Traveling can come with some serious stress—between going through TSA, dealing with occasional delays and cancellations, and worrying about the potential for lost luggage. So, it makes sense why so many travelers deliberately seek out hotels and resorts with on-site spas. After all, there’s no better way to relax and reset after a long day in transit than by indulging in a deep tissue massage, luxurious facial, or rejuvenating body treatment.
In fact, a recent survey found that “spa vacations” are becoming increasingly popular. While 16 percent of travelers have visited spa resorts at least once and 10 percent have gone multiple times, 47 percent said they’re interested in staying at a wellness retreat in the future where they can relax, receive spa treatments and take part in other health-promoting activities.
Of course, not all hotel spas are created equal—some go above and beyond in offering special amenities and services, like oceanside couples massages, detoxifying salt caves, advanced complexion-refining peels, and state-of-the-art whirlpools and saunas.
Below, travel experts share the U.S. hotel and resort spas that stand out among the rest.
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Nordic spas have a noteworthy difference from their spa counterparts: these trendy facilities revolve around a style of hydrotherapy that’s been popular in Scandinavia for hundreds of years. The idea is that by going from extreme heat to extreme cold, you can purify your body, alleviate aches, and even bolster your immune system.
After a soft launch, the 50,000-square-foot Nordic Spa at the Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, Alaska, will officially open in September of 2022—and according to Jimmy Carroll, a travel expert at Pelorus, it’s worth booking a full day of access. Featuring a series of outdoor hot and warm hydrotherapy pools, cold water plunges, waterfalls, aromatherapy-infused steam rooms, and an exfoliation cabin all connected by a heated walkway, there’s no shortage of options for pampering yourself.
“Just in time for Alaska’s Aurora Borealis season, the spa debuts a forest loop that will include an elevated boardwalk through the Chugach Forest, North America’s northernmost rainforest,” says Carroll. “It will incorporate six outdoor hot and cold wooden tubs, in addition to two large barrel saunas and two Banya saunas, all nestled throughout the walking experience allowing for a unique moment to relax and connect with the surrounding nature.”
Back indoors, guests can unwind in cozy device-free nooks, 10 treatment rooms for a wide range of massage options, wellness and fitness classes, and the new Two Trees Bistro, which boasts a menu highlighting local artisans and unique regional selections.
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