Bettye O Day Spa

Bettye O Day Spa has been a fixture in Hyde Park since 1978, tucked into the lower level at 1424 E 53rd Street. The menu runs to 77 treatments covering facials, massage, body treatments, hydrotherapy, nails and waxing, so most requests get handled under one roof rather than sent elsewhere.

The signature service is the Bettye O. Signature Facial, a customizable hour that moves through cleansing, exfoliation, steam, extractions, massage and a mask for $110. A 60-minute Personal Massage runs $105, and packages like Facial Fridays ($100, with upgrades such as ice globe therapy) or the two-hour I Need A Break combo (facial plus manicure, $125) bundle a few services together. A Hydro-Tub and a dedicated Serenity Room support the hydrotherapy and relaxation side of things.

Appointments are preferred but walk-ins are accepted, and the spa keeps gender-specific scheduling on certain days. It's open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday during the day, with shorter hours on Saturday and no service Monday, Wednesday or Sunday. Parking is street parking only, and service is in English. The minimum age for treatments is 16, and there's no day-pass option here — this is an appointment-and-treatment spa rather than a facility you pay to lounge in for the day. Couples treatments and clothing-optional areas aren't offered.