Say Ahhhh: World's Best Spas with a View

The Setai spa in Miami. (Courtesy: The Leading Hotels of the World)

By Christina Valhouli

A day at the spa is already a wonderfully indulgent experience, but spending that time in a room with a great view takes it to another level. Most people keep their eyes firmly shut (or even doze off) while getting a massage or a facial, but when a treatment room offers panoramic views of the great outdoors or a city skyline, it adds another dimension to a typical procedure. These views at these spas are so good that you may be tempted to keep your eyes open the whole time.

The Setai

Where: Miami

Miami is all about seeing and being seen, but the view from the The Setai’s spa focuses on tranquility. Each spa suite contains a double bed, a steam room, and oversized bath. Every room comes with a view of The Setai’s three swimming pools, as well as the Atlantic Ocean. Another perk is the double-paned window, so you can see out, but other guests cannot see in. Couples can sign up for a “bathing ceremony” as well as body polishes, facials, and massages.

Insider tip: The Setai also offers complimentary beach yoga, where guests can sign up for a 60-minute class while taking in the sights and sounds of the beach.

(Photo: George Apostolidis/Mandarin Oriental)

Mandarin Oriental New York

Where: New York

The spacious guest rooms at the Mandarin Oriental New York offer some of the best views in the city, and the hotel’s spa is no exception. Located on the 35th and 36th floors of the hotel, the spa treatment rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, with views of Manhattan and the Hudson River. Guests can unwind with a massage, Thai yoga, or a facial. Be sure to come early to enjoy the spa’s steam room, pool, and tea salon.

Insider tip: Inside the hotel, keep your eyes peeled for two pieces by the artist Dale Chihuly. A lobby level chandelier features Waterford Crystal and weighs about 2,000 pounds. The “Crystal Cranes” on the 35th floor was Chihuly’s first foray into glass gardens.

(Courtesy: The Resort at Paws Up)

Resort at Paws Up

Where: Montana

One thing guests won’t be listening to while enjoying a spa treatment here is an Enya soundtrack. The spa at The Resort at Paws Up is made up of a series of tents with views of the Montana meadows. While enjoying a massage or body treatment, guests can listen to the sound of birds, a nearby brook, and the wind blowing through trees. In addition to massages and facials, the spa offers Body Vibration Healing Treatments, which use holistic aromatherapy and end with a scalp massage utilizing a homemade, organic blend of wild lime.

Insider tip: Want to challenge yourself on vacation? Try out the resort’s new Grizzlyman Fitness Trail, a one-mile trail featuring 12 fitness stations.

(Courtesy: Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel)

Monastero Santa Rosa

Where: Amalfi Coast, Italy

The Amalfi Coast is full of stunning views, and guests of the Monastero Santa Rosa hotel can enjoy one of its finest while being pampered. The outdoor treatment garden, which is available to a maximum of two guests at a time, is located on the edge of a cliff. It offers a 180-degree panoramic view over the Gulf of Salerno and guests are shaded by a bougainvillea-covered pergola. All the treatments feature cult-favorite Santa Maria Novella products, which date back to 13th century and are only found in a handful of hotels.

Insider tip: The hotel is a former 17th-century monastery, and guests can try the sfogliatelle pastry once made by the Santa Rosa nuns.

(Courtesy of El Conquistador Resort & Las Casitas Village, A Waldorf Astoria Resort)

El Conquistador Resort

Where: Puerto Rico

Guests unwinding at the Waldorf Astoria Spa at the El Conquistador Resort can enjoy the sights and sounds of the ocean while getting a massage. The outdoor treatment area is perched on a bluff that overlooks the point where the Caribbean and Atlantic meet. On a clear day, guests can see all the way to Vieques, Isla Culebra, and even St. Thomas. Treatments incorporate massage oils that are created, harvested, and produced in Puerto Rico.

Insider tip: While staying at the resort, carve out time to kayak through the mangrove fields and experience the nearby biobay.

(Courtesy: C Lazy U Ranch)

C Lazy U Ranch

Where: Granby, Colorado

A ranch stay is all about getting back to nature, and guests holed up at C Lazy U Ranch’s spa will still feel connected to the great outdoors. The C Lazy U spa features two massage tents suspended over a stream, and the tents have glass floors to take in the view. Guests can also enjoy a glimpse of the Rocky Mountains through the flaps in the tent opening.

Insider tip: The spa’s signature treatment is the “Cowboy Soak,” which includes a moonlit soak in a copper tub with views of the creek. Champagne and strawberries are also served.

(Courtesy: Conrad Maldives Rangali Island)

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

Where: Maldives

Many hotels in the Maldives offer overwater bungalows, but the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island takes it one step further with its overwater spa. Three of its treatment rooms have glass floors, so spa guests can gaze at a tropical underwater scene while getting pampered. The spa uses products by Thalgo, which contain marine algae, and the Swiss brand Valmont. Post treatment, guests can head to an outdoor deck and relax in a Jacuzzi while taking in the view.

Insider tip: After detoxing in the spa, take your pick from the extensive wine cellar at dinner. The hotel has the largest wine cellar in the region, with over 20,000 bottles. Standouts include one of only two remaining methuselahs of the 1999 Louis Roederer Cristal.

See the rest of the world's best spas with a view.

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