Smart Luxury: 8 Day Spas in the U.S. That are Worth the Splurge

by  Christine Wei | Jan 13, 2014
Spa
Spa / kzenon/iStock

Knot-busting Chinatown massages in New York City have all our love, but the biting cold of this blustery winter has us dreaming of a little extra pampering. That’s why we’ve focusing on spas with stellar amenities, stunning views, and other extras that make the treatments truly worth the indulgence. Go ahead, dive in...

Wi Spa
Los Angeles, CA
Wi Spa takes lounging to a whole new level. Here, $25 grants you access to its 24-hour hot and cold tubs, saunas, steam rooms, and relaxation areas for a full day. What could be a better deal than that? Treatments start at $60, but booking $90 worth of services means you're free to use all of the facilities in the four-floor, 48,000-square-foot haven. Check the website for frequent deals, like $15 entrance on weekdays and in the morning.

The Spa at Whiteface Lodge
Lake Placid, NY
This rustic spa draws inspiration from Lake Placid’s tranquil ponds and fragrant firs. Beyond cedar wood saunas and eucalyptus steam rooms, its heated pool is partly enclosed by floor-to-ceiling windows, and partly open-air. A $135 50-minute massage might be a small splurge, but the $230 half-day package of two treatments and a spa lunch is a blissful deal.

Strawberry Park Hot Springs
Steamboat Springs, CO
A muscle-melting soak makes it that much easier to enjoy the snow-capped mountains of Colorado. If you're skiing in Steamboat Springs, the mineral hot springs (ranging from a comfortably cool to scalding hot) are just a 20-minute drive and a $10 entrance fee away. For ultimate relaxation, spring for a massage, starting at $50 for a half-hour. Or, to make the most of your getaway, stay overnight in a rustic wagon, cabin, or train caboose (from $60). Note: The pools are clothing-optional after dark.

Juvenex
New York, NY
City sightseers might be surprised to find a veritable sanctuary smack dab in NYC’s Koreatown that's known for its intensely thorough scrubs. Juvenex’s beloved "Jade Journey," ($65 a la carte or $35 with any service), is a pilgrimage to bliss that starts with an “igloo” sauna, aromatherapy steam room, and invigorating rainforest shower. Then, sink into tubs infused with sake, algae, and other enhancements, then go zen in a warm clay sauna. It’s not five-star hotel sleek, but it’s certainly a serene step up from the city’s budget bathhouses.

G2O Spa & Salon
Boston, MA
Steam, schmeam. In the middle of Boston’s bustling Newbury Street, the amenities at this modern-minded respite go far beyond the basic. A brine “inhalation room” with enhanced “salt air” encourages you to literally breathe some life back into your body, and the skylight hot tub is calming whether it's a sunny day or a starry night. There's even a lightly scented nap pod for a little restorative rest, free to use for 20 minutes with any service. A half-hour targeted massage goes for $75, and a 60-minute deep tissue massage is $115.

Amara Resort & Spa
Sedona, AZ
For a truly transformative experience, nothing beats the mystical energies of Sedona. Tap into the power of the elements at the Amara Resort & Spa – a Kimpton property – with a balancing grape seed scrub, detoxifying seaweed wrap, or clarifying papaya facial ($120 for 60 minutes or $180 for 90 minutes). After your treatment, hit the steam room or do a few laps in the heated infinity pool, all set against blazing red rock views.

Allyu
Chicago, IL
A day at Allyu means South Asian treatments like chakra balancing, reiki, and aromatherapy, alongside stress-busting Shiatsu technique. Though the high-tech, super-hot infrared sauna comes with a $25 price tag, it includes complimentary use of a personal rainshower with refreshing herbal amenities. But most otherworldly of all is the Moroccan-style relaxation tent, a cocoon of glowing light, gauzy curtains, and slouchy sofas.

Ojo Caliente
Santa Fe, NM
This Navajo-inspired resort offers something a little different – with fees that are a little easier to manage – in Santa Fe. Eleven (!) hot springs brim with four different types of thermal mineral waters... on top of a new detoxifying mud pool and steam and sauna rooms. Unlimited access is complimentary with treatments over $100, and while a $109, 50-minute deep tissue massage qualifies, the $130, 75-minute combo of a custom massage plus a blue corn and prickly pear scrub sure sounds like Southwestern heaven.

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