Best Spas in Europe for 2010

your idea of having the perfect getaway is touring the best spas all over Europe, you’re not alone. But how can you visit all of them with so little time? Europe is practically crawling with the excellent spas these days. But because we want you to have the most relaxing spa get away ever, we’ve come up with a comprehensive list of all the best ones.

Augustine Spa in Prague

The Augustine Spa in Prague, Czech Republic, is a four-room spa and salon which takes residence in the Augustine monastery. While it’s tucked in the Gothic pillars of the building, it’s also an exceptional first-class spa redesigned by the master hotelier of U.K Rocco Forte.

The spa itself is a bit minimalist, sporting whitewashed walls, arched ceilings which are about a century old, and architecture that generally emanates the old world. The Augustine Spa draws a fine clientele of nobles from Central Europe, Hollywood celebrities, and even local moguls of real estate.

The spa’s best treatment is the 90-minute beer-based body rub. Have this with a full body massage and you’ll be rubbing all of your stress away. Other treatments include natural products made from Ila and Anika. The Augustine Spa’s director Dita Coufalova can also surprise you. Despite her diminutive size, she has the strongest pair of hands in Bohemia.

Aman Spa in Connaught, England

Undeniably the best spa in London, England, you should not miss out on the Aman Spa at the Connaught. The spa has a total of five treatment rooms (one designed for couples), a gym, a pool with seductive dark tiles, and minimalist architecture by Jaya Patromo Ibrahim.

Combining the styling principles of Asia and England, Ibrahim used dove-gray Portland stones and pale, honey-tinged oak for the interior. The effect: a very spacious spa which is both luxurious and relaxing. If this isn’t zen enough for you, we don’t know what is.

The spa draws a classy, understated clientele, especially on weekends. We recommend their one-hour full body massage which includes a heavenly foot massage, submerged crystal treatment, and a head massage you won’t have anywhere else.

The only downside here is that the pool can’t be accessed by spa customers unless you’re also a guest at the hotel. You can also use the pool if you pay the annual spa membership fee.

La Reserve Ramatuelle Spa in France

If you just happen to be taking your vacation in France, you should definitely give the La Reserve Ramatuelle Spa a try. The spa has a gorgeous destination, taking residence at the St. Tropez, a chic hotel which has a 360 view of the Mediterranean. Enjoy their Crème de la Mer treatments, and special six-day nutrition and beauty programs which will surely leave you feeling years younger.

The spa’s architecture can be describes as sleek. It basically looks like a 21^st century temple with water and white stone floors. The La reserve has rooms for light treatment, a gym, a steam bath, and an indoor/outdoor pool that’s absolutely divine.

The clientele of La Reserve ranges from beautiful Parisian locals, to British and American socialites who are passing by the city. The best treatment of this spa is their 50-minute massage which induces both muscle melting and its complete restoration. For the best spa experience, we recommend that you book for an entire weekend and sleep in the sun by the poolside in between your treatments.

Castel Monastero in Siena, Italy

Tucked right at the estate of the Tuscan resort is a mini-spa which can give you world-class body treatments and facials. The Castel Monastero mini-spa uses products by Dr. Murad, and offers massages which can get rid of your cellulites in no time. While the mini-spa’s study is small and its locker rooms look more like urban gyms than spa locker room, its treatment rooms are pretty spacious. You can also enjoy attractive outdoor pools right beside it.

The clientele here consists of London foodies and Florentine matrons, all detoxifying after a night;s indulgence at the hotel’s Gordon Ramsey restaurant. The best treatment of the spa is its Draining Massage which reduces the body’s swelling and water retention (easy to get if you’ve been living off Italian diet). This is definitely a needed tonic after your weekend of eating pasta and Brunello.

The only downside here is the spa’s size. It can feel pretty crowded especially during the hotel’s peak seasons.

Espa Riga, Latvia

Located right in the historical center of Riga sits the Espa, which is a six-floor modern sauna and steam oasis. Don’t let the Art Nouveau exterior fool you. The place isn’t a gallery but a spa specializing in the best of Ayurvedic and Chinese treatments.

When you enter the spa, you’ll be welcomes by a soothing blend of amber, burgundy, and cream interiors. The spa also has comfortable steam baths, relaxing man-made waterfalls, and an outdoor pool. The clientele of the Espa is an impressive spread of Latvian businessmen, pop singers, and Scandinavian tourists.

If you want the best treatments of the house, you should definitely try out the Amber Baltic sea stones which their skilled therapists will place along your spine. This is only available in the spa’s signature treatment.

Don’t forget to go to the 26^th floor of the spa for a drink at the Sky Line Bar. You can also enjoy impressive views of Riga’s medieval town if you book a room at the hotel next to the spa, the Reval Hotel Latvija.

Spa Dominique Chenot at Barkhiva

Whether you’re in Moscow for business or pleasure, it’s an absolute no-no to miss out on the Spa Dominique Chenot at the Barhiva Hotel. The spa is a huge 21,500 sq. ft. which brings Chenot’s Chinese influences to a wide Russian audience. The building is rich but minimalist, made from dark wood, man-made steams and stone tiles. The clientele here include housewives of Russia’s big shots as well as the local jester Vladimir Zhirinovsky.

If you want the best from this spa, you should go for their 75-minute hydro-energy treatments. These include hydromassages, mud wraps, as well as Henri Chenot lotions. After the treatment, you can take a relaxing and cellulite-busting Charcot shower. Take note though that before you can sign up for longer treatments, you will have to consult with their resident doctor and undergo a bio-energy test.

Best Romantic Spas Around the World

Most spas embrace the basic three-R tenet of rejuvenation, relaxation, and renewal. However, only the best spas around the world have what it takes to grab the fourth R: romance. Spas are fast becoming prime date places for couples who want to spark up their relationships. When you go to a spa, you hit two birds with one stone. You have a blast while spending time together, and you get to relax from the strenuousness of your daily routines.

However, the first part of that statement can only really happen if you visit these spas. Let us take you to the most romantic, renewing, relaxing, and rejuvenating sites around the world.

Las Ventanas al Paraiso in Los Cabos

If you’re looking forward to a weekend away from work and everything stressful, then a night or two at the Las Ventanas al Paraiso in Los Cabos should do the trick. Here, you won’t even have to step out of your suite to have your treatments. The spa brings them to you. The suite also has its own private terrace where you can also have your massage done while bathing in the sun.

The spa’s outdoor garden is also a nice choice, if you don’t mind walking too far from your bed. This resort sprawls out on a beach stretch at the very tip of the Baja Peninsula, Mexico. This is still covered by the colonial Jose del Cabo town, though the beach stretches back to the jovial Cabo San Lucas as well.

The recommended treatments here include the Sea and Stars Massage (best done in your terrace), which lasts for 90 minutes. Keep the hearth warm by letting the fireplace crackle and dipping into the suite’s Jacuzzi with your partner. The Jacuzzi has a fine view of the ocean, so expect a lot of bookings during the full moon. If you’re planning on this vacation, you better book months ahead of time.

The Sofitel of Los Angeles

Le Spa which can be found in the Sofitel, L.A., ranks fourth as the world’s most romantic spas. This is situated strategically between Hollywood and Beverly Hills, which means that it’s at the center of the dining and shopping capitals of the U.S.A. For the most romantic treatment, you and your partner should sign up for the Touch of Love. You can learn the techniques from your masseuse during the 60-minute to 80-minute session.

After that, the spa will let you take a booklet home so you can treat your partner to a massage next time. The hotel spa will also give you a special aphrodisiac massage oil which will surely get things steamy in your own bedroom.

Before that, though, don’t miss out on all the shopping. Cruise the Rodeo Drive for the best designer boutiques, or walk-through L.A. neighborhoods. Silverlake and Santa Monica are recommended for sightseeing.

Hungry from the trip out? The hotel also has one of the best restaurants in the area. Try the delicate yellowtail carpaccio, and sweeten up the evening with an avocado pudding.

La Pleta in Spain’s Aran Valley

When it comes to romance, it’s not very surprising that Spain is among the top travel destinations. The most romantic spa in the whole world (at least for this year) can be found in La Pleta, Aran Valley, Spain. The mountain lodge’s spa is called the Occitania Spa which is filled with mystery, what with its aromatic candles, elevation, and the snow that’s just right outside.

The La Pleta is also a haven for people who love winter sports. You and your partner can have fun in the snow first. After your activities, you can treat your sore muscles with a full body massage from the spa. The Two Lovers’ Massage is very popular here. After the massage, you should go for a hot soak and walk through their reflexology pathway.

Here, you’ll be walking on smooth stones which would relax the soles of your feet while warm water runs through your ankles and calves.

After that massage, you and your partner can feast on chicken paillard which is stuffed with mushrooms. To pair off the dish, order a bottle of their local sweet wine.

Coeur d’Alene Resort in Idaho

The view here is spectacular. You will be surrounded by fountains, spanning views of the lake, and waterfalls. With that description, need we explain why it’s such a romantic spa? If you sign up for the spa suite, you’ll also be sleeping on a waterbed which actually doubles as a massage table, while three fireplaces keep your spacious room warm.

What’s best is that this have is only a short 40-minute drive from Washington, making it a favorite relaxation site of a lot of hardworking government officials who are trying to make it up to their life partners. We recommend the Pure Essence Shower. You’ll be enjoying the healing waters of the Alps through a rain shower, but that’s not all. Jet showers are also built in the treatment room, massaging all of your pressure points.

When you’re not in the spa, you can also enjoy winter sports like skiing, snowhoeing, and cruising in a snow mobile. The food is also delectable. You should try the caramel Muscovy duck, and the restaurant’s hot huckleberry soufflé. All the while, you’ll be dining in front of the lake and possibly rubbing elbows with only Beverly’s finest people.

The Starr Pass in Tucson, Arizona

Back in the home front, Tucson, Arizona’s Starr Pass scurries up to the eight place with its own spa called the Hashani. The spa overlooks the Tucson Mountain Park, and this should appeal to you if you find the Old West wildly romantic.

The resort itself is the same color as the sand, and you’ll feel the desert growing around you as forests of cactuses surround the hideaway. Among their best treatments is the Cupping Therapy. While this is a Chinese technique, making use of suction cups to release toxins and improve blood circulation, the Starr has been pretty well known to it.

This is the perfect way to end a tiring day hiking the trails of the Sonoran Desert. After your massage, feast on seared scallops, black bean puree, and of course, pepper tequila which fits perfectly with your Texan backdrop.

The InterContinental Buckhead in Atlanta

Coming in second is a spa that’s not so far from home. The InterContinental Buckhead in Atlanta is set up in the posh Buckhead Area. You and your partner will be in close proximity to the best shopping and dining places, and they’re always good places to be in after a good, romantic massage.

You should try the Body Indulgence package. This includes a generous 90 minute massage, an hour’s worth of facial, an hour long reflexology foot scrub, and a scalp treatment that lasts for fifteen minutes. You’ll be spending almost four hours at the spa, which is always a good precursor an indulgent dinner in the area.

There are also clubs where you can dance in all night, or galleries if you prefer a quiet evening contemplating on art.

Ojai Valley Inn and Spa in California

What’s more romantic than an old adobe inn spa with its own heirloom gardens, rooms that still have that Spanish glint, and spa treatments en suite? While the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa in California didn’t top this list this cozy hearth might just be the answer to your anniversary question when you were looking for a great hideaway that’s not too far from home.

This spa is right on top of the Topa Topa mountain. The inn is surrounded by old oak trees, orange groves, and lavender fields. With everything practically local to it, the site is a natural spa in itself. All you have to do is breathe in the air and you’ll be so relaxed, you’ll forget that you’re only a few miles from your office.

The Kuyam experience is very popular here. The package includes a guided meditation, inhalation treatment, cleansing mud, and dry heat. This treatment is best followed by a Massage Duet that would relax both you and your partner.

Aside from the spa treatments, you can also play gold, horseback riding, sign up for Pilates and dancing classes, or explore the woods by hiking. After a full day’s activities, sit back and relax with an El Jefe cocktail while sitting right outside, under one of the ancient oaks.

The Mandarin Hotel in Prague

The best spas are built in the most unlikeliest of places. This particular site used to be a monastery in the 14^th century before it was converted into the Mandarin Hotel we know now. Prague has the 7^th most romantic spa in the world, and its beauty would inspire even the most coldhearted of couples. You can’t possibly not fall in love in Prague, especially not in this the Mandarin Hotel spa’s couples suite.

Built underground, the couples suite has two connecting gothic-inspired rooms. For the best treatments, try the Linden trees. The Linden Blossom scrub will rejuvenate you with its honey scent. After the treatment, you’ll be served with a pot of steaming Linden blossom tea as well. Round up the day with a short walk along the Mala Strana neighborhood. You’ll think you were in a fairytale while you were in Prague.

Most Exotic Spa Treatments

You've heard of Shiatsu, Swedish and Thai massage but did you know that the world's cultures offer some more unusual treatments to sample?
Instead of being a luxury pastime, many people from around the world indulge in body scrubs and massage as part of their daily ritual.
So if you're thinking of splashing out on a holistic holiday this year - or just want a taste of some exotic products from around the world - why not get some spa inspiration from Indonesia, Australia and Mauritius?





Gold Body Mask, Oman 

The Claim: Many ancient cultures believed that gold, along with symbolizing power and wealth, imparted immortality (hence all that burying of bling in Egyptian tombs). These days, chrysotherapy—the treatment of maladies like rheumatoid arthritis, bad circulation, depression, and hypertension with gold—has become relatively well known, and beauty experts say powder-fine gold used in spa treatments can help absorb pollutants, regulate the skin’s ionic balance, and impart a fresh glow.

Where to Try It: In the Arabian Gold Ritual at the Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay in Oman, guests are exfoliated with a basil and mint scrub, then painted with a purifying gold-and-clay body mask. Next comes an invigorating massage of the scalp, face, and body—the latter with a gold-infused oil.

Queen Conch-Shell Scrub, Turks and Caicos

The Claim: Found in the shallows of the Caribbean and southern Atlantic seas, queen conchs are mollusks whose large shells are lined with pink-hued mother-of-pearl, or nacre. Caribbean natives have long considered this shell lining to be health-friendly, likely because it’s rich in proteins and anti-aging keratins. Today’s aestheticians have also found that the relatively soft conch shells, when ground, make an ideal low-impact exfoliant.

Where to Try It: For the 30-minute Mother of Pearl Body Treatment at The Regent Palms in Turks and Caicos, hand-crushed queen conch shell (one of the island’s biggest exports) is mixed with aromatherapeutic oil to create a gentle scrub. The soft, powdery shell bits help to slough off dead skin cells and polish and revitalize the skin underneath.

Coca Leaf Body Mask, Peru

The Claim: Native to northwestern South America, the coca leaf—which contains the alkaloids used to make cocaine, but is not, in itself, addictive—is an integral part of traditional Andean medicine and has long been chewed, brewed, and applied topically to treat everything from headaches and depression to muscle pain and high blood pressure. Besides having a high concentration of calcium, the leaf also contains skin-friendly alkaloids like papaine and benzoine.

Where to Try It: Designed to detoxify and improve blood circulation, the three-hour Inkaterra Therapy service at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu’s UNU Spa starts with a stint in an Andean sauna (in a eucalyptus-wood hut), then moves on to a stimulating coca-oil body massage, a coca-leaf body mask, and hydration with a coca-leaf moisturizer.

Tepezcohuite Body Drench, Mexico City

The Claim: Known for centuries as the “skin tree” all over Mexico and in parts of Brazil, Tepezcohuite (pronounced “Te-pez-co-whee-tay”) was traditionally used by the Mayans to stop bleeding, prevent infection, and treat lesions. More recent lab studies have shown that the tree’s bark has antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, while its extracts contain anti-aging flavonoids, skin-smoothing tannins, and nutrients like zinc, copper, and magnesium.

Where to Try It: Opening in March 2009, the Aurora Spa at Mexico City’s Las Alcobas hotel will feature influences from the Mayan, Aztec, Toltec, Nahuatl, and contemporary Mexican healing cultures. The one-hour Tepezcohuite Body Drench is a cooling, hydrating, and therapeutic body salve combining the restorative bark with aloe and mint—perfect for parched or sunburnt skin. 

Maple Sugar Body Scrub, Vermont

The Claim: About a decade ago, Canadian dermatologic chemist Ben Kaminsky was on a midwinter fishing trip when he began pondering the ability of maple trees to thrive in such cold temperatures. Many tests later, Kaminsky discovered what he calls the Bio-Maple compound in the tree’s sap—a combination of antioxidants, polyphenols, and minerals that makes maple extract a deeply soothing, hydrating, and reparative substance. Alpha hydroxy acids also help make it an effective, but gentle, exfoliant.

Where to Try It: Bio-Maple is now an integral part of the B. Kamins, Chemist product line (a particular favorite of people with sensitive or rosacea-prone skin), but the pure stuff is also used in spa services in maple-rich Vermont. Both the Topnotch Resort and Spa and the Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa offer maple sugar body scrubs that exfoliate and moisturize using sap from local trees. 

Black Pearl Body Buff, Tahiti

The Claim: Found only in French Polynesia, rare black pearls are naturally more prized than their paler counterparts. But though they’ve got superior cachet (and dazzling shades that include deep purple and green), black pearls’ beauty benefits are the same as those touted in China for more than 3,000 years. Crushed, pearls reportedly have anti-aging and skin-lightening properties and also act as a mild sunscreen; in skin products, they’re said to improve circulation and elasticity and encourage cell turnover to leave complexions smooth and even.

Where to Try It: During the Monoi Poe treatment at the Manihi Pearl Beach Resort in Tahiti, you’ll get buffed with a combination of real Tahitian black pearls—harvested at one of Manihi’s 60 pearl farms—and indigenous monoi, a hydrating nut oil used by all local women. Skin is left smooth and glowing.

Cedar Massage, Wisconsin

The Claim: Regarded as sacred by numerous Native American tribes, cedar is thought to have qualities of purification and protection, as well as an ability to cleanse on an emotional level. As a result, it’s often used in ceremonies designed to release heavy emotional baggage and is also used for “smudging”—the burning of herbs to remove negative vibes and create a healthy, sacred space. (It also just smells really nice.)

Where to Try It: At the Aspira Spa in Wisconsin, cedar gathered from the ancient trees growing along nearby Elkhart Lake is used in the signature Cedars Massage. The treatment—which incorporates cedar-infused massage oil and a wrap in a blanket layered with fragrant sprigs—was influenced by the traditions of the local Ojibwa Tribe.

 Argan Oil Massage, Morocco

The Claim: Native to southwestern Morocco, the spindly Argan tree produces a small, pitted fruit that’s something like an olive. For centuries, native Berber women have ground up the pits and seeds of these fruits and pressed them to produce an oil for use in cooking and body treatments. Thanks to a high content of vitamin E, carotenes, and fatty acids, the oil is an excellent hydrator—it leaves skin nourished but not greasy—and also helps minimize wrinkles, restores elasticity, and stimulates cell oxygenation.

Where to Try It: At the Amanjena Resort in Marrakesh, the traditional communal hammam experience has been refined into the pampering Moroccan Bloom spa treatment. Guests enjoy a steam, a wash with locally made black soap, a thorough body scrub, and a rhassoul clay body mask, topped off by a dousing with refreshing eucalyptus-infused water. Once skin is squeaky clean and polished, a massage with Argan oil helps seal in moisture.

Achiote Hydrating Wrap, Cancún

The Claim: Grown widely in Peru, Brazil, and Mexico, the flowering achiote, or annatto, plant has been used for health and beauty ever since the Mayans first ground up its rust-colored seeds to make lipstick. Local cultures still use raw achiote leaves to treat skin problems and stomach distress, the roots for coughs and digestive issues, and dried-leaf tea to fight inflammation, high cholesterol, and obesity. On the beauty front, oil extracted from the seeds has moisturizing and antioxidant properties and also creates a light UV barrier when applied to the skin and hair.

Where to Try It: The JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa’s Mayan-influenced menu includes an Achiote Hydrating Wrap—which does exactly what it says—and also an Xux Ek Venus Goddess Facial, which mixes mud from the Chicxulub meteor crater with achiote to nourish tired and dry skin.

Jade Hot Stone Massage, Beijing

The Claim: Long considered a symbol of beauty, power, and good health in Asian countries (where it’s largely harvested), jade is often worn against the skin for the purposes of strengthening the kidneys, liver, and heart. Cosmetic manufacturers who infuse their products with the green stones also insist the ingredient helps to even skin tone, reduce inflammation, and add moisture, likely due to its high content of silica, which helps produce collagen.

Where to Try It: The Jade Hot Stone Massage at The Peninsula, Beijing, begins with a cleansing facial, “polarity balancing,” and an acupressure head massage, followed by a dousing of the body in warm scented oils. Next, hot jade stones are used during a deep massage, helping to loosen muscles and—ostensibly—impart mental clarity and spiritual harmony.

Spas Made Simple

With more than 21,000 spas to choose from in the U.S. alone, just figuring out where to go can tie you up in knots. But don't sweat it: We've identified the top 10 (affordable) spas for every type of decompression.

 

1. The holistic haven
Elemental Embrace Wellness Spa Retreat in Brighton, Ont.

Trained vaidyas—ayurvedic doctors who practice India's 5,000-year-old system of holistic medicine—oversee the cleanse-and-reboot treatments at Elemental Embrace, a small wellness spa 90 minutes east of Toronto. The number of guests is limited to 20 to ensure a guest-to-staff ratio of about 1:1. Though you can get the usual facials and wraps here, most people come for the ayurvedic treatments (such as swedana, an herbalized-oil massage followed by an intense steam bath, $55) and for colonics ($100). The real standout, though, is the creative, Indian-inspired cooking; dessert is served first to give the body time to break down hard-to-digest sugars. Best Deal: The $317 nightly rate, which includes all meals, daily yoga and meditation classes, evening lifestyle seminars, use of the facilities, and a $136 credit to put toward treatments. 866/212-9355, elementalembrace.com.

2. The celebrity favorite
Cygalle Healing Spa in La Romana, Dominican Republic.

Before she opened her full-service, ecofriendly facility on the grounds of the Casa de Campo resort last year, Cygalle Dias's organic facials, massages, and mani/pedis were available only through her mobile spa business—and primarily enjoyed by boldface names like Rosario Dawson. Now, those same services are available to anyone who makes an appointment at Dias's namesake spa. The emphasis is on fresh, natural ingredients: "Pharmacists" mix up individual batches of potions using fruit, honey, flowers, herbs, ground coffee, cornmeal, and more for each client. A popular four-part treatment sampler includes a 30-minute water ritual (alternating between hot and cool pools), a facial that uses local sugar and botanical extracts, a 50-minute massage, and either a wrap or a scrub, all of which take place in spacious bamboo-and-stone suites or in open-air gazebos scattered throughout the resort's garden. Best Deal: Through December 20, a three-night stay runs $594 and includes breakfast daily and a four-treatment sampler. 800/877-3643, casadecampo.com.do.

3. The outdoor adventure
Red Mountain Resort & Spa in St. George, Utah.

Set in the shadows of the red-rock cliffs of Snow Canyon State Park, this fitness-focused spa puts hiking front and center. Guests choose from 30 different guided treks each week, some of which explore nearby Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks, as well as the Grand Canyon (about 100 miles away). An adventure concierge is on hand to help guests select the right difficulty level: Explorer treks consist of leisurely walks in the foothills, while Endurance outings are recommended for human billy goats. Best Deal: For $259 a night through the end of November, the Red Rock Girlfriends Getaway includes all meals, daily hikes and classes, gym access, a massage, and an afternoon of guided kayaking or horseback riding. 877/246-4453, redmountainspa.com.

4. The pastoral escape
Spa Eastman in Eastman, Que.

It's only about an hour from Montreal, but Canada's oldest destination spa feels blessedly remote, thanks to its setting: 315 acres of ponds, wildflower meadows, and groves of cedar, pine, and birch trees. The 43 rooms are divided among seven buildings across the property, from a bare-bones, solar-powered wood cabin that sleeps two to the spa's original eight-room French-style stone house, equipped with a fireplace and lounge. Some therapists have been with the retreat for more than 15 years—unusual in the spa world—and the staff's certified kinesiologists will help you make the most of the property's nine-plus miles of hiking trails. Best Deal: A $698 three-night Relaxation & Fitness package, which covers all meals, classes, a training session, and five treatments, including massages and a body wrap. 800/665-5272, spa-eastman.com.

5. The exotic hotspot
Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort in La Fortuna, Costa Rica.

Plenty of people are drawn to Tabacón for the thrill of bunking at the base of the 5,360-foot (and active) Arenal volcano. Yet it's the hot springs that run through the property and create natural thermal pools that make staying there such a restorative experience. Meandering pathways flanked by tropical plants connect the resort's low-slung buildings, and the treatment rooms in open-air bungalows take in some of the best rain-forest views. Not surprisingly, the spa specializes in volcanic-mud wraps and hydrotherapy treatments, like a sea-salt-spiked Jacuzzi session. Best Deal: A three-night Yin Spa Package, at $1,496 per room, includes three spa treatments per person—a neck-and-shoulder massage, a reflexology massage, and a facial—as well as a traditional temazcal sweat-lodge cleansing session for two. 877/277-8291, tabacon.com.

6. The place to lose that last 10 pounds
The Oaks at Ojai in Ojai, Calif.

A perfect counterpoint to the fancy, celebrity-studded hideaways in nearby Santa Barbara, the Oaks' unpretentious family-run spa has had its own devoted following for 32 years. The scale of the place is modest—there are 46 rooms in a Spanish-style former hotel—but its clients' weight-loss goals are decidedly ambitious. Guests practice restricted food intake, with daily meals and snacks totaling just 1,000 calories, and spend their days in a variety of noncompetitive fitness classes, many of which are geared toward beginners. Among the 14 offered daily are a handful of throwbacks like aqua and step aerobics, which somehow feel just right in this old-school environment. Facials and massages are extra, but at $80 apiece, they're hardly budget busters—and they make for well-deserved treats after all that discipline. Best Deal: The $189 nightly rate includes all meals, classes, and use of facilities such as the pool and gym. 800/753-6257, oaksspa.com.

7. The good life for less
Rosewood Sand Hill in Menlo Park, Calif.

New resorts often dangle spa deals to help get the word out. That's the case with Sand Hill, a 123-room retreat that opened in April with rates low enough to make its over-the-top luxury accessible, at least through the end of the year. Everything about the hotel broadcasts excess, from the huge rooms (starting at 527 square feet) and designer Italian bed linens to the giant rain showerheads and marble bathtubs. The many freebies at the heated outdoor pool—smoothie shots, melon balls, and frozen grapes delivered hourly to your chaise—will help you forget (momentarily) that you'll be picking up the tab for meals at Sand Hill's pricey rustic-American restaurant (entrées start at $22). Even the spa treatments aim for grandeur: The Forest Sanctuary option includes a redwood-scented body wrap that evokes northern California's outsize natural resources. Best Deal: Until December 31, the A Girl's Gotta Get Away weekend package starts at $185 per night and includes a bottle of sparkling wine, a $100 spa credit, and a $50 breakfast credit. 650/561-1500, rosewoodsandhill.com.

8. The beachfront yoga retreat
Maya Tulum Wellness Retreat & Spa in Tulum, Mexico

At the still-almost-pristine south end of the booming Riviera Maya, an hour and a half from Cancún, Maya Tulum specializes in weeklong programs that are popular with both novices and experts. (Many experienced yoga instructors even come here for training programs to beef up their skills.) Guests stay in the 45 thatched-roof palapas with net-draped beds and private bathrooms, and most rooms have views of the Caribbean. The larger of the two yoga pavilions accommodates up to 80 people, but bring your own mat if you want to practice on the beach—borrowed resort mats aren't allowed on the sand. (You'll also need to pack your own bug repellent and beach towel—and a flashlight, since the grounds are dark at night.) In the spa, local cacao, honey, and clay are used for the six Mayan-themed wraps, scrubs, and massages. A nopal-and-aloe-vera wrap ensures that even the painfully sunburned can share in the pampering. Best Deal: A seven-day Mind-Body-Spirit program costs $1,368 and includes airport transfers, meals—typically casual, seafood-focused Mexican dishes like shrimp ceviche and fish tacos—twice-daily yoga classes, two spa treatments, and two half-day excursions, such as snorkeling at the Dos Ojos cenote or checking out the Mayan ruins at Cobá. 888/515-4580, mayatulum.com.

9. The historic New England charmer
The Spa at Equinox in Manchester Village, Vt.

Last year's $20 million renovation, with interiors by New York City designer Geoffrey Bradfield, gave this 240-year-old southern Vermont resort a much-needed elegant update (think striped sofas, wrought-iron tables, and stylized tree-branch patterns in the rugs). The 13,000-square-foot spa, added to the Equinox in 2005, has a 75-foot-long heated indoor lap pool and a lounge with a fireplace—plus a list of locally appropriate treatment options like a maple sugar body scrub. If you feel like getting out, Manchester Center, less than three miles away, is the perfect place to go bargain-hunting: It's home to dozens of designer outlets, including Burberry, Theory, and Tse. Best Deal: Weekdays from November 1 to April 30, the three-night Cloud 999 package costs $999 per room and includes a $999 spa credit—enough to cover one full treatment per person per day, with just enough left over for a $35 Express Manicure. 800/362-4747, equinoxresort.com.

10. The desert oasis
Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort & Spa in Palm Desert, Calif.

At 38,000 square feet, Desert Springs in the Coachella Valley is one of California's largest spas. In the newly remodeled space, you'll find everything from separate men's and women's hammams to digitally programmable Kohler rain showers (for those who must have the water temperature just so). The hotel's 884 rooms are equally well decked out: All have 37-inch HDTV screens, granite vanities, and private balconies with views of the resort pools or the surrounding Santa Rosa and San Jacinto mountains. Of the eight restaurants on the property, the liveliest scenes are at the Lobby Bar and at Mikado, a popular spot for cocktails and sushi. Best Deal: The Escape! Spa Package starts at $409 per room per night and includes breakfast, two treatments, and access to the pool and the 4,000-plus-square-foot gym. 888/538-9459, desertspringsresort.com.