There are some things in life that can’t be changed, death and taxes being the old adage, for a more modern take you can add sore feet after wearing heels, a cramped neck after talking to a distressed friend on the phone all night and jet lag after a long flight (not to mention dehydrated skin from that harsh plane air) to those life inevitabilities. But then again, you’ve never been one to settle for anything you’ve been told is certain (you drink the ultra-healthy albeit gross green grass juice and make every write-off possible!).

In your attempt to laugh at fate, find solace in one spa that is tackling the modern inevitabilities. La Prairie at the Ritz Carleton New York can’t do anything about the old adage but can make your tired feet spring forward, your sore neck revitalized and makes jet lag an extinct term, all while living up to the Ritz reputation.

Located on the second floor of the esteemed Ritz-Carlton Central Park, La Prairie has a relaxed and elegant ambiance. I walked in (limped in, rather) from my less than spacious airport/plane experience, hoping to take some “me” time when I was promptly whisked away into a Victorian inspired change room and waiting lounge with soothing music.

An inviting chaise lounger grabbed hold of me like a soft bed on a Sunday morning. A heated neck pillow added the perfect touch. Set to take in the Jet Lag Therapy, I was in prime frazzled condition, having just taken an overnight flight.

Picking a mandarin body lotion as my scent of choice, I laid in the massage bed running a series of “to do” lists through my brain – traveling will damage you that way. But mid-way through the massage, especially when my neglected feet were precisely – not fleetingly – tended to, I actually began to drift into a trance-like state of relaxation. Only a timely prepared glass of ice water with a hint of lime and mint could bring me back into consciousness.

Feeling like myself again I was taken away for a half-hour facial. A series of cleansing masks, coupled with warm steam and a finishing moisturizer were gently massaged on, to take away the dry, stiff feeling I walked in with. Each layer sloughed off dry skin and with it seemed to go any trace of fatigue that was left.

Jet lag was the last thing on my invigorated mind – now if only someone could come up with an equally relaxing way to do taxes!

Check them out online at The Ritz-Carlton La Prarie Spa