How a hylan boulevard business lives up to its “Auto Spa” title and adds a bit of luxe to washing your ride

by Taylor Hersh • Photos By Donato DiCamillo

Life is better with a bit of luxury; its highly unlikely anyone would argue that fact. Quality service, a bit of pampering, a surprisingly pleasant experience…those types of indulgences are the ones longed for everyday in an otherwise mundane routine of errands. If only there was a way to add a bit of luxury to otherwise ordinary, everyday experiences…like a really good car wash for example.

Not too long ago, July of 2014 to be exact, a brushless car wash opened its doors on Staten Island calling itself H2O Auto Spa. The justification for the atypical name became evident rather quickly, as customers realized that this was not a typical scrub shop. Yes, it cleans cars and shine up tires, but the services and experience H2O offers are anything but typical, and owner Mario Basso can be thanked for that. With support from his family (Sal, Sabrina, and Melissa Basso) and a dream of owning his own business, Basso launched with the hope of adding a bit of thrill to an everyday necessity. He positioned customer service as his number one priority, striving to give customers comfort and peace of mind by simple approaches like having each and every car supervised upon arrival until they leave the premises, and by having a team of as many as 15 hands-on employees at any given time available to make sure each customer is pleased with their experience.

“Quality is key; we treat every car as if it were our own, and wash it as proficiently, if not moreso, than the owners themselves.” Basso explained.

All brushless, the service menu includes an exterior “rain wash,” an interior/exterior “main stream wash,” and a deluxe interior/exterior “water works wash,” (the most popular) including everything from vacuuming and triple coat polish to lava wax and tire shine. In addition, H2O offers detailing services for all vehicles, as well as special monthly packages for frequent and new customers alike. A finishing touch is a slew of hundreds of air-freshening scent options.

While each car is attended to, customers can enjoy downtime in the relaxing environment of the waiting lounge, which sports fresh, locally-baked goods and coffee and espresso imported straight from Italy. Regulars are known to relax and socialize over a warm cappuccino and a croissant—behavior that seems better suited to café than car wash.

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While cars are attended to, customers can enjoy downtime in the waiting lounge, where regulars are known to relax and socialize over a warm cappuccino and a croissant—behavior seemingly better suited to café than car wash.

“Although we move proficiently,” Basso observed, “we never miss a spot.” Management trains and oversees employees at all times, and everyone from the equipment specialists to the counter attendants greet with a smile and a caterer-like approach.

H2O also offers package deals and exclusive membersonly discounts. With three different packages to choose from, members can save hundreds of dollars per month. Bronze, Silver, and Gold variations are available, each offering a different array of services and perks, and loyalty cards are given to all customers (not just package-holders), a program in which users receive points to earn a complimentary exterior wash after eight are purchased. The business also offers discounts to New Dorp High School students on Mondays, senior citizens on Tuesdays, and women on Wednesdays (“Because who wouldn’t love to have some ladies coming in and out?” joked Basso). Discounts are also given to veterans.

With established success and the development of a solid reputation in less than a year of business, the future seems bright for the operation.

“With the support from each new and returning customer, we don’t plan on slowing down,” Basso added. “We hope to become an even more permanent part of the community.”