Wellness holidays are as old as the Roman Empire, when taking spa waters and rejuvenating a stressed body was a regular ritual. These wellness resorts located in some of the most beautiful scenery in Northeast America offer the opportunity to walk a path of better health and wellness while immersing yourself in the serenity of nature.
Miraval Berkshires Resort and Spa – Lenox, Massachusetts
Miraval Berkshires Resort and Spa in Lenox, Massachusetts — Photo courtesy of Linda Laban
This sprawling, beautiful campus surrounded by the breathtaking Berkshire hills, it keeps a body busy with a gazillion classes curated and steered, from kickboxing to archery to yoga, as well as highly specialized equine meditation, tension release exercise and positional therapy. Outdoor activities include zip line lessons, hiking, kayaking and a wonderful outdoor pool with sun loungers.
The vast yet relaxing Life in Balance Spa features 28 treatment rooms, a large relaxation room, a courtyard with a fireplace, an indoor-outdoor pool lounge, and changing rooms each with whirlpools, saunas, and steam rooms. Relax with meals at Harvest Moon or drinks at The Roost, the daily cafe and bar. And sleep soundly on incredibly pillowy beds in modern, spacious rooms with patio doors leading to a balcony or patio to enjoy the view.
Troutbeck – Amenia, New York
Troutbeck in Amenia, New York — Photo courtesy of Linda Laban
Surrounded by nature, that Cottage in the Hudson Valley endemically it has to do with calming strained nerves and resting busy bodies. The grounds are simply gorgeous and include the estate's original walled garden built in the 1920s, as well as a health-focused complex, The Barns, where studio classes range from yoga to tai chi.
The Barns includes a Technogym with state-of-the-art exercise equipment and the adjoining spa includes traditional and infrared saunas for detoxification and muscle relaxation. Treatments include highly specialized treatments such as bodywork to combat trauma and stress or facial acupuncture. Simple pleasures such as lawn games, tennis and hiking trails can be enjoyed on the 250 acres.
Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health – Stockbridge, Massachusetts
Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Stockbridge, Massachusetts — Photo courtesy of Linda Laban
The largest yoga center in USA it goes far beyond a downward dog, deep into the traditional Eastern health practices of yoga and Ayurveda. The tools for wholeness and wellness are all here for guests to choose and use. The rooms have a modernist Bauhaus simplicity and do not have a TV. Use of the device is limited to the technology areas or your room.
The food, taken in the dining room – sometimes in silence – is wonderfully healthy and mostly vegan with favorable organic produce. Classes, guided hikes and workshops explore practices to regain or further improve health – physical, emotional and spiritual. The Healing Arts Center is where you will experience the best hands-on massage therapy, also known as massage.
A key element is to engage with nature and switch off from technology, with no commerce in sight, overlooking Lake Mahkeenac and the Berkshire Hills.
Four Columns Inn – Newfane, Vermont
Four Columns Inn in Newfane, Vermont — Photo courtesy of Four Columns Inn
Founded in the 1700s in the beautiful Green Mountains of southern Vermont, this tiny, quaint village combines farm-to-table dining and a back-to-nature spa with beautiful inn and lovely gardens leading to a river and woodlands filled with that elusive peace and quiet. There is nothing to do and plenty of opportunities to be.
When you book a flight, hotel or car through this widget, USA TODAY 10Best may earn a small commission.
Services at the spa, located in the small garden cottage, focus on restorative massages incorporating local aromatherapy filters and mists, as well as a lavender salt body scrub with flowers from the garden. Best of all, you can have a massage outside in the warmer weather, in a private corner of the garden, surrounded by free-range chickens, happily roaming around.
YO1 Health Resort – Monticello, New York
YO1 Health Resort in Monticello, New York — Photo courtesy of YO1 Health Resort
For both wellness veterans and those embarking on a new path to feeling better about their bodies, this Health resort in New York's Catskill Mountains customizes personalized programs for its guests. YO1's introductory package, for example, pairs guests with a master naturopathic and Ayurvedic consultant who is tasked with creating a program for the guest to follow on a path back to health.
Programs include traditional naturopathic treatments, Ayurveda and yoga. Each personalized stay is designed to empower guests to create balance between mind, body and soul, as well as general health issues such as weight loss, diabetes, cholesterol management, depression and stress.
Ocean House – Watch Hill, Rhode Island
Ocean House at Watch Hill, Rhode Island — Photo courtesy of Linda Laban
There's something about ionic sea air that's invigorating in itself, but at this luxury seaside resort, the healthy fresh air is just a bonus to fitness programs that include indoor and outdoor activities, treatments and relaxing time in the serene Ocean and Harvest Spa.
With luxurious treatment rooms, saunas, gym, saltwater pool and a beautiful relaxation terrace, this health retreat offers treatments from deep tissue massages that untangle muscle knots to personalized seasonal facials using local botanicals. Combine this with gorgeous rooms with spa-like bathrooms, beautiful food and highly pampering services for a truly rejuvenating break.
The Lake House at Canandaigua – Canandaigua, New York
The Lake House on Canandaigua in Canandaigua, New York — Photo courtesy of Chris Mottalini
Located in the remote and scenic Finger Lakes region, it sits right on Canandaigua Lake. luxury hotel it's about outdoor and wellness activities. Its daily schedule includes lift and flare yoga, core classes, and nearby outdoor activities such as stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking (lessons or rental), hiking, and bike tours.
The resort's Willowbrook Spa connects to Canandaigua Lake via two barrel saunas overlooking the water for detoxification between personalized treatments using custom herbal tinctures and herbal infused massage oils.
The Spa at Norwich Inn – Norwich, Connecticut
The Spa at Norwich Inn in Norwich, Connecticut — Photo courtesy of the Connecticut Office of Tourism
Located midway between New York and Boston in scenic eastern Connecticut, it traditional New England style inn includes a health and wellness program centered around its luxurious spa. With more than 30 treatment and activity rooms, guests enjoy signature massages, customized facials, and even spiritual and emotional wellness services like tarot readings.
It is worth noting that the planning takes into account visitors who need treatments while recovering from an injury or minor illness. The spa's juice bar and café offer nutritious breaks for breakfast, lunch and dinner, allowing for a daily schedule of wellness activities.
Mirbeau Inn and Spa – Rhinebeck, New York
Mirbeau Inn and Spa in Rhinebeck, New York — Photo courtesy of Linda Laban
When it comes to just taking some “me time” and a break from the everyday, it's hard to beat family and work Mirbeau properties. These adults-only resorts each offer a myriad of activities, including all kinds of aerobics and strength training classes at the gym. Detox in the outdoor hot tub, steam cabins or sauna and indulge in treatments ranging from hot stone massages to facials. Basically, put on a robe and slippers and the spa leads you to relaxation.
Winvian Farm – Morris, Connecticut
Winvian Farm in Morris, Connecticut — Photo courtesy of Winvian Farm
This luxury Relais & Chateaux retreat it's many things to many people: luxury retreat, culinary paradise, stylish haven. But what is universal is its serene setting in the Litchfield Hills of western Connecticut, surrounded by farmland. The property itself is extremely relaxing, with beautiful gardens and a secluded spa.
Enjoy the healing benefits of treatments such as Ashiatsu, a barefoot massage that goes further than normal deep tissue, helping with chronic pain, releasing tight muscles and realigning the body. Or try sound therapy, which uses sound frequencies to retune our inner vibrations. Of course, if a simple but impressive Swedish massage or facial is required, they are also available.
