There are few phrases in the English language that elicit as much immediate enthusiasm as ‘spa day.’ Plush robes, plunge pool dips, a soul-purifying steam, rejuvenating facials—it’s heaven on earth, really. And regardless of if you treat spa visits like a sport or only make your way to one every year or two, the universal appeal of self-care is what makes a *spa day* all the more worthwhile.
Beyond treatments, one very important component to a successful spa jaunt is the property’s design direction. Architecture, landscape, decor—it all comes together to cultivate a mood that’s unique to that specific spa. Whether it’s a massage room perched among treetops or a dramatic step pool positioned in a remote desert landscape, a spa that fosters a strong point of view is only going to enhance your experience. Ahead, 17 wow-inducing options to book your next spa day at.
Location: Canyon Point, Utah
Photo: Courtesy of Amangiri
Set in the vast desert landscape of the Colorado Plateau lies
Amangiri, a secluded luxury resort situated on 600 acres overlooking flat-topped mesas, ridges, and gorges. Architects Marwan Al-Sayed, Wendell Burnette, and Rick Joy nod to the region’s Navajo traditions and designed the property to blend into its natural red rock surroundings (the best example of this being the communal pool that winds around a gargantuan 165-million-year-old Entrada sandstone rock). The resort’s use of raw concrete materials cement the brutalist aesthetic and the spa with its heated step pool, outdoor treatment terraces, and floating pavilion serves as a strong continuation.
Location: Livingston Manor, New York
Photo: Lawrence Braun
For verdant countryside charm, The Arnold House in the western Catskills provides a picturesque respite. The property is just two hours north of New York City and positioned on 80 acres of land near the Shandelee Mountain Forest. The Arnold House underwent a renovation in 2014 and offers cozy Catskills minimalism at its finest. The spa leans into this aesthetic with a neutral palette and natural materials like light wood furniture and a cast iron fireplace.
Location: Granby, Colorado
Photo: Courtesy of C Lazy U Ranch
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to stay at an authentic dude ranch, pay a visit to C Lazy U, a guest ranch in prime Colorado mountain country that’s been around since 1919. The onsite spa sits along Willow Creek and is composed of six tents—two of which are suspended over the river and have glass floors, …….