Remède Spa Aspen. Credit: The St. Regis Aspen Resort
It’s legal to smoke, vape or otherwise consume cannabis with a prescription in 30 U.S. states. But in many other places throughout the country, you can procure cannabidiol, better known as CBD, a substance made from a naturally occurring compound found within the cannabis plant.
Fans of CBD tout that it decreases anxiety, lowers inflammation, reduces pain and helps improve sleep, but it won’t give you the “high” associated with the THC found in marijuana, even though the two come from the same plant — it won’t cause the munchies, red eyes or any sort of impairment.
Instead, think of CBD as a literal chill pill. It’s commonly consumed as an oil or edible, but it can also be applied topically — either in skincare or a lotion — to achieve many of the same benefits.
Some forward-thinking spas are using the ingredient as part of relaxation-inducing treatments. If you’re looking to try CBD for the first time or are already a devotee, consider these five great spas and see for yourself what all the buzz is about.
Remède Spa Aspen
Located within Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star The St. Regis Aspen Resort, this sumptuous Four-Star retreat is the place to indulge in a little après-ski action. The 12,000-square-foot, 15-room escape carries a bevy of treatments, many of which can be done in couple’s sessions in large double rooms.
Invite your sweetie to try the new CBD Healing Customized Massage featuring CBD hemp oil. Want to get really into nature? Combine your massage with the spa’s Scientific Organic Customized Facial, which uses a kombucha cleanser, probiotics and other botanical ingredients to cleanse and nourish your skin. You’ll be living that plant-based life in no time.
Spa at St Julien
It should come as no surprise that some of our favorite cannabis-infused treatments would come from Colorado, one of the original states to legalize marijuana in all forms.
This Four-Star Boulder haven at St Julien Hotel & Spa provides an impressive array of CBD-inspired services, ranging from a classic or deep-tissue massage with CBD oil to the Ultimate Colorado Bliss CBD Experience. The 105-minute treatment melds a full-body exfoliation with a lavender-vetiver sugar scrub, a CBD-infused body butter wrap, a hot oil scalp massage and a full-body CBD oil rubdown. A cup of complimentary CBD-infused tea rounds out the relaxation.
If that doesn’t leave you on cloud nine, hit the indoor pool, dry sauna or eucalyptus-infused steam room on repeat.
Spa Solage. Credit: Solage, An Auberge Resort
Spa Solage
If you’ve spent a few days in Napa, chances are you’re already pretty relaxed. But when you need a break from all that heavy wine glass lifting (or to recover from any overindulgence), this oasis within Five-Star Solage, An Auberge Resort provides a scenic spot to unwind.
Chicly outfitted in white, the spacious Four-Star spa delivers a massage, facial and body treatment that all incorporate CBD oil — the ideal way to reduce that vino-fueled inflammation.
Before or after your appointment, take advantage of the wellness center’s unique indoor/outdoor relaxation room, geothermal pools and outdoor showers.
The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Los Angeles. Credit: The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company LLC
The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Los Angeles
Indulge your inner celebrity with a visit to this ritzy retreat within Four-Star The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles. Decorated in soothing neutral tones of champagne and shimmer with hints of old Hollywood glamour, the downtown L.A. spa is as pretty as it is popular — book early to snag one of the nine treatment rooms.
Before a red-carpet event, primp with a new CBD Pedicure. The 50-minute service includes a lavender- or citrus-scented, cannabis-infused bath bomb for your foot soak, followed by a salt scrub and CBD oil application.
If your toes are already camera-ready, add a dose of CBD oil to any signature treatment.
Spa at JW Marriott Chicago. Credit: JW Marriott Chicago
Spa at JW Marriott Chicago
Chicago winters can be brutal, and after a long walk down the Magnificent Mile, you’re sure to want a little R&R.
Pop into Forbes Travel Guide Recommended JW Marriott Chicago to soothe those cold-weather aches with a Deep Healing Muscle Treatment add-on to any service. Featuring a hemp-based product similar to CBD, the topical application is a good complement to a Warm-Up Stone Massage or Aching Feet Rescue treatment.
You can also pick up a transdermal patch or bath bomb in the spa’s boutique for some at-home relaxation.
