Some birthdays call for dinner out. Some call for cake. This year, mine called for a robe, a sauna and a full day at SoJo Spa Club.
I have never needed much convincing to spend a day with friends, so when someone suggested celebrating my birthday at SoJo, the answer was an immediate yes. I had always been curious about the Edgewater spa but had never quite made my way over, which made it feel like the perfect excuse to go.
We arrived at 10 a.m., and it was clear we were not the only ones with this idea. The spa was already in full swing, with guests moving between pools, lounges and saunas. Located along the Hudson River, SoJo is a multi-level spa that feels part Korean bathhouse, part wellness retreat and part “why have I not done this sooner?” The facility includes pools, baths, saunas, lounges, a Food Hall, spa services, a gym, coworking space and an attached hotel.
We started by exploring, the only way to begin at SoJo. During the warmer months, the rooftop infinity pool is one of the showstoppers, with panoramic views that stretch from the George Washington Bridge down toward the city. We also made our way through the hydrotherapy pool, Hinoki bath, silk bath, carbon-rich bath and waterfall area, each with its own reset.
The highlight of the day, without question, was the volcanic sand bath. This is not like when your kids bury you at the beach and you regret agreeing to it. It is warm, intentional and calming once you get past the thought of, “Wait, am I really doing this?” SoJo is the only spa in the U.S. with volcanic sand imported from Ibusuki, Japan, and the treatment is meant to help the body relax and ease tension. Once I got past the idea of being covered in sand on purpose, I understood why people book it. I was unsure at first, but glad I tried it!
We also made it our mission to try every sauna: the far-infrared sauna, red clay sauna, dry sauna, white clay sauna, Himalayan salt sauna, charcoal sauna, ganbanyoku room and steam room. After all that heat, we finished with the ice room. I am not usually one for cold plunges or anything that requires voluntarily freezing, but this felt bearable and good after all that sweating. I even lost 4 pounds. I know it was water weight, but still—I will take it wherever I can get it.
Of course, no spa day is complete without food. We had lunch in the Food Hall, and I ordered a tuna poke bowl, which was right up my alley: fresh, healthy and exactly what I wanted between rounds of lounging, soaking and sauna-hopping. Later, we grabbed a snack outside, and I had a coconut ice pop that may have been my favorite ice pop ever. It had actual chunks of coconut in it and was cold, creamy and so good that I am still thinking about it.
Two things I did not take advantage of, but absolutely would in the future, were the coworking space and the gym. The coworking area has desks, phone booths, Wi-Fi and even a conference room, so you could answer a few emails, take a call and head right back to a pool. The fitness center has cardio machines, free weights and stretching tools, plus a yoga studio, making it easy to turn the day into whatever you need it to be: relaxing, productive, active or all of the above.
For anyone looking to turn the day into more of a getaway, SoJo is also attached to a hotel with 22 rooms, including four suites. After a full day of moving between saunas, baths, lounges and good food, the idea of heading upstairs instead of heading home makes a lot of sense—especially for a birthday weekend, girls’ getaway or quick reset close to home.
For me, it was the perfect birthday plan: a full day with friends, beautiful views, good food and plenty of time to unwind. And honestly, 44 felt pretty great from a robe and sauna.
Learn more or book your visit at sojospaclub.com.