I’m a fan of spas these days because of my belief in the power of integrated health and motion…..meaning the body must be in motion in order to be healthy. Motion means fitness, exercise to keep acidic build up in the body at bay.
Massage also helps stimulate glands and move toxins out of the body, so while massage and everything in its peripheral is never a good substitute for exercise, its an incredible supplemental and oh by the way, spas can be incredibly relaxing. And, balancing.
Conde Naste Traveler did a write up on their top 35 spas in the world for 2012. They cover nearly every continent. Here’s their list. And, of course, I have included my wish list after reading the list.
I base the wish list on my own experience with traveling to and research on the country’s culture and way and thinking and/or if I’ve been there personally.
And of course, I’ve included my favorite photos as well….enticing ones that will want you to jump on an airplane sooner rather than later. Europe wins hands down in the number of spas who make the list.
Photo: Nira Spa in Switzerland
South America
- Beaux, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Spa Noi, Hotel Noi Vitacura,Santiago de Chile
- Uma Spa, Tierra Patagonia Hotel & Spa, Torres del Paine in Chile
- Heavenly Spa, Westin Lima, Lima, Peru
China
- Mission Hills Mineral Springs and Spa, Hainan
- Kerry Hotel Spa, Shanghai
- Spa at the Sanctuary, Cap Cana
Europe
- ESPAlife at Corinthia, Corinthia Hotel, London, England
- St. Pancras Spa, St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel, London, England
- Spa Nuxe Les Bains de Lea, Grand Hotel Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- Spa Le Bristol by La Prairie, Paris, France
- Spa My Blend by Clarins, Le Royal Monceau Raffles, Paris, France
- Pure Altitude Spa, Altapura, Val Thorens, France
- Spa Museum, Nun Assisi Relais and Spa Museum, Assisi, Italy
- Armani/Spa, Milan, Italy
- Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa, L’And Vineyards Resort, Alentejo, Portugal
- ESPA, at the Istanbul Edition, Istanbul, Turkey
- Nira Spa, Nira Alpina, Surlej, Switzerland
- Wellness, Backstage Hotel Vernissage, Zermatt, Switzerland
Photo: ESPALife, London
India
- Akasha Wellbeing Center, Mamilla Hotel, Jerusalem, Israel
- Atarmia Spa, Park Hyatt Beach and Villas, Abu Dhabi
- Talise Ottoman Spa, Dubai
- Sea Spa at Long Beach Mauritius Resort, Belle Mare
Seychelles
- Raffles Spa, Praslin Island, Seychelles
- Banyan Tree Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
- Luxsa Spa at the Hansar, Bangkok, Thailand
Photo: BanyanTree, Singapore
United States
- Hotel Bel-Air Spa by La Prairie, Los Angeles
- Elle Spa, Eden Roc Renaissance Miami Beach, Miami Beach, Florida
- Laniwai, Aulani, Oahu, Hawaii
- NoMI Spa, Park Hyatt Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
- Tree Spa at Hidden Pond, Kennebunkport, Maine
- Kiehl’s Spa 1851, New York City
Renee Blodgett is the Founder and Managing Editor of We Blog the World, a global travel, culture and lifestyle publication exploring the world through the lens of meaningful experiences, human connection and cultural depth. Having lived in 10 countries and traveled to 95, Renee has spent much of her life immersed in the people, traditions, landscapes and ideas that shape how we experience the world.
Since launching We Blog the World in 2007, she has written and produced extensive editorial coverage spanning boutique and luxury travel, culinary experiences, arts and culture, wellness, adventure, technology, spiritual traditions and transformative travel. Her work is rooted in the belief that travel is about more than where we go—it is also about what a place, culture or encounter awakens within us.
Renee brings more than three decades of experience across journalism, photography, media, brand strategy, technology, wellness and global storytelling. She has worked with companies and organizations around the world on brand positioning, communications, product launches, media strategy, speaker positioning and storytelling. Through Blue Soul Media, she works with authors, entrepreneurs, thought leaders and purpose-driven brands to clarify their message and expand their impact, which includes speaker coaching/training for high-profile stages such as TED and bringing authors’ work to market while retaining authors rights.
She is also the co-founder of Blue Soul Earth, an educational platform exploring consciousness, ancient wisdom, spirituality, healing and the intersection between science and the nature of reality. Renee is the producer and host of the award-winning Blue Soul CHATS, a conversational series bringing together leading voices in science, technology, consciousness, wellness and spirituality.
Her growing body of work also includes Blue Soul Living, which extends her interest in consciousness and well-being into the spaces we inhabit, exploring how intentional design, energy and environment can support greater harmony and connection.
Renee is the award-winning co-author of the bestselling Magdalene’s Journey and founder of the Magdalene Collection, inspired by women’s voices, stories and wisdom across cultures and generations.
A longtime photographer and storyteller, Renee has documented people, places and cultures around the world and produced photographic collections focused on destinations including the Galápagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome and Ecuador. She also co-founded Traveling Geeks, an international initiative that brought entrepreneurs, journalists, creators and technology leaders together with their counterparts in other countries to exchange ideas and explore innovation across cultures.
Renee’s work has been recognized by Forbes, the United Nations and others for her influence in media and social storytelling. Across her work in travel, media, consciousness and culture, a common thread remains: curiosity about the world, the stories that connect us and the ways meaningful experiences can change how we see ourselves and one another.
