Best in Hood
Menu

5 Best Tanning Salons in New York (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

Elara Kestrel
By Elara Kestrel, Health and Medical Expert · ✓ Data verified July 2026 · 8 min read

A wedding on Sunday, a sleeveless dress, and skin the shade of printer paper. That's the situation most people are in when they book tanning salons in New York on short notice. The five names on this page span ratings of 4.9 to 5, a gap of just a tenth of a star, and SUGARED + BRONZED in Union Square leads on volume with 825 reviews behind that score.

Short answer: SUGARED + BRONZED (Union Square) leads with a 4.9 rating across 825 reviews, the busiest of three Manhattan locations from the same airbrush-and-sugaring brand. Its Murray Hill (4.9, 570) and Chelsea (4.9, 404) branches follow. Upper East Side Tan offers UV, spray and red-light options, with its 72nd Street studio holding a perfect 5.0 on 310 reviews. Expect roughly $40 to $65 for a single spray tan, or about $59 a month for unlimited UV memberships.
Jump to a business

New York's top salons, side by side

# Business Rating Reviews Best for
1 SUGARED + BRONZED (Union Square) 4.9 825 Overall / airbrush spray tans View ›
2 SUGARED + BRONZED (Murray Hill) 4.9 570 Midtown convenience View ›
3 SUGARED + BRONZED (Chelsea) 4.9 404 Chelsea locals + walk-ins View ›
4 Upper East Side Tan - UV & Spray Tanning 4.9 350 Unlimited UV + spray value View ›
5 Upper East Side Tan - Tanning & Red Light Therapy 5.0 310 Boutique service on the UES View ›
5 Best Tanning Salons in New York (2026)

Where we'd book

SUGARED + BRONZED (Union Square) logo
#1 Overall🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

SUGARED + BRONZED (Union Square)

4.9825 Google reviews

SUGARED + BRONZED is the country's largest sugaring and airbrush spray tan brand, and this Union Square studio on 4th Avenue is its busiest New York location. Every tan is a custom, hand-applied airbrush using the brand's FlexExpress formula, and the same shops handle natural sugaring hair removal. Reviewers describe artists who walk first-timers through shade choice, prep and aftercare step by step, then check the color at every stage. Open late on weekdays, it's set up for people fitting a tan around work or an event.

What people praise

  • Artists patiently coach first-timers through shade, prep and aftercare
  • Even, natural results that reviewers say last well past a week
  • Genuinely warm, non-judgmental service in an intimate setting
  • Late weekday hours (open to 11pm) for after-work appointments
  • Membership rolls unused services over month to month

Worth knowing

  • As a hand-applied airbrush, appointments book up around event weekends
  • Premium pricing versus a walk-in UV booth
Reputation scorecardrank in New York
Rating4.9 / 5
Review volume825 · 98th
Confidencevery high
Recency4 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown93% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The safe default for a custom spray tan. It tops both rating and volume, and the artists make first-timers comfortable. Book ahead for wedding season.

114 4th Ave, New York, NY 10003

SUGARED + BRONZED (Murray Hill) logo
#2🕑 Open 7 days

SUGARED + BRONZED (Murray Hill)

4.9570 Google reviews

This SUGARED + BRONZED branch on 3rd Avenue brings the same airbrush tanning and sugaring service to Murray Hill. It runs on the identical FlexExpress formula and membership model as its sister locations, with the same late-night weekday hours. Reviewers praise estheticians like Azariah for gentle, personalized sugaring and tanning attendants who nail the requested shade. The location makes it an easy stop for Midtown East regulars.

What people praise

  • Same custom airbrush and sugaring service as the flagship
  • Estheticians singled out for gentle, personalized treatment
  • Convenient Midtown East location with late weekday hours
  • Roll-over membership that reviewers join on the spot

Worth knowing

  • Worth knowing: one reviewer noted disposables (shower caps, thongs) carry a small charge, so bring your own if you'd rather not pay for them
  • Waiting area can run warm on hot days, per a summer review
Reputation scorecardrank in New York
Rating4.9 / 5
Review volume570 · 93th
Confidencehigh
Recency6 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown95% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Ranks second on volume among the trio. Effectively the same experience as Union Square, closer if you're based in Midtown East.

373 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10016

SUGARED + BRONZED (Chelsea) logo
#3🕑 Open 7 days

SUGARED + BRONZED (Chelsea)

4.9404 Google reviews

The Chelsea SUGARED + BRONZED on 9th Avenue rounds out the brand's Manhattan presence, offering the same airbrush spray tans and natural sugaring. Reviewers highlight even, realistic results with no patchiness, plus quick in-and-out visits when they're short on time. Technicians are praised for matching color to skin tone (steering olive-toned clients lighter, for instance) and for clear aftercare guidance. It suits Chelsea and West Side regulars who want a dependable glow.

What people praise

  • Even, patch-free results that reviewers say lasted ten days or more
  • Fast visits with little to no wait
  • Technicians tailor the shade to your skin tone
  • Comfortable, reassuring for first-time spray tans

Worth knowing

  • The most popular technicians work across locations, so request yours ahead
Reputation scorecardrank in New York
Rating4.9 / 5
Review volume404 · 88th
Confidencehigh
Recency4 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown98% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Third on volume, same strong 4.9. An easy pick if Chelsea is closer than Union Square or Midtown.

120 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011

Upper East Side Tan - UV & Spray Tanning logo
#4🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Upper East Side Tan - UV & Spray Tanning

4.9350 Google reviews

Upper East Side Tan on East 58th Street is a members-first salon offering UV tanning booths, VersaSpa spray tanning and red-light therapy under one roof. Its pitch is value: a first week free, then a flat monthly rate for unlimited tanning, with prep products provided. Reviewers like the flexibility of long daily hours and the natural, even results from the spray booth. It's aimed at people who tan regularly and want a year-round glow rather than a one-off.

What people praise

  • Unlimited monthly membership with a free trial week
  • UV booths, spray tanning and red-light therapy in one place
  • Prep products (shower cap, blending cream, foot stickers) provided
  • Long daily hours suit people working late
  • Natural, even spray results that reviewers say never look orange

Worth knowing

  • Worth knowing: one reviewer flagged burned-out bulbs and dust at this location, so it's fair to ask when the beds were last serviced
Reputation scorecardrank in New York
Rating4.9 / 5
Review volume350 · 83th
Confidencehigh
Recency5 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown97% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Ranks fourth on a 4.9 across 350 reviews. The value story is strong for frequent tanners; if you're UV tanning, a quick check on bed maintenance is reasonable.

231 E 58th St, New York, NY 10022

Upper East Side Tan - Tanning & Red Light Therapy logo
#5🕑 Open 7 days

Upper East Side Tan - Tanning & Red Light Therapy

5.0310 Google reviews

This second Upper East Side Tan studio, on East 72nd Street, offers the same VersaSpa spray booths, Sun Capsule UV beds and red-light therapy in a smaller, boutique-feeling space. Reviewers single out staff by name (Mari, Katie, Anastasia) for calm, attentive guidance that turns nervous first-timers into regulars. The spotless, welcoming room and low-key attention are the recurring themes. It suits people who want the members-only value with a more personal front desk.

What people praise

  • Staff named repeatedly for patient, first-timer-friendly service
  • Spotless, welcoming boutique space
  • Natural, even spray results that develop over a day
  • Same UV, spray and red-light options as the 58th Street location

Worth knowing

  • Smaller studio, so peak-hour slots can be limited
Reputation scorecardrank in New York
Rating5 / 5
Review volume310 · 78th
Confidencehigh
Recency8 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown99% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Honestly, the perfect 5.0 looks unbeatable until you see it rests on 310 reviews, fewer than the salons above. That's why it ranks fifth on proven volume, not on rating. For personal service on the Upper East Side, it's a lovely room.

149 E 72nd St, New York, NY 10021

6

Your business here

Get listed on this page, in front of local customers already searching for you.

Claim this spot ›

Watch: 5 Best Tanning Salons in New York (2026)

How the scoring works

The scorecard numbers are public Google data, straight up. Rating is the live star average. Review volume is how many clients rated the salon, ranked against the others in the city. Confidence weights that rating by how much feedback backs it, so a 5.0 on 310 reviews reads as less settled than a 4.9 on 825. Recency shows how lately people are still posting. No salon can pay to change these numbers.

How much does a tanning salon cost in New York? (2026)

Price depends on the method (a hand-applied airbrush costs more than a walk-in UV booth or automated spray) and whether you pay per visit or join a membership. Regular tanners almost always come out ahead on a monthly plan. The ranges below reflect single-visit and membership pricing seen across these salons.

JobTypical price
Single airbrush / custom spray tan$45 - $65
Single automated (VersaSpa) spray tan$35 - $50
Unlimited UV + spray membership (monthly)$59+
Sugaring / spray membership (monthly)$100 - $200
Red-light therapy session$20 - $45

Ranges compiled July 2026 from the salons’ own posted pricing (Upper East Side Tan’s $59/month unlimited, SUGARED + BRONZED memberships) and prevailing NYC market rates. Exact prices vary by shade, size and plan.

Serving Manhattan and beyond

Between them these salons cover Union Square, Murray Hill, Chelsea and the Upper East Side, with the SUGARED + BRONZED brand running further locations across the city. If you’re searching spray tan near me before an event, one of these is likely a short ride from where you’re getting ready.

What to ask before you book a tan

  • Is this a hand-applied airbrush or an automated booth?
  • How long before an event should I come in for the best color?
  • What’s your aftercare, and when can I first shower?
  • Do disposables like caps and blending cream cost extra?
  • Is a membership cheaper than single visits for how often I tan?
  • How recently were the UV beds serviced?

Frequently asked questions

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from public Google data, weighing live ratings against review volume and recency. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner, which adds a badge and top placement, but that never changes another business’s score or position.

How did you choose these five?

We compared every tanning salon in New York with a real Google track record, then ranked them on review volume, rating and how recently clients are still posting. We analyse public data rather than testing salons ourselves.

How long before an event should I get a spray tan?

Most artists here recommend coming in one to two days ahead so the color develops fully before your event. Reviewers of SUGARED + BRONZED describe artists timing the shade specifically around a Sunday wedding or a trip.

Is a UV tan or a spray tan better?

A spray or airbrush tan gives color with no UV exposure and suits a one-off event glow. UV booths, offered at Upper East Side Tan, appeal to regular tanners on an unlimited plan. Several reviewers combine the two.

How often is this list updated?

We last verified the ratings and review counts in July 2026 and refresh them as the Google data moves.

The bottom line

For a custom airbrush glow before an event, SUGARED + BRONZED (Union Square) is the safe default on proven volume, with Upper East Side Tan the better value if you tan year-round on a membership. Whichever you pick, book a day or two ahead of the big date and follow the aftercare to the letter.

Own one of these businesses, or want to be here?

Claim your spot on this page: Basic listing $50 or Premium $100 for the top spot, held a full year. Both include a permanent link to your site.