There is no doubt that these spas are some of the most luxurious and remarkable retreats in the world, whether they are rooted in Mayan rituals or elevated 37 floors above Tokyo.
There are plenty of massages and facials available in your hometown any day of the week, but when you travel, whether it is for work or pleasure, it’s the perfect excuse to pamper yourself. Find the best spa in the city you visit, and treat yourself to local remedies and world-renowned skincare products. You could even plan your entire vacation around one of these seven spas, which offer everything from Hammam-style pampering to ancient Mayan healings.
The Retreat at Blue Lagoon, Reykjavik, Iceland
When visiting Iceland for the first time, you should take advantage of the famous Blue Lagoon, but it still feels a bit touristy—especially once you discover there’s a beer garden within the lagoon. If you want to be the last person in the lagoon at midnight, book a four-hour pass to the lagoon’s private spa retreat or stay overnight at the adjacent hotel if you want to be more isolated, relaxing, and even romantic. You can access the brand’s top-shelf masks, scrubs, and creams at the Retreat at Blue Lagoon, all of which have been meticulously formulated by the same scientists who created the lagoon’s healing properties. Afterward, you can relax in a fire-lit and cozy nook inside the retreat, enjoy a massage or beauty treatment in a private corner of the lagoon or enjoy private access to the lagoon all day long. You and a couple of dozen other retreat guests share the same amount of space as the public part of the property, which also accommodates hundreds of people. Obviously, you’ll retreat to the spa after a while, but you can still access that portion of the lagoon.
The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo, Japan
Among the perks of visiting the Mandarin Oriental’s spa are its stunning views of Tokyo. The foot ritual begins each treatment at their “haven in the sky,” where the grime of the outside world is washed away (it represents the Japanese custom of removing shoes before entering any home, including a hotel room). Mandarin Man and Executive Man, the spa’s two male-focused treatments, provide guys with revitalizing full-body skincare and massage treatments, 37 stories above Tokyo’s colorful chaos.
Talise Spa at Burj Al Arab Jumeirah Hotel, Dubai, UAE
It wouldn’t be complete to round up the world’s most luxurious things without mentioning something in Dubai. And Burj Al Arab Jumeirah is hands-down the best spa in the luxury capital. Infinity pools, private treatment rooms, plunge pools, and saunas are available to both male and female clients at Talise Spa, which separates its male and female clients. From 150 meters above, the men’s side offers a fog-proof view of the World Islands and downtown Dubai. La Prairie, Aromatherapy Associates, and QMS are among the products used.
An Lâm Retreats, Ninh Van Bay, Vietnam
In this unique adults-only retreat in Vietnam, a jungle backdrop helps you disconnect from the outside world. The spring-water bathing pond is a highlight, while the nearby waterfall stream provides you with a steady, soothing pulse. Before or after you visit the yoga meditation sanctuary, the spa offers massages or treatments. In the evening, enjoy a secluded bayside candlelit dinner or retreat to your secluded timber villa (with its own private plunge pool).
The Peninsula Spa at The Peninsula Hotel, New York City
Peninsula Spa would provide a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple for even harried, can’t-be-bothered New Yorkers. The spa’s aromatherapy-infused treatments are complemented by an ice fountain, saunas, and steam rooms, and its luxurious skincare products are rounded out by a full-circle rejuvenation. Choose from 10 private massage rooms or soak up some sun in the glass-walled pool or wraparound sun terrace.
Yäan Wellness Spa at Be Tulum Hotel, Tulum, Mexico
Yäan Wellness Spa offers the soul-cleansing Mayan ritual Temazcal, where you’ll be heated up in a sweat lodge and turned into a spilled mojito in no time. You’ll also be hit with herbs and doused in citrus and mescal as part of this. There’s still access to pools, saunas, steam baths, plus onsite yoga and meditation classes, as well as regional traditions that incorporate medicinal herbs and energy clearings.
Royal Mansour Marrakech Spa, Marrakech, Morocco
It is located just off Marrakech’s bustling Jemaa El Fna square, but it is protected by the Imperial City walls, and it feels as grand as its grounds suggest. Three stories of oasis surround the onsite spa, which has its own separate citrus-garden entry. You can choose from hammam treatments such as ceremonial massages, ghassoul wraps, and floral water sprays, or private spa treatments by top brands like Leonor Greyl, Sisley, and Dr. Hauschka. A spectacular feature of the hotel is its setting, which is reminiscent of the city’s most revered luxury hotel with marble, tiles, and iron walls.
