By Michelle Rae Uy
Spa treatments are very much a fixture of every resort vacation. They are kind of like mini vacations that exist within our actual vacations that at one point or another we all seek or badly need. What’s better than finding yourself in a tranquil and utterly luxurious place that smells like a blossoming garden in the spring? Indulging in one to melt your knots and cares away, that’s what. So don on a soft robe and a pair of plush slippers, to start, and get ready to de-stress with a cup of Jasmine tea in hand. At these five breathtaking resort spas, you’ll unwind like nowhere else.
Spa at NIZUC
NIZUC Resort & Spa, Cancun, Mexico
The minimalist aesthetic of its lobby offers no hints on how spectacular the Spa at NIZUC is on the inside. It’s only when you are led along wooden path that runs along a manmade pond full of beautiful koi into the hydrotherapy circuit area that you’ll realize you’ve just walked into paradise. This luxury spa not only exudes state-of-the-art elegance, it also features exclusive ESPA-branded treatments that you won’t likely forget. It’s its hydro hot and cold circuit, however, that’s the shoo-in here. Show up an hour before your treatment, and you’ll be treated to the most divine and intricate hydro circuit experience of your life. It involving everything from a sauna, rain showers, and plunge pools to the more unique offerings like the aromatic steam room, an ice bath, and a quick massage on a heated lounge chair. It’s almost like having two spa treatments in one.
Waldorf Astoria Spa
Boca Raton Resort & Club, Boca Raton, Florida
Once heralded by Condé Nast Traveler and its readers as one of the best spas in the world, there’s little doubt that Boca Raton Resort’s Waldorf Astoria Spa offers exceptional spa experiences. Yet, it’s one of those things that you have to see for yourself to believe, as it’s the only way to do it justice. Inspired by the Alhambra palace in Spain, this spa is ornate and simply stunning. More importantly, it offers an incredible menu of Waldorf Astoria signature treatments as well as great amenities. Best of all, however, is its unforgettable bathing ritual treatment, the likes of which you’ll be hard pressed to get in most spas in the US. During this 50-minute Ritual Bath, your therapist will guide you through several different bathing rituals that will relax your mind as well as your body.
Anantara Spa
Anantara Si Kao Resort, Si Kao, Thailand
Treatments at this spa at the Anantara Si Kao Resort in Thailand start at its beautiful open-air lobby where guests are welcomed with a lovely smelling cold washcloth and an aromatic tea and given the choice of oil scents for their respective treatments. While this spa isn’t elaborately decorated or impressively huge, its beauty is in its simplicity and intimacy. It is also surrounded by an idyllic lotus pond that is softly lit at night, making it a truly ideal place for the ultimate rest and relaxation. Although it’s in Thailand, most treatments and massages on offer use more Western techniques, perfect for guests who are not quite ready to jump on the Thai massage bandwagon.
Laniwai – A Disney Spa
Aulani Resort, Kapolei, Hawaii
As we all know, nothing Disney ever does is mediocre. While many of their properties may cost an arm and a leg, that high price tag comes with the highest quality and extraordinary service. Laniwai, the spa at Disney’s Aulani Resort in Oahu, Hawaii, is no exception. This Disney-branded spa is not only luxurious; it’s also aswarm with delightful amenities—from snacks to toiletries—and amazing facilities. These include the most relaxing, outdoor hydrotherapy garden, which incidentally is the only one on the island. Take de-stressing dips in the several hot and cold plunge pools, immerse in one of its five Vitality Nature Soaks, and try every single one of its six rain-style showers. Then finish the ritual off with a tasty, healthy snack and drink. And that’s even before your actual treatment.
Club Med Spa by L’occitane
Club Med Punta Cana, Punta Cana, DR
Who doesn’t love L’occitane products? The Club Med Spa at Club Med Punta Cana has collaborated with the French beauty brand to provide the loveliest spa treatments and massages in the DR. The best way to get a massage at this spa is right on the beach, in an open-air palapa where you can hear the soothing sound of the lapping waves as a therapist messages you into the dreamiest oblivion. After your treatment, you’ll be taken to the relaxation area where you can take a quick dip in the pool or sip your tea as you read a magazine on a spa-provided iPad in your lounger. Best part? The spa is tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the main resort area, so it’s really like having a mini getaway.
Contact Steele Luxury Travel to secure your next spa getaway! www.SteeleTravel.com