Seven amazing luxury spas

Vacations take many forms, from going on an epic adventure to just laying around the house and enjoying some time off.  Sometimes, however, one wants to get pampered and enjoy living like a king for a while. For these purpose, there are spa resorts. Naturally, the quality of spa resorts varies greatly. Most cities have local spas where one can go and get a massage or some other relaxing treatments for a reasonable price. But the best of the spas are likely going to cost you a pretty penny.  For fun, I decided to look up some of the best spa resorts, particularly where it comes to the natural beauty of the region they’re placed in. And though I’ll never personally be able to afford even a single day at any of the entries on my list, I can at least dream, right? Check out the kinds of places that celebrities visit below.

Ananda Spa - Ananda, India

Ananda Spa in India is a luxury spa that has won more than its fair share of top honors and attracted a top-notch list of famous folks over the years. Located in the Indian Himalayas and made from the remains of former palaces, it was the first destination spa set up in the country.  Ananda features all the traditional spa treatments one might expect, though has a particular focus toward Yoga and other Indian and Tibetan practices.

Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat - Malaysia

The first of its type in the country of Malaysia, Banjaran Hotsprings Resort is located about two hours north of the capital.  It offers a combination of many treatments, including Malay, Chinese, Indian and traditional. Their approach focuses on combining good living with good eating to form an inclusive treatment that promotes overall health.  All this is set within an amazingly beautiful landscape of rain forest, natural hot springs and cliffs.

Canyon Ranch Lenox - Lenox, MA

This spa option is a little closer to home in the state of Massachusetts.  Canyon Ranch Lenox features all the traditional spa treatments as well as a wide range of activities for people to stay busy with, including hiking, canoeing, tennis, cross-country skiing in the winter and more than 40 fitness classes daily.  They serve renowned gourmet food and have a large staff of experts on-hand to help people get healthy.  All this in a spectacular building with amazing grounds and gardens.

Hotel Marques de Riscal - Elciego, Spain

The Hotel Marques de Riscal is a bit more like a hotel with a spa attached and less like the traditional spa resort.  One of the main draws of this option is the crazy architecture of the main building.  To keep their customers happy, they provide excellent food, wine bars and lounges.  The hotel/spa also happens to be located in the heart of the Rioja wine region.  Nearby, one can find golf and skiing in the winter to stay busy if just relaxing isn’t enough.

Mamounia Spa at La Mamounia - Marrakech, Morocco

This beautiful Caribbean resort spa is housed primarily within a restored palace-like building from the 20s.  The spectacular architecture shows both inside and out and staying there is a bit like taking a trip into the past.  The top of the resort is a hotel, while the 27,000 square foot spa lurks beneath the ground.  They have all the traditional offerings, along with some Moroccan and Japanese treatments.  And if you have a thing for gambling, there happens to be a casino right around the corner.

Six Senses Spa - Evason Ma’In Hot Springs, Jordan

Six Senses Evason Ma’In Hot Springs is located at an oasis, at the foot of a canyon, an isolated region that lends to the air of serenity at this resort.  The design resembles, as so many of the best spas do, a palace.  Fed from a hot spring waterfall, visitors can relax in any number of mineral pools and baths or take some time out in the steam cave.  Among the landscape of the desert, Evason Ma’In is a place for people who really want to get away from the rest of the world.  The rooms are a bit rustic, but that’s part of the charm.

Verdura Golf and Spa Resort - Sciacca, Italy

If you want a high-class spa experience but also happen to be a bit of a golfer, Verdura in Italy is the place to go.  Located on the southern coast of Sicily, the resort has its own private beach measuring more than a mile long.  Their inclusive health program focuses on both diet and general exercise and gets its influences from the latest developments, using science to promote healthy living.  In addition to golf, there are plenty of other activities, such as tennis, football and hiking to keep you busy.

Roman Spa photo courtesy of Ziko van Dijk

Ananda Spa photo courtesy of elly via Wikicommons

BanjaranCave photo courtesy of ecosalon.com

Canyon Ranch photo courtesy of canyonranch.com

La Mamounia photo courtesy of wandermelon.com

Marques de Riscal photo courtesy of arqhys.com

Six Senses photo courtesy of localyte.com

Verdura photo courtesy of splendia.com