at each spa that sells them - there are only two or three spas that do in the US). We are particularly fond of the Relaxing and Invigorating Salt Scrubs. The rich oils in the salt blend smell wonderful and leave the skin so smooth and moist, lotions are not necessary after its use. I also enjoy the Relaxing Aromatic candles.

The 14,500-square-foot Spa at Mandarin Oriental, New York is divided across the 35th and 36th floors. The spa proper is on the 35th floor just off the hotel lobby and emcompasses 8,500 square feet with seven multifunctional private treatment rooms, manicure/pedicure suite, and separate men's and women's facilities - each with locker rooms with showers, Heat Experience and relaxation lounges. For a special experience, the 650-square-foot Mandarin Spa Suite has its own shower, deep soaking whirlpool tub, fireplace, Chinese relaxation bed, manicure/pedicure area, color therapy water wall and dual treatment tables. The Spa Suite is priced for two guests with a three-hour minimum (two-hour time ritual per person; one-hour relaxation suggested).

The 6,000 square-foot fitness center is located on the 36th floor and features Life Fitness resistance training equipment, free weights and a 75-foot lap pool covered by a gilt silver ceiling and surrounded by floor to ceiling windows offering views of the Hudson River and city skyline. The locker rooms offer lockers, showers and saunas.

*The Mandarin Oriental, New York is located on floors 35-64 in the north tower of the Time Warner Center near Columbus Circle and Central Park. The ground floor entry and 35th floor lobby both showcase Dale Chihuly scuptures. The 251 guest rooms and suites offer contempory decor with an oriental flair. I stayed in guest room #3902. Each guest room offers floor-to-ceiling windows, 280-count custom-designed linen by Fili D’oro, in-room safe with laptop rechargeable access, private bar with refrigerator, a home theater experience with digitally delivered high-definition video on large flat panel LCD televisions with surround sound stereo including CD and DVD options, comprehensive in-room video-on-demand system and DVD player offer hundreds of movie selections, three multi-line telephones including one in the bathroom – all with voicemail and data line capabilities and high-speed Internet access. The marble bathroom featured an LCD flat panel television, glass-enclosed rain shower, bathtub under a picture window with wooden Venetian blinds for privacy, Aromatherapy Associates bath amenities, terry bathrobes and slippers.

The Mandarin Oriental, New York is connected to The Shops at Columbus Circle, a seven-level shopping promenade with stores such as Borders, Aveda, Hugo Boss and Godiva. I particularly enjoyed the Whole Foods Market on the lower level where they have a sushi bar, sell pizza by the pound, and offer many reasonably-priced, tasty and healthy meal options.