Top 10 Best Spas for Cooking Classes

Thanksgiving, just around the corner, has us thinking about one of our favorite topics besides spa: food, of course! So with turkey and all the trimmings top of mind, we wanted to share with you the spas voted Top 10 Best for Cooking Classes by our SpaFinder enthusiasts during the 2011 Readers’ Choice Awards. These hotel and resort spas cater to gastronomic lovers and novice chefs alike by sprinkling in a bit of culinary courses alongside spa treatments and fitness pursuits.  Sounds like one delicious recipe.

• Cal-a-Vie Health Spa (Vista, CA)
• Canyon Ranch (Tucson, AZ)
• Canyon Ranch (Lenox, MA)
• Chiva-Som (Hua Hin, Thailand)
• Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village (Westlake Village, CA)
• Golden Door (San Marcos, CA)
• Lake Austin Spa Resort (Austin, TX)
• The Lodge at Woodloch (Hawley, PA)
• Red Mountain Spa (Ivins, UT)
• The Essex Resort and Spa (Essex, VT)

And for all you foodies out there, you might also want to check out our Top 10 for Best Cuisine.

Plus, in the spirit of the holiday, we’d like to pepper in a few Thanksgiving specials and promotions. Do Thanksgiving spa-style this year with these yummy offerings to feast upon:

Fontainebleau Miami Beach: November 24-27 – BleauLive presents Ricky Martin Weekend. VIP Packages include MEET & GREET. Limited availability – rates from US$329. Contact property for specific terms, conditions and reservations.

Mirbeau Inn & Spa: November 16 – Cooking Class, 6 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.; November 24 – Thanksgiving Day Buffet, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Contact property for specific terms, conditions and reservations.

Mandarin Oriental, Miami: November 24 – family-style menus in Azul and Café Sambal; November 25 – Black Friday complimentary wine tasting in the lobby and US$100 off purchases of US$500 or more at Shanghai Tang luxury boutique and US$30 off every US$150 spent at the spa boutique; November 28 – Cyber Monday complimentary manicure when you book an 80-minute massage at the spa. Contact property for specific terms, conditions and reservations.

Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa: November 24-26 – Turkey Day Your Way promotion, starting at US$199 per night for two people, with a $50 credit. Contact property for specific terms, conditions and reservations.

Claremont Hotel Club and Spa: November 24 – 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Thanksgiving Feast with farm fresh cuisine in the Meritage restaurant; November 24 – 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Thanksgiving Three-Course Dinner with rustic California cuisine at Paragon restaurant; Contact property for specific terms, conditions and reservations.

Red Mountain Resort: Post-Thanksgiving respite with Lighten Your Load promotion – feast on wholesome dishes, hike off the pumpkin pie with spectacular trails, go on a “journaling hike” through nearby snow Canyon State Park with leader Dave Dwulit, enjoy a tea leaf reading or a bamboo gentle skin smoothing scrub and more. Contact property for specific details.