A truly transcendent spa experience isn’t just about the massages or scrubs. The atmosphere, and more specifically the view, can greatly enhance any spa trip. So, breathe deeply and open your eyes — these five spas offer spectacularly stunning views.
The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong Spa by ESPA
Measuring just more than 16,000 square feet tall, this Shanghai oasis features everything from hot stone holistic massages to a series of Infinite Signature treatments based on Chinese customs. And while your muscles and skin will certainly thank you during a visit to the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star, your eyes also will be grateful for the spa’s panoramic vistas from the 53rd and 55th floors. Take a dip in the glassy infinity pool, unwind in the steam room and dry sauna, soak in the Jacuzzi or simply relax in the waiting room all while gazing out over the Bund. You’ll even get a view in the treatment room — each comes with big-picture windows.
The Spa at Four Seasons Hong Kong
With bullet points such as a crystal steam room, a Vitality Lounge and ice fountains, you might think that serenity is only found within the walls of the Hong Kong spa. The view begs to differ. Oversized windows let light into the spa’s treatment rooms, allowing the pampered to look out over the cityscape and glistening water of the harbor below. But never fear — if isolation is what you aim for, the shades can be drawn for uninterrupted peace in this Five-Star treasure.
The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas
Sin City isn’t exactly known for being the most peaceful of destinations, and that’s why the views at The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas are a welcome escape. The vistas at this Five-Star offer a different perspective of the city’s neon-soaked decadence. The relaxation lounge, sporting cushy chairs that beg to be sunken into, boasts panoramic views of the Strip, allowing you to pinpoint that evening’s big score while prepping with an aromatherapy session or luminescence massage.
Joya Scottsdale Spa
Trading sprawling metropolises for something a bit rockier, this Scottsdale, Arizona, haven resides at Montelucia Resort & Spa, a prime destination for those looking to relax in an au naturel environment. Smoothies, hammam sessions, meditation and more are featured at the spa, but the real unwind time begins when you kick back at the pool and let the surrounding landscape of Camelback Mountain and its rust-colored slopes and peaks woo you into a calm that only the desert can bring.
The Spa at the Carrick
No monsters here — this loch-based spa about 20 miles northwest of Glasgow is all about the chill. Scotland’s beautiful, breezy, forested countryside plays a crucial role in the atmosphere of The Spa at the Carrick, which features 17 wet and dry treatment rooms, a holistic studio, a gym and more. Post-treatment, head up to the spa’s terrace and splash into the infinity pool to drink in the scenery.
Photos Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Four Seasons, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, Montelucia Resort and Spa
