WELLNESS WONDERLANDS

Where To Reset, Relax & Revive

By Norah Bradford

Spring is around the corner and with it more time to spend outdoors. With warmer weather come thoughts of healthier lifestyles. Detox, massage, therapeutic treatments, and healthy dining options are just a few way to spring into action. What better way to begin a new regime than at a spa/wellness center. Here, some places near and far to tone, relax, and unwind.

SPA AT THE LODGE AT WOODLOCH
Hawley, PA
Nestled in the scenic Pocono Mountains, the luxurious Lodge at Woodloch Spa evokes a Zen-like atmosphere. For extra relaxation warm up to the fireplace before your therapeutic treatment which include the signature Rosemary Citrus Body Polish, the Deep Tissue Massage—especially helpful for tight, tired muscles, or the Tension Tamer which will melt away muscle soreness in your back, neck, and shoulders. Feel like spending time with your significant other? The spa can accommodate you with its co-ed soaking pools, whisper lounge, indoor pool with specially designed aqua classes, as well as an outdoor horizon edge whirlpool. The concierge can personalize any spa experience you wish. After a pampering experience, retreat to your luxurious guestroom which features a private terrace and outdoor seating for your personal enjoyment. Guests have a range of accommodation options ranging from the Veranda Deluxe, Veranda Junior Suite or a Veranda One-Bedroom Suite. Info: thelodgeatwoodloch.com.

FIT FARM
Castalian Springs, TN
Travel to the suburbs of Nashville, and experience Kristin Intress’ Fit Farm. Sprawled over 160-acres lies the nation’s premier fitness and wellness retreat where lives have been restored and renewed, and Kris could not be happier. The lodge doors have been open just over a year and the team has already impacted over two hundred and forty-five lives with their custom-tailored fitness and wellness programs. Fit Farm takes a three-pronged approach to wellness: fitness, nutrition and wellness. The daily training program is tailored to the client’s level of fitness and overall goals. According to Intress, the average stay is two to three weeks. Holding up to fifty persons at one time, in this first phase, guests have a variety of accommodations in the form of suites, single and double rooms. To relax and unwind from an active day outdoors, there’s a spa with a variety of treatments. Info: fit.farm.com.

REMÈDE SPA, ST. REGIS
Aspen, CO
Escape to the Rocky Mountains and enjoy a luxury spa experience at the Remède Spa, St. Regis featuring Champagne, specialized treatments and an oxygen lounge to recover from the altitude. The Remède Customized Massage is designed to offer you a treatment using a variety of techniques to achieve ultimate relaxation, rejuvenation, and results. Based on your preference, each massage includes a selection of luxurious products including aromatherapy, a warm paraffin foot wrap and a scalp massage with essential oils. As with all the Remède services, it includes daily access to the spa amenities, including the plunge pools, steam room, oxygen lounge, complimentary Champagne, and nibbles. Info: stregisaspen.com.

CANYON RANCH LENOX
Located in nearby Massachusetts and celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Canyon Ranch Lenox is located at the fully-restored Bellefontaine Mansion in the Berkshires. The spa is connected to the mansion by enclosed glass walkways and so is fully-accessible year around and offers a mind expanding 100,000 square feet of health and wellness facilities and services. Spa treatments include the Signature Canyon Ranch Massages, Eastern Therapies, Energy-Based Work, Advanced Restorative Touch Therapies, Ayurvedic Body Treatments, Restorative Body Scrubs and Wraps, Therapeutic Rituals, Replenishing Facials and Body Care Treatments. Whether it’s a weight management program, a life transition, controlling stress or a fitness reboot, Canyon Ranch Lenox will help you reach your goals. Info: canyonranch.com/lenox.

THE WELLNESS ROOMS
Four Seasons Los Angeles At Beverly Hills
Looking beyond its excellent service and comfort, Four Seasons Wellness Rooms offer guests the opportunity for holistic lifestyle changes through its new wellness rooms and suites. Designed from the ground up with certified experts in the field of wellness, the suites aim to maximize your experience at the hotel and minimize the impact that modern travel places on the body and mind. Wellness rooms are located close to the spa, swimming pool and fitness centers which re-focus the mind of the guest on the facilities at their close disposal. Rooms have a number of unique features to benefit the body including air purification systems, hypoallergenic wooden flooring, circadian lighting, water filtration systems and de-chlorinator for the shower, eco-friendly bath amenities by LATHER as well as a cleaning protocol involving the use of a UV cleaning tool to neutralize bacteria. Fitness options include in-room yoga equipment including an Alo Yoga mat, weights, and medicine ball. Wellness suites have equipment available by Peloton should you wish to pursue your exercise routine in private. Info: fourseasons.com/losangeles.

SPA AT TOPNOTCH RESORT
Stowe, Vermont
When in Rome a must-visit is Michelangelo’s David and when luxuriating at Topnotch in Vermont a should-do for you are New England-inspired treatments such as the Maple Sugar Body Scrub (sweetly exfoliating) or Vermont River Rocks (a massage incorporating heated and chilled stones). Or opt for Shirodhara, a scalp and hair treatment that is sensuously soothing. There are over 120 treatments at this internationally acclaimed oasis. The spa incorporates several pools, a whirlpool with hydro-massage waterfall and many other—well, top notch—features. When not spa-ing there is no dearth of activities to choose from at this resort nestled in a storybook setting at the foot of Mount Mansfield. You can horseback ride, play tennis, golf, hike, mountain bike or just walk entwined while taking in pure country air. Info: topnotchresort.com.

SPA ALILA AT VENTANA
Big Sur, CA
Even locals, long familiar with the beauty of the Pacific Coast, will sigh when you mention Ventana Big Sur. The place is phenomenal with many notable movers and shakers having found serenity here in quiet Big Sur country. It’s blissfully quiet here: Listen to the birds in the forest, rock peacefully in a hammock, count the stars while you soak in the outdoor Japanese mineral baths, wander through the woods on your way to lunch and watch whales leaping in the bay below the hotel’s cliff side restaurant. But the real treat is the Spa Alila, where highly trained therapists do customized massages, wraps and body polishes for individuals and couples. Rooms at Ventana are rustic, yet splendid, like huge log cabins with cedar-paneled walls, rugged furnishings and stone fireplaces. Most have mountain views and many have private outdoor hot tubs on their spacious wooden decks. Not a bad way to get back to nature! Info: ventanabigsur.com.