10 Luxury Spas Leading the Wellness Scene
When it comes to luxury, these spas do it best. Part of the prestigious Leading Spas collection, they’re some of the industry frontrunners for opulence, wellness, and relaxation. Travel with us as we highlight 10 of the top luxury spas around the globe, from the rolling hills of Tuscany to the hip South Beach scene to the stylish decadence of the French Riviera.
All images courtesy of Leading Spas:
Acqualina Resort & Spa on the Beach – Miami Beach, FL
Set on the water in Sunny Isles, Acqualina has long heated up the luxury hotel spa scene, and we can see why it sizzles: not only is there a branch of acclaimed NYC restaurant, Il Mulino, but there’s the two-story, Forbes Five-Star ESPA at Acqualina, the U.S. flagship of the British-based spa company. Extravagance reigns here, thanks to luxuries like an expertly trained staff, organic spa cuisine, and relaxation room facing the spa pool and ocean.
Canyon Ranch Hotel & Spa in Miami Beach – Miami Beach, FL
Revered as the first hotel in the renowned Canyon Ranch family, this Miami Beach boutique property—set in the historical Carillon Hotel, along 750 feet of white-sand beach—is committed to the distinguished brand’s healthy living principles, while making its own mark as one of the largest spa and wellness complexes (70,000 square feet!) in south Florida.
Château Hôtel de la Messardière – Saint Tropez, France
Overlooking the gulf of Saint Tropez and the seven beaches of Pampelonne, Chateau Hotel de la Messardiere is said to resemble a castle on a hill, and its fairytale ambience invites you to live happily ever after at the majestic Chateau Spa, adorned with carved stone vaults, stained-glass windows, and wrought-iron railings. Before treatments (which use La Prairie and Cinq Mondes products), step out onto the spa terrace, which opens to a lovely Italian-inspired garden.
Fonteverde Tuscan Resort & Spa – Siena, Italy
Against a Tuscan countryside backdrop, Fonteverde is a place of renewal thanks to Ferdinando I dei Medici, a natural hot spring named in honor of the founder of the first spa on the site Fonteverde now occupies. Today, its spa is all-encompassing, with 100-plus treatments that vary from Mediterranean-inspired and Ayurvedic to anti-aging and esthetic.
Hôtel de Charme Les Airelles – Courchevel, France
Surrounded by soaring pine trees, bordering the Trois Vallees ski slopes in the Jardin Alpin, Hotel De Charme Les Airelles and its magical setting is like a storybook unfolding, complete with interiors evocative of Austro-Hungarian allure (think wooden balconies, charming window nooks, and a fireplace in the lobby). The luxury ski-in/ski-out alpine resort is also a winter enthusiast’s paradise, with a ski valet, ski technician, and private ice rink—even its Cellcosmet Spa for Les Airelles comes complete with a purifying snow cave, perfect following a day schussing the slopes.
Hotel Fouquet’s Barriere – Paris, France
Ooh la la! Hotel Fouquet Barriere’s location at the corner of the Champs-Élysée and George V avenues keeps you within a short stroll of famed landmarks, including the Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, River Seine, and Louvre—granted, if you can pull yourself away from U Spa, where blissful, relaxing treatments like the Parisian Massage make the bustling city seem miles away (on the dining front, the celeb-fave Fouquet’s brasserie is also worth a visit!).
Masseria San Domenico Spa-Thalasso & Golf Resort – Brindisi, Italy
The Leading Spas of the World website describes Masseria as being “full of hidden wonders,” and we wholeheartedly agree. Among the secret treasures? Caves below the property formerly housed Apulian monks fleeing Moorish attackers during the Middle Ages. One thing that’s not a secret? The tranquility of Masseria’s thalassotherapy spa, which sources mineral-rich water from a natural hot spring underneath Masseria—and showcases treatments using organic olive oil crafted from the resort’s olive groves.
Terme di Saturnia Spa & Golf Resort – Grosseto, Italy
The Terme di Saturnia destination spa, tucked away within the rolling hills of Tuscany’s Maremma region, sits at the base of the village of Saturnia, famed for its thermal spring that predates the Etruscan era and remains at a constant temperature of 98.6° F (37° C). Carve out time to “take the waters” in one of the resort’s four pools, visit the medical spa, or try one of the spa’s many beauty treatments, including the ultrasonic Keralytic facial.
Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort – Puget, France
Picture this: a quaint Provencal village-esque setting within the lush hills of Provence, encased by medieval villages, valleys, and mountains—the five-star Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort on the French Riviera simply calls that reality. Not only does this all-suite-and-villa resort host two par-72 championship golf courses with views of the southern Alps, but it has a stunning spa, surrounded by cypress trees, that features Provence-inspired treatments, among its other luxe amenities.
The Setai, South Beach – Miami Beach, FL
The cosmopolitan Setai sets the tone for high style in the heart of South Beach’s oceanfront district. Originally the site of the Dempsey Vanderbilt Hotel, established in the 1930s, the beachfront Miami Art Deco property is currently located adjacent to the hotel’s impressive 40-story glass tower. On-site highlights include a recording studio, three restaurants, and the Spa at The Setai, which excels in Pacific Rim-inspired treatments like the Setai Jade Massage.