Top ten massages

Graceful Spa
This center is known for its massage skills but they don't let it go to their heads. A 30-minute massage still costs only $40. Plus, you can book any two one-hour treatments (choose from scrubs, rubdowns, facials and body wraps) and pay $120 instead of $140. 205 W 14th St at Seventh Ave, second floor (212-675-5145, gracefulspa.com)

Crystal Spa
Forty must be the magic number, because that’s how much a 30-minute rubdown costs here, too. 240 E 56th St, between Second and Third Aves, No. 2W (212-755-5589)

Finesse Day Spa
A 30-minute massage here costs $15 more than two previous spas on our list, but that’s because this one adds a little, um, finesse. And, unlike most Zen dens, this spa has more of an American Southwest decor. 133 W 25th St, second floor (212-352-3434, finessedayspa.com)

Wu Lin Services
Exactly what you expect from a Chinese massage parlor: There are several beds in one room, and you can pop in for a quick treatment—with your clothes still on. Sessions are sold in bizarre increments—$7 for ten minutes; $11 for 16 minutes; $21 for 31 minutes; $32 for 46 minutes; $42 for 61 minutes—but that’s part of the charm! 145 Grand St between Crosby and Lafayette Sts (212-925-1276)

Ohm Spa
Sometimes all you need to de-stress is a few minutes in a massage chair. At Ohm, you can get ten of 'em for just $19. 260 Fifth Ave between 28th and 29th Sts (212-481-7892)

Feline Day Spa
This 3,000-square-foot megaspa offers 12 different treatments but one of the best deals is its hour massage for $95. It’s not the cheapest around but the practitioners' skills are sure to calm even the cattiest of women. Sorry, we couldn’t resist. 235 W 75th St between Broadway and West End Ave (212-496-7415)

Sal Anthony's Movement Salon
With a focus on lessening body pain—specifically in the lower back and knees—the Movement Salon has lots of fun equipment for playing, stretching and rehabilitating. As a treat, it also offers massages during which your therapist won’t be offended if you ask her to go a little lighter. In fact, they expect you to customize your pressure and focus areas. An hour of personalized goodness is only $65. 190 Third Ave at 17th St (212-420-7242)

Bliss
We normally wouldn’t call a $70 massage a bargain but it is at Bliss, where they couldn’t cut a corner if they tried. The 30-minute massage comes with all the frills normally offered at the chain, and intensive massage work on whatever muscles are mistreating you most. 568 Broadway at Prince St, second floor (212-219-8970, Blissspa.com)

O Spa
Like the Costco of spas, this haven offers memberships, which can get you big savings. Join for $120 a year, or put $500 into an account and you’ll pay the $40 member rate for a 35-minute massage (normally $48—still a deal!). 7606 Third Ave between 76th and 77th Sts, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn (718-833-8811, ospany.com)

Broome Sky Health Center
The clean, tiny storefront’s dim lights and dark walls create a Zen vibe, a surprising departure from the area’s fluorescent-lit competition. Once you're on a table in the back room, opt for a one-hour $42 acupressure massage, which will work your lower back, shoulders and legs with the perfect amount of pressure. 120 Elizabeth St between Broome and Grand Sts (212-226-6898)

More of New York’s best in Spas & Sport

More of New York’s best