mens spa

The 4,500 square-foot spa has a masculine feel to it, thanks to exposed brick walls and rich wood trim. Before and after treatments, guests can unwind in the relaxation lounge, complete with overstuffed leather recliners and a 50-inch plasma television. Many of the treatments are done in barbershop-style chairs along the lounge's wall.

Gallery: More from Sir Spa

At SIR, even the treatments themselves sound more like something you'd find in an auto repair shop than a spa – there's a "Hand and Foot Detail," code for manicure and pedicure. One of the most popular treatments is the "Tune-Up Massage," targeted at back, neck and shoulders to relieve chronic body pain (30 minutes: $55). The "Sports Massage" includes muscle stretching, compression and release therapy (60 minutes: $100; 90 minutes: $145; 120 minutes: $190).

The spa also offers a number of skin treatments for young and old. Freshen up your face with the "Face Firming Boost," which includes a collagen facial mask to fight wrinkles, or "Acne Treatment," which uses extractions and spot treatment to kill bacteria and heal scars. A variety of body hair trimming services are available as well. Ladies are allowed too – there's even a private treatment suite just for women.

Cast your vote for your favorite spa until March 31st. Winners will be announced on April 1.

Founded in 1996, Nickel's first location was in Paris. Patrons were soon buzzing about its "Morning After Rescue Gel," and in 1999, Nickel opened the first men's beauty parlor in one of Paris' largest department stores. 2001 saw the opening of Nickel's flagship New York location – in the chic Chelsea neighborhood – and another in London's Convent Garden in 2005.

Gallery: More from the Nickel Spa NYC

Nickel has styled itself as a destination for a new generation of men – not just metrosexuals, but any man who wants to be clean and well-groomed. The spa's proprietors encourage first-timers to visit; the company website even includes a section on spa etiquette "to ensure you get the most from your experience and also spare you from any crushing faux pas, red-faced embarrassment or ceremonial frog-marching off the premises.

Once at Nickel, a host of options await. There are manicures and pedicures, facials, waxing, massages and body treatments. Highlights include the "Oxygen Facial," which incorporates a mask of encapsulated oxygen to brighten dull skin (75 minutes: $115), as well as the "Rolling Hot Stone," a Swedish massage combined with the soothing power of heated stones (60 minutes: $170).

Cast your vote for your favorite spa until March 31st. Winners will be announced on April 1.

Where can the modern man go for a complete spa treatment without feeling the least but self-conscious? One place to look is Gentlemen's Tonic, a Britain-based establishment that claims to be both "comfortable and stylish" and "reassuringly masculine."

Founded in 2004 in London's Mayfair neighborhood by French-American Olivier Bonnefoy, the spa nevertheless maintains old-time English sensibilities. Gentlemen's Tonic aims to provide the atmosphere and services of a traditional barbershop, along with massages, alternative therapies and other amenities to make visiting chaps feel sound as a pound.

Gallery: More from Gentlemen's Tonic

Plenty of modern perks adorn the establishment as well. Guests enjoy music consoles and LCD screens in every private haircutting station and treatment room; newspapers and magazines from all over the world serve as additional diversion. Each treatment room comes with a private shower for those who prefer a quick rinse before or after a rub-down. But no funny business, warns the company's website: "When being massaged, please ensure that your undergarment is kept on at all times."

For those who can't make the hop across the pond, Gentlemen's Tonic also has a single U.S. location in Houston. For those outside London and the Lone Star State, there's a line of products available on the web including basics like shampoo ($22) and conditioner ($23) up to a shaving gift set for men with sensitive skin ($81). Unfortunately for the ladies, this Tonic is only for Gentlemen.

Cast your vote for your favorite spa until March 31st. Winners will be announced on April 1.

Should you find yourself in Buenos Aires looking for a spa that caters to gentlemen, look no farther than Markus Day Spa For Men. There, you can chose from an array of treatments for face, body, hair, hands and feet – all of which have earned Markus the title of "El Primer Spa Masculino."

Founded in 2005, Markus was designed to create an atmosphere of harmony and tranquility. Water fountains and fish tanks abound; dim lighting and wood accents pervade the establishment. Check into the Aqua Room and relax with up to eight friends or business partners in a large marble Jacuzzi. Sip tea or champagne while receiving reflexology treatment on your feet. Enjoy the "Adore Me" treatment – three hours of bliss including a face and body scrub, tantric massage, and even a tea serving.

Gallery: Markus for Men

Markus offers more than just relaxation. With a trained medical staff on call, the spa doubles as a tranquil place to receive aesthetic medicine. Botox injections and refill are available on demand, as are peelings, hair implants and plastic surgery. Best of all, the prices are much cheaper than similar procedures stateside.

Outings to Markus can be purchased individually or in bulk. A range of corporate packages are available at discounted rates and include a combination of hair cut, shave, facial and deep tissue massage. Sorry, ladies, Markus is only for caballeros.

Cast your vote for your favorite spa until March 31st. Winners will be announced on April 1.

Gallery: More from Chuan Body & Soul in Hong Kong

Once inside Chuan's sanctuary, choose from a wide range of relaxation options. There's the 1.5-hour Body Elements treatment, which starts with a harmony massage and ends with a facial hydration treatment. For something a little longer, try the Serenity Shen, which begins with a stone therapy massage and continues with a cool marine algae facial mask treatment and finally finishes with an indulgent foot treatment.

If you can't make it all the way to Hong Kong, never fear. Chuan boasts locations in Auckland, Melbourne, Koh Samui, Shanghai and Boston, with more locations planned for Bangkok, Beijing, Guangzhou, Phuket, Pune, London and Los Angeles. Unlike many of its compatriots in the Best Men's Spa category, Chuan is also open to women.

Cast your vote for your favorite spa until March 31st. Winners will be announced on April 1.

Is there an extended-stay spa with a program that changed your life for the better? Is there a great spa that caters to men with unique programs or treatments? Which international spa is really worth traveling to, even if it is thousands of miles away from home? Is there a luxurious day spa that you believe is the best one around? Which spa do you think offers the best green practices while also offering luxurious surroundings and state-of-the-art treatments? If you can recommend the best spas around the world, we want to hear from you!

The Luxist Readers' Choice Awards for Best in Spas will be awarded based on your nominations and voting. We're currently seeking nominations for the best-of-breed in the following categories:

Best Day Spa
Best Green Spa
Best Extended-Stay Spa
Best International Spa Retreat
Best Men's Spa

One nomination per category, please. Submissions can be filed until March 15, 2010. Winners will be announced on April 1, 2010.