SECRET GARDEN SPA, PRINCE OF WALES HOTEL
NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, ONTARIO, CANADA
The Prince of Wales Hotel in Niagara-on-the-Lake is famous for its afternoon tea. Visit their Secret Garden Spa, and you’ll see that the beverage makes you feel good on the outside as well as the inside. Step into the soothing spa, done in shades of chocolate and cream, and prepare for one of the signature treatments (with the exchange rate, they’re superaffordable). A “beau-teas” facial or body wrap (80 min/$160) takes advantage of the beverage’s antioxidant properties, while a green tea pedicure (80 min/$100) using a foot mask and exfoliation, is just the thing after a long day of walking around the area’s wineries. For total tea pleasure, the “head to toe tea taster” (105 min/$171) combines all three treatments. More in the mood for the traditional? Indulge in a therapeutic massage (50 min/$135) or perhaps have your significant other join you in a couples massage. With several full packages combining massage, facials, or body scrubs (50 min/$110, 265 min/$365), you can truly pamper yourself in this Secret Garden of delights. As you enter the Victorian drawing room of this elegant hotel, fellow guests might not recognize the new, relaxed person joining them for afternoon tea, scones, and finger sandwiches. www.vintage-hotels.com/spas/princeofwales
—Rich Rubin
SPA AT WINDSOR COURT
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
Windsor Court feels like it’s steeped in centuries-old history (not uncommon for New Orleans). The AAA Four-Diamond hotel is sophisticated and timeless, with European antiques and a wealth of original, period paintings, sculptures, and tapestries that are valued at more than $8 million. But the hotel didn’t age into its elebarely a decade old), and therein lies the magic. Windsor Court perfectly creates an old-world allure and merges it with modern, highbrow comforts (heavy on English/Victorian sensibility), though the spa is in a whole world of its own. The 4,500-square-foot, Spa at Windsor Court doesn’t transport you to another era, but into a swank, contemporary cocoon of wellness. It’s a sanctuary where intimacy is appreciated, with a modest reception area designed with a huge budget. Swarovski crystals line the ceiling, and motherof-pearl tiles add a glimmer. The spa attendants are warm, and they whisk you into the spa facilities, where you’ll need time to take advantage of the separate men/women’s areas with sauna and steam room. Also, guests have access to the outdoor pool, which I enjoyed before my appointment. My therapist was intuitive for my Sport Deep-Tissue Massage (80 min/$235) and truly provided the deep pressure I requested. The spa’s most luxurious treatment is their Diptyque Luxury Body treatment (110mins/$400). The journey uses high-end Diptyque products and takes you (and your skin) on a journey around the world. Throughout the 110-minute experience, you’ll be massaged with oils made from rose, Tunisian pomegranate, peach butter, bergamot, neroli, and Indian jasmine. After a long night in the French Quarter, treat yourself to something healing and rejuvenating. www.windsorcourthotel.com
—Jimmy Im
Windsor Court
THE SPA AT THE PENINSULA NEW YORK
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
It’s a certain kind of luxury that greets guests as the elevator door opens onto the 21st floor to The Spa at The Peninsula New York. Staff welcomes you in a large, dark-wood atrium that brings about a much-needed mute to NYC life. Come early for a swim in one of the few indoor pools high in the sky, or take a steam, sauna, or just relax on the Sun Lounge. With only ten treatment rooms, you can expect a customized and intimate experience. My therapist Lomis is a treasure, and she walks me through the MBR (Medical Beauty Research) treatment that uses the MBR skincare products developed in Germany. These products work on a cellular level down to the dermal layer. The Customized MBR Facial (60 min/$360), Lomis tells me, is “the best available,” and expresses her jealousy over my use of these coveted cosmetics. “They are free of mineral oil, parabens, PEG, phthalates, and artificial fragrances.” This treatment works in multiple layers: Open (cleanse and enzyme peel), Treat (stimulate the dermis and epidermis for increased collagen production), and Close (seal ingredients in the skin to maximize resiliency). When Lomis finds out that it is my birthday the following day, she carefully leads me out of the treatment room into a relaxation area where she brings in a bottle of Champagne. Now, this is a true five star spa experience. www.peninsula.com/en/new-york
—Joseph Pedro
RITZ-CARLTON ORLANDO GRANDE LAKES
ORLANDO, FLORIDA
Tropical trees and lush, landscaped greenery surrounds the Ritz-Carlton’s sprawling 40,000-square-foot Spa—a property unto itself. Its three floors and grounds were renovated in 2017, and this summer saw completion of a wider scale freshening up of the LGBTQ wedding-friendly hotel. I begin with a tour of the spa’s extensive facilities: a dedicated outdoor saltwater pool, maintained at 83 degrees, and cabanas for spa patrons only; health-conscious spa café Vitale; a barber shop and salon; 40 treatment rooms; men’s, women’s and co-ed couples lounges; and a 24-hour fitness center (the latter is accessible to all guests over 16 years of age staying at the Ritz-Carlton and its adjacent JW Marriott sibling). Notably, the spa is very accessible to the disabled: in the men’s wet area, there is a water lift seat supporting individuals up to 300lbs so they can use its hot and cold tubs. There are a solid half-dozen “experience” packages that range in style from a Hawaii-inspired Lomi Lomi Massage (75 min/$165), Thai Massage (80 min/$235), and, performed at the rooftop eco garden, a “zero-gravity” Grande Indulgence Experience (70 min/$230). Meanwhile, the barbershop’s range of men’s grooming experiences are accompanied by a complimentary glass of craft Bourbon or beer. This being Florida, and the beginning of my day, the signature, orange-centric Grande Citrus Escape package (120 min/$360) seemed a given, both relaxing and energizing for the day ahead. I opted for a male therapist, Henry, who started the experience with an Espa exfoliating body polish, which was applied with his bare hands in a stroking motion—by far one of the most comfortable body scrubs I’ve experienced. Then it was directly into a bath filled with deeply amber orange tinted water treated with Kneipp Herbal Bath for a 20- minute soak. A body wrap with both orange and honey followed, and finally a massage, which, in break from tradition, started face-up. Henry again used soothing open-palm strokes, and, by the end, my skin was utterly silky and I couldn’t stop putting my arm to my nose and taking in the scrumptious orange and grapefruit scent. www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/florida/orlando
—Lawrence Ferber
THE THIEF SPA
OSLO, NORWAY
Entering the Thief Spa, located inside Oslo’s hottest new luxury boutique hotel, is like taking a trip around the world. The delights on offer, represent an international array of treatments, all set among the gentle tones of land and sea that mirror the unique Norwegian setting just steps from the Oslofjord. Want to go to Turkey? Visit the Hamam (50 min/$160), where, in the earth-toned setting of this ritual bath, you’ll move from a body scrub to an application of warm lather and soothing massage, finishing with hair washing and scalp massage. Morocco? The Rhassoul (30 min/$60) awaits you. Here you’ll be covered in organic mud from the Atlas Mountains, lying in the steam room as you first experience a salt scrub before your therapist slathers your body in the healing mud, finished by a wash in the tropical showers. (Note: for group fun, this treatment can be booked for up to 12 people). To take years off your appearance, try a Diamond Life facial (90 min/$265), where your facial incorporates the use a powder made from ground diamond. To ensure an all-over good feeling, the treatment includes feet as well for, literally, head-to-toe pampering. With a variety of massages (25-80 min/$84- $196) from hot stones to shiatsu, you can also go the more traditional route. For a truly transforming experience, we suggest the Thief of Algea (135 min/$191), a body wrap with this unique product that uses Laminaria algae from the Atlantic for a moisturizing and detoxifying effect. You’ll unwind with a combination of body scrub, algae treatment, and scalp massage, followed by a soak in the bath and a facial massage. Does it sound like pure indulgence? You’re at The Thief, where indulgence is the daily fare. www.thethief.com/en/thief-spa
—Rich Rubin
