A Trusted Friend in a Complicated World
Updated on Jun. 25, 2024
From an oceanfront spa oasis in Miami to a wellness-centric stay in the middle of the Pocono Mountains, the best spa resorts in the USA are perfect for those seeking true R&R
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.Learn more.
Want to catch up on some R&R? Consider checking in to one of the best spa resorts in the USA. Also called destination spas, these resorts are known for—you guessed it—their state-of-the-art spa facilities, which tend to lure travelers from all over.
Fortunately, you don’t have to travel to the most luxurious spas in the world to experience this type of opulence and relaxation. In fact, there are dozens of incredible destination spas right here in the United States, some of which even double as all-inclusive resorts, for added value. Moreover, the best spa resorts in the USA offer top-notch facilities and amenities, plus unique treatment offerings that go beyond the basics. Here is some spa etiquette that you must follow.
Tight on time? That’s not an issue, either: These one-of-a-kind wellness retreats are perfect for mini vacations and weekend getaways. So, have we gotten your attention yet? You’ll want to keep reading to find out our top picks.
Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for more travel, humor, cleaning, tech and fun facts all week long.
Pros:
Cons:
Located in stunning Miami Beach, Carillon Miami Wellness Resort is home to the largest spa on the eastern seaboard; it spans a whopping 70,000 square feet. This oceanfront resort easily ranks as one of the best spa resorts in the USA because it combines elements of Eastern, Western, aesthetic and alternative medicine to provide guests with a slew of innovative—and completely customizable—treatment plans and retreat packages.
Signature spa services range from ayurvedic massages to ginger-coconut argan oil body treatments, as well as acupuncture and energy healing. Additional amenities include a fantastic hydrotherapy circuit and more than 75 different fitness classes each week. Once it comes time to refuel, head to one of the four on-site restaurants, all of which use locally sourced ingredients to create flavorful dishes, from fresh-prepared sandwiches and salads to multicourse tasting menus. The beach club is a bonus, as are the luxury all-suite accommodations. Starting at 720 square feet, each apartment-style suite offers floor-to-ceiling windows, a full kitchen, a separate living room and a spa-inspired bathroom.
Pros:
Cons:
Scottsdale, Arizona is best known as the spa capital of America, and Boulders Resort & Spa Scottsdale is reason enough to visit Arizona. Situated in the foothills of the Sonoran Desert, setting the scene for a rejuvenating girls weekend getaway, this sprawling property truly offers something for every traveler, be it outdoor adventures, relaxing spa services, on-site golf, great food and, well, everything else in between.
At the 33,000-square-foot adults-only spa (free to enter, even if you don’t book a service!), wellness-seeking travelers can indulge in treatments that run the gamut from Ayurvedic massages with locally sourced clay to vitamin C facials and body polishes featuring grapefruit- and jasmine-infused salt. Pre- or post-treatment, enjoy a soak in the spa’s adults-only pool—though it’s worth noting that the resort boasts several other sparkling swimming pools—meditate in the labyrinth or unwind in the garden or by the reflecting pond.
Spending time in nature can also help relieve stress, which is why guests should certainly sign up for outdoor adventures like rock climbing, biking, horseback riding, hiking and hot-air balloon rides. Finally, rest your head in one of the luxe desert-inspired rooms and suites, all offering wood-beam ceilings, stone showers, a patio or balcony and, best of all, wood-burning fireplaces.
Pros:
Cons:
Spanning more than 900 acres in rural Canyon Point, Utah, Amangiri is considered one of America’s most luxurious resorts, and it’s easy to see why. This dynamic property attracts well-heeled travelers and celebrities for its secluded locale and postcard-worthy desert landscape—including awe-inspiring red rocks at every angle.
Unsurprisingly, the resort is home to one of the most beautiful spas in the country. The Aman Spa at Amangiri is more than 25,000 square feet and offers a holistic menu inspired by sacred Navajo healing traditions. Consider booking the Grounding Journey, which includes a body polish and wrap, a full-body massage and a 45-minute scalp treatment. The spa amenities—such as a water pavilion (complete with a steam room, sauna, plunge pool and step pool) and a flotation pavilion with a tranquil relaxation area—are just as amazing as the treatments themselves.
Should you need a break from the spa (though we wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t!), consider one of several bucket-list excursions, including a short guided hike followed by an outdoor yoga session overlooking the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Alternatively, keep it simple and take a dip in the majestic swimming pool, which is built around ancient rocks, or relax in your swanky suite.
Pros:
Cons:
We don’t know who needs to hear this, but you don’t need to blow your entire travel budget for the year on a stay at a single spa resort. There are plenty of cheap places to travel for a killer spa vacation. Just take Peppermill Reno Resort in Reno, Nevada, for example. This budget-friendly property—which is among the best spa resorts in the USA—is a favorite among wellness enthusiasts for its 33,000-square-foot, adults-only, Mediterranean-inspired Spa Toscana, which spans three stories.
Spa guests can take advantage of an abundance of amenities, like hot and cold plunge pools, cascading showers, cedarwood saunas and a Himalayan salt wall. We’d also be remiss not to mention that the spa is home to Nevada’s only caldarium (a hot plunge bath that dates back to Roman times), boasting an indoor pool and spa deck. Services here are anything but basic and include a handful of vinotherapy treatments—such as a body wrap that uses a combination of cabernet and neroli oils—and a birthday cake massage complete with your choice of cupcake.
Meanwhile, the resort itself is massive. You’ll find 600 rooms, an 82,000-square-foot casino, a 9,900-square-foot fitness center, two pools, several bars and lounges and nine restaurants. In other words, you need not even step foot off the property.
Pros:
Cons:
Look no further than Sensei Lanai for the ultimate couples trip. This Hawaii hotel is among the world’s most romantic resorts. Situated 1,800 feet above sea level in Lanai’s pine-covered mountains, the idyllic property is the perfect place for a romantic getaway. Guests enjoy personal wellness consultations, plus an array of spa treatments (best enjoyed in a private Hawaiian hale!), ample fitness and well-being classes and haute cuisine.
The spa offers 10 hales, each with a Japanese-style soaking tub, infrared sauna, indoor and outdoor showers, private plunge pools and tranquil lounging areas. After your spa treatment, enjoy a swim in the outdoor pool surrounded by lush flora, stroll through the garden (complete with 10 soaking tubs for the ultimate R&R), take a yoga class or play a round of golf. The light-filled rooms and suites here are also astonishing: Each has a private, furnished lanai for lounging in style.
Pros:
Cons:
If you don’t arrive in the town of Carefree, Arizona with a laid-back attitude, you’ll find it at Civana Wellness Resort & Spa. Tucked into the Sonoran Desert, this gem has earned its place as one of the best spa resorts in Arizona, and not just because the setting is bound to leave you blissed out. The resort boasts a 22,000-square-foot spa with 22 treatment rooms that focus on healing through water. Alongside Eastern and Western therapies, you’ll find one-of-a-kind offerings, like an aqua therapy circuit featuring hot and cold pools.
Wellness enthusiasts will appreciate the resort’s health-focused approach—and the more than a dozen complimentary classes. Here, you’ll find everything from suspension training to aerial yoga to morning hikes. After you move your body, work on your mind with intention-setting or learn meditation. For a real health holiday, sign up for a wellness experience like the Chopra Health Retreat, Joyful Journey or Path to Connection.
Before you end the night in your airy, spa-inspired room, dine at one of the resort’s two restaurants, where the focus is on fresh, seasonal food. All in all, Civana makes a really great case for that Arizona road trip you’ve been dying to take.
Pros:
Cons:
Just over an hour from Jacksonville, Florida, and 75 minutes from Savannah, this private island resort is well worth a spot on your bucket list. It’s also home to the impressive 65,000-square-foot Spa at Sea Island, Georgia, making it the perfect place for those searching for serenity. The space itself is absolutely stunning, complete with a meditation labyrinth, a hydrotherapy pool, sunbathing terraces, a cryotherapy sauna, a mineral pool bath and a natural-light-filled garden atrium. Choose from a wide variety of ocean-inspired treatments, like the Sea Minerals Body Mask and the White Algae Cocoon. Other enhancements include meditation pod sessions and private sound-healing sessions.
Aside from the incredible spa, additional resort amenities include five miles of private beach, three swimming pools, three hotels (The Lodge and The Cloister are both on Sea Island, while The Inn is on neighboring St. Simons Island) and 50 acres of unspoiled land.
Pros:
Cons:
The oceanfront Pasea Hotel & Spa in Huntington Beach, California, boasts a beautiful Balinese-inspired spa that spans 5,800 feet. Here, travelers can select from a wide array of nourishing body scrubs, plus Balinese- and Polynesian-inspired massages. Yoga and sound bathing classes are also available.
Upon finishing your treatment, you have plenty of options for relaxation. Head to the indoor Jacuzzi for a relaxing dip. Make your way to the private outdoor spa garden, which is outfitted with fire pits and cabanas. Visit the Ninth Island Pool—make yourself at home in one of the daybeds or private cabanas while enjoying a mouthwatering selection of California-inspired cocktails and bites. Or park yourself on the beach to lounge by the sand. The beachy-chic rooms and suites only enhance the relaxing vibes.
Pros:
Cons:
Miraval Berkshires in Lenox, Massachusetts is fairly new—it opened in August 2020—yet it’s quickly become one of the best spa resorts in the USA. This adults-only, all-inclusive hotel is best known for its Life and Balance Spa, which encompasses 29,000 square feet of pool, saunas, lounges (including one with a roaring fireplace) and treatment rooms.
Services here include everything from Reiki to jasmine-citrus body scrubs to calming hot-stone massages. Complimentary activities and wellness-centric workshops, such as different yoga classes and hiking, also abound. Other memorable activities—think: floating meditation, cooking and cocktail demos, and equine therapy—are available at an additional cost. Best of all, gratuities are included at Miraval Berkshires (even with spa services!), so there’s no need to worry about how much to tip for a massage.
Pros:
Cons:
Situated on more than 150 acres of tranquil forest in the Pocono Mountains in Hawley, Pennsylvania, the adult-only Lodge at Woodloch is the perfect place for an all-inclusive, wellness-fueled weekend getaway. The luxury spa offers an indoor pool, hydrotherapy, posh relaxation lounges, steam rooms, saunas and even a Snow Room. You can also head outside for a dip in the outdoor whirlpool, which is open year-round and offers pristine views of the stunning mountain surroundings.
All guests gain access to spa facilities (whether or not they actually book treatments, though we highly recommend the Restorative Herbal Massage or the Himalayan Salt Stone Massage). Additionally, the spa resort offers complimentary art, mind and body classes, cooking and baking demos, speakers and workshops, an expansive fitness center and a variety of outdoor excursions—all of which are included in your stay. Guests also enjoy lavish accommodations (all 59 rooms and suites offer private balconies overlooking the private lake or rock garden) and three gourmet meals per day.
When looking for the best spa resorts, “privacy is a major factor when making a decision on a spa resort,” travel expert Rob DelliBovi explains. “Our clients expect that they will not deal with crowds or lines when having this type of experience. We want quiet, healthy and high-end.” DelliBovi adds that you should also speak to the resort sales and concierge teams beforehand to vet them and ensure they can offer the type of experience you need. “The employees per guest ratio and the number of sleeping rooms versus treatment areas in the hotel are important,” he adds.
Lauren Dana Ellman is a writer and editor specializing in travel. Lauren has years of experience with the best destinations and accommodations worldwide, including the best spa resorts. Her work can also be found on Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Time Out, Tripadvisor, Viator, ShermansTravel, Brides, The Knot, Allure, Glamour, Self and Well + Good.
We consulted Rob DelliBovi, a travel expert with over two decades of hospitality experience, for advice on locating the best spa resorts. Rob has developed marketing and revenue strategies for leading industry names since 2003 and is managing a global portfolio of over 140 properties. Rob is also the founder of RDB Hospitality, a one-stop shop in hospitality and IATAN-accredited travel management, concierge and events firm, which arranges hotel and travel accommodations as well as dining, nightlife, event production and assistant’s work for Fortune 500 companies, executives, celebrities, festivals, athletes and more.
The first step in narrowing down the best spa resorts in the USA was to define a “spa resort.” In this case, we categorized any resort with a spacious, amenity-packed spa and varied treatment offerings as a “spa resort.” In most cases, the spa was the top—if not the main—draw for staying at the property.
With this definition in mind, we considered everything from expansive properties to small—and medium-sized boutique hotels, some of which were all-inclusive. We also chose properties across different price points to suit any and every budget. From there, we got to work hand-picking hotels that best fit these criteria. We also cross-referenced our picks with user reviews and ratings across booking sites like Tripadvisor to ensure a relaxing experience.
Even though many resorts are all-inclusive, spa treatments are not typically included unless specified. Most properties run special promotions on specific treatments during holidays and the off-season, so you can check with the concierge before booking.
The most common spa service is massages, which are listed first on your resort’s spa list. When you book, you should also have the option for singles, couples and other add-ons.
