Spa Vacations

Spa Vacations

Vermont's destination spas have come a long way since the days its au natural mineral springs attracted affluent 19th-century city dwellers looking to escape the heat, but the overall principle remains the same. The state remains a natural place to restore mind and body. Since 2003, three world-class new or renovated destination spas have opened, and several other inns are associated with day spas.

The Equinox Resort's Avanyu Spa (Rte. 7A, Manchester. 802/362-4700. equinox.rockresorts.com), with mahogany doors, high-ceilings with Vermont wood beams, bead-board wainscoting, and a leaf motif throughout, feels like a friend's country estate. At one end is a NCAA-length indoor pool and outdoor hot tub, at the other end are the treatment rooms. The signature 80-minute Spirit of Vermont combines Reiki, reflexology, and massage. In the co-ed relaxation room, spa-goers can nestle into overstuffed chairs next to a two-sided fireplace made of Vermont gneiss. The locker rooms, with native verde marble accents and pottery-bowl wash basins, have showers, steamrooms, and saunas.

Stowe has two destination spas. The largest spa in New England, Spa at Stoweflake (1746 Mountain Rd. [Rte. 108, Stowe. 802/760-1083 or 800/253-2232. www.stoweflake.com) features a massaging hydrotherapeutic waterfall, a Hungarian mineral pool, 30 treatment rooms, a hair and nail salon, and 120 services, such as the Bingham Falls Renewal, named after a local waterfall. This treatment begins with a seasonal body scrub (e.g., immune builder in winter) that's rinsed in a Vichy shower, followed by an aromatherapy oil massage. The spacious men's and women's sanctuaries and locker rooms have saunas, steamrooms, and jacuzzis.

Opened in early 2005, the Spa at Topnotch (4000 Mountain Rd. [Rte. 108, Stowe. 802/253-8585. www.topnotchresort.com) provides an aura of calm, with its birch wood doors and accents, hardwood floors, natural light, chrome fixtures, and cool colors. Signature services include a Vermont wildflower or woodspice treatment, which includes a warm herb wrap, exfoliation, and massage. Locker areas are spacious, with saunas, steamrooms, and jacuzzis. The spa also has a full-service salon.

Next door to the swank Pitcher Inn, the Alta Day Spa (247 Main St., Warren. 802/496-2582. www.altadayspa.com) is an Aveda concept spa offering massage, masques, wraps, and facials in four light, airy treatment rooms in a renovated 19th-century house. A two-night spa package through the inn might include daily manicures and hydrating pedicures, facials, and massages, plus lodging and breakfast.

At Killington, the Woods Resort and Spa (53 Woods La., Killington. 802/422-3139. www.woodsresortandspa.com) is a European spa within an upscale condo complex. At the resort's clubhouse, the spa has a 75-foot indoor pool, a sauna, steamroom, and weight room. Spa services include massages, hot stone therapies, facials, salt scrubs, maple-sugar polishes, and mud treatments.