7 US spa resorts marrying wellness, luxury, and a positive impact
Enjoy rejuvenation and relaxation with a clear conscience at these spa resorts that put the well-being of their guests and the health of the planet above all else.
Travelers worldwide are finally returning to a somewhat steady cadence of journeys abroad and holidays away from home, but with new intent and refreshed purpose. Among our members, there’s an increased focus on wellness-oriented travel experiences that are as much about reconnecting with the self as they’re about reconciling with the environment. We’ve rounded up seven US spa resorts that have mastered the critical balance of guest-centered and earth-centered wellness experiences.
Contact our Travel team for more trend insights and assistance booking your own exclusive eco-spa retreat.
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Connect with Native American philosophy at Amangiri, Utah
Surrounded by the landmark red rocks of the southwest, Amangiri seamlessly blends into the Colorado Plateau environment with its natural architecture and design. Aman resorts are guided by four pillars of sustainability, including local heritage, local culture, environmental protection, and social responsibility. This Utah resort respects and protects its local environment through honoring natural and native materials, such as fine sand and red rock, in its architecture and design. Furthermore, the spa pays homage to the cultural roots of its Colorado Plateau location through grounding its spa offerings in the indigenous Navajo philosophy of hózhó, the state of being in tune with the self and in harmony with the world.
From the treatment menu: Try the Desert Dream and experience expanded consciousness through flotation therapy.
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Become a water warrior at The Lodge at Woodloch, Pennsylvania
Tucked away in the woodlands of north-eastern Pennsylvania, this lakeside spa resort is the ultimate escape for those looking to press pause on the hustle of city life and reconnect with natural surroundings. The spa offers all regular treatments, including massages, facials, and salon services, as well as access to a luxury post-treatment lounge, and an Aqua Garden complete with indoor and outdoor soaking pools. Guests can enjoy the retreat’s cleansing rituals with a clear conscience, as The Lodge at Woodloch is a prominent member of the Green Lodging Partnership – which offers spa guests the opportunity to donate to local nature conservancy initiatives – and the Green Spa Network, which provides resorts with the resources and training materials they need to exceed sustainability standards.
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From the treatment menu: Select the Chakra Balancing massage, which blends reiki, Swedish massage techniques, and aromatherapy for complete restoration.
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Experience high-desert history at La Posada de Santa Fe, New Mexico
Spa resorts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, are about as common as casinos in Las Vegas or maple groves in Vermont, but this one stands out from all the others. Originally a brick mansion owned by the wealthy Santa Fe Staab family in the 1880s, the eventual spa resort retained its historical adobe architecture and sits on six acres of land in what is now downtown Santa Fe. Guests of La Posada can enjoy full spa services as well as yoga and Pilates classes in the electric high-desert air. In an effort to promote further connection with the local environment, the spa resort offers guests the chance to participate in the ‘Make a Green Choice’ program, which offers rewards to patrons who conserve energy and resources during their stay. To top it off, La Posada de Santa Fe currently has the highest sustainability ranking of all spas in Santa Fe.
From the treatment menu: Opt for the High Desert Healer for a relaxing massage with ginger root and arnica oil.
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Enjoy lakeside luxury at Lake Austin Spa Resort, Texas
Texas Hill Country doesn’t always evoke visions of verdant hillsides and tranquil lakes, but for guests of Lake Austin Spa Resort, that is exactly the picture that comes to mind. Idyllically situated on the reservoir, The LakeHouse Spa allows patrons to fully immerse themselves in healing aquatic experiences – from refreshing dips in the lake to rejuvenating swims in the Palm Pool, and relaxing soaks in the hot tub. Water is as central to the resort’s spa experience as it is to its sustainability ethos. With an organic garden, locally sourced products, low toxicity materials, and complete compost and recycling facilities, the spa is consistently taking measures to ensure that it protects the natural environment around it.
From the treatment menu: Choose the Align and Balance Treatment, which fuses energy, sound, and gemstone therapy for the ultimate reset.
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Revel in untouched nature at Winvian Farm, Connecticut
A peaceful sanctuary of open space and natural light in Connecticut’s Litchfield Hills, this farm resort and spa illuminate the simple luxury of reconnecting with nature. Set on 113 woodland acres, Winvian Farm was originally a working farm dating back to the 1700s. It now honors this legacy as the East Coast’s consummate farm resort with three acres of organic, non-GMO vegetable and fruit gardens maintained using regenerative and biodynamic farming techniques. Spa guests can follow their massages and therapeutic treatments with a farm-to-table meal at the resort’s reputable restaurant led by chef Chris Eddy. In addition to its sustainable gardening efforts, the farm also combats plastic pollution through its partnership with locally owned filtered-water producer Everybody Water, which uses cartons instead of bottles for its packaging.
From the treatment menu: Go for the Harmony package and enjoy the Aroma Luxury Body Treatment with Gommage Exfoliating Scrub, and a hot stone massage.
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Wind down from wine country at Bardessono, California
Surrounded by picturesque vineyards in the heart of the Napa Valley, Bardessono is the ideal place to indulge in your health and well-being after a day spent sipping wine. B Spa offers specially curated spa treatments for each season to meet the constantly evolving needs of the body and mind throughout the year. The intentionality behind its spa services is mirrored in its sustainability procedures, and it’s evident that the environment was top of mind throughout the hotel’s design process. Its underground geothermal heating system, solar-paneled roofs, and recycled wood materials make it energy-efficient and minimally impactful on its natural surroundings.
From the treatment menu: Pick the namesake Bardessono massage for a spa experience specially curated to your needs.
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Improve health and healing at Ojo Caliente, New Mexico
Native American and Spanish settlers made pilgrimages to the healing waters of this Santa Fe hot spring long before it became a spa resort. Its first bathhouse, established in 1868, Ojo Caliente, or ‘warm eye’, is now recognized as one of the United States’ oldest health spas. The legacy of the spa and the importance of protecting it are not lost on its current owner, Andy Scott. “We share responsibility for this sacred place and its culture,” says Scott, “... Our biggest commitment to sustainability is water protection: resources, cleanliness, and quality.” Today, the spa offers luxury therapeutic experiences in natural pools while continuing to honor and preserve its environmental heritage through employing sustainable practices such as passive rain collection, xeriscaping, and renewable energy.
From the treatment menu: Enjoy the Cactus Flower Massage and Scrub, which blends a healing massage and scrub with cactus flower aromatherapy.
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