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There has always been a strong link between water and wellness. According to Doug Chambers and Cary Collier, Co-Founders of Blu Spas Inc, an international spa design firm that has created more than 400 spas in 40 countries, there are a variety of wellness benefits from soaking in water. This includes stress reduction, joint relief, improved sleep quality and a stronger immune system.
In addition to these benefits, Chambers and Collier think there’s a simpler reason why water experiences are so popular: they bring back the fun to spas. Water experiences trigger a release of endorphins or ‘happy hormones’ and give us a splash of joy. Water immersion provides a break from gravity, seemingly lifting the weight of the world.
Here are some top spas that incorporate water in their wellness offerings.
San Antonio, Texas
Loma de Vida Spa & Wellness at La Cantera Resort & Spa, in San Antonio, Texas LA CANTERA RESORT & SPA
Name: Loma de Vida Spa & Wellness at La Cantera Resort & Spa, San Antonio, Texas
Water component: A water circuit for both men’s and women’s wet areas features a steam shower, steam room, sauna, cool-down shower, and a hot soaking pool. The spa’s outdoor zone overlooking the Hill Country offers an adult pool with an infinity edge, hot tub, and grotto vitality pool with a cascade water feature.
Don't miss: Reserve a sky loft for the day where you can dine, soak in the outdoor Cowboy soaking tub, receive signature spa services unique to Loma de Vida and have some private time to yourself.
Treatment to try: The jet peel facial.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Awana’s signature water feature consist of five intersecting vitality pools of different temperatures are shaped in the form of flower petals, complete with a gentle ceiling rain shower Credit: Resorts World Las Vegas
Name: Awana Spa at ResortsWorld Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada
Water component: The Fountain of Youth, a coed soaking zone, includes a single clover leaf configured pool vessel containing four individual soaking zones with varying temperatures and features. Also within the coed zone, a cool-down rain shower walk. Separate vitality pools and experiential showers are available for each gender’s changing zone.
Don't miss: Designed on the principles of the golden ratio, The Fountain of Youth coed zone experience includes the U.S.’s first Event Sauna with sauna meister-led immersive journeys. This zone also offers a salt laconium with a massive crystal mounted on a central plinth; the backdrop for the coed zone is a panoramic curved screen depicting a variety of nature scenes.
Treatment to try: Balinese Wave, a full body treatment that uses a combination of warming spices and Balinese techniques like skin rolling, wringing, rocking, and pressure points to soothe damaged tissue and relieve strained muscles.
Houston, Texas
Trellis Spa at the Houstonian
Water component: Inspired by bathing cultures around the world, the Outdoor Soaking Pools & Garden and indoor reflection pool offers soaking pools with varying water temperatures, cool-down showers, relaxation cabanas, two fire pits, a row of rocking chairs beneath a shade arbor, and a meditation garden.
Don't miss: Check out the Houstonian’s spa dining experience and their elevated fitness at the newly renovated Houstonian Club.
Treatment to try: Sea glow scrub. Moisturizing sea-derived granules gently massage away dead skin cells while hydrating thirsty skin. Each scrub is customized with the addition of a boosting serum to target relaxation, firmness or invigoration. A lightweight body milk, rich in plant oils, is applied to revitalized skin.
Oceanside, California
Sunny’s Spa at The Seabird Resort
Name: Sunny’s Spa at The Seabird Resort, Oceanside, CA
Water component: Contrast bathing circuit with coed sanarium (sauna/steam hybrid), cool mist experiential shower, and laconium bench relaxation zone.
Don't miss: The Seabird’s guest pool, hot tubs, and Shelter Club Pool Bar overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Treatment to try: The Soul Ritual which includes an exfoliating body scrub, healing wrap and full body massage with aromatherapy sound bath, breath work, and special attention to your scalp, hands, and feet.
Athens, Greece
Name: Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel, Athens, Greece
Water therapy: The Fountain House, an adults-only indoor hydrotherapy zone designed as a place to socialize and “take the waters,” with aroma steam grotto, hammam, vitality pool, and chill showers. The Fountain House’s relaxation lounge features panoramic Aegean views.
Don't miss: The hotel’s amazing outdoor pools overlook the Aegean Sea.
Treatment to try: Sinantisi includes a nourishing scalp massage during an aromatherapy bath in a stone tub, followed by a 50-minute full-body tailor-made massage.
Original Article posted in FORBES - Judy Koutsky
