URBAN SOAKING SPAS
Therapies run hot, cold, and communal at four new city sanctuaries.
ISLAND resorts and coastal spas are a natural fit for wellness retreats, but that doesn’t mean urbanites need to forfeit the pleasure of a good soak. In cosmopolitan centers, a back-to-basics trend is emerging: as spa enthusiasts crave a return to simplicity, bathhouses are opening to celebrate the benefits of waterbased therapy, from icy plunge pools to steam rooms.
Housed in a converted military barracks on Governors Island in New York Harbor, QC NY has outdoor spaces that overlook the Manhattan skyline. The day spa, which launched in March, offers a sauna along with a Scottishinfluenced steam room with balsamic infusions and a fireplace room with rocking chairs for reading or relaxing postmassage. Indoor and outdoor pools, also with city views, are slated to open this summer. qcny.com; day passes $88.
Aire Ancient Baths have interiors that echo historic architecture in each of its eight locations, including the newest in London. The Covent Garden property opened last year in a handsome Neoclassical building, where pools and candlelight fill the 18th-century vaulted halls. beaire.com; 90-minute passes $120.
At Resorts World Las Vegas,
Awana Spa has debuted the country’s first Event Sauna. On Fridays through Sundays, participants can sit for a sweltering half-hour show, titled Art of Aufguss, that includes a performance by a towelsnapping Sauna Meister, choreographed lighting, and a modern New Age soundtrack. rwlasvegas.com; three-hour passes $120.
Ritual Nordic Spa imports Scandinavian culture to Victoria, British Columbia, with a focus on outdoor bathing in all seasons. Guests can follow a recommended circuit that incorporates a Finnish sauna, a salt lounge, and a cold plunge pool, among other stops. A dining lounge offers healthy drinks and snacks like local kombucha and dried fruits. ritualnordicspa.zenoti.com; two-hour passes $59.