United States

Relax and Rejuvenate at 13 Luxe Spas Across the U.S.

by Susan B Barnes

Photograph by Susan B Barnes

Outdoor pool at dusk at The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Resort, Scottsdale

Rise like a phoenix at The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Resort, Scottsdale. (Photo: Marriott International)

It’s important to take time for self-care, perhaps now more than ever. Whether you choose a massage, facial, body wrap, or all of the above, letting go of stress and worry and renewing and reconnecting with yourself can help you be your best version.

Take a look at these luxe hotel spas and unexpected treatments across the U.S. for pampering and self-renewal.

As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.

Savor Time in a Sonoran Desert Spa

Nestled into the Sonora Desert with views of Camelback Mountain, The Phoenician Spa at The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Resort, Scottsdale takes inspiration from the mythical phoenix and helps guests rise anew through its luxurious treatments.

Awaken the senses with a hot-and-cold contrast hydrotherapy spa ritual before retreating into a sumptuously appointed treatment room. Keep the hot-and-cold theme going with a Fire & Ice Massage that blends the warmth of hot oil with the spa’s ChillZen cream. Afterward, soak in relaxation at the rooftop pool.

Soak Up Chill Santa Barbara, California, Spa Vibes

Soak in the scenic California landscape of The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara’s 78 acres at the luxurious, locally inspired, 42,000-square-foot spa. Take advantage of the redwood sauna and eucalyptus steam room before settling in for one of the spa’s signature treatments, like the Elemis Expert Touch Define Facial.

This facial uses techniques that will leave your skin refreshed, radiant, and looking sculpted. Take that dewy facial glow and relax in a fireside lounge or on the rooftop terrace.

Find Your Bliss on Florida’s Amelia Island

Dunes outside of The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island,
Find the relaxing side of Florida at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. (Photo: Marriott International)

The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, nestled on 13 miles of beachfront, sets the scene for an incredibly relaxing spa experience on this North Florida barrier island.

At The Spa at The Ritz-Carlton, there’s no shortage of tantalizing treatments to consider. One such option is the Ocean Healing experience, which includes a salt bath followed by exfoliation and a salt stone massage — all inspired by the ebbs and flows of the ocean.

Manifest Spa Bliss in Marco Island, Florida

If you’re looking for the ultimate spa experience, look no further than the spa at the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort in Southwest Florida.

The expansive Spa by JW has its own pool where you can soak up the Florida sunshine and enjoy poolside nutritious bites. Inside, retreat to one of the treatment rooms for an 80-minute 5 Senses Signature Massage, designed exclusively by the hotel’s therapists. During the massage your therapist will integrate all five senses to balance your body and mind for complete healing.

Embrace the California Dream in Palm Desert

Greeting area at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
Chill out Cali style at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa. (Photo: Marriott International)

Make a day of it when you book treatments at the world-class, 38,000-square-foot spa at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa near Palm Springs.

Spa Desert Springs’ signature Desert Journey treatment is inspired by the fragrant scents of the blooming desert and blends aromatherapy, a scrub, a massage, and hot stones to deliver you into a deeply relaxed state of mind and body. Afterward, keep the relaxation vibe intact in the spa’s Turkish-style hammams with aromatherapy.

Discover the Ancient Benefits of Agave in Arizona

The Sonoran Desert and its indigenous Agave plant serve as inspiration for the treatments on the menu at Agave, The Arizona Spa at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa.

Your Spa Concierge will ensure your selected therapies flow to perfection to create a personalized wellness experience just for you. One treatment to consider is the Wellness Massage, an exclusive blend of therapies that uses aromatherapy, reflexology, hot stones, and more to encourage lymphatic flow and reconnect your mind, body, and spirit.

Find Your Happiness in Hawaii

Massage beds looking out at the ocean at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka'anapali
Find heaven in Hawaii at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka’anapali. (Photo: Marriott International)

The aptly named Heavenly Spa by Westin at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka’anapali will surely have you feeling like you’re in heaven on Earth.

For the ultimate in relaxation, reserve an outdoor beachfront cabana and let the trade winds caress you while your massage therapist uses their forearms and long strokes to imitate ocean waves during the Lomi Lomi Massage.

Or choose the Pohaku Hot Stone Massage and your therapist will use warm basalt stones to soothe aching muscles and deepen your level of relaxation.

Go Big with Your Spa Treatment in Dallas

They say everything is bigger in Texas, and that includes the spa treatments at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas. Take, for example, the Texas Symphony massage, during which four therapists synchronize for an incredible massage that will sooth your tired muscles.

Or try the Margarita Salt Glow, which your therapist can provide frozen (using cold stone therapy) or on the rocks (with heated stones).

Indulge in Refreshing Treatments in Texas

The therapists at the 25,000-square-foot European-style Relâche Spa at Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center are at the ready to help you feel your best with myriad treatments that will leave you refreshed, renewed, and reenergized.

Treat your body to the Relâche Spa Deep Recovery Massage, which blends mindful breathing, soothing ingredients like rosemary and maritime pine, and targeted pressure to relax muscles.

Treat Yourself to a Rocky Mountain High Spa Treatment in Colorado

Indoor relaxation pool at The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Bachelor Gulch
Soak away your worries in Colorado at The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch. (Photo: Marriott International)

The treatments at the 21,000-square-foot spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch are inspired by its surroundings and include locally sourced herbs, plants, and minerals.

One of the minerals incorporated into the treatments is activated charcoal sourced from Colorado mines, which is the star of the Miner’s Mineral Mud Wrap. The charcoal’s detoxifying properties blend with oil, salt, and shea butter to leave your skin supple, your mind calm, and your spirit lifted.

The Treatments Are Awesome in Austin, Texas

Step into the holistic Verbena Spa at Austin Proper Hotel, a Member of Design Hotels and feel a world away from the buzz of the city.

For a different type of buzz, choose Tequila: The Proper Way, a massage during which your therapist uses agave and tequila to ease your muscles and detox your skin while at the same time leading you through a meditation. If you’d rather, the spa’s therapists can provide in-room treatments in the privacy of your room.

Go for the Gold in Miami Beach

Soaking tub and treatment room at the spa at The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort
Experience luxury at The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort. (Photo: Marriott International)

In Miami Beach, everything’s golden at The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort’s spa, where the team is dedicated to surpassing all expectations and making your spa experience nothing short of spectacular.

Reserve a spa suite and enjoy time to yourself on the patio before or after the decadent, full-body 24K Gold Wrap, which will leave your skin exfoliated and sparkling with a sprinkling of gold oil and ready for what the evening holds.

Go Local in Maui

Feel the aloha spirit when you enter the lush gardens and serene outdoor settings at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua’s spa. Here, the treatments are inspired by island traditions and indigenous plants for a holistic approach to wellness.

Speaking of local plants, show your body some aloha with the Coconut Crush Body Renewal: a coconut whipped sea butter sugar scrub buffs away dull skin, and a Lomilomi Massage using organic coconut oil moisturizes and leaves your entire body glowing.