Summer’s over, one kid’s in college, another is about to head out the door, and the third is firmly in middle school (so far, nothing is convincing me that middle school isn’t the WORST). My calendar? It looks like someone fed it through a shredder and then pieced it back together blindfolded.
Which has me dreaming about spa weekends (ahhhhhh). Look, when life is moving at warp speed, sometimes the most luxurious trip isn’t across the globe – it’s 48 hours wrapped in a robe with your girlfriends (or your spouse, I guess), sipping tea, and pretending your phone doesn’t exist.
So today I’m sharing my five favorite spa retreats that truly deliver the “ahhh” factor — plus two that left me underwhelmed. Think of it as your permission slip to press pause and plan your own little reset.
Kiolani Spa at Grand Wailea – Maui, Hawaii
This one? I like to think of this one as my “gateway” spa. I’m pretty sure I made an appointment here 1,000 years ago because we were visiting my in-laws (or soon-to-be in-laws) during their regular sojourn to Maui, and I knew a day away would not be a bad idea. But, woah. That first taste of magic, and you can’t wait to try it again. This spa is MASSIVE. And gorgeous. And the most important thing a truly great spa should be – an EXPERIENCE.
Where it is: The Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria resort right on Wailea Beach.
Why it’s fab: This isn’t just a spa, it’s a campus. The fifty thousand square feet of plunge pools, waterfalls, steam rooms, and saltwater baths mean the “pre-massage circuit” is practically a full-day experience. It feels more like a wellness theme park than a spa.
Don’t miss: A traditional Lomilomi massage with long, flowing strokes passed down through generations, combined with island botanicals. It’s equal parts therapy and soul reset.
Spa at Omni La Costa – Carlsbad, California
She’s my hometown(ish) spa… and I’ve spent soooooo many wonderful days with my girlfriends here. The resort has it allllll, and the spa does too… including a lovely outdoor cafe. My standing order? The Sparkling Strawberry cocktail, and the Crab & Avocado Tower… HEAVEN.
Where it is: The classic Omni La Costa Resort, just north of San Diego.
Why it’s fab: Southern California spa culture at its best – Spanish-colonial charm, sprawling courtyards, and every amenity under the sun (literally). Palm-lined pathways, tranquil courtyard fountains, and a massive wellness playground with fitness classes, pools, and a dedicated Chopra Center legacy.
Don’t miss: Champagne and pedicures by the spa pool. It’s relaxed, chatty, and the perfect setup for a girls’ day reset.
Spa Bosque at Rancho Santana – Nicaragua
I honestly don’t have enough words for the magic of Rancho Santana. Nicaragua wasn’t on my top 50 destinations list… but when my host agency set our Summer Camp there, and our CEO and her family were attending, I knew I couldn’t miss it. Rancho Santana is over 2,700 acres of the most incredible beaches, jungles, and views. Tucked inside it all is the magical Spa Bosque. Each treatment room is in its own little jungle oasis, and the hot and cold plunges before your treatment are not to be missed. I could have sat in the waiting area – staring at the jungle canopy for days. And – with no exaggeration – BEST. MASSAGE. OF. MY. LIFE. I did the Mixed Modality – and (if you see my face at the end of the video) – it was (capital B) Bliss!
Where it is: Nestled in the jungle at Rancho Santana, a secluded luxury community on Nicaragua’s Emerald Coast.
Why it’s fab: Intimate and wild in the best way. The spa itself feels like it’s grown right out of the rainforest, with treatments that lean into local botanicals and a deep sense of connection to the land. The soundtrack? Birds, breezes, and the distant crash of the Pacific.
What not to miss: The “Flor de Piel” ritual, using volcanic clay and a Nicaraguan flor de caña sugar scrub, finished with a hammock nap that feels like the ultimate luxury.
Palm Springs Yacht Club – Palm Springs, California
Like everything he does, this Jonathan Adler-designed oasis is over the top! You are greeted as “Captain” and the spa staff are committed to the bit. A yacht club in the midst of the sprawling desert floor of the Coachella Valley, sure. Why not. I’m generally quite anti an indoor pool, but theirs can be forgiven because its so perfect it deserves it’s own photo. Straight from a Hollywood movie set.
Where it is: Inside Parker Palm Springs, the cheeky Jonathan Adler–designed desert icon.
Why it’s fab: Nautical-meets-desert chic. Navy stripes, tongue-in-cheek glamour, and a vibe that’s more “clubhouse for the fabulous” than hushed retreat.
What not to miss: The pre-treatment ritual: vodka shot + cucumber eye mask. Every bit as indulgent and irreverent as Palm Springs herself.
Canyon Ranch Spa + Fitness Las Vegas
Oh, I do wish this spa was anywhere but Las Vegas. I used to have a big annual work event that had me in Vegas longer than anyone should ever have to be. Those were “work hard, play harder days for sure. If it weren’t for this spa, I might never go back. But…. it’s sooooo fabulous. Ultimate luxury, and then some. They have the coziest round loungers with Ugg blankets where you rest before and after your epic treatments. Also, a giant gym – or so I’ve heard ;).
Where it is: Attached to The Venetian and Palazzo on the Strip, right in the middle of Vegas.
Why it’s fab: Canyon Ranch is the wellness OG, and this outpost is enormous – 134,000 square feet of treatments, fitness, and Aquavana thermal suites. It’s the ultimate detox-to-retox playground.
What not to miss: The Aquavana experience – circuits of steam, rain tunnels, ice igloos, and saunas that make you forget you were up until 3am the night before. They even give you a menu of what order to do the circuits to achieve your desired outcome.
Two to Skip (Sorry, Not Sorry)
The Spa at the Hotel del Coronado
At an icon like the Del, you’d expect a spa that feels just as legendary as the red-tiled rooftops and sweeping Pacific views—a grand, indulgent retreat that matches the scale and history of the hotel. Instead, you get a small, almost hidden spa space that feels like an afterthought. Yes, the treatments themselves are solid and the plunge pool has that dreamy ocean view, but the overall experience just doesn’t deliver the level of polish or breadth you’d imagine for the prices they charge.
Bamford Spa at 1 Hotel West Hollywood
From a property as stylish and sustainability-minded as 1 Hotel West Hollywood, you’d expect a spa that’s a sanctuary—earthy, expansive, and infused with the brand’s eco-luxury DNA. What you actually find are a handful of treatment rooms tucked away, without the full spa amenities or atmosphere you’d anticipate. The facials and massages are lovely, but it never feels like a true spa escape—it’s more “pop in for a service” than “immerse in a retreat.”
So, there it is. my personal highlight reel of spas that are absolutely worth booking a flight for (and two that prove not everything that glitters is gold). Whether you’re craving hydrotherapy gardens in Maui, jungle-inspired rituals in Nicaragua, or cheeky desert glam in Palm Springs, the right spa can feel like an instant reset button for your whole life.
Ready for your own spa escape? Let’s trade your to-do list for a plush robe and some citrus water. Reach out, and I’ll help you plan a wellness getaway that actually lives up to the hype.
