25 Pioneer Spas

The Pioneer Spas: Golden Door

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With its impeccable service and inspired program, we know why the legendary Golden Door, tucked away in a coastal pocket of northern San Diego, continuously ranks among the top spas in North America. It’s a SpaFinder favorite, winning our own Readers’ Choice Awards, and it’s also beloved by Condé Nast Traveler’s subscribers, topping their Readers’ [...]

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The Pioneer Spas: Hilton Head Health

Hilton Head Health

We love this destination’s bold, unpretentious admission: “More than a fat farm!” Indeed, this South Carolina seashore retreat has changed thousands of lives with their smartly conceived program of calorie reduction and personal attention to mind/body fitness. We salute them for their inspiration and education.

The Pioneer Spas: Spa Eastman Health & Wellness Retreat

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The internationally beloved Spa Eastman asserts, “We are not a hotel with a spa. We offer a global and authentic health spa retreat.” It’s an important distinction that makes Quebec’s Eastman one of our favorite spots in the Great White North to unwind and revive as we savor their healthy, delicious food, wonderful treatments and [...]

The Pioner Spas: Green Mountain at Fox Run

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While it doesn’t define itself as a spa, Green Mountain’s 40 years as a treasured destination for women seeking healthy solutions to weight loss make it an essential pioneer for our list. Their caring program of mindful meditation, nutrition, and fitness has helped thousands of women break the cycle of yo-yo dieting in a healthy, [...]

The Pioneer Spas: New Age Health Spa

Photos courtesy of New Age

We love how New Age is located in the buoyantly named Neversink, New York. A true wellness pioneer of American spa, the Catskill mountain retreat draws loyal visitors for its ability to adapt to its clients’ needs for relaxation, restoration, and reflection. New Age also celebrates their 25th year this year. Congratulations! In 1986 Werner [...]

The Pioneer Spas: The Spa at Doral

Photos courtesy of Spa at Doral

We’re so impressed by the Spa at Doral’s evolution from being one of the first destination spas in America—devoted to pampering its clientele in its European-inspired Miami location—to a spa that offers luxurious treatments and an educational journey on how to live healthier and longer. Beautifully done. In 1959, Doris and Alfred Kaskel found 2,400 [...]

The Pioneer Spas: The Oaks at Ojai

The Oaks at Ojai

For years we’ve been completely charmed by this down-to-earth, Southern California gem, located in the healthy-minded valley town of Ojai. The Oaks has been welcoming guests for over three decades with its top-notch nutritional and fitness programs and spa treatments. We also love how new habits are forged here—affordably.

The Pioneer Spas: Green Valley Spa

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Recently voted among the “Top 10 Spas for Hiking, Weight Loss, and Favorite Spa Treatment” in our 2011 Readers’ Choice Awards, Green Valley calls itself “the original hiking spa.” We love it for that and so much more, including its stress reduction and weight-loss programs, award-winning sports programs, mind-melting treatments, beautiful Red Rocks location and [...]

The Pioneer Spas: La Costa

La Costa Resort & Spa

In operation since 1964, Carlsbad California’s La Costa is considered one of the first full-service destination spas in the U.S. and has always been on the forefront of taking American spa beyond the notion of beauty treatments. With the Chopra Center onsite focusing on all aspects of wellness, we know it will continue to offer its clients the best in mind/body/spirit growth and healing.

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The Pioneer Spas: Safety Harbor Resort and Spa

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Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto thought he’d found the Fountain of Youth at this site’s natural mineral springs in the 1500s. The water of is one of the many features that brings us back to this Tampa Bay spa resort, which boasts a sprawling 50,000 feet dedicated to spa and fitness. Upon his arrival in [...]

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