Mermaid Spa,

3703 Mermaid Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11224, United States

"This used to be my favorite Banya. Oh how times changed. They enacted a 4 hour maximum policy, which they stated was "for the duration, and purposes of following the covid guidelines". They never removed it. They enacted a towel limit, which they never removed. No other Banya has either of these (besides world spa, which isn't a "Banya"). A Banya is usually an all day affair for everyone I know. You get first course an hour in, salad. Soup another hour in. Then main course one to two hours later. Followed by tea, fruits, smoothies, etc. The four hour limit in this place is beyond reason. They do appointments now(no other Banya, but remember, it's "only for the covid mandates times"), you're late 10-15 minutes, that's off your 4 hours. You take 10-15 minutes to change/shower before, that's 3.5 hours you got left. Eat for an hour that's 2.5 hours left. Then they tell you to start packing/leaving 15 minutes before your times up, because they want you OUT by 4 hours. Being in the locker room is time. Use the bathroom, after saunas shower? All on your dime. I get having fast sessions when you gotta. I get a 4 hour time limit on weekends when it's more busy. But for weekdays too? Ridiculous. Also when you're times nearing over/over, they're pretty rude about it. They only want your money, they'll let you order food 25 minutes from your time running out, and then when it comes, they'll say "your times up, we're gonna pack the food for you to go". Do yourself a favor, Go somewhere you feel welcome, and catered to. Not rushed, and treated like a money bag. Edit to reply: thank you for replying, but I do know simple math. Coming in at 7 places me 3 hours before closing for 45(so an hour less for 5$ off), and the 35$ entry for 8 pm leaves 2 hours(more like an hour and a half if you order nothing, but take time to change, then shower and change again, or are late at all). At that point, you can't, as you suggested "add an extra hour for 10$" because you're closing. No other Banya anywhere in NYC, or Jersey, (world spa isn't a Banya) has time limit(and even world spa is UNLIMITED TIME ON WEEKDAYS). So 50$ for 2.5-3 hours of sauna (subtracting food, and changing/shower times), versus let's say 60$ for neck road bathhouse, and I come from 8 am, and can leave at 8/9/10 PM (not that I ever stay that long, but it's the ability to that counts). No feeling rushed, eat (excellent) food at your own pace, shower and scrub well with my own loofah, and nobody breathing down my neck. I've never had people come up to me in ANY setting and say "your time is almost up, you have to get out". Not at a single restaurant, not at a single concert venue, not at a club, or even any all you can eat location, whose business should thrive on customers eating less, so kicking out faster is best. So to have it happen at a place that should be about the "with light steam" aspect of life(happy, friendly, relaxing, releasing), is even more egregious. "Hurry up you're taking up precious space" shouldn't be the response to a person who is investing $50 coming in, and then another $100-150 on food/drinks, and then $30-45 on tips. Mermaid is great if you're okay with a 2-3 hour sauna session, and are short on time. Again they used to be my favorite in the past. But IDC about a 50$ entry for 4 hours. Maybe if spending money inside, extended the duration it would make sense. Spend 30$ get an extra hour, spend 70 get two, spend 120 get 3. But 4 hours, and then pay for food, and then pay per hour, and your food time eats into your hours is just too ridiculous. Especially now that covid ended, and the regulations are over."

"I really don't understand how this place has good reviews. It's SO small. Bathrooms weren't really clean at all. I felt so uncomfortable in the 1 jacuzzi they had - there was an old russian man sitting above it staring at us the entire time. How is that relaxing? It was extremely creepy and I think he was a staff member. The saunas were so uncomfortably hot. (Even the door handle was hot to touch). Not to mention the massage was the most painful experience of my life. She continued to apply the same painful pressure after I said how much it hurt. It's 3 days after the massage and I'm STILL sore. I've received many massages in my life and that by far was the worst. The only positive about this place was that provided 6 towels each and there was a free water machine. *****My response to the owner's reply: Your reply is extremely sexist. Labeling my disappointment as "emotional" because I'm expressing concerns about your establishment and its employees is unacceptable. It feels like a dismissive male perspective, especially given the lack of empathy for what it's like to be a woman who is being gawked at by an employee while trying to dry off with a towel. I understand that English may not be your first language, but when someone says, "I don't understand how this place has good reviews," it's meant to be rhetorical. It isn’t actually seeking an explanation but is meant to emphasize my disbelief or dissatisfaction. It’s more about conveying a sentiment than expecting a literal response. There's absolutely no need to mansplain to me how opinions work. My feedback was honest and valid."

"No doubt the best Russian sauna in Brooklyn and probably in the whole NYC. Clean, neat, relaxing. Getting pretty busy on weekends during the cold season, so my suggestion is that if possible, go there any week day. It's not cheap food, but it's worth very penny. Highly recommended. Be aware that you will have only 6 towels per visit. Any additional towel will cost you $1."

"A clean , good bathhouse . Delicious homemade food . But I would like a separate recreation area with sofas or sun beds in winter."