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2009 Silver Sage Winners: Spas by Type

Canyon Ranch
Canyon Ranch SpaClub

Affordable spas, romantic getaways, and more—our readers have picked their favorite destinations in a number of categories.

You can scroll through the entire list or jump to your favorite types of spas by clicking on the links below:


Favorite Eco/Green Spas

Hopefully one day this will no longer need to be a category, as environmentally conscious building practices and operational protocols become de rigueur. But until then, the following five spas have inspired you with their heightened sense of sustainability. We'd like to include an honorable mention of Six Senses spas. Although they didn't make your top choices (which isn't surprising considering most of them are quite a distance from the U.S.), they set the standard for green spas around the globe — literally. In 2007, the brand helped nonprofit EC3 Global draft and test its Green Globe certification for spas.

  1. Canyon Ranch SpaClub, The Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino (866) 659-9643 and The Palazzo Las Vegas (702) 607-7777 (Las Vegas)
  2. Auberge Spa, Auberge du Soleil (Rutherford, California), (800) 348-5406
  3. Miraval Arizona Resort and Spa (Tucson, Arizona), (800) 825-4000
  4. Post Ranch Spa, Post Ranch Inn (Big Sur, California), (831) 667-2200
  5. Rancho La Puerta (Tecate, Baja California, Mexico), (877) 440-7778


Favorite Spas for Cuisine

Far from the flavorless fare served in years past, the modern spa menu has redefined the recipe for health-conscious cuisine. Savory entrees showcase organic, farm-fresh ingredients presented with culinary artistry. Your epicurean spas of choice add a dash of nutritional enlightenment to last a lifetime.

  1. Canyon Ranch SpaClub, The Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino (866) 659-9643 and The Palazzo Las Vegas (702) 607-7777 (Las Vegas)
  2. Spa Montage, Montage Laguna Beach (Laguna Beach, California), (888) 715-6700
  3. Spa Ojai, Ojai Valley Inn & Spa (Ojai, California), (888) 697-8780
  4. The Spa at Bacara, Bacara Resort & Spa (Santa Barbara, California), (877) 422-4245
  5. The Oaks at Ojai (Ojai, California), (800) 753-6257


Favorite Spas for Couples

Sharing is caring, and the pairing of beautiful beaches and treatments for two naturally brings out the romantic in all of us. Seaside sensuality defines four of the five couples spas that won your heart. But to really heat things up, you also selected a high-desert hot spot that has long infatuated Hollywood's amorous A-list. 

  1. Honua Spa, Hotel Hāna-Maui (Hana, Maui, Hawaii), (808) 248-8211
  2. Spa Gaucin, St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Spa (Dana Point, California), (949) 234-3200,
  3. Hualalai Spa, Four Seasons Resort Hualalai (Kohala Coast, Big Island, Hawaii), (808) 325-8000
  4. Two Bunch Palms Resort & Spa (Desert Hot Springs, California), (800) 472-4334
  5. Spa L'Auberge, L'Auberge Del Mar (Del Mar, California), (800) 245-9757


Favorite Destination Spas

Travel itself can be powerful therapy. After all, nothing refreshes your perspective like a little distance—and total immersion in not only a new landscape but also a 24/7 spa lifestyle. When it comes to saddling up for serenity, your votes pointed to the sun-kissed West and Southwest—home to eight of your top 10 retreats for long-range renewal.   

  1. The Oaks at Ojai (Ojai, California), (800) 753-6257
  2. Canyon Ranch in Tucson (Tucson, Arizona), (800) 742-9000
  3. Golden Door (Escondido, California), (800) 424-0777
  4. Mii amo, a destination spa at Enchantment (Sedona, Arizona), (888) 749-2137
  5. Ste. Anne's Spa (Grafton, Ontario, Canada), (888) 346-6772
  6. Miraval Arizona Resort and Spa (Tucson, Arizona), (800) 825-4000
  7. Rancho La Puerta (Tecate, Baja California, Mexico), (877) 440-7778
  8. Cal-a-Vie Health Spa (Vista, California), (760) 945-2055
  9. Red Mountain Resort & Spa (Ivins, Utah), (877) 246-4453
  10. Lake Austin Spa Resort (Austin, Texas), (800) 245-9757


Favorite Spas for Traveling Solo

Since the path to self-discovery is walked alone, it's no surprise that many of you are making spa vacation reservations for one. Two of your top five solo travel retreats are in the artists community of Ojai, California, where the landscape and culture have long inspired creativity and personal growth. 

  1. The Spa at Red Rock, Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa (Las Vegas), (866) 767-7773
  2. The Oaks at Ojai (Ojai, California), (800) 753-6257
  3. Spa Ojai, Ojai Valley Inn & Spa (Ojai, California), (888) 697-8780
  4. Golden Door (Escondido, California), (800) 424-0777
  5. Canyon Ranch in Tucson (Tucson, Arizona), (800) 742-9000


Favorite Mineral Springs Spas

Mineral springs have long been prized by cultures the world over, but it was the Golden State that shone in this category, playing host to all five favorites.

  1. Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa (Corona, California), (888) 453-6489
  2. Calistoga Spa Hot Springs (Calistoga, California), (866) 822-5772
  3. Two Bunch Palms Resort & Spa (Desert Hot Springs, California), (800) 472-4334
  4. The Spring—A Natural Hot Mineral Spring Resort & Spa (Desert Hot Springs, California), (877) 200-2110
  5. Sycamore Spa and Wellness Center, Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort (San Luis Obispo, California), (800) 234-5831


Favorite Affordable Spas

Let's face it, these days this category is more important than ever. And it's no surprise that domestic destinations tend to fit the bill, given the rising cost of travel. When it comes to keeping both you and your budget in balance, here are the most popular picks:

  1. Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa (Corona, California), (888) 453-6489
  2. The Oaks at Ojai (Ojai, California), (800) 753-6257
  3. The Spa at Mohonk Mountain House, Mohonk Mountain House (New Paltz, New York), (800) 772-6646
  4. Hilton Head Health (Hilton Head Island, South Carolina), (800) 292-2440
  5. Red Mountain Resort & Spa (Ivins, Utah), (877) 246-4453


Favorite Cruise Line Spas

With an estimated 13.3 million passengers expected to be welcomed aboard by the end of the year, it seems to be smooth sailing for many cruise lines and their spas. Sanctuaries at sea often incorporate the pampering traditions of various ports of call along with signature services and products. For a high-touch experience on the water, these faves float to the front.

  1. Spa and Fitness Centers, Royal Caribbean International, (866) 562-7625
  2. Cloud 9 Spa, Carnival Cruise Lines, (800) 227-6482
  3. Lotus Spas, Princess Cruises, (800) 774-6237
  4. Vista Spa and Salons, Disney Cruise Line, (800) 325-2500
  5. Mandara Spas, Norwegian Cruise Line, (866) 234-7350


Favorite Day Spas

What a difference a day makes, especially when there's room for a treatment or two on your to-do list. These national brands and independent boutiques are your favorites for coast-to-coast convenience. 

  1. Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa (Corona, California), (888) 453-6489
  2. Burke Williams Day Spa and Massage Centers (California) 
  3. Bliss Spas (nationwide)
  4. Spa Nordstroms (nationwide), (888) 282-6060
  5. Oasis Day Spas (New York), (212) 254-7722


Favorite Medical/Wellness Spas

An integrated and holistic approach to medicine continues to be a welcome prescription for change in conventional healthcare. And it's one that's certainly being filled: Medical spas are the fastest-growing segment in the spa industry—up 85 percent from 2007. These five healing centers are your preferred providers.

  1. Canyon Ranch in Tucson (Tucson, Arizona), (800) 742-9000
  2. The Medical and Skin Spa, Hyatt Grand Champions Resort, Villas and Spa (Indian Wells, California), (760) 674-4106
  3. California Health & Longevity Institute, Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village (Westlake Village, California), (818) 575-3000
  4. The Chopra Center for Wellbeing (Carlsbad, California), (760) 494-1639
  5. WellMax Center for Preventive Medicine (La Quinta, California), (800) 621-5263

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