Western Spas

Can't decide which destination spa fits you best? Fear not— we've done the harrowing research for you.

courtesy of Cal-a-Vie

1.THE EUROPHILE
High in the inland hills north of San Diego lies Cal-a-Vie, a Provençal village built for billionaires: The stone structures are draped with Louis XIV tapestries and furnished with Second Empire settees. The only thing missing is the scratchy drone of cicadas.

Telling detail: The meditation center is an actual 16th-century chapel.
You are: A master of the universe, looking to chill rather than lose weight.
What you get: For $7,395, a usually co-ed week of European indulgence—your 16 customized spa treatments include hydrotherapy and Vichy showers.


courtesy of the Golden Door

2.THE ZEN MASTER
Golden Door is 14 miles and a continent away from Cal-a-Vie: Think Bryn Mawr meets Buddhist monastery. Set in Japanese gardens, the single-story guest quarters are almost austere. But look closely: That folding screen hanging on the wall is museum quality.

Telling detail: Everyone’s encouraged to wear the spa “uniform” (don’t bother bringing your Stella McCartney warm-ups).
You are: Probably female—most weeks are women-only.
What you get: For $7,995, a week of daily massages, beauty treatments and your own “fitness guide.”



3.THE NEW-AGE SEEKER
Mii Amo is a destination spa within a resort (Sedona’s famous Enchantment): 16 adobe “spa casitas” share the adults-only spa compound. Guests from the resort can buy day passes, but only spa-sters can sit at the cafe’s communal table.

Telling detail: You meditate in a kiva-like “crystal grotto.”
You are: Not sure you want to be at wellness sleepaway camp—here, you can escape to Enchantment’s tennis courts or take a jeep tour of red-rock country.
What you get: From $3,892 per week, fitness classes plus 14 treatments.



4.THE GO-GETTER
Coming to Miraval is like enrolling in mind-body grad school—if, that is, your campus were an oasis in the rocky Sonoran desert: low-slung casitas surrounded by lush yet eco-correct xeriscaping. (Since AOL’s Steve Case took over, the guest rooms have become far less dorm-like, though.)

Telling detail: The trademark Equine Experience fills up fast—proof that “personal challenge” (as Miraval calls it) is as popular as mindfulness.
You are: As a rule, overscheduled—and that probably won’t change here.
What you get: From $535 a night, all activities plus airport transport and a $125-per-day spa credit.



5.THE HEALTH NUT
At some destination spas, everyone has the same size room and everyone eats the same dinner. Not so at the original Canyon Ranch, which offers multiple-choice menus and a wide range of rooms. About 25 miles south of Miraval, it shares a red-tile-and-stucco aesthetic with its smaller neighbor but feels more SoCal than Southwest.

Telling detail: Guys are always welcome; there’s even a basketball court.
You are: A teetotaler—unlike Miraval, the Ranch is dry.
What you get: Starting at $6,990 a week, all classes and a $1,200 treatment “allowance” (figure on $140–$255 for a deep-tissue massage).



6.THE WEIGHT WATCHER
Luxury is not a watchword at the Oaks at Ojai—a modest alternative to Miraval—but community is. The mostly female clientele swap dieting stories in between power walks led by founder Sheila Cluff, a charming cross between Jack LaLanne and Jackie Collins.

Telling detail: Even though the palm-shaded compound anchors Ojai’s sweet downtown, some guests never leave the grounds.
You are: Traveling with your mother, who’s a nervous spa newbie.
What you get: From $1,295 a week, all fitness classes plus two treatments.



7.THE HOLLYWOOD HIPPIE
Not a destination spa per se (treatments and meals are à la carte), Two Bunch Palms, in the scruffy sprawl of Desert Hot Springs, combines a typical hot-springs resort with wellness treatments. (Read: no early-morning hikes or climbing walls here—just a few yoga classes and tennis.)

Telling detail: Go ahead; wear your swimsuit and robe to dinner.
You are: Probably not a studio head, murderous or otherwise—this place is a little too down-home to satisfy the real Player.
You get: From $225 a night, breakfast and activities.

courtesy of Cal-a-Vie

1.THE EUROPHILE
High in the inland hills north of San Diego lies Cal-a-Vie, a Provençal village built for billionaires: The stone structures are draped with Louis XIV tapestries and furnished with Second Empire settees. The only thing missing is the scratchy drone of cicadas.

Telling detail: The meditation center is an actual 16th-century chapel.
You are: A master of the universe, looking to chill rather than lose weight.
What you get: For $7,395, a usually co-ed week of European indulgence—your 16 customized spa treatments include hydrotherapy and Vichy showers.


courtesy of the Golden Door

2.THE ZEN MASTER
Golden Door is 14 miles and a continent away from Cal-a-Vie: Think Bryn Mawr meets Buddhist monastery. Set in Japanese gardens, the single-story guest quarters are almost austere. But look closely: That folding screen hanging on the wall is museum quality.

Telling detail: Everyone’s encouraged to wear the spa “uniform” (don’t bother bringing your Stella McCartney warm-ups).
You are: Probably female—most weeks are women-only.
What you get: For $7,995, a week of daily massages, beauty treatments and your own “fitness guide.”



3.THE NEW-AGE SEEKER
Mii Amo is a destination spa within a resort (Sedona’s famous Enchantment): 16 adobe “spa casitas” share the adults-only spa compound. Guests from the resort can buy day passes, but only spa-sters can sit at the cafe’s communal table.

Telling detail: You meditate in a kiva-like “crystal grotto.”
You are: Not sure you want to be at wellness sleepaway camp—here, you can escape to Enchantment’s tennis courts or take a jeep tour of red-rock country.
What you get: From $3,892 per week, fitness classes plus 14 treatments.



4.THE GO-GETTER
Coming to Miraval is like enrolling in mind-body grad school—if, that is, your campus were an oasis in the rocky Sonoran desert: low-slung casitas surrounded by lush yet eco-correct xeriscaping. (Since AOL’s Steve Case took over, the guest rooms have become far less dorm-like, though.)

Telling detail: The trademark Equine Experience fills up fast—proof that “personal challenge” (as Miraval calls it) is as popular as mindfulness.
You are: As a rule, overscheduled—and that probably won’t change here.
What you get: From $535 a night, all activities plus airport transport and a $125-per-day spa credit.



5.THE HEALTH NUT
At some destination spas, everyone has the same size room and everyone eats the same dinner. Not so at the original Canyon Ranch, which offers multiple-choice menus and a wide range of rooms. About 25 miles south of Miraval, it shares a red-tile-and-stucco aesthetic with its smaller neighbor but feels more SoCal than Southwest.

Telling detail: Guys are always welcome; there’s even a basketball court.
You are: A teetotaler—unlike Miraval, the Ranch is dry.
What you get: Starting at $6,990 a week, all classes and a $1,200 treatment “allowance” (figure on $140–$255 for a deep-tissue massage).



6.THE WEIGHT WATCHER
Luxury is not a watchword at the Oaks at Ojai—a modest alternative to Miraval—but community is. The mostly female clientele swap dieting stories in between power walks led by founder Sheila Cluff, a charming cross between Jack LaLanne and Jackie Collins.

Telling detail: Even though the palm-shaded compound anchors Ojai’s sweet downtown, some guests never leave the grounds.
You are: Traveling with your mother, who’s a nervous spa newbie.
What you get: From $1,295 a week, all fitness classes plus two treatments.



7.THE HOLLYWOOD HIPPIE
Not a destination spa per se (treatments and meals are à la carte), Two Bunch Palms, in the scruffy sprawl of Desert Hot Springs, combines a typical hot-springs resort with wellness treatments. (Read: no early-morning hikes or climbing walls here—just a few yoga classes and tennis.)

Telling detail: Go ahead; wear your swimsuit and robe to dinner.
You are: Probably not a studio head, murderous or otherwise—this place is a little too down-home to satisfy the real Player.
You get: From $225 a night, breakfast and activities.

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