vacation

Nearly 3,000 feet above sea level in the captivating Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia lies Primland Resort, a sprawling, luxury getaway, already popular with huntsmen and business elite.

I recently went on a yoga retreat held at a beachside spa resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico, called Ceiba del Mar Resort and Spa (a longtime SpaFinder partner), which became a wonderfully transformative, novel, personal experience. Everything about the yoga retreat − from the resort itself, the program, the company and the foray into spa and wellness through both a spiritual practice and Mexican healing rituals, comprised the ingredients for a delightful few days.

Question:

I just turned 50 in April, and am looking for the ultimate spa/spiritual renewal trip of a lifetime, anywhere in the world, and need help choosing my destination! I’ve looked everywhere and am now more confused than ever. My ideal trip is someplace where I can spa, [enjoy] light treks and beach/mountain water activities and whatever else a trip of a lifetime can offer. I am looking anywhere between July 9-August 7 for around a two-week stay.

Going on vacation but can’t bear to be away from the kids? These family friendly resorts—complete with kid spas—encourage you to bring the little ones along! With numerous spa treatments and wellness offerings tailored to the younger crowd, these kid-approved travel destinations make keeping the kids entertained easy (and welcome you to find your inner […]

Question:

My daughter wants to meet her sister between where they live. One is in Springfield, Missouri, and the other is in Alsip, Illinois. Do you know if there are any nice hotels with spas (not too expensive) around there?”

If you’ve seen the vacation episode of the wildly popular ABC TV sitcom Modern Family, then you’ve actually already caught a glimpse of the luxurious, award-winning Four Seasons Maui at Wailea. In the “Hawaii” episode, the gang lounges poolside (shot at the not-to-miss, adults-only pool area) and takes part in a wedding ceremony (shot on a manicured lawn overlooking the ocean and three new oceanfront traditional Hawaiian spa hales). What’s only captured in person are the stunning vistas and a very cool swim-up bar, plus fully loaded private cabanas. After my own visit last fall, I can attest, the sunset views in this area (complete with the VIP-feel and kid-free calm) are simply breathtaking. In addition, the standout five-star hotel is now offering innovative wellness-oriented special event weekends.

California wine country beckons not only wine buffs, but also those in search of an easy, rejuvenating weekend getaway. Sonoma Valley, in particular, is less than an hour north of San Francisco and captures all the key ingredients for supreme relaxation. Fine wines? Check. Gourmet cuisine? Check. Gorgeous scenery? Check. Outstanding spas? Check, plus! Spa lovers have found innovative, traditional and vinotherapy-inspired treatments in Sonoma. Get a taste of the region through three savory Sonoma spas: Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn, MacArthur Place and the Lodge at Sonoma, all SpaFinder partners.

Question:

Do you know of any spas in New York City that have infrared saunas? Most have rock saunas or stream rooms. Thanks in advance.”

-FS

Here’s a spa practice we love to toast: vinotherapy, the art of celebrating products and treatments containing antioxidant-rich grape skins, seeds and extracts. Our SpaFinder editor Shari Rosenberg has taken you through a quick tour of select spas in Sonoma, but spas around the globe – whether located in wine country or not—are offering a […]

The Robert Trent Jones Spa Trail is a carefully curated group of properties with superior spa facilities. The RTJ Trails concept originated with a golf theme, including 26 luxurious golf courses and year-round play.

A few great TSA-friendly options

Child’s pose. Check. Warrior pose. Check. Mountain pose. Check. A more rejuvenated sense of self. Check. What are your plans this summer? Whether you’re looking to expand your knowledge of the yogic practice or you’re ready to jumpstart this discipline into your lifestyle, embrace the opportunity to focus on your wellbeing this season. It’s difficult […]

Besides being Melanoma Awareness Month, May is also Pregnancy Awareness Month! Going through pregnancy is a life-changing event and from offering prenatal massage or pregnancy massage services, to babymoon or mommymoon packages, spas are becoming an ever-present part of the pregnancy process for many expecting parents. So what is a babymoon or mommymoon, you ask? […]

Cooking has become a leisurely hobby for many as the food world has taken pop culture by storm, but we know it can still be difficult sometimes to muster up the energy to make dinner. These are the times when you might be thinking, “If only the kids could just cook for us…” Well, they […]

Six Senses Spa will debut at the five-star Hotel Missoni Kuwait in early summer, and we’ve decided from the look of just the photography that this spa is going to be a stylish addition designed to entice both body and mind. Makes perfect sense to us. Here’s a quick snapshot of the spa and hotel, […]

Spa-ing at luxurious hotels has always been an option, but what about spa-ing in your hotel room?

This just in! Audience members of The Oprah Winfrey Show enjoyed quite the surprise today, when Miraval Arizona presented everyone with a two-night, all-inclusive stay at the luxury destination retreat. The special offering was in commemoration of the show’s farewell season, as well as the “25 Years of Oprah and Gayle’s All-Time Best Adventures” episode […]

UK-based chocolatier and cocoa grower, Hotel Chocolat, has announced plans to open The Hotel Chocolat, a boutique hotel set within the company’s own cocoa plantation in Saint Lucia, West Indies.

Just as siblings can be so similar and yet so different, so are the sister Starwood properties of The Sheraton Hacienda Del Mar Golf and Spa Resort and The Westin Resort and Spa, Los Cabos, both situated in lovely Los Cabos, Mexico, where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean. Located at the tip […]

Golfers, spa-goers, and everyone in between, get your golf game and your spa-ing attitude ready! At these getaway resorts, championship courses mix with top-level spas, and fine dining, lovely accommodations, and a number of recreational opportunities round out the experience. Hit the links, then head to the spa to ease your tired muscles – these golf and spa properties will fit you to a tee.