Spa Road Trip: Where to Spa in Chicago

Asha SalonSpa, known as “Chicagoland’s largest collection of Aveda Lifestyle Salon Spas,” provides a two-pronged approach devoted to beauty and wellness—plus a lineup of citywide locations to make it all the more convenient for Chicagoans. The brand’s salons highlight a lengthy menu of styling, coloring, re-texturizing, and makeup offerings; for the spa-going crowd, you’ll find signature Aveda and Asha skincare, massage, waxing, and body treatments to try. All services are plant-based in nature (no pun intended), as the salon celebrates all-natural organic Aveda products, and spa rituals use botanical ingredients.

Discover more about the spa collection here.

Image courtesy of Asha SalonSpa

Like its sister properties in NYC and Las Vegas, the Chicago version of The Spa at Trump plays up the luxury factor while upping the ante with its own signature details. Fifty-three spa guest rooms can be found on the spa level; stay here and enjoy access to a personal nutritionist and in-room menu of healthful cuisine. Another plus? The Spa at Trump is currently the only Midwest spa to offer Kate Somerville facials.

Read more about The Spa at Trump at Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago.

Image courtesy of Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago

A visit to The Peninsula Spa may very well leave you awestruck. High above the Magnificent Mile, on the top two floors of the Five-Diamond and Forbes Five-Star hotel, find serenity from Asian- and European-inspired holistic treatments using ESPA products, as well as a wealth of amenities: a glass-enclosed pool area against the cityscape; exclusive Spa Ceremonies; a relaxation room with a fireplace; and Naturally Peninsula spa dishes.

Read more about The Peninsula Spa at The Peninsula Chicago.

Image courtesy of The Peninsula Chicago

Feel your stresses float away in this whimsical spa space that mingles city-chic interiors with blue hues and floral accents by photographer Warwick Orme. mySpa treatments are designed to be unpretentious and results-driven (a signature staple is myBody Ritual, where you can dabble in ancient cultural healing therapies like the European hammam [80 mins] and Japanese purification wash/scrub [80 mins]), and amenities include locker rooms with rain showers and eucalyptus steam rooms, a 24-hour Technogym- and Precor-laden fitness studio, and duet suite with Kohler color therapy tub.

Read more about mySpa at Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park.

Image courtesy of Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park

Are you blown away yet? We bet you are and will continue to be so with Elysian Spa and Health Club, located in the city’s Gold Coast district. With an aim of designing “a place where the Gods go to rest,” the Elysian Fields mythology-inspired spa offsets robust Greek and Roman architecture with cream shades and “water walls” for a gender-neutral effect. Find full-body beauty and wellness in one of 12 treatment rooms, the barber suite, nail spa, pool, fitness center, and Pilates and Gyrotonics studio.

Read more about Elysian Spa and Health Club at The Waldorf Astoria Chicago.

Images courtesy of The Waldorf Astoria Chicago

Ruby Room in Chicago’s historic Wicker Park neighborhood puts a twist on the traditional spa experience. Enjoy energy healing services (Chakrassage® or Crystalssage®, anyone?) from massage “alchemists,” intuitive healers, stylists, and aestheticians, and revel in complimentary chakra readings, visits to the apothecary and Chinese herbal-tonic, flower essence, and crystal bars, or classes in the yoga lounge at this shabby-chic Bohemian property.

Read more about Ruby Room Inn Spa Salon Shops.

Images courtesy of Ruby Room Inn Spa Salon Shops

Be swept away with the spa at dana hotel’s organic essence (its Zen-like design features natural, ecological woods and bamboo walls), as well as its innovative menu that includes the NuFace natural non-invasive facelift (50/80 mins; $150/$205); hanakasumi Japanese body ritual (80 mins; $155); and four-hand massage (50/80 mins; $205/$285). Found in downtown Chicago’s River North culinary district, the trendy spa also hosts a city-specific package called shopper’s delight ($325), perfect after spending some time along the Magnificent Mile.

Read more about dana hotel and spa.

Image courtesy of dana hotel and spa

Chicagoland is flooded with superb spas, and Chuan Spa at The Langham, Chicago, is one of them. Chuan, meaning “flowing water” in Chinese, taps into the principle that water is the source of life—and is represented by exclusive treatments like the Chuan Bathing Ritual, comprising an herbal sauna, salt stone sauna, experience shower, and chamomile-infused steam room. A 67-foot swimming pool is another main component of this spa and health club. On the exercise front, there is a fully equipped gym and group fitness studio.

Image courtesy of The Langham, Chicago

When you hear the name Ritz-Carlton, you expect luxurious spa-going time that leaves you in a heavenly state. The Spa at The Carlton Club in Chicago’s Gold Coast area delivers on that promise with refined elements—Italian marble, European fabrics, and a glass-tile sculpture—and trademark treatments like the Ritz-Carlton Signature Yoga Facial. The Baths for All Seasons in-room bath menu, drawn in the privacy of guest rooms, is another special touch.

Image courtesy of The Spa at The Carlton Club, The Ritz-Carlton Chicago (A Four Seasons Hotel)

It’s a no-brainer why we added VALEO (Latin for “to be well, powerful, strong, influential”) to our list. This 20,000-square-foot wellness destination on the lower level of JW Marriott Chicago is a wealth of healthful facilities—studios for WellFit classes; Life Fitness treadmills and ellipticals with audio visual; lounges with infrared saunas, steam baths, and showers; men’s and women’s clarity chamber and hot lounge; personal experience suites; and a premier couple’s suite—that help you define your BYOURBEST™ experience.

Image courtesy of JW Marriott Chicago