By Gigi Starr
10 Best Spas
Spa
vacations are popular for honeymoons, anniversaries, or luxurious getaways. Many high-class
resorts exist, but few make the cut of the top magazines and critics. Selected from a wide range of respected sources, these 10 spas have a eclectic mix of tradition, innovation and, most of all, complete relaxation. Whether you're staying for the day, or an entire week, these spas offer complete rejuvenation.
Canyon Ranch, Tucson, Arizona
Ranked the best destination spa in the United States by Gayot.com, Canyon Ranch has a long history of pampering celebrities, socialites and other luxury lovers. The spa complex houses facilities for women's and men's beauty treatments, neuromuscular therapy, tanning, skin treatments, yoga and more. Check the website for an extensive list of specials for teens, mother and daughter travelers, and singles.
Canyon Ranch
8600 East Rockcliff Road
Tucson, AZ 85750
(520) 749-9655
www.canyonranch.com
The Wine and Spa Resort at the Loisium Hotel, Austria
With the rising success of grape-derived skin treatments, wine spas have climbed to prominence in the destination spa business. Featuring all-natural Aveda products, the Loisium wine spa offers "the healthy ingredients of grapes and grape-seed oil to promote luminous skin care-and luxurious body treatments." It requests that guests coordinate visits to the spa before arrival to ensure proper service.
The Wine & Spa resort at the Loisium Hotel
Loisium Allee 2
3550 Langenlois
Austria
43-2734-1000
www.loisiumhotel.at
The Lodge at Chaa Creek Spa, Cayo District, Belize
The Lodge at Chaa Creek is an affordable spa getaway nestled in an adventure resort. Surrounded by the Belize rainforest, the spa offers complete packages for under $2,000 a person, including horseback riding, food, massage and spa treatments.
Lodge at Chaa Creek-Belize
Rainforest Reserve
San Ignacio, Cayo District, Belize
(877) 709-8708 (toll-free from U.S.)
www.chaacreek.com
Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, Ojai, CA
Voted one of the best spas in America by "Travel & Leisure" magazine readers, the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa boasts private elevators and a wildly popular $50 Chumash Indian-inspired sweat lodge. Readers rated the $80 Petals body treatment, "a rubdown with powdered roses followed by a rose-gel shower and rose-oil massage," as their top pick.
Ojai Valley Inn & Spa
Country Club Road
Ojai, CA
(800) 422-6524 or (805) 646-5511
ojairesort.com/spa.php
Spa at the Hotel Martinez, Cannes, France
"Fine Living" rates this spa as a top "One to Watch." According to the hotel website, the "the Spa Martinez is a privileged place for men and women who wish to stay healthy, young and beautiful as long as possible." The Spa Martinez has a full range of spa treatments including manicure and pedicure services for men and women.
Spa at the Hotel Martinez
73, La Croisette
06400 Cannes, France
+33 (0) 4-92-98-74-90
www.hotel-martinez.com/en/facilities/facilities01.aspx
Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay, Bali, Indonesia
This spa is top-rated for ambiance. "Top Living" writes that tourists can "enjoy a traditional Balinese treatment surrounded by natural stone and timber, cool ocean breezes and the spicy aroma of exotic flowers." Jimbaran Bay Spa includes a Swiss shower, double massage beds, a full luxury salon and a large tea assortment.
Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay
Jimbaran, Denpasar 80361
Bali, Indonesia
62 (361) 701010
The Penninsula Spa by ESPA, Chicago
Rated No. 1 by "Zagat's," "Conde Nast Traveler," and "Health Magazine," the Penninsula Spa is a "sublime urban escape." The Spa offers half- and full-day spa packages that include beauty, massage and body care treatments with a holistic bent. They also sell a full line of ESPA products.
The Penninsula Spa by ESPA
108 East Superior Street #5
Chicago, IL 60611-2508
(312) 573-6760
El Santuario, Valle de Bravo, Mexico
El Santuario owes the inspiration for its treatments to the plentiful water from the surrounding mountains. The mission of the spa is driven by self-discovery, silence and cleansing in order to bring balance. With a menu of over 60 body and skin treatments, yoga classes and meditation spaces, El Santuario is one of the "Los Angeles Times" top spa picks for Mexico.
El Santuario
51200 Carretera Colorines KM 4.5
Valle de Bravo 51200, Mexico
www.elsantuario.com/en/cuerpoalma.php
Bliss London spa, London
Part of the Bliss Spa chain launched in the United States, London's Chelsea location serves not only relaxation, but chocolate brownies and wine, with every treatment. Reviewer Ginny McGrath says, "The spa's location on the border of Chelsea and Belgravia puts it on the lady-who-lunches-and-shops trail, and with plenty of salubrious brasseries, cafes and boutiques nearby, spa visitors can easily make an indulgent day of it." The most popular treatment is the oxygen facial--be ready to book up to two weeks in advance.
bliss London
60 Sloane Avenue
London, SW3 3DD
(02)0 7584 3888
www.blisslondon.co.uk
Liz Earle Spa, Sasaab, Kenya
This nine-room spa resides inside of a safari reserve. British Airways High Life writer Karenna Collins says, "all products at this Kenyan spa are made from natural botanicals and include a number sustainably sourced from Kenya." Seated beside the Ewaso Nyiro river, it's possible that you might see a rare zebra as you relax.
Liz Earle Spa
Tamimi Kenya Ltd
P.O Box: 15565
Code: 00503
Nairobi, Kenya
(254) 20 2513166
Resources
About the Author:
Gigi Starr is a freelance fashion writer. She previously served as the blog editor for a major online fashion blog and has more than a decade of backstage experience in the beauty and high fashion industries. She has worked for businesses like an internationally renowned theatrical touring company and events such as the Mercedes-Benz N.Y.C. Fashion Week.
Photo Credits:
2008 Dennis Wong / Creative Commons
