If you own a beauty business or are thinking about starting one, you know that there are a lot of creative decisions to make from the aesthetic of the space itself to the products and services you will offer your clients. In a recent post how travel can make you a better entrepreneur, I mentioned the endless inspiration one can gain from visiting other wellness centers to get ideas for your own business. Below are three spas off the beaten path that will inevitably get your creative juices flowing, while simultaneously. centering your soul.
Located just down valley of Aspen, The Spa at Viceroy Snowmass is a 7,000-square foot designed by Jean Michel-Gathy and offers a selection of holistic wellness services inspired by Ute Indian therapies and contemporary beauty rituals.
As you make your way to the spa area you are welcomed by a large, dramatic brass gate that was custom-designed for the space. The spa itself is physically underground so immediately upon entering, it gives off a cave vibe that instantly calms your soul. There are six luxurious treatment rooms including a couple’s suite and a hydrotherapy Vichy shower room. At the center of the spa where the meditation relaxation lounge resides, you will be greeted by the soothing sound of falling water from a large waterfall that empties into an infinity pool. Relaxation of the mind, body, and spirit continues with the hotel’s yoga classes and fitness center offerings.
I stayed at the Viceroy Snowmass when it opened a few years back. My dogs and I were one of the first guests and had the hotel almost all to ourselves. It was awesome. The hotel was what you would expect from any other Viceroy locations—high design (Kelly Wearstler has her stamp on the hotel’s interiors) that exudes a deep, layered richness and is a feast for your eyes, yet still feels accessible and welcoming.
Outside of the hotel property, you will experience the quintessential mountain valley town. I have been fortunate enough to spend many months in Aspen and the surrounding areas during all four the seasons. In my opinion, it is one of the most magical mountain towns in the United States whether you like to ski or not. So, if you decide to explore the surrounding area, you will undoubtedly be struck by its vast natural beauty.
In my humble opinion, one of the most unique destinations in the United States to travel and feel like you are world’s away is Little Palm Island located on Little Torch Key in the Florida Keys. Only accessible by boat or airplane, it is the only private island resort in the country. Not only is this exclusive 4-acre property stunning and incredibly private (it only has 30 suites with no more than 60 guests at a time), but the resort’s SpaTerra is one of the best I have ever been to.
I first visited the island five or so years ago. I recently visited again a few weeks back. The property had been freshly redesigned since it was hit by a hurricane a few years ago. SpaTerra was moved to a new location on the property and given a total design overhaul. As soon as you enter the spa, you are greeted with a handcrafted tile fountain in the center of the two-story open-air atrium. The sound of moving water coupled with the balance of indoor and outdoor design aesthetic will be sure to relax your mind and awaken your senses. The treatment rooms themselves also offer an outdoor soaking tub that can be used prior to or after your treatments depending on what spa services you choose. Another upgrade at the spa was that they just secured the coveted, high-performance skincare brand Biologique Recherche as their product line for their spa and retail, which as an industry insider, you know is hard to do.
If you like water sports, you will also be inspired by the resort’s natural surroundings including vast ocean life. If you have a desire to escape the bustle of life, get back to nature, and be inspired by a rich, Balinese-inspired design, this is the place to visit. To further the experience, the resort doesn’t allow children or cell phone usage in the common areas. You will have the necessary quiet to center yourself and return to your business both inspired and refreshed. A trip to Little Palm Island isn’t cheap, but most experiences worth anything in life usually aren’t. I can’t wait to go back again.
Located in the Allegheny Mountains in the sleepy town of Bedford, Omni Bedford Springs Resort is the ideal place for recharging your batteries that blends luxury and history all in one. Not only is the property stunning, but it is also the only naturally occurring hot spring in Pennsylvania.
The resort’s Springs Eternal Spa is 30,000 square feet in size and offers massages, specialized facial and body treatments, sauna, jacuzzi pools with spring-fed mineral water, and a salon. Guests can enjoy numerous pools where they can experience the “Bedford Bath” ritual that uses the resort’s signature product line that uses local herbs and botanicals with formulations that come with each purchased treatment. This is one of the most regal spas I have been to in the United States and it is one with a deep rich history of former presidents and other notable individuals traveling here to experience the incredibly healing mineral waters.
I spent most of my life living in Pennsylvania and I had absolutely no idea there were any hot springs in the state—and I love visiting natural hot springs! I stumbled on this resort by sheer happenstance when in a former business I had to drive to Pittsburgh to meet with clients and was looking for a nice place to stop on my way back to Philadelphia. After my first stay, I felt as if I found an undiscovered treasure. The hotel accommodations were beautiful, albeit on the traditional décor side, the food was amazing, and the service was impeccable during my stay. In fact, I enjoyed my visit so much that I have stayed at this property five times over the years.
