Mermaid Spa in Seagate, Brooklyn

Mermaid Spa located in the Sea Gate area of Brooklyn has a reputation for being the best Russian baths in New York. Besides three Russian steam rooms, this bathhouse has a scorching dry sauna, a Turkish bath, two tile pools that are machine-fed with chopped ice and a circular Jacuzzi inside a lodge-like wooden hall. The entire facility is finished with wood and slate. Owners Zina and Boris Kotlyar, Joseph Feldsherov, and Aleks Khlebopros say they wanted to create an environment that was similar to an old style banya in Russia . "Marble is so cold, wood helps you feel warmer." The great quality of steam also helps to feel warmer. Mermaid Spa also offers Swedish and deep tissue massage in addition to traditional Russian massage with soap or venik - a leafy bundle of birch or oak twigs.