Manhattan Plaza Health Club — Local services in New York

MPHC is going to be getting a 1-star rating from me tonight. My feeling is that it is deserved.

I had a 5:15 PM massage scheduled which was not kept. After waiting in the small wait room next to the massage room until 5:25 and then having to stand at the front desk until 5:40 while four people scrambled to stabilize the situation.

In the end, I was given a nice apology from 3 persons. and then offered a 20% discount on my next booking.

Here's why I feel that 1 star is indicated and not even 2. --- 30 minutes of my time was wasted just being there, which was none of my doing; I followed all protocol including making the appointment by phone the evening before, returning the signed online forms that were emailed me, and arriving this evening ontime and ready --- I left feeling emotionally upset instead of calm and at peace as I'd anticipated I'd be leaving a place that specializes in wellness --- I was offered a 20% discount for next time which comes out to $30 from the $150 cost -- which was the amount of cash I had in pocket to just cover the tip. Really? - my time and my emotions and your inconveniencing me is worth only $30 to you?

Wow. I joined MPHC because I felt it was classy and upscale, and that the members would receive the kind of treatment that reflects that.

If I were in charge (and I have been in charge of personnel at fitness centers including front desk and massage therapy) --- I would have comped the customer immediately. --- I would have offered the massage to the customer to immediately begin with no charge --- and if the customer was upset (as I calmly expressed to the staff that I was not in the mood now because I was upset), I would have told the customer that they'd be receiving a call from me/us the very next day to schedule the same massage free of charge. --- I would have given the customer my card with my name and phone number, and asked them to follow up with me in the near future to ensure that their satisfaction level had increased.

That is how it should have been handled -- especially since I overheard the staff stating that the massage therapist had gone over from the last client i.e. it was something within his control that he choose to do rather than say call in sick or have gotten stuck in traffic. So if that is true, I was inconvenienced by the therapist and for that I had to wait and still have my massage still feeling upset or be given a 20% discount for my next booking.

I am not trying to be difficult and I can certainly afford my massages, etc -- but there is a principle here. I put a lot of effort into getting myself ready for this including walking 8 blocks in the cold rain after showering, being careful with what I ate, and cutting my workday short as this was the last massage slot offered and it would have worked better workwise if it were later.

I was excited about meeting the therapist -- I loved his bio and background. I had even texted my girlfriend the link to his photo and bio stating: "Read his bio -- I am so impressed with it. I wonder what he means by his 'spa techniques'. His bio says he 'blends' them with his knowledge of meridien lines and acupressure - to relieve ailments and enhance healing. Sounds intriguing. I'll let you know."

Disappointed that it didn't take place; disappointed in the response from MPHC. They should know how to handle a therapist no-show better and how to treat their clients as special, especially in today's market where I or any of their clients could join any other health club around.

I feel shtty as a business person rating another business so low; but I left your establishment this evening feeling...

This gym re-opened it’s facility recently along with the changing indoor Covid-19 restrictions measures since January 2022. What prompted joining was their unbeatable Membership Special Promotion that was more promotional over many of the higher end luxury health clubs that do have swimming pools included in their facilities along with memberships. These of course are ones in NYC, like the YMCA, or Equinox, etc. Now, the better half of having this type of membership is that it simply was affordable and that there were group classes offered such as Yoga, TRX classes, Pilates, and Aérobics. The facility also has a steam-room and sauna. Both very clean and very spacious spaces for more than five individuals seated at one time. Besides its convenience by location just off of 42nd Street & Times Square, the distance to the subway is relatively quick and easy. One can find the staffing very awesome and honestly so Uber Friendly and competent! That’s hard to beat. Often enough it’s whenever we need something done or someone to talk to that sometimes will make the difference. I’ve been at places like being at the former NYHRC (New York Health & Racquet Club), where it was awfully dysfunctional and ruder. Nice, but not nice.(Pre-Covid.) Otherwise, for a place to go to, to focus on losing the extra-added baggage, the weighted gainsay, and trying to keep up « The Skinny » like with the sexier models around, doing the same—the club caters to that too. Competition is never easy staying fit. Yet, a pleasure when ‘body-shaming’ isn’t obstructive or in the way or too obvious to contend with either being there to shower or to workout at any given moment or by anything else like that more or less. It’s been nevertheless a uniquely attractive and superb modernized sensation somewhat comparable to Equinox, in some instances. Reaching that level that runs evenly even through certain limitations. Having had really quite an exceptional experience with the group classes, along with meeting many other members who were as surprisingly warmer and more welcoming than imagined no different than my University online course classes were as well is an added bonus, clearly. Insofar as the noted weekly schedules, found online too, the MPHC offers enough to satisfy everyone’s palate. Younger or older. Physically speaking, positively perfect. No complaints whatsoever. Great relaxing atmosphere. Excellent physical benefits, détente and ambiance. And administration. Less negativity all around and more people to engage in socially speaking. For a health club of this size comparable to some, for these reasons by example, it’s ampler and greatly accommodating. Definitely worth one’s time, effort, and money spent on working on something highly beneficial. Regardless of an age or individual disposition. Truly amazing how it will garner people from all walks of life here in...

I've been coming to this place on and off for 10 years and the fact I haven't gotten a membership yet, is crazy. Because its definitely worth it! First off, I know you want to know the important things:

Fees: Day pass: 40 weekdays, 50 Weekend (and maybe holidays) Membership: 104 a month plus "Initiation fee" (About 50 or less I believe). No contract. This pass allows you to stay all day, use all the facilities and you can leave and return as long as you have a receipt.

Facility:

Pool: Olympics sized, multiple lanes and a deep end that goes to 12 feet. Two hot tubs. During the summer the glass ceiling opens up and so does the patio, which is very spacious. The bathroom in the pool side sucks though.

Gym: Down a flight of steps at the very bottom. Pretty small gym but if its not packed, you can get a very good workout. Again, small but has everything you need and then some. Heavy bags, focus mitts and kick shields, 3 squat racks and more. Plenty of apparatus to use.

Studios: One main dance studio that's used for yoga, dancing, TRX and if its empty, is available for use. Another small stretching room down the hall.

Rock climbing gym: Small but very good for everything else you get. Legit bouldering and climbing.

Tennis: Right near the pool on the outside patio, is where the tennis dome is. Don't know much about it but its there.

Cardio: A small cardio room upstairs from the entrance.

Misc: Sauna room in the locker room and message room down the hall

Overall, if you pay for a day pass or a membership, you really get a whole lot of bang for your buck and serves your needs. If you're looking for a big gym, this probably wouldn't suit your needs but it can definitely more then get the job done. The pool can use an upgrade BUT I'm also not complaining. The rest of the facility is nice and clean, well maintained. If you want a little of everything with very good quality, I highly recommend MPHC.

However, if you're looking for a big gym to lift, not the place. Otherwise, if everything else meets your needs, you'll be pressed to find a place like MPHC with the price and location.

PROS: -Location is super convenient, right in the middle of Times Square -For the price, you really get so much use of the facility -TOWEL SERVICE YAY! For you towel service fanatics -Good staff -Cool classes

CONS: -The pool is good, don't get me wrong but looks dated but otherwise is perfectly fine. THE MAIN issue is the pool bathroom sucks -Small gym albeit does have everything you are looking for but it is small and can be a little condensed at certain hours. I know some people who alternate between the gym here and Midtown Gym around the corner.

VERDICT:...