Apple NYC Day Spa

If you want a super fast, rushed pedicure, come here. Otherwise you are better off elsewhere. Most places give you at least a short foot massage, even if you don’t pay for the extra 10 min… but not here. As soon as they realize you aren’t adding extras, they rush through. Only reason I came here is it across from my apartment.

Last time was a fluke. Run down. Expensive for less service. Sad to loss it but have officially moved on. Will not return. Farewell!!! Miss you Jenny and Ronny. And will really miss Leo!

By far the worst manicure I’ve ever received. The woman sawed at my nails while filing which is the worst way to file nails. She barely cut my cuticles which in turn ruined the paint job. She painted half of my nail which I had to keep correcting her on. So disgusting by this place. Never again.

I asked for a mani/​pedi. The only person who was available told me her name was Nin. I looked at the shelf to pick out polishes. After about 10 seconds, she spoke sharply & tried to rush me. There was no one else waiting. When I sat down, I showed her the polish I had chosen for the fingernails & said, «This isn’t see-​through is it? I don’t want see-​through polish.» She said, «I don’t think so.» She proceeded to do my nails in a very rough & unpleasant manner. After she applied the first coat of polish to the right hand, I pulled it back to look at the color. (Because she had held my hand tightly at a down angle, I could not see the polish until then.) It was totally transparent. I said, «Oh, it’s transparent.» She said, «You don’t like»? I said no, & she already knew that because I had just mentioned it. Not wanting to add time or trouble, I told her to just use the darker color I had chosen for the toes as the second coat on top of the transparent color. She said, «No, I don’t want to do that,» & immediately began removing the prime coat & the first coat of polish from the right hand. Then she said (twice) in a hateful, angry tone, «You look at one finger after it’s done. Because now you make double time & work!» Actually, I hadn’t done that; she had. She chose to start over instead of using the darker color over what was there as I had requested. After the nails were done, I walked over to the pedicure station. As I told Nin when I sat down originally, I have a herniated lumbar disc. I hadn’t told her I also have a broken kneecap/​dislocating kneecaps, but it was obvious when I attempted to get up into the pedicure chair that I have physical issues. She made no attempt to assist me as I shakily tried to step into the tub, but stood there watching me impatiently as I put one hand on the arm of the chair to lean on as I stepped in, & it gave way! It was movable, something that was not obvious, but something she certainly knew & yet withheld from me. When I almost fell, she dropped her jaw, frowned exaggeratedly, snorted, & made a face like «you stupid cow» & looked at me as though I had done something terrible. (Do they not care if customers injure themselves?) When doing the toenails, after using the usual toenail clipper, she picked up a hand clipper (a serious looking-​instrument which no manicurist has ever used on me) & cut right into the quick at the corners on the big toe, making me scream. She gave me a dirty look, then rolled her eyes, gave a snort/​laugh & looked at the customer next to me, rolling her eyes, trying to get agreement from the customer that I was somehow wrong. The customer looked uncomfortable & tried not to look at her. Then Nin cut into the quick again! I said, «Stop! That hurts! PLEASE don’t do that.» Instead of apologizing, she started screaming at me in a hateful tone, «I’ve been doing this for 10 years. That doesn’t hurt.» I finally said, «Please. I just want to relax.» I didn’t see another unoccupied manicurist & I had already paid (including a 20% tip!) & needed to get the pedicure finished, so just closed my eyes and hoped it would be over soon.
The manicure/​pedicure were not horrible but certainly were not good. She didn’t push the cuticles back all the way on the right hand, so that there was a white line of cuticle above the polish, & so she didn’t start the polish at the top of the nail, making the hand look stubby and the work look shoddy. The left hand was better. She didn’t remove the dead skin from the ends of the toes, which has been part of the service in every pedicure I’ve ever had. She cut the big toenails so short that the nails ended before the end of the big toes, which looked awfully unflattering — in addition to being painful. And I will have to watch very carefully that I do not get an ingrown toenail as they grow out, which is going to take a while! Everything she did was done in the roughest, most unkind manner.
Apple is a nice nail salon with a pleasant appearance, & I liked that they manage the air so that there are not heavy fumes. The other manicurists seemed normal. I was thinking that I might try someone else there another time. But after consideration, it bothers me that the owner would have such a sadistic manicurist. It tells me that they don’t care if their customers are treated disrespectfully and caused pain. Nin was sadistic & abusive, something I have never encountered in a nail salon in these many years. It was a shocking experience. Also, part of the pedicure experience for me is the feeling of relaxing, not just the work itself, & being traumatized certainly ruins that! So I have decided not to return. But I did want to let others know about this manicurist, in case they should want to try the salon, so that they can choose someone else!

First time on a freezing cold day and the place felt like it had no heat. I only got a manicure and I had to file a few of my own jagged nails this evening. 15 is not too much for a simple manicure and I still tipped but sorry Coco I will not be back and I will not be calling for you specifically after this. Thanks but no thanks.

Can definitely tell there is a change in ownership — can’t find any of the girls that I could depend on giving a good mani/​pedi there anymore. Actually had the worst pedicure of my life last week. The girl globbed so much polish on it was dripping into my cuticles, and peeling chipping within hours! Looks like I’m going to have to look for a new place in the neighborhood, because this place can no longer justify it’s price.

Love this place. It’s the only place I will get a mani/​pedi. I always add a 10 min leg massage for an extra $ 10. Leo is incredible for massage. He will work out any kinks you may have.

I have been here twice now in the past month for a pedicure, and had a great experience both times. They are professional and do a great job with my nails. They are quick but not too quick — they will definitely get more of my business in the future. Although they are a bit pricier than some other salons (I have had a few BAD experiences in the UWS at nail salons), it’s totally worth it because of the service and how long the pedicure lasts!

I’ve been going here for years. Yes they’re a little more expensive but I love the personal attention given to me and the quality of work is always perfect and never rushed. Plus the place just feels CLEAN. Also try to have Leo give you a massage after your nails. While I’ve never had a bad pinchy massage here by any of the manicurists he’s just really fantastic. He’s usually booked up with massages however so good luck nabbing him for a quick shoulder rub in the chair while your nails dry. You can even have him massage you while your nails are being painted. Enjoy!

This is NOT a review, just a quick gripe.
I’m not sure if the actual businesses posts their hours of operation on Unilocal but I passed by this evening (9:15 pm) as I was in dire need of an 911, late night manicure and the place was closed. I was in the area, walked a few blocks. Still, was very annoyed. Update these hours.

This review is long overdue.
I’ve been going to Apple for over 5 years. What attracted me to them originally was that they use Autoclave, the same sterilization system used in my husbands surgical office. The reasons why I’ve kept coming back are the warm, relaxing atmosphere, the kind (never pushy) technicians, and the reasonable prices. They do a WONDERFUL job (I’ve gotten facials, massages, manis and pedi’s.)
You’re never rushed, even if you’re the last person there, and frequently get a few extra minutes on your add on massages. They give you a proper shoulder rub while your nails are drying. The music and mood is always super relaxing, it even smells nice, like beautiful scented oils instead of your typical acetone smell. And Leo!!! He is absolutely fantastic. When I mention him to my friends, it’s like everyone already knows him. He’s a legend in our neighborhood! The best masseuse hands down.
Apple Spa is a treasure. There are SO MANY nail salons in Manhattan. I’m so happy to have found them.

I’ve been coming here for 6 years. Linda and Lilianna are my favorite. They do great mani/​pedis and waxes and I always get a 15 min chair massage. They’re all so sweet and attentive. Love this place, worth the extra cash.

Are they cutting out giving free back rubs after the manicure???
I have been coming off and on to this place since it opened several years ago. I went in last week and had a manicure and for some reason, I did not get a back rub. I find their polish selection to be extensive, but I do not think all of the manicurists are that good.
They had a really nice one, who had a baby, so she is no longer there, but there are some other ones, that are just so-​so. For some reason, they do not want to accept AMEX, even if I am spending over $ 70 for a mani/​pedi, but last week, they accepted a AMEX Blue card from someone. Not sure what that is about, but it is a clean space and this is good. They seem to have a decent massage service, but I am not sure how good as I have not tried it.
I do not like the device they use on your feet if you have callouses. For me, it makes mine worse, and I do not have bad callouses. When I leave there, it actually feels rough. What bothers me is that the manicurist is aware of this and is not doing anything to fix it. If I am going to pay more for this place, use better tools, ie Titania foot pumice sponge and that will give a better result than what they are currently using.

I know nothing about mani/​pedis, but I will rave about the massage. It’s expensive, but if you like massage, you owe it to yourself to have Leon (Leo?) work on you. It’s transformative! He uses his own style that’s reminiscent of shiatsu, accupressure and Swedish. He has a gift for finding that exact spot that’s bothering you whether you tell him or not. He’s the only one I trust anymore when I’ve got a more serious problem like a spasm or pulled muscle. I treated myself to 90 minutes today. Expensive, but worth it!

AVOID!!! For nails (decent for massages)
Overpriced and has gone way downhill over the past few years. I used to be a regular but will never come back here as 3 times in a row I have had to ask them to redo my nails. They do a sloppy job, put on gobbles of goopy (read: old and should have been thrown out) polish and then charge $ 40+ for their poor job that takes over an hour and a half not including the redo.
I recommend heading over to Columbus and south for better and more reasonable places.

This place is a ripoff. They tried to charge me $ 85 for a spa pedicure. And that «$ 29 manicure/​pedicure» sign is STILL on the door.

I live nearby, and have shopped around a bit. I like this place because it’s clean, and I always get a great manicure and back rub. (Look for the older Asian man with a pony tail; sorry I don’t know his name!)
It can be a bit pricey, but I like it and feel comfortable that it’s clean, unlike other nail salons nearby.

Got a deep tissue massage. Requested it for a couple but there is no room set up for two massage beds. Regardless, it’s a good place at average prices, friendly service. It’s somewhere I would go to really get the kinks out versus relaxation. i tend to fall asleep during massages but this one there was a lot of stretching and moving your limbs whichever way lol
They do a good job. Worth a try :)

Yes, this place is a little bit more expensive than other mani/​pedi places, however in terms of what you’re getting, I’d say it’s actually much more valuable.
First, my pedicure was not rushed like it has been in many of the lower-​priced NYC nail salons.
Next, my technician (Lily) did a great job, and I will go back and ask for her by name. I’m still getting compliments on my pedicure 2 weeks later.
She did a great job and made me feel pampered, and then while I was waiting for my nails to dry, she gave me a little mini-​back massage.
A+ Service, great quality products, and I felt that the place was very clean and sanitary.
Will go back again many times and will ask for Lily specifically.

If I’m forking over $ 27 for a pedicure on the UWS, where the standard is just under $ 20 and the real deals are $ 20 for a mani/​pedi combo, it better be the best pedicure I’ve ever gotten.
Meh, I’ve experienced better.
The massage chair worked, so that was cool, but the pedicure was nothing special at all. Lackluster everything. Would have been three stars but that extra $ 7 just lost me completely.