Feeling a bit worn out by winter? Then the time is right for a peaceful getaway, where snow shovels and polar vortexes are but a distant dream. From the pink sands of Bermuda to the hot springs of Whistler, take off to these 10 resorts where relaxing, re-energizing, and healing are the only things on your radar.
Halekulani Hotel, Honolulu, Hawaii
Simply sitting still on the white-sand beaches of Hawaii is soothing enough for harried minds, but an exceptionally relaxing day at a five-star hotel only adds to the sense of peace. Halekulani, facing the freshwater springs that gave Waikiki its name, is a quiet hideaway in Honolulu, favored among honeymooners looking to escape the maddening crowds of Waikiki Beach.
Dream Treatment: Mixing traditional Polynesian therapies with natural products, the SpaHalekulani is an oasis-within-an-oasis. Heat-centric treatments ease tense muscles: The Nonu Samoan Massage features hot stones and noni oil, while a rejuvenation ritual employs purifying steam therapy before a botanical body wrap.
Canyon Ranch, Lenox, Massachusetts
In the rolling, wooded hills of the Berkshires sits this all-inclusive resort dedicated to fitness and wellness. While the region may not be warm come winter, Canyon Ranch heats up guests with a slate of fitness programs, from yoga and racquetball indoors to snowshoeing and pole hiking in the frosty New England wilderness. And when guests tire of physical activity, a 100,000-square-foot spa welcomes them home.
Dream Treatment: Aside from its sprawling spa complex (with two pools, saunas, steam rooms, and whirlpools), Canyon Ranch’s nearly endless list of Eastern and alternative treatments awaits the worn-out. Ayurvedic massages and masks employ warm herb-infused oils, poured over the third eye, that cleanse, soothe, and reduce stress. Yes, please.
Biras Creek, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
Private verandahs dot Virgin Gorda’s perfect gardens and lush hills at this extra-romantic BVI resort, situated on a protected lagoon. Fresh from a renovation in 2013, Biras Creek‘s amenities are top-notch, from the included water sports like snorkeling and paddleboarding to the dining (which is all-inclusive). A favorite of Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure, this resort is Caribbean luxury at its best.
Dream Treatment: The spa’s signature treatment, the Island Cooler, offers an invigorating salt scrub with freshly picked island aloe followed by a rejuvenating, muscle-melting massage. For those seeking even more warmth, ayurvedic treatments with hot oils and herbs offer opportunities to rebalance and heal.
Four Seasons Resort Whistler, British Columbia, Canada
This Four Seasons outpost in ski-happy Whistler continually ranks among the world’s top resorts for its great service and luxurious guest rooms. (It’s also the largest ski resort in North America.) Sure, its slopes and peaks may draw guests in, but its pampering spa is perfect for an apres-ski…
