Travaasa’s Western Sky Treatment Room
Photo Courtesy of Travaasa
Gone are the days of spa treatments being reserved strictly for mother-daughter retreats and groups of girlfriends. Why should the ladies have all the fun anyway? There are plenty of relaxing and rejuvenating spa treatments geared just toward men, and the end of the summer is the perfect time to recharge for fall with one of them. Here are our top five picks in Austin:
Travaasa’s Western Sky treatment room was designed especially for guys, which doesn’t come as much of a surprise when you see it in person. Reclaimed Douglas fir and loblolly pine wood create a warm glow throughout the space, while a deer head looks on from a wall underneath a fiber optic sky displaying the constellations. The What Ales You package begins with an 80-minute energetic massage, followed by a peppermint foot treatment and a refreshing organic Texas ale. Additionally, the 50-minute gentleman’s clarifying facial uses sandalwood, lemon and bitter orange to exfoliate and hydrate. And the ancient purification body treatment removes toxins with Dead Sea mud, dandelions, chamomile and lemon balm.
Named after musician Django Reinhardt, this Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa retreat proves well worth the trek just outside of Austin. The men’s relaxation lounge features a sauna, a steam room, a whirlpool and an outdoor area, and is located right across from the Wolfdancer Golf Club, making it a nice way to finish 18 holes. The spa’s specialized treatments include a cowboy manicure — Who knew cattle ranching could do such a number on your cuticles? — a therapeutic massage meant to relieve chronic muscle tension and the Renegade Facial, a deep-cleansing and exfoliation service for active guys.
With a location right in the heart of downtown, there isn’t a more convenient place to quickly escape from the stress of daily life than the dark, modern rooms of this W Austin jewel. The Man Up facial was designed to address the needs of the dudeliest skin, using Jack Black products to steam, scrub and condition. (The spa suggests you shave beforehand in order to get the full effect!) Afterward, relax in the eucalyptus steam room before kicking back at the W rooftop pool with a bourbon cocktail in your oh-so-smooth hands.
This modern-day spa tailors to men with an entire menu of rejuvenating services, including a Swedish-style sports massage, the Manly Facial (without extractions for more sensitive fellows) and the full Manly Deep Clean Facial (for those who can handle it). Its back treatment consists of cleansing, exfoliation, extractions and a mask, while the for-men-only manicures and pedicures start with a warm soak and end with a hand and foot massage — sparkly polish not included.
With two central locations, Viva Day Spa offers Austin’s male population double the exhilaration. The MANdatory package begins with cooling peppermint towels in the sauna, followed by a 60-minute deep-tissue massage, then a warm herbal steam towel treatment, an energizing mint scalp treatment, a back or foot salt scrub, and a reflexology finale. Upgrades include an express MANicure or a MANdatory Facial that comes with extractions, a neck and shoulder rub, and a pore cleansing and exfoliation with guy-friendly serums.
