SOUTH AMERICA
THE SPA AT ALVEAR ART HOTEL
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA
The panoramic city view alone is enough to make you relax and breathe deeply at this 6,660-square-foot The Spa, perched on the 16th floor of one of the newest luxury boutique hotels in Buenos Aires (it’s a sister property to the legendary Alvear Palace).
Steam baths, saunas and pressure showers offer ideal opportunities to launch your rejuvenation process, while fresh fruit and lemonade complement the soothing music in the relaxation room. Treatment options include the Decontracting Massage (30 min/$69), which reduces muscular tension in the neck and spine, as well as the California Massage (60 min/$93), during which the therapist uses long movements for a full-body treatment that aims to rejuvenate the entire nervous system. The lymphatic drainage massage (60 min/$93) is another must-try.
The secret lies in the massage of lymphatic circulation by stimulation of lymph vessels and nodes, which improves the evacuation of excess interstitial fluid. If a facial refresh is on your wish list, consider the Regeneration and Hydration Facial (60 min/$93), with herbal cream, and the Oxygenating Facial (60 min/$93), which uses vitamin C and rosemary essential oil to revitalize the skin.
Whatever you choose, be sure to make time to lie back in a lounge chair or take a dip in the heated indoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi, both of which provide stunning views of the city. www.alvearart.com
—Mark Chesnut
UMA SPA, TIERRA CHILOÉ
CHILOÉ, CHILE
With a wonderful culture, history, and landscape all its own, the island of Chiloé is one of Chile’s true gems, and the phenomenal Tierra Chiloé, part of the ultra-luxe Tierra hotel family, is the ultimate place to experience the island’s glory. Chiloé’s uniqueness derives from its distinct blend of influences: indigenous, Spanish, and ancient Polynesian cultures, overlaid by the longtime Chilote reliance on the sea, which permeates every facet of life.
Uma Spa, Tierra Chiloe – Photo by Pia Vergara
Even the island’s characteristic wooden churches, collectively a UNESCO World Heritage Site, have roofs patterned after inverted boat hulls. Located about half an hour from the Chilote capital of Castro, Tierra Chiloé is a sublime combination of stunning modern design, breathtaking natural surroundings, and a fabulous array of amenities and excursions.
Uma Spa, with its focus on locally- sourced materials and all-natural ingredients, helps you to unwind even further and enjoy the remarkable beauty of the adjacent wetlands from the bliss of an outdoor heated infinity pool. The ultra-tasteful spa, which boasts a fountain designed by Chilean sculptor Gerardo Ariztía, is a haven of serenity.
Uma’s Hot Stone Massage (40 min/$77, 80 min/$123) uses the ancient technique of placing heated stones on the body at strategic energy points, and massaging specific areas —it’s a deeply relaxing, multi-effect treatment that revitalizes, illuminates, and oxygenates the skin, and relieves sore muscles. And since each of Tierra Chiloé’s guest rooms has a spectacular view of its own, you can also let the abundant soothing come directly to your room, with a Nourishing Goat’s Milk Bath ($46) accented by rose, mint, or chocolate. www.tierrahotels.com/chiloe/spa
—Dan Allen
THE SINGULAR SPA
SANTIAGO, CHILE
Modern classic elegance, a wonderfully indulgent staff, and a fantastic central location are all hallmarks of The Singular, one of the finest hotels in the Chilean capital. Located in Santiago’s trendy Lastarria neighborhood, it’s blessed with easy access to some of the country’s best cultural, dining, and shopping options, all located just steps from its front door.
The hotel’s 4,300-square-foot Singular Spa is an urban oasis of tranquility, with hints of lavender, bergamot, and geranium gently wafting through the air. The spa offers a number of treatments designed to help you unwind after, before, or even during, a busy day of sightseeing. Most Singular Spa treatments can be adjusted in durations that range from 30 and 120 minutes.
The very popular and ultra-relaxing Four Hands Massage, for instance, comes in (60 min/$108), (90 min/$139) and (120 min/$185) variations. The unique Celtic Foot Massage (60 min/$62) is a foot-toknee session designed to soothe your extremities after exploring the vibrant Chilean capital. The healing Shiatsu Massage (30 min/$46, 60 min/$77, 90 min/$100, 120 min/$123) uses finger pressure on your body’s acupuncture meridians to soothe pain, reduce blocked energy, and realign energy flow. To supercharge your body for more exploration, the Thai Massage (30 min/$46, 60 min/$77, 90 min/$100, 120 min/$123) is a terrific energy booster. The Singular Spa features an exclusive hydro-massage room, plus a sauna, steam bath and relaxation area.
There’s also a fabulous outdoor pool on the terrace of the hotel’s top floor, with gorgeous panoramas of the surrounding city and the dramatic mountains beyond. www.thesingular.com/en/hotel/santiago/spa-gym/spa
—Dan Allen
