Turn a vacation into a transformation. Visiting some of the nation’s finest spa resorts can awaken your mind, revitalize your body and renew your spirit. These choice spas will intrigue all your senses from tantalizing tastes, and tender touch, to spectacular sights, calming sounds and serene scents.
Canyon Ranch, Tucson, Arizona
This award-winning spa resort is hands-down one of my favorites. Nestled in the majestic Sonoran Desert, Canyon Ranch offers more than just luxurious spa treatments and accommodations, you will also enjoy fine cuisine, outdoor adventures, golfing and more, at this all-inclusive spa resort.
Spa pleasures from around the world including Asian therapies, Yamuna treatments, restorative therapy, replenishing facials, tanning, nail and hair treatments. During your stay you can also take advantage of the 80,00 square foot Spa Complex that includes relaxation rooms, yoga and dance studios, a salon, whirlpools, wellness education rooms, and state-of-the-art cardio and weight-lifting equipment.
Delight in the sights of the rich landscape of the Santa Catalina Mountains and red canyons nearby. The Ranch was once a working cattle ranch, but now offers a serene and clear desert setting, perfect for mind-clearing and focus. As part of your vacation experience, take advantage of the gorgeous surroundings by going hiking, biking, or even nature and bird observing.
Whether your goal is to discover new activities, explore the outdoors, lose weight, improve your golf game or fine-tune your fitness, the encouraging fitness physiologists will custom-tailor a plan for you during your stay. Take advantage of all the offerings of fitness classes, guided hikes and walks, wellness presentations and workshops, private consultations and assessments. With more than 40 fitness classes and outdoor activities each day, there is something for everyone.
Your comfort is a top priority of Canyon Ranch, and to ensure that you are most comfortable and relaxed, guest suites are equipped with feather cloud beds, luxury Italian linens, robes and all the essentials to help you relax. The resort is tastefully tied together with modern southwest-inspired decor and art throughout, enhancing the experience in the Tucson desert.
In addition to the amazing spa treatments and pampering, the award-winning cuisine at the Ranch will spoil your taste buds. Not only are the meals indulgently delicious, each has been carefully designed for maximum nutritional value. The healthy gourmet cuisine is always prepared with fresh and seasonal ingredients.
Canyon Ranch is all about your health and pleasure. It’s a luxurious way to revitalize your mind, body and spirit.
Ten Thousand Waves, Sante Fe, New Mexico
Centered around Japanese values of relaxation and serenity, the Ten Thousand Waves Spa in Sante Fe, New Mexico is a truly unique and luxurious spa destination. Based on the traditional Japanese spa, or onsen, Waves believes that a spa is a place to relax and have fun, not just a place to get something done. In Japanese tradition, spas and bathing are mostly about meeting friends, relaxing, spending time with family and unwinding from the day. Waves uses hot water bathing as an integral part of its spa treatments.
This unique Japanese spa oasis, set in the mountains just outside Sante Fe, offers everything from hot water bathing and therapeutic massages to hot oil treatments, herbal wraps and sea salt exfoliation. Lounge around in your Yukata robe, snack on handmade sushi, and enjoy the lush nature surroundings.
Even though Ten Thousand Waves is mainly a day spa, they offer some of the most unique and serene lodging accommodations, all based on traditional Japanese lifestyle. Just a short walk through the towering pinions and fragrant juniper trees, the 12 hotel suites are privately nestled along the hillside. Each suite is completely unique, offering anything from the quaint “capsule” trailer or high-tech modernist “Sailor Moon” room, to the traditional simplistic Japanese elegance or blended Southwestern Japanese rooms. All rooms encompass a peaceful blend of tranquility, luxury and romance.
This spa getaway is all about letting go, transporting your mind and calming your soul.
The Lodge & Spa at Cordillera, Edwards, Colorado
Whether you are looking to unwind or rejuvenate, or both, The Lodge and Spa at Cordillera will help you accomplish that in supreme luxury. High atop the majestic Colorado Rocky Mountains, Cordillera has world-class views of the Vail Valley and Sawatch Mountain Range.
Refresh your body and soul with amazing spa treatments, for men, women or couples. Continually voted as one of the top spas in North America, you are guaranteed not to be disappointed. The amazing massages and body treatments uniquely blend traditional touches with unique ingredients and scents such as coffee, sandalwood, volcanic ash, Dead Sea Salts, local river rocks and fresh mountain water.
In the warm months you can become part of the mountain scenery with a relaxing gazebo or poolside massage in the open, fresh mountain air. In the winter, Cordillera is a one of the world’s most renowned ski destinations. After a day of winter sports, ease sore muscles with a Backcountry Pedicure or one of the signature massage treatments. The resort also specializes in high-altitude skin treatments to revitalize your body from the dry mountain air.
The entire resort was inspired by a Belgian chateau and is decorated with a unique mountain rustic elegance. Suites are equipped with balconies with uninterrupted mountain views, cozy fireplaces, and plush feather beds.
During your stay at Cordillera, enjoy award-winning cuisine from two on-site restaurants. For an unforgettable fine-dining experience set with breath-taking mountain views, eat at Mirador; where the innovative menu and extensive wine list are sure to pleasure your palate. For a relaxed yet upscale authentic Irish pub, visit Grouse on the Green.
The Lodge & Spa at Cordillera is the best place to experience a spa vacation full of solitude, contemporary comfort and mountain luxury.
What is your favorite part of a spa?
