Our Favorite Spas & Self-Care Retreats
Many of us are looking ahead to the new year with a renewed focus on health, happiness, and prioritizing self-care – whether that means more walks outside, slow mornings and meditation, fitness classes, spa treatments, a regular girls nights out, or a simple afternoon of R&R.
Prioritize your well-being this new year and have some fun along the way with Independent Collection Hotels & Resorts. From scenic bike rides along the Pacific to lavish massage treatments in an underground spa, these wellness experiences will jump-start your happiest and healthiest year yet.
NURTURE IN NATURE
Sometimes self-care is a walk in the park – literally! Regular walks are proven to strengthen your heart, boost bone density, balance your blood pressure, and reduce the risk of heart disease. Plus, the endorphins are awesome. Throw in some jaw-dropping wilderness and you have an instant mood booster with mind-body benefits!
While planning your travels for the new year, make time for a long weekend of scenic solitude, perhaps in Monterey Bay. California’s central coast is home to some unbelievable landscapes — dramatic cliffs, dreamy sand dunes, and redwood forests, just to name a few — and home to incredible marine life like whales, dolphins, seals, otters, sea birds, and over 500 different species of fish.
Set out to see it all and enjoy the healing qualities of nature at The Sanctuary Beach Resort. Surrounded by marina dunes and coastal wildlife, this oceanfront resort in Monterey Bay is the perfect scenic hideaway for self-care. Enjoy morning yoga on the beach and guided nature walks with local naturalists, customize your dream hike through Big Sur, or borrow one of the resort’s vintage-style cruisers for a leisure bike ride through town. And because life is all about balance, why not indulge in some California wine and toasted s’mores by the bonfire too?
For those who really want to unplug, consider a vacation in the Florida Keys. With the Atlantic Ocean on one side, the Gulf of Mexico on the other, and the Everglades close behind, the Florida Keys offer scenic seclusion with endless adventure, from sun up ‘til sun down. Picture quiet mornings by the sea, world-class scuba diving in the afternoon, and rowdy full moon parties at night.
Getting here is easy and just a few hours’ drive from Miami, so hop in a rental with a convertible top and cruise towards island paradise. First stop in Islamorada, the sports fishing capital of the world, and work up a sweat reeling in giants like grouper, tuna, sailfish, and tarpon. At the iconic Islander Resort in Islamorada, guests can also take advantage of on-site watersport rentals including paddleboards, kayaks, and snorkel gear, or laze away the day at the resort’s private beach and saltwater pool, cocktail in hand. Similarly, Parrot Key Hotel & Villas offers a delightful island getaway in Key West with five acres of lush tropical gardens, multiple pools, on-site jet skis, and watersport rentals, and complimentary shuttles to Key West’s infamous nightlife scene.
ENJOY A SPA-AAAAH DAY
On your quest for self-care, you can’t go wrong with a day at the spa. At these luxury spa destinations, expert therapists and aestheticians go beyond the usual deep-tissue to offer hyper-customized face and body treatments based on your personal needs and goals. And just wait ‘til you see the amenities!
At The Rittenhouse Hotel in Philadelphia — a Forbes Four-Star hotel and Leading Hotels of the World member — treat yourself to a luxurious retreat at The Rittenhouse Spa & Club. Lauded as one of Philadelphia’s best spas, The Rittenhouse Spa is a classic one-stop shop for all of your self-care needs. They have therapeutic massages and specialized facials, his and hers steam rooms, a state-of-the-art fitness center, an indoor saltwater pool, and an on-site beauty salon. Linger for lunch on the outdoor terrace and top off your relaxing day with a glass of champagne overlooking Rittenhouse Square.
For those who prefer their spa day with sunshine, consider a vacation in sunny Miami Beach, where you can catch a tan and a poolside spa treatment at Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club. European-inspired massages, exfoliating scrubs, healing facials, and a Red Carpet-worthy pedicure are all within reach of your private poolside cabana, or your hotel room should you please.
IN-ROOM RITUALS
For parents and business travelers on-the-go, self-care may be easier said than done. But even small gestures can make a big difference. Self-care practice is proven to reduce stress and ease anxiety, restore physical well-being, elevate your mood, and even support your immune system for a happier, healthier lifestyle.
In Washington, D.C. at The Morrow Hotel — a brand new luxury-lifestyle hotel — guests can choose from a range of in-room wellness enhancements to transform their everyday routines into self-care rituals. For example, Morrow Hotel guests can test out a variety of pillows for their best night’s sleep, create a spa-like atmosphere with aromatherapy, treat themselves to a botanical facial, or simply unwind with a soothing tea elixir — all in the comfort of their own surroundings.
CELEBRATE SELF-CARE
Whatever your style, make time for self-care this new year and celebrate activities big and small that make you feel your best. Because when you take care of yourself, you can take on whatever life throws your way.
Explore all of Independent Collection Hotels & Resorts’ special offers and wellness experiences here, and start planning your best year yet!