Readers’ Choice Awards: The 10 Best Spas for Going Solo



Sometimes in order to get the R&R you truly need, a little trip away to focus solely on you is just what the doctor ordered. According to a 2013 report by American Express Spending & Saving Tracker regarding summer travel, 15% of consumers traveled solo in the summer of 2013 and it seems like they’re all on to something! Traveling solo, while it may seem strange at first, forces you to travel more mindfully, to be in the moment, and to concentrate on you and what will make you well. Last year you voted and shared your top 10 picks for the best spas for solo travelers and interestingly enough, it seems solo travelers, and the destinations they choose, all have something in common. See if you can figure it out as you scroll through!

Golden Door – Escondido, CA

Escondido’s Golden Door has long been a favorite Destination Spa retreat for solo travelers thanks to its menu that runs the gamut on wellness programming – from spa, fitness, education, nutrition, and mindfulness.   What makes the programming even more alluring to solo travelers are the popular men’s- and women’s-only weeks which can make a first-time trip alone much more comfortable!

Rancho La Puerta – Tecate, Mexico

Yet another renowned Destination Spa, Rancho La Puerta and it’s full-year calendar of activities, programs, and packages which focus on a whole mind-body wellness is a clear pick for solo travelers. Over the past year two of our Spafinder Wellness 365 team members took solo trips to Rancho La Puerta and came back feeling completely refreshed, refocused, and renewed (read about their experiences here and here!)

 

Miraval – Tucson, AZ

While the Real Housewives of New Jersey proved Miraval is an excellent Destination Spa for groups to go and reconnect and heal (and my goodness does that group need to heal!) it’s also the perfect place for solo travelers seeking the opportunity to reconnect with #1 – themselves.

From healthy cuisine, hiking and biking, yoga classes, meditation, and the program on my personal spa bucket-list, the Equine Experience – a week at Miraval is dedicated to healing your mind and body and giving you the education to go home and continue your journey, making it ideal for traveling alone!

Green Mountain at Fox Run – Ludlow, VT

For more than 40 years, Green Mountain at Fox Run has helped women everywhere, lose weight in a motivating, “non-diet,” healthy way. The program is perfect for solo lady travelers looking to shed pounds in a positive environment . You’ll focus on behavior (managing stress, stopping negative self-talk), nutrition, fitness, and wellness to create a personalized, lasting weight-loss strategy you can take home with you.

Canyon Ranch in Tucson – Tucson, AZ

In 1979 Mel Zuckerman and his wife Enid created Canyon Ranch in order to inspire others to live healthy, active lifestyles. What makes Canyon Ranch so appealing to solo travelers is the ability to great an experience completely tailored to you – whether you just want to relax, focus on fitness, or work on mindfulness and wellbeing – your stay can be whatever you want it to be yet regardless of what you choose, you will leave feeling healthier than when you arrived!

Deerfield Spa – East Stroudsburg, PA

Since 1979, from April – October Deerfield Spa focuses on fitness programs for adults, with a maximum capacity at 33 – making the program intimate, inclusive, and personal. Room rates include unlimited exercise, all meals and snacks, 24-hour access to facilities, full hiking program, lifestyle education, and evening programs. Another thing solo travelers will love is the affordability of the program at Deerfield Spa  – check out their specials now!

Hilton Head Health – Hilton Head Island, SC

With over 35 years experience, this beach-side destination has long been a go-to for solo travelers seeking a life-changing health and wellness experience. With wellness programs focused on fitness, nutrition, weight loss, stress management, longevity, and relaxation – Hilton Head Health offers an amazing array of events, week-long and 4-week-long retreats for travelers looking to change their lifestyle for good.

Westglow Resort & Spa – Blowing Rock, NC

This award-winning Destination Spa is nestled in the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and is an ideal location to renew your mind, body, and spirit, through education, motivation, and relaxation. Solo travelers love the all-inclusive packages which offer everything from spa experiences, healthy cuisine, outdoor activities, yoga, workshops, and more!

 

 

 

Spa Eastman – Eastman, QC

Canada’s first Destination Spa, Spa Eastman believes in fostering the care of the mind and body for a total wellness experience that solo travelers (and non-solo travelers alike) adore. The destination offers a calendar chocked full of fun, informative, and useful workshops – from fitness to mediation to healthy cuisine – there’s truly something for everyone.

Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa – Miami, FL

For more than 30 years, Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa has been helping people change their lifestyles to become healthy, active, and informed. Not only to they offer guests a fabulous spa experience, they help you fight disease, lose weight, and feel great about yourself long after you leave the program. (Check out a sample day at Pritikin.) Surrounded by 650 acres of tropical gardens, waterfalls, championship golf courses, tennis courts, and inviting swimming pools, Pritikin is the perfect destination for solo travelers!

What do these amazing properties have in common?

Wellness Travel! Solo travelers seek out experiences where they can redirect their focus from work, family, and friends, from the drama and stress of day-t0-day life and truly take the time concentrate on themselves and their own health and wellbeing. Something that is actually on the rise among all travelers – from family, to business, to friends – just take a look at this year’s Global Spa & Wellness Trends Forecast!