Wellness Check: Work From Rockaway Hotel's Winter Pool House
Snow. Sauna. Pool. Bathrobe. LFG.
January did not have to go so hard. Despite having the same 31 days as March, May, July, August, October and December, the first month of the year always seems to last closer to 47 days. With this knowledge, I made it a point to take the first Monday of the year to set the tone.
During the winter months, Rockaway Hotel in Queens transforms their pool area to what they call their Winter Pool House. So, to bring in the new work year, a friend and I made the drive out to Rockaway on that snowy first Monday of the year. (Peep the Reel below.)
Opened in June 2020, Rockaway Hotel is just a a block from the beach. The 53 room hotel has 8 extended stay suites, their restaurant, a spa and an in-ground pool. During peak season, or the summer time, day passes to the pool are available, and they used to have a pool party on weekends. TBD on this summer.
Obviously, this isn’t an option during January in New York. So, the property adds two spacious cedar saunas to the pool deck and encloses the poolside bar, transforming it a spacious, cozy, sauna chalet.
For $35 from 11 a to 3 p and $40 for 4 p to 7 p, you can enjoy the Queens Winter Spa. In addition to the two 6-ish person cedar saunas, their pool is heated to 90. We booked through ResortPass and there was maybe three other people there. It was kind of magical to watch the snow fall from inside the sauna.
Upon arrival, they provide a bathrobe. (The spa bath robes are better than those provided for the lounge guests. Definitely ask for the former.) Lockers are available for your things, but no locker. Guests can change in the bathroom. There’s free hot tea available all day, and they have a very reasonably-priced menu to order from. We stopped at a very-Rockaway bagel spot on the way in, Rockaway Bagel. But, I also like the bagels and iced coffees at All American Bagels & Barista, and there’s a spot directly across the street from the hotel.
I brought my outdoor Glerup slippers to for optimal comfort. (Hello, let’s be so fucking for real. I’m always trying to reach the highest pleasure levels.) It’ll be absolutely be more enjoyable if you have something cozy and easy to slip in and out of for your feet. Cold toes are a no-go.
The gentleman manning the lounge was super attentive — from coming out to pour water over the stones in the sauna to checking on us. I have every intention of going back more than once before the season ends, particularly for any and all snow days.