We all need a good spa vacation sometimes, and we here at the dining traveler have three amazing spas in different locations to recommend to you. These spas are great for a girls’ trip, a romantic getaway, or even for a solo vacation if you just need some rest and relaxation. Each of these venues feature beautiful scenery, a sensational spa, and of course good food and cocktails – all of which are essential to a relaxing spa vacation!
THE WEST COAST OPTION: Ojo Santa Fe
The Resort: Ojo Santa Fe is a serene and scenic venue for a spa vacation. I went with my sister and one of my best friends from college and we got a two-bedroom casita, with a patio, fireplace, and small bar area, which was more than enough room for three people! The property is huge and I highly recommend spending some time strolling around and admiring the landscape.
The Spa: The spa itself offers massages, facials, and body treatments. The hot stone massage is especially wonderful, and for those who really need some healing, try the CBD massage. In addition to spa treatments, visitors get to enjoy gorgeous circular thermal pools that look over a small lake. The view from the pools is intoxicatingly dreamy! You also have the option to book private thermal pools and a saltwater pool for swimming.
Beyond the Spa: There is so much!
Visit the puppy patch: The most exciting part of this resort is that they host a small animal shelter for puppies on the property and every morning guests can go and play with the puppies! We had the most wonderful time with the little pups.
Hiking: The hotel offers guided hikes around Santa Fe. Our tour guide took us on a challenging hike on Atalaya Mountain Hiking Trail where had gorgeous views of Santa Fe and got to marvel at the southwestern flora and fauna.
Dining and Imbibing: The hotel has a charming restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows called The Blue Heron, as well as a bar on site where you can order craft cocktails. Be sure to visit late at night where you can take your drink outside by the fire pit.
Yoga, Pilates, Archery & More: We were too lazy to do anything beyond yoga but for the more active they have a bunch of activities like archery and disc golf!
Santa Fe: Santa Fe has so much to offer. We jumped in an uber and went downtown for a self-guided walking tour and dinner plus drinks two different evenings. Here are a few recommendations:
Fiesta Oaxaca: Dynamite vegan Meixcan fare! We indulged in enchiladas with mole sauce, nachos, tacos, rice and beans – pretty much the whole menu.
El Callejon: Our favorites at this awesome taqueria included squash and poblano tacos, sprinkled with queso fresco, huge platters of nachos, a portabello mushroom torta, fajitas, and a cheesy chile relleno.
Gruet Winery: We loved our visit to the downtown wine tasting room. The Gruet family hails from Champagne, France, and opened a winery in New Mexico because they found the terroir to best match that of champagnes for their sparkling wine endeavors. The winery yields impeccable sparkling wine and at the tasting room, you can sample several different varieties via a sparkling wine flight or one of their fancy sparkling wine cocktails.
El Dorado’s Agave Lounge: This upscale cocktail bar in the El Dorado hotel has fantastic margaritas and a really unique heart of palm ceviche served with coconut cream and plantain chips.
THE EAST COAST OPTION: The Hershey Spa
The Resort: The Hershey Hotel has guestrooms, suites, and cottages depending on what you are looking for. I went with a girlfriend and we just got a guestroom which was perfect for a one-night getaway. It’s also a great spa vacation option for those living in Washington, DC or Philly as it is a relatively short drive.
The Spa: The Hershey Spa, appropriately referred to as the chocolate spa, is pretty luxurious. Treatments are super relaxing and there is a multitude of relaxation rooms, steam rooms, and a sauna. Complimentary coffee and water are offered, as well as however many Hershey kisses you can eat! The chocolate pedicure is pretty fun, and there is even a chocolate wrap and a chocolate facial.
Beyond the Spa:
Visit the Butterfly Atrium at the Hershey Gardens: The Hershey Gardens are beautifully maintained and the perfect spot for a leisurely stroll. The Butterfly Atrium is indoors and pays homage to Milton Hershey’s love of butterflies.
Physical Activities: You probably will want to burn some calories after consuming copious amounts of chocolate; luckily the resort offers workout classes, a pool with a private area for adults, and hiking trails.
Dining and Imbibing: Several restaurants are available on the property. I recommend Trevi 5 for delicious Italian food (the garden saffron pappardelle is buttery and perfect!) and the Iberian Lounge for cocktails before or after dinner. The menu includes a signature Hershey kiss martini which is all a part of the Hershey experience! For breakfast, visit the Harvest restaurant for a decadent buffet full of pancakes, fruit, pastries, and made-to-order omelets.
Hershey, PA: We went into town one day to visit the Hershey Museum which provided a really interesting history of the town and the founder of the Hershey company. Milton Hershey’s rags to riches story is truly heartwarming, especially considering all he has done for the town of Hershey.
THE INTERNATIONAL SPA VACATION OPTION: Chable Yucatan
The Resort: Chable Yucatan is absolutely breathtaking. Located in the Yucatan jungle the property is studded with impeccably maintained trees and flowers and gardens and plants. The casitas are surreal, with individual pools and outdoor rain showers. It is one of the most luxurious hotels I have ever stayed in.
The Spa: The Spa at Chable is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in the world. Each individual spa hut features a balcony where you will overlook an untouched cenote while your feet are washed by your masseuse and you sip a cold cocoa beverage. Visitors to the spa also get access to a wellness swimming pool and a health food restaurant.
Beyond the Spa:
Biking: Your casita comes with your own bicycle so might as well bike around the property and enjoy the jungle!
Visit a Cenote: Cenotes are natural, cool water lagoons often located in caves. In chochola, where Chable is located, there is the San Ignacio cenote. You pay a small fee to descend down a rocky flight of stairs where you can swim in a real cenote. Don’t miss this experience! It’s a short bike ride away from Chable.
Cooking Classes: The Yucatan has a rich Mayan heritage and at Chable you can sign up for an authentic Mayan cooking class. The class takes place in a small hut, where the chefs show you how to make sikil pak, a pumpkin seed dip, fresh tortillas made from masa for tacos, pumpkins stuffed with mushrooms and cheese, and bunuelos drizzled with honey and sugar.
Dining and Imbibing: The hotel hosts a poolside restaurant where you can have fresh fruit and fruit juices, enfrijoladas, molletes, and other divine Mexican breakfast and lunch dishes. For dinner, I recommend I’Xim, Chable’s fine dining restaurant which has one of the largest tequila selections in the world. From charred cabbage cooked underground in the traditional Mayan style to roasted cauliflower doused in a spice sauce to burnt honey ice cream this is an experience of a lifetime.
Merida: Merida is the capital of the state of Yucatan in Mexico and it’s definitely worth a visit. We hired a driver through Chable, and went one afternoon for lunch to dine at the famous Nectar restaurant. Onions fries in a charcoal black tempura batter are one of the tastiest and interesting dishes I have ever sampled. Instead of serving the dipping mayonnaise on the side, it comes inside the crunchy shell! Kale and chaya patties are dense and delicious, and sweet potato served with a local peanut vinaigrette is surreal. This will be one of the best meals of your trip!
The Verdict
You need a spa vacation. We all need many spa vacations in our lives! Visit any one of these spots for the ultimate in relaxation and good food and drinks.
