Portofino Sun Center

Having extremely fair skin, two dysplastic moles and a family history of melanoma (my dad died from it) — coupled with mild rosacea – it’s hard for me to achieve a complexion that’s anything but pinkish in color.
I’ve been to dozens of salons that offer spray tanning, and Portofino is by far the cleanest, most amenity-​filled and friendly sunless tanning experience I’ve consistently had!

Came for a spray tan, was very satisfied with the results. I went with the darkest color because the tan was for a New Years Eve concert, next time I would have gotten a lighter color on my face. The color lasted about a week, keep in mind I showered every day that week. It was my first time getting a spray tan from a technician and I felt 100% comfortable.
One thing that could be fixed was that the room where you stand to dry off before putting on your clothes, was pretty cold and the fans were weak.
I received two technician spray tans for $ 99 since it was my first time.
Came back another day to use their tanning bed, was extremely happy with the results. Noticed color that night! The manager also explained to me the difference between high pressure and low pressure bulbs, which helped me decide what package to purchase.
I will be back again.
Thanks Portofino Sun Center!

The manager contacted me and apologized — thought it was very nice of him to call and help me with my situation.
I believe I had a bad experience with an inexperienced employee but on the whole, I like Portofino.

Staff was nice and tan was good, little overpriced. You can get same tan quality elsewhere for cheaper.

Just tried the UWS location for my first spray tan ever. It was a great experience. The tech, Emily, was super friendly and nice. She made me feel at ease as I was standing there, totally naked, in the freezing dungeon that is the spray tan room. That is my only gripe about this place, I felt like I may not get out alive. But the color was perfect, subtle and not orange at all. I will go back there but will be prepared to be a bit uncomfortable. 2 tans for $ 100, def city prices.

Extremely disappointing. Horrendous customer service! I’ve been going weekly since last June –ALMOST A YEAR… I buy points and get a package every month and I”ve noticed on numerous occasions that they’ve short-​changed my points and today I’ve just had enough. I asked last week how many sessions I had remaining and the owner — who usually is there in the afternoon — told me I had a session left and he even recommended the new bed that they just got in.
Keep in mind that every single week I use the same 2 pt. bed and everyone knows me. So I return this week and the girl at the desk told me that NO, in fact I have 1 point not one session. I say, «How can this be because I’ve only purchased an even number of points for the last year (because they only sell even point number packages) so how could I only have 1 point left. PLUS the owner told me I had one SESSION left the previous week.
NET NET is that they will tell you anything, in car dealer-​like fashion, to sell you a package e.g. SURE I’LL GIVE YOU 3 free points, 10 free points, 1 MEEELION FREE POINTS attached to your 10 point package but the reality is that they don’t honor those promotional points. They are just trying to make a sale.
Finally I give in and say, «OK I’ll buy the measly extra point so I can go in my regular bed» and to add insult to injury she says predictably, «We don’t sell 1 point packages.» Which is BS because they will sell you a «session» in a 1 point bed. Essentially she just thought it was par for the course to cheat a regular. She didn’t bat a lash at it, wasn’t willing to work with me and wasn’t willing to call the owner who I had the conversation with last week to validate the fact that he told me I had a session left.
The only reason I ever went here was for convenience as the place is filthy, I would constantly have to re-​clean my bed because it was NOT done properly in the first place or it wasn’t done at all. Now I’m done though.
If you do go here, it likely is for convenience as well but make sure that you get a receipt when you buy a session and please (for the love of the fake and bake gods) keep track of how many points they are promising you at time of purchase.

This place is great. I have been coming for about a year for Spray Tanning. They do a great job– the color dries fast (I can go out to dinner right after) the color lasts, and to top it off, the management is lovely. I definitely recommend them!

This was my first spray tan experience. After reading many Unilocal reviews I decided to try Portofino Sun Center. I called for a same day appointment and they were able to get me in at my preferred time. I ended up ahead of schedule and when I arrived they were accommodating and got me in early.
The spray tan space is located in the back room where the washer and dryer and other items were stored. It was a little embarrassing getting 100% undressed in front of a complete stranger but hey, that’s part of a spray tan! I stood unclothed while the technician placed lotion on my fingers, toes, and heels. I would have liked a robe during this. The actual spray tan was quick and professional. The technician seemed experienced in what she was doing. I was then brought to the other part of the room where I stood in front of a fan for 8 minutes to dry.
At first glance, I was very pleased with the results. I actually looked human again during this cold winter.
I would recommend!

I don’t think enough people realize what a GEM of a spot this place is, especially in SOHO.
You get excellent service for a maintainable price. I go here for my regular spray tans and have always been happy. They have a points system where you can buy points for the spray booth, custom sprays or the regular UV booths and beds.
My booth spray tans, with a package, come out to less than $ 15 a pop. If you buy points for the custom spray with an actual specialist, you’re looking at only $ 35 a pop. I’m not kidding.
Run, don’t walk!

TERRIBLE customer service. Incredibly rude employee, Mavel, talked to me as if I were trying to steal tans when SHE didn’t run my card correctly. As a paying client of over a year, I can not believe the way in which she talked to me. Currently trying to get my money refunded for my package so I can tan elsewhere. If you work at a tanning place, & make a mistake, you should not blame your PAYING customer. Insanely rude & unacceptable! You work at a tanning place! Watch how you talk to people!

Before a slew of weddings and short on tropical vacation time, I popped into Portofino to get my tan on so I didn’t look (too) much like a blinding white marshmallow in my cocktail dresses.
First, I just REALLY like the receptionist at the front desk. She is not only super helpful and bubbly, she makes great recommendations. It’s always pleasant to walk up the stairs and see her smiling.
When I joined, I opted to get a package and while definitely on the pricey side (I believe mine was about $ 100 for 5 tans), it’s cheaper than buying single tans if you’re planning to do more than a handful. Portofino also has top of the line beds and will recommend which ones best fit your needs. I will agree with the previous review that the stand-​up bed is in a very awkward room with no mirror or very little changing room, but the rest (which I prefer) are much bigger and equipped with mirrors and chairs. They also have deodorant, baby wipes, lotion, etc in the bathroom which is a nice touch.
I haven’t tried their spray on tan but think I’ll opt for that next summer when I’ll inevitably have 40 more weddings.

A friend recommended Portofino to me, mainly because of the student discount package. 5 tanning sessions for $ 60 is not bad for the city. I would not pay full price to go here, though, because I felt like it was very minimalist. In the stand-​up booth, there was no radio or iPod jack. The doors in the changing area are also a little sketchy; the slits on the door are so wide that I felt like someone could look in. There was also no mirror in the changing area, and no little container or tray to put all of my jewelry.
Otherwise, Portofino is a decent tanning salon. It seemed very clean and well-​maintained. They do provide the goggles, which is nice. The staff is also very helpful and friendly, willing to answer any questions.