WINTER OASIS: THE ULTIMATE SPA DESTINATIONS
The best way to handle subzero temperatures? From the hammam.
Leave the city behind for a few hours and just float. From vitamin injections to sound baths, The Vilebrequin Spa Guide has precisely what you need to relax this winter.
Photos by @kenzasmc
Paris, The Ritz
The iconic French institution
The ultimate luxury hotel and the epitome of French sophistication, the Ritz is one of the world’s most renowned 5-star hotels. Boasting the incredible attention to detail for which this hotel is known, the Ritz’s spa offers expert Biologique Recherche treatments and signature treatments which pay tribute to Colette’s iris, Zelda Fitzgerald’s orchid, Ingrid Bergman’s rose and Marie-Louise Ritz’s beloved edelweiss. It’s a celebration of the wonderful power of flowers.
Paris, Hôtel Molitor
Make a splash with a stay at an iconic Art Deco property
Built in the 1920s, this once fashionable swimming pool fell into disrepair (becoming a favourite with street artists in the process), before its grand reopening in 2014 as the 5-star Hôtel Molitor. Featuring two swimming pools, a panoramic rooftop, gyms and a spa with a steam room and a sauna, this legendary Art Deco hotel is the perfect choice for a Parisian weekend away or a relaxing afternoon on one of its poolside deckchairs.
New York, Aman New York
Escape New York’s hustle and bustle in the heart of the city
Close to Central Park, New York’s Aman Hotel is an urban sanctuary. With its soft lighting, sleek lines and hidden alcoves, everything has been designed to create a peaceful oasis, far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city – which can be admired from the hotel’s vast rooftop terrace. Its three-storey spa is an ode to wellness, providing guests with massages, acupuncture sessions and vitamin injections.
Las Vegas, Wynn
Hit the wellness jackpot
Wynn, a five-star luxury hotel and casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, has an impressive range of wellness activities. Here, everything is designed to help you unwind and recharge your batteries: a healthy menu, exercise classes, facial and body massages, vitamin injections and cutting-edge treatments, including oxygen-based skincare which works to regenerate the skin. The signature treatment of the hotel’s two spas, named the Good Luck Ritual, is a treatment inspired by the 5 pillars of Chinese medicine, designed to bring luck, joy and prosperity.
Hong Kong, Asaya
A holistic luxury spa
Overlooking Victoria Harbour, the Rosewood Hotel’s swimming pool is on the 7th floor. Its Asaya wellness centre is a veritable holistic temple, offering treatments based around five pillars: emotional balance, fitness and nutrition, physical therapies, skin health and community. During these incredibly luxurious “wellcations”, guests can enjoy a comprehensive wellness experience.
Miami, The Breakers
European style meets Palm Beach luxury
A luxurious oceanfront resort with Italian Renaissance-inspired architecture, The Breakers offers a beachfront experience which combines the relaxed feel of the French Riviera, the sophistication of the Italian coastline and the timeless charm of Palm Beach. In addition to the property’s oceanfront access, guests can make the most of four swimming pools and a spa which offers bespoke massages and innovative treatments.
Paris, The Ritz
The iconic French institution
The ultimate luxury hotel and the epitome of French sophistication, the Ritz is one of the world’s most renowned 5-star hotels. Boasting the incredible attention to detail for which this hotel is known, the Ritz’s spa offers expert Biologique Recherche treatments and signature treatments which pay tribute to Colette’s iris, Zelda Fitzgerald’s orchid, Ingrid Bergman’s rose and Marie-Louise Ritz’s beloved edelweiss. It’s a celebration of the wonderful power of flowers.
Paris, Hôtel Molitor
Make a splash with a stay at an iconic Art Deco property
Built in the 1920s, this once fashionable swimming pool fell into disrepair (becoming a favourite with street artists in the process), before its grand reopening in 2014 as the 5-star Hôtel Molitor. Featuring two swimming pools, a panoramic rooftop, gyms and a spa with a steam room and a sauna, this legendary Art Deco hotel is the perfect choice for a Parisian weekend away or a relaxing afternoon on one of its poolside deckchairs.
New York, Aman New York
Escape New York’s hustle and bustle in the heart of the city
Close to Central Park, New York’s Aman Hotel is an urban sanctuary. With its soft lighting, sleek lines and hidden alcoves, everything has been designed to create a peaceful oasis, far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city – which can be admired from the hotel’s vast rooftop terrace. Its three-storey spa is an ode to wellness, providing guests with massages, acupuncture sessions and vitamin injections.
Las Vegas, Wynn
Hit the wellness jackpot
Wynn, a five-star luxury hotel and casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, has an impressive range of wellness activities. Here, everything is designed to help you unwind and recharge your batteries: a healthy menu, exercise classes, facial and body massages, vitamin injections and cutting-edge treatments, including oxygen-based skincare which works to regenerate the skin. The signature treatment of the hotel’s two spas, named the Good Luck Ritual, is a treatment inspired by the 5 pillars of Chinese medicine, designed to bring luck, joy and prosperity.
Hong Kong, Asaya
A holistic luxury spa
Overlooking Victoria Harbour, the Rosewood Hotel’s swimming pool is on the 7th floor. Its Asaya wellness centre is a veritable holistic temple, offering treatments based around five pillars: emotional balance, fitness and nutrition, physical therapies, skin health and community. During these incredibly luxurious “wellcations”, guests can enjoy a comprehensive wellness experience.
Miami, The Breakers
European style meets Palm Beach luxury
A luxurious oceanfront resort with Italian Renaissance-inspired architecture, The Breakers offers a beachfront experience which combines the relaxed feel of the French Riviera, the sophistication of the Italian coastline and the timeless charm of Palm Beach. In addition to the property’s oceanfront access, guests can make the most of four swimming pools and a spa which offers bespoke massages and innovative treatments.
Rome, Six Senses
Enjoy the timeless feel of the Eternal City
Located between the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain, Six Senses Rome is located in the imposing Palazzo Salviati Cesi Mellini. Here, everything reflects and evokes Italian culture: the spa is inspired by Roman baths, seemingly encouraging guests to step back in time. The architect Patricia Urquiola chose to work with typically Roman materials, including travertine and cocciopesto. This hotel offers a luxurious wellness experience in a magical setting, inspired by ancient Rome.
Tokyo, Aman
The Japanese art of wellness through water
The Aman Tokyo hotel blends the traditional feel of a Japanese ryokan with modern minimalism. The wellness area includes a swimming pool which is more than 30 metres long and boasts spectacular views of the city. The treatments provided follow the principles of Kanpō, the study of traditional Chinese medicine in Japan, and guests can even enjoy the misogi experience: an age-old Japanese ritual which involves total immersion in icy water before emerging purified and transformed.
Dubai, Talise Ottoman Spa
A marvel in the City of Gold
Located on the 18th floor of the Burj Al Arab hotel, the Talise Ottoman Spa is a stunning setting which boasts beautiful mosaics and impressive views of the World Islands and downtown Dubai. Its treatments are inspired by local traditions: massage techniques are influenced by age-old methods and treatment ingredients come from lush gardens in the region.
Marrakech, The Royal Mansour
A celebration of Moroccan hospitality
The Royal Mansour has given the traditional riad a truly luxurious twist. With 2 hectares of lush gardens, designed by the landscape designer Luis Vallejo, the hotel has an intimate feel with its tree-lined patios and cosy lounges with their classic Moorish style. The spa offers guests the chance to experience Moroccan beauty rituals. The signature package at the spa’s hammam includes a ceremonial massage, a rhassoul clay wrap and the spraying of floral water.
Milan, Casa Cipriani
A unique atmosphere, inspired by a Venetian icon
Casa Cipriani Milano was designed by the Florentine architect Michele Bonan to evoke the era of Harry’s Bar in Venice, an iconic venue which was famous for its Bellini cocktails, enjoyed by all the celebrities of the 1930s. Designed by Studio Apostoli with touches of green onyx and stone mosaics, the luxurious spa feels like a private members’ club, welcoming a happy few from all over the world.
Californie, Beverly Wilshire, Four Seasons
A luxury destination that’s fit for a king
A favourite haunt of celebrities and royalty since it opened in 1928, the Four Seasons is in the heart of Beverly Hills. The hotel’s spa offers guests a truly sensory experience to soothe and revitalize mind and body, featuring special skincare products which combine powerful active ingredients with cutting-edge technology.
Miami, Acqualina Resort
Beach living
With its typical Miami style, Acqualina Resort boasts three oceanfront pools and a spa which offers a wide range of treatments. The hotel’s signature Sound Healing Massage combines the therapeutic benefits of Swedish massage with sound frequencies chosen for their relaxing effects.
São Paulo, Rosewood Hotel
The dazzling splendour of Brazil
In the heart of the city, Rosewood São Paulo stands proudly on the site of Cidade Matarazzo, a former maternity hospital which was built in the 20th century. Designed by Philippe Starck, every element of the interior echoes the local culture, from the materials used to the artwork on display. Both a contemporary art gallery and a wellness haven, with its spa and infinity pools, Rosewood São Paulo is the ultimate oasis for anyone wanting to reconnect mind and body.
Anguilla, Four Seasons Resort
A Caribbean dream
Surrounded by long white sandy beaches, quiet bays and a coral reef, Four Seasons Resort Anguilla boasts breathtaking views of Meads Bay and Barnes Bay. To help guests to relax and unwind, the hotel’s spa offers a range of body and hair treatments, with a particular focus on facial treatments. Each treatment combines powerful active ingredients, developed during medical research, with targeted massage techniques to create experiences which stimulate the senses and promise powerful results.
Californie, Auberge du Soleil
A taste of France in Napa Valley
Inspired by the south of France and heavily influenced by the Californian lifestyle, Auberge du Soleil is hidden away on a sun-drenched hillside, surrounded by olive groves and heritage oaks. The hotel’s guests can enjoy a Premier Cru spa treatment which pays tribute to Napa County’s wine-growing tradition.
Hawaii, 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay
A breathtaking haven in Hawaii
An oceanfront sanctuary on Kauaʻi’s North Shore, 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay stands on a hill which overlooks the spectacular Hanalei Bay, surrounded by the tropical flora of Hawaii’s Garden Island. The Bamford Wellness Spa has a holistic approach to wellness, focused on both mind and body. It offers transformational therapies, rituals and treatments which combine traditional Hawaiian techniques with advanced technology. A genuine haven of tranquillity, the hotel’s spa encourages guests to unwind in a stunning natural setting.
Porto Rico, Dorado Beach
Embrace the power of nature in an exclusive setting
The oceanfront resort of Dorado Beach is an exclusive hideaway which has been strongly influenced by the surrounding landscapes and culture. At its Spa Botánico, guests can enjoy apothecary treatments which combine local plants and traditional recipes. The spa offers a Botanical Ritual, a bespoke treatment provided by Manos Santas, the Spanish name for islanders who are said to have healing hands. From poultices to ointments and scrubs, every treatment uses ingredients grown on the island, so you can feel at one with nature.
Miami, Acqualina Resort
Beach living
With its typical Miami style, Acqualina Resort boasts three oceanfront pools and a spa which offers a wide range of treatments. The hotel’s signature Sound Healing Massage combines the therapeutic benefits of Swedish massage with sound frequencies chosen for their relaxing effects.
São Paulo, Rosewood Hotel
The dazzling splendour of Brazil
In the heart of the city, Rosewood São Paulo stands proudly on the site of Cidade Matarazzo, a former maternity hospital which was built in the 20th century. Designed by Philippe Starck, every element of the interior echoes the local culture, from the materials used to the artwork on display. Both a contemporary art gallery and a wellness haven, with its spa and infinity pools, Rosewood São Paulo is the ultimate oasis for anyone wanting to reconnect mind and body.
Anguilla, Four Seasons Resort
A Caribbean dream
Surrounded by long white sandy beaches, quiet bays and a coral reef, Four Seasons Resort Anguilla boasts breathtaking views of Meads Bay and Barnes Bay. To help guests to relax and unwind, the hotel’s spa offers a range of body and hair treatments, with a particular focus on facial treatments. Each treatment combines powerful active ingredients, developed during medical research, with targeted massage techniques to create experiences which stimulate the senses and promise powerful results.
Californie, Auberge du Soleil
A taste of France in Napa Valley
Inspired by the south of France and heavily influenced by the Californian lifestyle, Auberge du Soleil is hidden away on a sun-drenched hillside, surrounded by olive groves and heritage oaks. The hotel’s guests can enjoy a Premier Cru spa treatment which pays tribute to Napa County’s wine-growing tradition.
Hawaii, 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay
A breathtaking haven in Hawaii
An oceanfront sanctuary on Kauaʻi’s North Shore, 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay stands on a hill which overlooks the spectacular Hanalei Bay, surrounded by the tropical flora of Hawaii’s Garden Island. The Bamford Wellness Spa has a holistic approach to wellness, focused on both mind and body. It offers transformational therapies, rituals and treatments which combine traditional Hawaiian techniques with advanced technology. A genuine haven of tranquillity, the hotel’s spa encourages guests to unwind in a stunning natural setting.
Porto Rico, Dorado Beach
Embrace the power of nature in an exclusive setting
The oceanfront resort of Dorado Beach is an exclusive hideaway which has been strongly influenced by the surrounding landscapes and culture. At its Spa Botánico, guests can enjoy apothecary treatments which combine local plants and traditional recipes. The spa offers a Botanical Ritual, a bespoke treatment provided by Manos Santas, the Spanish name for islanders who are said to have healing hands. From poultices to ointments and scrubs, every treatment uses ingredients grown on the island, so you can feel at one with nature.
