Here are 5 unexpected spas that may just make you re-think relaxation and recovery...
1. Beitou Hot Springs
Taipei’s mountainous Beitou district is chock-full of luxury spas, tea houses, and hotels that filter heavenly sulfuric spring water, straight into their tubs.
Don’t want to drop the cash for a luxe hot springs experience? Take a public hot spring bath, instead. You’ll be getting all of the benefits of the mineral-rich water, and it will only set you back a couple bucks!
2. Hammam Royal Mansour
Often considered the most luxurious spa experience in the world, this Moroccan spa integrates the local hammam tradition and blends it with top skin treatments from around the world.
A hammam treatment includes fragranced steam, warm water, 'marocMaroc' hammam products, hot marble, and a black scrub. While each of these might not seem extraordinary on their own, the setting is what makes it special. Each private spa suite comes equipped with unique architecture and design elements, including a plunge pool and a private terrace.
Ready to splurge on the most luxurious spa in the world? You can book a stay, here.
3. The Spa at The Hotel Hershey
A sweet-tooth’s paradise, this spa sits in the chocolate capital of America, Hershey, Pennsylvania. While traditional treatments are offered at The Spa at The Hotel Hershey, you shouldn’t miss out on one of the unique ‘Chocolate Packages’, which include facials and skin treatments that are performed entirely with antioxidant-rich chocolate.
4. Siloam Sauna Jjimjilbang
If you're a first-time visitor to a Korean spa, or jjimjilbang, you may not use the word "relaxing" to describe the experience. Jimjilbang are very social places and they're a big part of Korean culture. That might mean a karaoke room and large groups of friends hanging out in the sauna, but jimjilbangs provide opportunities to relax, once you find the space that works for you.
Protip: All jjimjilbangs are open 24 hours and provide co-ed sleeping rooms. If you don’t mind sleeping on a mat next to a stranger, you can forgo a pricey hotel for the night.
The Siloam Sauna Jjimjilbang offers medicated baths, jade saunas, oxygen rooms, and a hearty menu of traditional Korean cuisine.
5. Galos Caves
The Galos Caves in Poland are man-made, salt-iodine caves that create a microclimate of relaxation. Good news; you no longer have to travel to Poland for this experience. Chicago is now home to the first salt cave in the U.S. Salt caves are said to help cure respiratory and digestive diseases, sinus infections, and much more.
While the experience is more utilitarian and less ‘spa-like’, the warmly lit space sure is relaxing, and all you have to do is breathe!
