The 10 Coziest U.S. Spas
Baby, it’s cold outside. Luckily, there's a cure. From New York to Seattle, here are 10 of the country’s coziest spas and their most inviting treatments.
Boston: Emerge Day Spa
Though only open for a short time, Newbury Street’s Emerge spa has already established itself as the go-to place for relaxation. Think flat-screen TV’s in the Men’s Club, a fireside lounge and a roof deck, plus treatments like the Thalasso Kur: a body wrap, mineral bath and massage. 275 Newbury St.; 617-437-0006; emergespasalon.com; $215.
Washington, Conn.: Mayflower Inn & Spa
During the Thermal Sanctuary Experience, a modern-day hammam ritual, spagoers detox with a selection of scrubs and oils in a marble-clad steam room. Afterward, settle into a settee in the lounge, a welcoming space complete with a roaring fire and gorgeous views of the Connecticut countryside. 118 Woodbury Rd.; 860-868-9466; mayflowerinn.com; $90.
New York City: Cornelia Day Resort
This 22,000-square-foot self-proclaimed "day resort" on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue is stocked with decadent touches, like cashmere throws and butlers serving champagne in the relaxation room; a mini-boutique displays designer bags and accessories alongside skin-care products. But it’s the Signature Facial that is truly deluxe. Instead of one aesthetician, clients get two — the first tends to your face, while the second gives you a massage. 663 Fifth Ave.; 212-871-3050; cornelia.com; $195.
Sunny Isles, Fla.Espa at Acqualina
Overlooking the ocean, this is the United States’ first stand-alone outpost from Espa. Look for an authentic experience in a resolutely modern environment. Services like the Vata Comforter — a scrub, massage, and wrap using muds, oils, and spices — draw on a range of Asian traditions (ayurveda, in this case). 17875 Collins Ave.; 305-918-6844; acqualina.com; $295.
New Orleans: Belladonna Day Spa
When it reopened directly following Katrina, Belladonna served as a community gathering place. It’s still a welcoming haunt, thanks to its worldly boutique and indulgent treatments such as the Thai Foot Ritual, an upgraded pedicure that includes traditional Thai stretches. 2900 Magazine St.; 504-891-4393; belladonnadayspa.com; $95.
Austin, Texas: Lake Austin Spa Resort
It is Texas-chic at Austin’s top spa: mismatched wing chairs in the lounge; massage tables covered with gingham throws. To feel especially pampered, book the Texas Starry Night, done after dark in one of the outdoor treatment areas. The combined effect of the lavender-oil massage, twinkling stars, and air tinged with the scent of Texas wildflowers will lull any insomniac to sleep. 1705 S. Quinlan Rd.; 512-372-7300; lakeaustin.com; $140.
Carefree, Ariz.: Boulders Resort & Golden Door
A compound of adobe buildings that seems to spring from the desert landscape, the Golden Door goes out of its way to put guests at ease. Case in point: Needle & the Stone, a blend of acupuncture and hot-stone massage, conducted by a therapist certified in both arts. 34631 N. Tom Darlington Dr.; 480-488-9009; goldendoorspas.com; $200.
Las Vegas: Qua Baths & Spa
One of the latest spas to open in Sin City, this water-themed spot differs from its other Strip counterparts through unusual offerings like Sleep Health; the massage followed by a hypnotherapy session is a welcome relief in a city known for encouraging late nights. Caesar’s Palace, 3570 Las Vegas Blvd. S.; 866-782-0655; quabathsandspa.com; $280.
Los Angeles: InterContinental Century City
Forget standard treatment rooms. Services at Los Angeles’s InterContinental are performed in private villas with flat-screen TV’s and meditation gardens. During the Mediterranean Olive Scrub Massage — an exfoliation with crushed olive seeds and an olive-oil massage — guests are given time in the room’s infinity-edge Kohler tub, making it easy to soak it all in. 2151 Ave. of the Stars; 310-552-0425; ichotelsgroup.com; $190.
Seattle: Ummelina International Day Spa
Most treatments at downtown’s Ummelina begin with a foot soak and tea ceremony. Seaweed Pedicures are performed in private rooms where you are literally tucked into a plush heated bed. You’ll doze off while your toes are filed, buffed and polished. 1525 Fourth Ave.; 206-624-1370; ummelina.com; $80.
Reported by Christine Ajudua, Alice Gordon, Stirling Kelso, Clark Mitchell, John Newton, Nina Willdorf, and Elizabeth Woodson.
The information in this story was accurate at the time it was published in January 2008 but we suggest you confirm all details and prices directly with any establishments mentioned. The quality of offerings and services tends to change over time.
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