You have spas, and then you have spas. You know, where the treatments are top-notch, the locale is unreal, and the interior makes you feel as though you'll be able to spend the rest of your life in harmony with your surroundings. After a long day—or week, or month—at the office, there's nothing better than taking a weekend to fully relax.
Now, a treatment at one of these luxurious spas may be a splurge, but it's a worthy one—and one that might just merit a repeat. Whether you love aromatherapy, want to try "sound healing," or just need to float away from your stresses, here are the most otherworldly spas to check off your list. And while you're feeling the self-care vibe, treat yourself and start planning one of these 8 Exclusive Trips to Take With Friends.
1 | Amangiri
Aman; Canyon Point, UT
This desert hideaway, tucked into the rugged mountains of Utah, offers a range of services inspired by local Native American rituals. The Desert Rain treatment ($350) includes a water immersion to help restore and rebalance, while the Crystal Sound Bath ($250), an ancient healing technique using harmonic frequencies, renews energy. The surroundings add to the ethos, with a yoga pavilion that offers breathtaking views of the mesa wall and a soaking pool (heated in the winter, of course) encircled by the desert landscape. If the mountainous landscape reminds you of how much you miss skiing, here are the 5 best luxury ski trips you can take.
2 | The Sisley-Paris Spa at The Carlyle
The Sisley Spa at The Carlyle; New York, NY
Gilded to the nines, this spa recalls a very ornate, indulgent underground lair (think lots of chandeliers and shiny, shimmering finishes). If nothing is glamorous enough for you, you'll feel right at home here. Try one of the aromatherapy-fueled body treatments (starting at $200) or feel fresh-faced again with a plumping facial ($300) featuring the plant-powered formulas of French skincare brand Sisley. Afterwards, linger at the Carlyle's storied Café Carlyle for a drink and—depending on the night—a live jazz performance with Woody Allen. And right next door is The Carlyle bar, Bemelmans, one of The 20 Greatest Hotel Bars in America Right Now.
3 | Auberge Spa at Calistoga Ranch
Calistoga Ranch; Calistoga, CA
Take a break from wine tasting at this Napa sanctuary, which is nestled in a woodsy, moss-covered canyon. A long soak in the spa's healing mineral pool will help you unwind before your Calistoga Cure treatment ($460), a two-and-a-half hour experience that begins with a mineral salt body scrub, followed by a soak in a private outdoor bath, and an energy balancing session. It eventually ends with the spa's signature massage. (Naturally.) Then, re-tox with a forest hike to a nearby winery, where you can enjoy a private wine tasting and meal. To continue feeling pampered after you leave, start stocking your own wine cellar—here's advice on how to start a collection, by the world's #1 wine expert.
4 | The Spa at Mandarin Oriental New York
Mandarin Oriental New York; New York, NY
Once you're done ogling the incredible views of Central Park and midtown Manhattan, unwind in the amethyst crystal steam room and take a dip in the vitality pool. Then, treat yourself to Oriental Harmony ($820), which entails a massage by two therapists and a personalized consultation. Or do a mini digital detox with the Digital Wellness Escape (starting at $240), which helps undo the strain from hunching over screens all day. An afternoon in the Asian-inspired surroundings will provide all the Zen you need to handle the fast pace of the city. And if you get hungry while you're in the area, head over to Norma's for its Zillion Dollar Frittata, which has everyone asking, Is This the World's Best Omelette?
5 | Tammy Fender Holistic Skincare
Tammy Fender; Palm Beach, FL
Give your skin the TLC it deserves with an appointment at the celebrity skin guru's flagship spa. Fender's known as much for her holistic, natural product line and custom-blended formulas as she is for her star-studded clientele (think Julianne Moore and Gwyneth Paltrow). So take a break from the beach with her restorative Signature Treatment ($300), which pairs rhythmic massage with reflexology, or enjoy the Hollywood treatment with Oscar Night Facial Treatment ($175), which restores skin with potent ingredients and oxygen therapy.
6 | Spa at Beverly Wilshire
Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills; Los Angeles, CA
With a steam room that'll transport you to Morocco—and true to its LA ethos—this spa is all about excess. Try the Diamond Rose Body Treatment ($425), which transforms skin to its softest, smoothest state with a combination of Damask rose oil and diamond dust gel. Or, if you really want to get into the SoCal mindset, opt for the Superfood Detox Wrap ($325), which nourishes skin with antioxidant-packed green tea seed oil and a chia-infused body wrap. Once you're done, head outside to the pool for some sun and a shot-glass smoothie (although no one will blame you for going to Rodeo Drive instead). If you can't bear to leave LA, check into the Maison 140, one of the 12 Swankiest Boutique Hotels in America (according to Anthony Bourdain).
7 | Chuan Spa at the Langam
Chuan Spa; Chicago, IL
Visit for the treatments, but stay for the immersive natural water journey. Before your appointment, the spa recommends warming up in the Herbal Sauna, turning it up in the Salt Stone Sauna, moving to the invigorating Aromatherapy Shower, and then relaxing in the chamomile-infused Oriental Steam Room before making your way to one of the heated recliners. And that doesn't even include a treatment like Chuan Tao of Detox ($460), which entails a full-body exfoliation, marine algae wrap, a massage, and—can't forget your complexion—a deep cleansing facial. To keep your skin shining and healthy when you get back home, incorporate these 25 foods that will keep you young forever into your diet.
8 | Level Float Spa
Level Float + Sensory Spa; Seattle, WA
Far ahead of the curve, the treatment of the moment in Seattle is flotation therapy. Calm your mind and rest your body in one of Level Float Spa's futuristic float pods ($89), or opt for more room and space in a float suite. Each pod and suite contains roughly 900 pounds of sea salt, which infuses the water with minerals that benefit your hair and skin. Plus, people swear by floating for everything from chronic pain to stalled productivity. Alternately, you can go the extra mile in a sensory deprivation tank. The benefits of Level Float Spa are just one of the many reasons to stick around Seattle—another is that it's one of The 100 Happiest Cities in America.
9 | Grace Mayflower Spa
Grace Mayflower Inn and Spa; Washington, CT
Take a breather and get back to nature at this intimate New England spa. Choose from Japan- or Hammam-inspired treatment rituals, dabble in sound healing, or even work with a personal wellness advisor to create customized blends—formulated with marine elements, wild algae, medicinal clays, wild herbs and organic essential oils—to address your body's biochemical needs. There's no faster (or more thorough) way to feel revived and renewed. And, the best part: It's all located less than two hours from New York City.
10 | Westglow Spa
Westglow Resort & Spa; Blowing Rock, NC
Southern living has never seemed so chic. Indoor and outdoor lounges in the spa both have surreal views of the mountains, which you can hike through before you settle in for the day for treatments. The spa offers the requisite facials, but don't miss the bespoke services, like Raindrop Therapy (starting at $90), a technique in which essential oils are dropped directly onto your spine and massaged in, and the range of Lavender and Tangerine, Eucalyptus, and Grapefruit Salt Glows ($90 each). Follow your services up with a light, nourishing spa dinner offered by the resort. And if that first hike left you wanting more, here are the The Greatest Hikes in the World.
11 | Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa
Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa; Ojo Caliente, NM
Considering its Southwestern setting, there's not much—if anything—that's dry and dusty about this spa, thanks in part to the geothermal mineral springs. The grounds offer a yoga yurt and an intention garden filled with wildflowers seeded by guests, as well as hot springs with four different types of minerals for healing and relaxation. In keeping with the calm, natural surroundings, indulge in the Sacred Journey Aroma Wrap ($109), which combines essential oils, local herbs, and the mineral waters. Then, round out your experience with a bath in a private soaking tub. It's guaranteed you'll drift peacefully to asleep after a relaxing day at this spa—but if you're still having trouble (or haven't made it to Ojo Caliente yet), here are 11 doctor-approved secrets for falling asleep faster.
12 | The Lodge at Woodloch
The Lodge at Woodloch; Hawley, PA
This is rustic done right. This spa—though landlocked—has an Aqua Garden, with soaking pools and hydro-massage waterfalls. (And that's only once you make it past the rocking chairs on the porch and the fireplace in the lounge.) Naturally, flotation therapy (starting at $90) in the Float Cabin is available, as are intensive massages like the Delaware River Stone Massage ($215), which uses actual warmed stones from the Delaware River. Then, save time for a Forest Bathing class, an ancient Japanese-inspired guided walk deep into the woods that's known to relieve stress. For more stress-relief tips, try The 10 Best Non-Exercise Stress Busters.
13 | Lake Austin Spa
Lake Austin Spa Resort; Austin, TX
If you're tired of the signature massages, this is your best bet, because the spa treatment menu reads like a novella. Some treatments incorporate the true-to-Texas ingredients, like the prickly pear-packed Tour of Texas treatment ($350), which includes a scrub, wrap, scalp rub, and massage, and Best of the Southwest ($225), a scrub and wrap powered by local mesquite and jojoba oil. If you're looking for something a little more intensive, the spa also offers acupuncture and acupressure. Those with lower-back pain have often extolled the virtues of acupuncture; if that's something you struggle with, here's your ultimate lower back pain-fighting game plan.
14 | Sundara Inn and Spa
Sundara Inn & Spa; Wisconsin Dells, WI
Few things are dreamier—and less attainable on an everyday basis—than a hot bath. This spa keeps that in mind with its lineup of bath treatments, like the Rest Assured Soak and Massage ($225), which includes a private bath, massage, and 15 minutes for napping or meditation, and Toast to Life Bath and Massage ($225), which incorporates Chardonnay into every step. Even if you opt for a regular body wrap, massage, or facial, you can enjoy hot and cool rainfall showers, a rose- and sandalwood-scented steam room, the hot pool infused with essential oils, and a cold plunge pool.
15 | Mii Amo
Mii Amo; Sedona, AZ
Built into Arizona's red rocks, this spa takes advantage of its peaceful, holistic surroundings and offers a bespoke menu of guided meditations, like the Red Rock Inspiration meditation ($165) and Labyrinth Walk meditation ($165). If you want to go a step further, you can also try Reiki healing ($190) and even a Past Life Regression session ($315) with a certified therapist. Even the massages take mind-body to the next level: The Spirit of the Full Moon ($315) entails writing down what you'd like to release. Healing has never been more elegant.
After a visit to these luxury spas, you'll be feeling rested, rejuvenated, and ready to head back to work—stay on top by using these 60 Ways to Buy an Extra 60 Minutes Every Day.
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