Portofino Sun Tanning Center

I went to Portofino to get an airbrush, as they call it, for my wedding. I was a little neurotic about the results. I could NOT be orange or fake looking for my wedding. I came in about a month before the big day just to try it out. I loved it and my pale skin looked gorgeous and tan (and without any real SUN!) I had Stella spray me both times and she was great. She was sweet, professional and very thorough. I am definitely thinking about extending this treat to more than just my wedding day. Thank you Stella and Portofino for helping me feel beautiful for one of the most important events of my life! :o)

Pros: custom spray tans, great technician

Cons: lasts a week

This place is nuts! And i kinda LOVE that it is. I honestly wouldn't want to tan where it was quiet and empty...so I tan with all the other upper east siders at Portofino. I use the S-class-always. I call ahead and make an appt for fear that if I just show up, I will be stuck reading their magazines and eating little candies forever. The guy that usually works at the desk is fun, sweet and knows his stuff. TWO THUMBS UP TO THIS ROCKIN PLACE

Pros: tanning beds, experienced employees, fun

Cons: packed packed packed

I have been prepping my skin for summer at Portofino for about 3 years now. Here is what I love:
-They have packages for all budgets. (some of us don't have the standard upper east side bottomless wallets)
-You still get to people watch the clientele with the upper east side bottomless wallet
-The tanning beds are effective.
-The lotions smell like heaven.
-The store is clean and the employees chill.
Don't like:
-waiting forever for my machine when I forget to make an appt.
-they aren't open past 10pm.

Pros: occasional celeb sighting, great tanning, clean

Cons: waits for popular machines

I went here on Friday and then again this morning, and I had to give SOEMTHING back so here it is!!! In a review! Portofino Sun Center for reals rocks. I am so tan!!! I have a really important picnic tomorrow where I plan to ask out my coworker. I just wanted some color to give me some confidence! Portofino gave it to me in just two tans and I love them for it!!!

Pros: Best tan in 2 visits

Cons: Busy

I have started a routine on Saturday mornings to do a little tanning session on the way home from the gym. It is like my day of pampering and I just love it. I am a little nervous about tanning my face, so I use a machine that the face bulbs can be turned off. There is always a clean towel, goggles and candy, plus the manager knows my name and always has my tanning lotion ready to go. I feel like good customer service is hard to find in this city, and I just love going to a place that seems to value it's customers. I always make an appointment so I don't have to wait and they honor it every time. Also, my tanning results are great, natural, and I don't burn. (I always tan in the 360 bed)

Pros: staff, strong safe beds

Cons: no shower there

I went to get my tan last week and saw that Portofino Sun Center now offers teeth whitening as well. At first, I was a little hesitant, but the girl behind the counter showed me her teeth - and they were gleaming white. She explained how the process worked and I decided what the heck. I tried it. It was cheap and easy. And my boyfriend loves my new smile :)

Pros: Both a tanning salon and a teeth whitening place now!

Cons: Busy

I shave. I exfoliate. I throw on baggy clothes. I show up at Portofino for my scheduled appt. I walk out 20 mins later looking like I was on a week long Caribbean vacay. Seriously-it is that easy. With my pack of 10 sprays it is like $40 each time which is def the cheapest I've seen and I ALWAYS get compliments on my "tan".

Pros: spray tans, prices of packs

Cons: not available late night

LOVE this PLACE!!!! THEY DO WHAT NO ONE ELSE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO DO - THEY MAKE TANNING QUICK, EASY, ANNONYMOUS. I ALWAYS GET RESULTS AND NEVER GET A HASSEL. THE GUY AT THE DESK KNOWS WHATS UP! I AM A BROWN MAMA NOW!

Pros: In and out within 20 minutes - WITH A TAN

Portofino is my favorite tanning salon in all of New York City. I float around to the different salons around the city, but because I live on the upper east side this one is my home base. I grew up in California and need sun in my life. Portofino saves me from looking like a pale ghost and keeps me happy when I have to be stuck inside at work all day. They provide eye protection in each room, there is always water and candies, and the prices are much cheaper than LA. My friends and I are hooked.

Pros: location, selection of tanning beds, prices

Cons: no double sessions

I am not used to this high-tech tanning equipment, but I must say-i LOVE IT! It is clean, quick and powerful. It is also a people watching hot spot. I've spotted a couple of celebs the past few visits and if not famous, still fab. The employees are trendy and fun and it's all around a highlight of my week. Thnx Portafino.

Pros: top notch equipment

Cons: can't think of a one

This place is discreet and classy. I just go in, tan for ten minutes, get my vitamin D, and leave. No one hassels me, no one embarrasses me. I don't want to have to talk about it ya know, I just wanna go in and go out. Portofino keeps it simple and I appreciate that.

Pros: No stress

Cons: Tanning - I've gotta cut back

I moved to this store from my closed one further downtown. I was cranky about it at first, but honestly--i will now trek all over this city for PORTOFINO. seriously. they keep upgrading and making the salon better and better. I just tried their new teeth whitening last week and my boyfriend loves the combo of my white teeth and golden tan. i do too! I've done other strips and gels before and so far this is my fav. The tanning has always rocked and now i have two reasons to head in there.

Pros: teeth whitening, tans

Cons: closed store on 58th, packed!

I'm Irish. Nuff said. I have tons of trouble getting color, and whenever i do, that color is ...... .... RED! Well, not at Portofino! I got BRONZED and GOLDEN and I would even go so far as to say...... TAN! Thanks to these guys, I feel a little more confident going to this wedding I have to go to next week where I have to wear a pale pink dress. Now I won't look paler than the dress! What a good tanning place - one who actually realizes that all skin isn't made equal. Some of us need a little more.... finesse :)

Pros: First place that has ever actually tanned me :)

Cons: I'm pale - that WAS a con, until I came here

I love tanning here, especially when I have to get ready for an event. I had a huge easter party to go to last night (and also something this morning). My tan at Portofino got me there and looking good. I like their options - many machines to choose from, each one recommended for a certain type of "tanner".

Pros: Dark color

I got a spray tan (or "Airbrush" as this fancy place calls it) and am glowing like a sun bathed goddess :) No, seriously though, this girl Stella was my airbrush tanner (is that what you the person who does it to you???) and she was great. Explained everything and really made the experience easy. The best surprise came when I paid! It was only $65!!! I actually was surprised. Their regular tanning is $35 so this seemed like an amazing deal to me.

Pros: Airbrush is really good

Cons: What are the drawbacks?

thank you portofino. truly thank you! I just came back from vacation with my family and was able to enjoy the whole week running around outside and playing on the beach without burning. Tessa, you were right, your SPF lotion (california tanner?) was perfect. I used it on my own skin and slathered my kids with it each morning. My package is up, but I am thinking about coming every now and then just to keep up my tan (and pretend I am still on vacation). I have recommended this salon to my friends and I had to share my experience online. TWO THUMBS UP!!

Pros: building base tan

Cons: i wish i could keep it up all year

I cannot handle this weather!!!! I am sick of looking like a ghost and waiting for the sunshine. I went to Porto fino and they rocked my socks off... or at least brought me back to life for a week. I had never done this before so i was the annoying girl with a million questions, but the spray tan girl was patient and sweet and talked me through everything. If this gross weather keeps up I might start the tanning beds, but for now, the UV free is amazing. The free candy is a nice touch too.

Pros: UV free tans, the spray tan girl

Cons: $65 each time

This place really is a popular, effective way to tan. You can be in and out within 20 minutes if you make an appointment. Call ahead. Since they honor appointments, you may as well make one to save yourself the time. Its sometimes crowded, but only because the results are so good. Everyone comes out looking dark and healthy. I like the couch in the waiting room and the staff seems to know what they are talking about. Good tanning salon on the Upper East Side.

Pros: Dark Color, Clean, Not too pricey

Cons: Busy

My wife has been a client at Portofino for years, and after burning like a lobster on my last vacation she convinced me to go a few times to prep my skin. I don't know anything about tanning, but the staff always suggests the best lotion and bed for my fair, easy-to-burn skin. Not only are they so knowledgeable about tanning, but they are genuinely friendly. Once again, my wife was right--Portofino gets my highest recommendation.

Pros: recommendations for tanning beds

Cons: little embarrased to admit I tan

I swear, I thought Equinox had the hotties on the Upper East Side. NOPE! Its this upscale Tanning Salon! Holy mama there were some good looking dark people walking in and out of this place! ALSO good, you don't have to be a rich person to tan like one! They have deals for those of us who walk to the tanning salon - not just the peeps hoppin out of their towncars! I got 10 tans for $99. That is pretty much as cheap as you can get it in NYC. I also left with a nice tan.

Pros: Umm.... the amaaazing people that tan there!

Cons: I have to look all sweaty after I tan

This what I expected when I started tanning in New York instead of New Jersey - high end equipment and yes, a little bit higher bill. I really do like going to Portofino though, so its worth the inflation. At my Jersey place, I feel like I'm going in at my own risk. Not Portofino. Its like having an appointment at a spa or something. May be only 15 minutes, but those 15 minutes are stress free, clean, and give me results that last a lot longer than that. I work in Midtown and use their midtown location for spray tanning (the girl there is awesome), but on the weekends I tend to shop on the upper east and stop by this place for a weekly pick me up. Be prepared to get pampered - and tan!

Pros: High class

Cons: Popular

I'm quite particular with my salons. I've lived in many neighborhoods throughout the city and have seen the best and the worst. For tanning, Portofino is lovely. I used to tan at their old midtown location by the Four Seasons and I made the switch to the one on 3rd Avenue in January. I think this one even surpasses the other. The staff is as friendly as you get and the rooms are always clean. I like to tan just 2 or 3 times a month to maintain a constant glow. I recommend calling for an appointment though if you want to tan right after work. It seems to be more efficient that way.

Pros: ambiance, staff, results

Cons: can be busy right after work

i found out about portofino tanning on citysearch and took a look at their website from the link. so i called to find out about the specials they had advertised online. from the moment they answered the phone to the moment i walked out of the door after tanning, i recieved nothing but first class, professional, friendly service. they were able and willing to answer any and all questions i had about the salon itself and tanning in general in great detail, and they really know what they're talking about. i had been tanning a few times before, but i didn't really know much about it so i had no idea what kind of bed to do before i got there, but the girl helped me figured out which bed was best for achieving the result i wanted without the risk of overexposing my skin. i used their newest bed, the mastersun 360, and i got the most amazing color of my life--and after only 15 minutes of tanning! i will never go to another tanning salon. i love this place, because you can't find the level of customer service coupled with the trendy, relaxing atmosphere anywhere else.

Pros: strong tanning beds, helpful employees

Cons: location is not convenient for me

When I break out, I go crazy. The only thing that helps me is to zap those zits with a little TANNING. Thank god for Portofino. All the other places are going out of business, but this place has been around for so long....and I see why. They do cool deals for students, and their beds do the job. My skin is less disgusting thanks to the tanning at Portofino. Less zits, and a tan to show off the zit-less skin. The place is run by cool people too - who didn't make me feel embarrassed about why I was there.

Pros: Good advice on what to do

Cons: Popular

The woman who does the spray tans there is fantastic. The place itself is pretty small, very clean- but nothing that fancy. I don't go for the ambiance, I go for the perfect spray tan. All my friends at work ask me where I went to get my tan. I say Portofino, but only I know that it is on the UES, not Italy. I am not sure how much it is for one time, but for a package of 5 sprays it is less than $300. I am a fashionista, and nothing makes my clothes pop like gorgeous tan (fake-tan) skin.

Pros: spray tan, location

I am married to a dermatologist, so of course I have heard everything under the sun ;-) about tanning. I don't go too often, but every now and then I stop by Portofino to get some Vitamin D. The place is clean, the staff is really knowledgeable and I'm in and out in 20 minutes max. I work all the time and don't have time to be out in the real sun, so this is a wonderful remedy. I usually stick to a cheaper standing machine and tan for only 8 minutes at a time. It may sound silly, but I think the occasional tan keeps me in good spirits during the winter months. I wanted to write this little note as a thank you. I am not a tanning salon connoisseur, but I am always pleased with the service and would recommend it to anyone looking for their Vitamin D.

Pros: staff, facility, vitamin D

Let's be honest-it is ridiculously cold out. I had to give in to a few tanning sessions to warm up and get rid of my winter white skin. I'm not a tanorexic-I am actually very skin-care conscious, but I say, "Everything in moderation." Right? Ok, so to get to the point-I LOVE this place. The employees that work there are so friendly and funny. They set me up with a little package of a couple of sessions so I am paying less than $20 per tan. Not bad for helping cheer me up when it is this chilly outside.

Pros: great machines, nice employees

I went to Portofino last Saturday to set up a tanning package to get ready for my wedding. I was surprised by how busy a tanning salon was on a Saturday afternoon. Though there were several people in the lobby, the girl at the desk gave me lots of individual attention. She walked me through their confusing point system, explained the machines and suggested a tanning lotion. I am very fair skinned and haven't tanned since college so I asked A LOT of questions. I was surprised by how high-tech everything was. (a huge improvement since the cheapo college days) Anyway, I chose a bronzing lotion and have tanned 3 times in a week and I am actually seeing a TAN. Each time I have been in, the service has been great and the rooms clean. I am trying to get my fiance to come now too. I would recommend making an appointment though, that little salon is popular.

Pros: fun and friendly staff

Cons: popular place nights and weekends

VERY NICE AND CLEAN, ITS JUST TO BAD THAT THEY DON'T HAVE THE LEGTANNER ANYMORE, THIS
WAS A GREAT ASSET FOR THEM.

Pros: THUMBS UP FOR THE NEW MACHINES

Cons: THUMPS DOWN, BECAUSE THEY DOENT HAVE THE LEGTANNER.

Portofino has really superb equipment. They add new machines all the time and the employees are very informed on what going on in tanning. Trust this place.Tanning here was a great experience. If you get the right package tanning even on their high end equipment is not expensive!

Pros: great choice of equipment, very professional

Cons: gets busy at rush hour

Machines and especially staff here are top notch; definite improvement over the other tanning salons I've visited in NYC. (I need ADVICE on which beds to do -- it doesn't help when people just arbitrarily put you somewhere, and these people are SMART and very helpful!) I started with a buy-one-get-one free, but I ended up buying a package there, because it's just always a nice experience. I find that even without an appointment, I don't wait long for a good bed, so I'll often just hop in. Seems busiest around 7-ish? maybe. Lotions are pretty standard (California Tan products) and have normal prices. Unlike the other poster, I have used their "older" beds, and I got great results, they just take longer because they don't close down on you (which my clautrophobic friend likes). Anyway, I like this place, and I highly recommend it.

Pros: Smart friendly staff, good machines

I went to Porto Fino twice - once to check it out, and the second time because I had a buy one get one free special for new customers. The sessions are around $25 each, or cheaper if you buy a package deal. They use a point system, which seemed a little complicated to me. The staff is VERY knowledgeable and will tell you everything you need to know about tanning, as well as give you recommendations for your skin type and tanning history. The rooms are a little cramped, but clean. Lotion can be purchased there for $5/packet, so probably cheaper to buy a whole bottle on your own. Make an appointment, because it can be busy! Also, if they are busy they may try to stick you in one of their older beds. It's worth the wait to hold out for a newer piece of equipment.

Pros: helpful staff

Cons: cramped, busy

I went to Portofino because of its reputation, and was extremely disappointed.

The 3rd Ave. location is claustrophobic, and the staff was aloof. I called to inquire about package pricing, and I was put on hold while the staff member had a lengthy personal conversation with a customer. I finally hung up and called back, and the staff member didn't even apologize.

They have external fans as opposed to internal cooling systems, and the entire place was hotter than HELL. The day I went, it was about 60 outside and at least 90 degrees inside - every person who left was sweating profusely.

I think that Portofino is overrated (at least this location), and the prices were out of control, even for NY. At $35 per session, I should've had the experience they advertise (friendly staff, beautiful decor, and amazing results). My results were just okay. Take your money elsewhere!

Cons: Rude Staff, Hot/bad atmosphere

totally overpriced. I wouldn't mind paying if it was worth it but its not at this location.
I used to go to the Portofino salon around 58th st (between park and mad) and it is 100 times better...different owner and great results. I do not recommend this location at all

This place is unbelievable expensive!! $35 for one time and not worth it one bit! Anyone who goes here is looking to blow money.