LA PRAIRIE SPA AT LE BRISTOL HOTEL
PARIS, FRANCE
You would expect the legendary Le Bristol Paris Hotel to have an equally legendary spa, and the La Prairie Spa fits the bill. La Prairie from Switzerland is known worldwide as one of the top luxury skincare brands with their breakthrough anti-aging cellular creams, serums, and treatments. Much like the hotel, the décor of the spa is understated elegance, with soft beige tile and neutral tones throughout. I opted for the La Prairie’s Signature Facial treatment, (50 min/€160). Each treatment is tailored to your specific needs, so Florie, my facialist, a lovely young lady with a soft voice, asked questions about my skin type, my skincare rituals, and what products I used so she could prescribe the correct products. The multi-faceted treatment started with a cleansing tonic, followed by a tingly marine peel, a series of treatments labeled with caviar, including an eye contour cream, firming complex cream, and a mask. While I was waiting for the mask to dry, Florie gave me a super-relaxing cranial massage. I felt calm yet invigorated after the treatment and when I looked in the mirror I appeared five years younger. A wonderful touch when I was finished was the opportunity to relax in a private garden terrace for a few moments, which really set the spa apart from the others I experienced in Paris. La Prairie Spa offers an extensive menu of treatments, massages, and scrubs and if you want to go all out and pamper yourself for the day, try the Just for Him program, which includes a VIP Room with a private terrace, Deep Energizer Massage, La Prairie Swiss Cellular Facial for Gentlemen, Express Manicure, and fresh vegetable or fruit juice (160min/$759). www.lebristolparis.com
—Richard Nahem
BANYAN TREE MAYAKOBA
PLAYA DEL CARMEN, MEXICO
At our couples’ massage at the Banyan Tree Mayakoba, my husband and I oohed and aahed in harmony. The technique and timing of our therapists was uncannily synchronized. When I first met my therapist, I was skeptical. She was petite and elegant, and I like it hard and rough. But here in Playa del Carmen, a short flight from New York, I found a rara avis that eludes many of the top spas in the West: a therapist with a deep knowledge of pressure points. The Banyan Tree Spa has successfully built a reputation for offering consistent and exquisite spa treatments. All therapists are accredited by Banyan Tree Spa Academy in Phuket, Thailand and Bintan, Indonesia. Here at Banyan Tree Mayakoba, there’s no question that the brand’s mission is to create a “Sanctuary for the Senses.” Before our massage treatment, we took a journey through eight different hydrothermal therapies in the Rainforest Trail, a private guided sauna experience that is so luxurious you almost feel bad not sharing it. Pro tip: ask for extended time on the Rainforest Trail in order to go back to your favorite stations at your leisure. There’s plenty of space, so don’t hesitate to experience it with a group of friends. For the ultimate luxury getaway, book a Spa Sanctuary Villa, starting at $1,399 per night. This bespoke experience includes unlimited spa treatments. Treatment menu items include Ayurvedic, Balinese, lomi lomi, sports therapy, and Thai classic massages. Though it is unlikely you’ll want to leave your private villa (did I mention that you have your own private outdoor infinity pool and Jacuzzi?). The Mayakoba resort also offers a range of activities and culinary experiences. Taste the fresh catch of the day at the Sands Beach Club or go for a guided Kayak tour through the lagoon. Call the front desk anytime for a complimentary golf-cart ride to the beach, gym, or any other room in the resort. Back at our private villa, my husband and I ordered a bubble bath in our outdoor tub, and let any final worries soak away. Only the nosiest spider monkeys heard our whispered secrets. www.banyantree.com/en/mexico/mayakoba
—Allister Chang
JUNGLE SPA AT IMANTA RESORTS
PUNTA DE MITA, MEXICO
Owner Juan Mario Sahagun was so captivated by the pristine coastline along Mexico’s western shores that he lept from his panga (small boat) and swam to shore to further explore what would eventually become Imanta Resorts. The lush, 250-acre jungle retreat is now one of Riviera Nayarit’s most luxurious and coveted getaways, boasting private suites and casas including Casona Jaguar, a 10,000-square-foot showstopper with three bedrooms, private pool, and ocean views. The pampering begins upon arrival with fresh tropical juices and a presentation where guests can choose from handcrafted and organic soaps such as avocado-herb or lavender and oats that are then cut to order and replenished throughout your stay. Days can be filled exploring the private oasis or venturing into nearby Sayulita for a surf lesson and freshly made tacos, but be sure to allow ample time to experience Imanta’s Jungle Spa. Ensconced amid the secluded palms, a concrete and gypsum path imprinted with local foliage such as banana and heliconia leaves reveals open-air treatment rooms. Signature wrap treatments include Birds of Paradise (85 min/$360), which begins with an exfoliation followed by a 30-minute massage and finally a wrap that features locally grown mint and aloe vera. Tarzan’s Facial (85 min/$150) was developed specifically for men and combines deep cleansing and clarifying properties and also includes a foot massage. Standard fare massages; Hot Stone (85 min/$240), Deep Tissue (55 min/$190), Swedish (55 min/$160) are elevated with the use of essential oils and the intoxicating open-air environment. Be sure to allow enough time for a plunge in the outdoor suite’s soaking tub, carved from a single granite boulder. The pink-tinged rocks appear throughout the property and pave the way to other amenities, such as the “Observatorio,” where you can sip mezcal margaritas and take in the sunset.
www.imantaresorts.com
—Matthew Wexler
LAJA SPA, BELMOND CASA DE SIERRA NEVADA
SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE, MEXICO
Like the rest of this charming property, the Laja Spa is a luxurious escape within an authentically Mexican city. The spa belongs to Belmond’s Casa de Sierra Nevada, a beautifully contextual hotel whose 37 unique rooms and suites occupy a cluster of historic buildings in central San Miguel de Allende. The town itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which means it’s both incredibly photogenic, loaded with history, and easily walkable. Laja Spa is a block up from the main building, occupying a renovated wood-and-stone colonial structure whose cool, low-lit ambience is a welcome escape from the high sun of the Sierra Madre. Its traditional treatments—massages, facials, body wraps, nail treatments—pamper you with botanical oils and aromatics to suit your tastes. Laja’s menu tempts guests with services that fit the environment, like the Signature aromatherapy facial with fresh-fruit exfoliant, mask, and massage cream (80 min/$77); or the Hydrating facial (80 min/$68) with seaweed mask and acupressure head and neck massage. Another popular treatment is their signature 30-minute body scrub that combines walnut shells, volcanic rock powder, and coconut oil to polish and moisturize the skin. The hotel also offers great packages that, for example, may include accommodation, breakfast, a trip to the thermal springs (transportation too), and massages of your choice all for one rate. Since Belmond is a corporate member of IGLTA (International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association), it’s also an exceptional brand for LGBT travelers to enjoy. www.belmond.com
—Kelsy Chauvin
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 to 60 minutes. Popular treatments include the Hot Stone (60 min/$85) which uses volcanic rocks and steam to open pores and promote relaxation, as well as the Gua Sha Facial (60min/$60), which is a deep-cleansing facial that uses quartz and jade to help purify the skin. Experiences are also on offer, with specialized treatments being available for men, women, mother & daughter, and couples. 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
—Dan Allen
