Seeking Sanctuary at these Blissful Spa Destinations

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LuxeGetaways Magazine – Fall/Winter 2017 | Indulge in holistic treatments, peace-inducing décor, and breathtaking views at these three brand new spas.

1. The Spa at Cliff House

Located on Cape Neddick in Southern Maine, the Cliff House hotel has been perched atop a rock ledge overlooking the Atlantic Ocean for 145 years. The property underwent a full, multimillion-dollar renovation in 2016, and reopened in August. With a seaside palette, and a few artfully conceived nods to nautical life (think: towel hangers made of rope and tabletops printed with ocean currents), interior designers TruexCullins lent a New England look to the decor without indulging in clichés.

Climbing the spiral staircase from the lower lobby, you discover that this modern interpretation extends to the 9,000-square-foot spa. The quiet lair, hidden behind a series of doors, recalls a hushed temple that worships repose, with dark hallways leading to eight treatment rooms, including a couples’ suite where a lounging nook is warmed by a fireplace. Taking cues from the hotel’s ocean-side placement and utilizing Red Flower and Elemental Herbology products, the spa menu is a creative blend of treatments that reflect the restorative power of the sea.

Case in point: In the signature Salt of the Sea Massage, warm stones carved from Himalayan sea salt are placed on strategic points along the body, which is kneaded into heavy relaxation with deep tissue work. The stones smolder pinkish-orange from high concentrations of trace minerals and generate negative ions that help reduce inflammation and improve sleep. Or the Green Tea Detox Facial, which harnesses the cleansing properties of seaweed, as well as the clarifying traits of apple and papaya AHAs, to boost complexion with a healthy glow.

The bliss continues post-therapy in the relaxation room, composed of blonde woods with aqua and off-white tones. Here, plush loungers face floor-to-ceiling windows that look upon expansive skies and an endless sea with waves that crash incessantly against the bluffs below. The space smells of salty sea breezes; crackles with the flames of a wood-burning fireplace; and tastes of comfort with mugs of steaming Rishi Teas (the turmeric ginger is a stamina-increasing winner). The Spa at Cliff House provides a localized and blissful spa experience filled with seaside inspired options. It is difficult to not love this place.

2. Lanserhof Lans

Located in the tiny town of Lans, Austria for more than 30 years, Lanserhof practices the Lans Med concept, which combines cutting-edge medicine with naturotherapy; all based on a program designed by Dr. Franz Xaver Mayr. Herr doktor espoused natural healing through a gut cleanse — at Lanserhof, the stomach is king. To that end, there are basics that all guests must follow, including learning to chew properly for proper digestion (40 times per bite). The spa recommends two weeks for the ideal amount of time for detoxification, which begins with a detailed consultation by an in-house doctor who personally designs each day of the stay.

Lanserhof Lans, along with its two other locations in Germany, have hosted international athletes, actors, musicians and tycoons of industry. Given its age, Lanserhof Lans, the company’s first spa, underwent a $25 million renovation last year. In February, it debuted its sleek new design, courtesy of architect Christophe Ingenhoven, who is also a frequent guest, and the designer of Lanserhof Tegernsee in Germany. The public areas — the dining and living spaces, a library and a bathhouse with sauna — as well as the guest rooms and suites are all influenced by minimalism. Sparse rooms, in shades of grey and blue with sanded-down untreated cedar and large windows, forego artwork. But who needs art here, as the spa nuzzles a hillside where the Austrian Alps loom all around, and quaint homes and red barns dot the valley below.

Ensconced within this environment, the day is divided into (mostly) bliss-producing activities. They might include a lymph drainage massage, a full-body wrap with a liver detox pack, a muscular deep tissue massage, or up to three minutes spent shivering in the brand new cryotherapy chambers. The treatments are broken up by more physical labors like alpine walking, laps in the new saltwater pool, or working out with a trainer.
Despite some restrictive rules (for example, the spa’s Energy Cuisine diet is broken into sections depending on your bespoke program and certain guests are only allowed green tea and an orange slice for dinner), the magic of Lanserhof lies in the fact that people can search, but will rarely find an experience of complete wellbeing as they can through the nutritionists, trainers and day spas at Lanserhof. It is truly a unique wellness opportunity.

3. The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown

Opened last fall, the newest Four Seasons hotel in New York brings its sophisticated luxury to the gritty Financial District. Designed by in-demand duo George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg, the spa’s earthy palette of beige, grey and soft white (accented with shafts of light) is the visual approximation of a deep exhale. In the relaxation lounge, organic shapes and a multihued rug recall a cloud-like aerie punctuated with a rainbow. The treatments also capture the out-of-this-world concept thanks to a spa menu that doubles down on imparting balance in all its therapies – a necessity in helping relax denizens and visitors of the most frenzied city in the world.
The treatments focus on a blend of science and nature, and to that end, the menu relies on skincare brands that excel in the combination, namely Dr. Burgener from Switzerland and Omorovicza from Hungary. Take, for example, the Luxury Green Caviar by Dr. Burgener. The rich facial drenches skin in a high dose of green caviar and gold trace elements to repair and regenerate. The metal’s restorative powers are a popular draw on the menu. Also featured is the Gold Hydralifting facial by Omorovicza, which deploys bio-available gold to strengthen the skin’s barrier, leaving it hydrated and plumped.
The therapies-fit-for-royalty theme continues with the Body Rituals. For those seeking head-to-toe renewal, indulge in the Hydrating Swiss Milk treatment, which draws inspiration from Cleopatra’s preferred milk baths and uses an active, anti-aging concentrate to nourish skin. The Luxury Chardonnay Ritual takes extravagance to the next level with antioxidant-rich and anti-aging vinotherapy that leaves skin glowing.
After the treatment, find your way to the swimming pool — the showpiece of the spa. Mammoth windows border the 75-foot lap pool that overlooks the surrounding skyscrapers; complete with marble columns, a cloudy sky mural, cushy loungers, and the feeling of being untethered from tension rounds out this urban oasis.

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