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Welcoming Wellness
Fulfill those resolutions of self-care by booking a spa-focused getaway.
By Laura Del Rosso
With holiday decorations packed away and the festive but oh-so indulgent season of food and drink now in the past, it’s natural that the focus of the new year turns toward health and renewal. Perhaps you’d like the feel of a new, rejuvenated you. Look no further than a luxury hotel with spa services to soothe the body and mind.
Hotel Ivy’s Night Spa includes one hour of private time in the Quartz Spa.
HOTEL IVY
Minnesota
The Hotel Ivy in Minneapolis offers a spa designed for restorative getaways. Nestled in the landmark Ivy Tower, next to Nicolett Mall and Orchestra Hall, find a vibrant dining, theater and cultural scene right outside the door. Inside at the Anda Spa, a serene vibe sets the stage for pampering.
The spa uses renowned skincare brands, aromatherapy and crystal-based products for massages, facials and unique treatments. Among Anda’s specialties is the Ultimate Zen Ritual, a 150-minute experience with aromas customized for each guest, then used during the body scrub, body wrap, hot oil scalp treatment and full-body massage for deep relaxation.
Couples can indulge in The Night Spa: Suite Serenity for which the spa is exclusively theirs. The evening starts with one hour in the hydrotherapy tub and dry sauna. That’s followed by a customized aroma creation, body exfoliation, application of cocoa butter, hot oil scalp treatment and massage. The treatment ends with a sip of sparkling wine, kombucha or tea in the peaceful Aura Lounge.
As with other hotels listed here, AAA Members save 5% or more at the Hotel Ivy when booking AAA/CAA rates.
Apple Blossom Massage includes apple-scented aromatherapy.
Nebraska
In Nebraska City, a unique spa lies within Arbor Day Farm, a 260-acre property of historical and natural wonders. It was here in 1872 that the first Arbor Day was celebrated, inspiring Nebraskans to plant trees. What followed was astonishing: On the first Arbor Day, April 10, 1 million trees were planted in Nebraska. Other states established Arbor Day in the years that followed.
Amid this setting of orchards and woods stands Lied Lodge, a rustic hotel with a comfortable and cozy atmosphere, elegant rooms and dining choices connected to Nebraska’s seasonal farm products. At the Arbor Day Foundation, which has an office at the lodge, visitors can learn about conservation and plant trees.
After a relaxing morning strolling through forest trails, exploring the farm’s tree houses and orchard, and discovering the history of tree conservation, you can enjoy one of The Spa at Lied Lodge’s curated treatments. The Signature Apple Blossom Massage brings the outdoors inside with a full-body massage featuring apple-scented aromatherapy and foot exfoliation that ends with a soothing hot towel wrap. With the Himalayan massage treatment, stones created from salt crystals found in an ancient sea beneath the Himalayan mountains are used to release tension and calm the nervous system. Another option is the body scrub, which leaves you glowing after a citrus exfoliation and gentle application of CBD-infused body oil.
Gateway Two Room Suite with fireplace
DES LUX
Iowa
The Des Lux is one of Des Moines’ most upscale hotels. Its location—near the Principal Riverwalk, an array of cultural institutions and the Des Moines Art Center—makes it a perfect getaway spot. Inside the hotel, the sense of relaxation starts in the guest rooms, many with fireplaces and whirlpool baths that are ideal for unwinding. Guests also can enjoy a fitness center fully equipped with a wide range of exercise equipment, locker rooms with showers, a steam room, sauna and Jacuzzi. Hotel guests can book massage services alone or as part of packages that combine massages with extras. The Grand Romance package, for example, welcomes couples into a lodging room lit by candlelight. Champagne and chocolates await, as does a luxurious hour-long couples massage.
Conrad’s spa offers a menu of massages, facials and packages.
CONRAD
Indiana
In the state’s capital, Conrad Indianapolis makes its guests feel pampered from the moment of check-in, with concierge services to help with restaurant reservations and anything else needed to explore the city. Conrad’s location in the heart of downtown is perfect for exploring, with the renowned Children’s Museum, White River State Park, the zoo, the state museum, motor speedway and all of Indy’s cultural landmarks easily accessible.
Highlights of a stay at Conrad are dry aged steaks and delicious seafood at The Capital Grille (or in-room dining for those who want to stay in), and the Long-Sharp Gallery, where works include Warhol and Picasso and other celebrated artists. Rooms at the AAA Four Diamond property have deep soaking tubs and sweeping views of the city.
Conrad’s spa offers a tempting menu of massages, facials and packages that combine treatments and extra perks.
The Art of Celebrating features a 60-minute massage, aromatherapy, and champagne and chocolate. Love is an Art is a 180-minute self-care experience that involves a custom facial, a manicure, pedicure, aromatherapy, champagne and chocolate.
Then there’s the ultimate in pampering: The Art of It All. This four-hour experience starts with a 60-minute massage and then proceeds with a customized facial, manicure and pedicure. The package also includes enhancements, such as a glycolic peel or micro current eye treatment.
Conclude this special time for yourself with champagne and chocolates, celebrating the new, rejuvenated you, ready to reenter the world with a sense of calm and vitality for the new year.
Plan and book your restorative resort and spa getaway at AAA.com/Hotels.
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