spa time
8 most indulgent spas to relax and recharge on a trip to Houston
It's fun to find new spas and treatments when you're traveling. Houston isn’t lacking in luxury spas ready to pamper weary road-warriors. Each of these eight Houston day spas offers a serene and relaxing environment paired with highly skilled therapists and aestheticians who will teleport you to a comfortable and relaxing place.
Book an appointment between meetings on your next business trip, or as a way to get the kinks out after a long drive from Austin. And if you’re looking for an excuse to book a spa appointment this summer, be sure to check out “Summer Spahh-tacular,” where guests can get various treatments for a cause (starting at the special price of $105), with $5 of each Summer Spahh-tacular booking benefits the Children’s Miracle Network, through August 31.
Pure Spa at Marriott Marquis Houston
1777 Walker St.; 346-229-2581
This luxury oasis on the sixth floor of the Marriott Marquis Houston has become one of H-Town's hottest spas. Pure Spa offers guests a wide array of luxury services including massages, unique body treatments, facials, hair styling, manicures and pedicures, makeup applications, and more.
Special spa service: TheOne + One 50-minute massage, where guests can unwind with a full-body aromatherapy massage, using a blend of essential oils and purposeful movements to stimulate circulation, promote deep relaxation, and restore the flow of energy throughout the body. Also try the Musclease Warming Mask and Massage, an 80-minute unique therapeutic experience, which includes an invigorating body brush exfoliation, healing mud mask back application, and full body massage, to ease aching and tense muscles.
Spa tip: Guests who book a minimum 50-minute spa treatment (excluding salon treatments) are granted access to the Parkview Terrace, home to the world’s only rooftop Texas-shaped lazy river. Guys may like this spot, too, with a full menu dedicated to “Gentleman’s Service.”
Hiatus Spa + Retreat
5740 San Felipe St. Suite 110; 713-470-0990
Billed as Houston’s only “monthly retreat,” this affordable and luxury day spa allows customers to enjoy unique body treatments that end with a specialty cocktail. Founded in Dallas in 2007, this Texas-born spa features 50-plus signature treatments with high-touch experiences and provides a fresh take on a full-service spa. All 60-minute services include a purifying foot soak ritual and signature hand and foot massage, along with customized aromatherapy. The brand’s personalized approach to wellness is driven by the belief that regular relaxation should be an empowering part of a healthy, happy lifestyle.
Special spa service: The Yours, Truly massage, customized to you and only you, The Perfectionist Facial, and The Kindred Spirits couples massage under a starlit room. Or, try the acclaimed Monthly Retreat — a hybrid massage, scrub, and Vichy shower treatment created each month with seasonal ingredients and finished with a handcrafted cocktail.
Trellis, The Spa at The Houstonian
111 Post Oak Ln.; 713-680-2626
This award-winning, Mediterranean-style, 17,000-square-foot luxury facility boasts 20 treatment rooms as well as hair and nail salons. The spa comes with state-of-the-art locker rooms complete with Jacuzzi and steam rooms, an indoor Float Pool, a Relaxation Lounge with fireplace, Tranquility Room, and even an outdoor patio and balcony for small group gatherings.
Special spa service: La Alternativa, a 50-minute, non-invasive facial designed to minimize expression lines and renew skin overall, or the Oxygen Body Treatment, a 50-minute exfoliating treatment that finishes with a dry oil application to reveal luminous and glowing skin for days.
Spa tip: Nestled in the iconic Houstonian hotel, Trellis is the only Forbes four-star spa in Houston.
Sanctuary Spa
1701 S. Shepherd St., Suite C; 713-622-7722
Known as Houston’s oldest day spa, this European spot has been serving self-care to Houstonians since 1984. Located between River Oaks and Montrose, Sanctuary provides customized wellness services and a top-notch customer experience. Expect massages and facials, as well as unique treatments such as G5 cellulite massage, micro-current anti-aging facial, LED light therapy, the Minkyti Facial, Yoni Steam, electrolysis, lash and brow tinting, and even microblading.
Special spa service:Brea’s Signature Restorative Facial (available in 45-, 60-, or 75-minute treatments), which uses specially designed techniques, this facial provides a rejuvenating blend of cleansing and exfoliation with a deep pore treatment, coupled with signature massage techniques to promote a completely relaxing experience. Or, try The Sporty, a two-hour service aimed at athletic types that includes infusion tub therapy, a 60-minute Sanctuary Signature Massage, and a Sports Pack enhancement.
Spa tip:Sanctuary Spa offers an amazing infusion tub service that allows the guest to soak in an aromatherapy bath made of nourishing seaweed and essential oil blends — based on an individual's need: stress relief, detox, or relief of aches and pains. The special cocoon-like tub (sort of like a jacuzzi) also has different settings that enhance the experience.
Four Seasons Houston
1300 Lamar St.; 713-652-6219
This spa, located inside of the Four Seasons Hotel Houston, offers Tata Harper skincare products, an all-natural skincare brand that uses 100 percent natural and non-toxic ingredients to deliver lasting results.
Special spa service:TheSignature Hydrafacial, which offers a range of facial serums, vital nutrients, and extraction techniques to cleanse and hydrate your pores, with rapid and vibrant results. Or, try the Power Hour Massage: a 50-to-80-minute stimulating massage with revitalizing tonic oil (containing rosemary and mint) that will leave you feeling fresh, clear-headed, and ready to start the day (as early as 6 am for early risers).
Spa tip: Pool and fitness access is allowed to those who purchase an 80-minute treatment at the spa and complimentary valet parking is provided to spa guests.
Fiori
2613 Potomac Dr.; 713-244-0070
This luxury boutique spa has been one of the city's best-kept secrets for more than a decade. Providing nail services, facial services, and a broad range of luxurious massages, this extravagant Tuscan-inspired spa takes it up a level with first-class staff, spa décor, wine selections, boutique shopping — and even a full-course lunch option (which is catered and must be ordered in advance).This freestanding villa is meant to capture the charm and tranquility of the Italian countryside and has remained a Houston favorite thanks to amenities such as the outdoor mineral pool and fountains.
Special spa service: The Pick Me Up, a 100-minute firming and lifting full-body rejuvenating treatment that prevents and treats sagging skin, or the Four Hands Massage, a 50-minute full-body massage experience with two therapists working simultaneously to restore harmony and balance.
Spa tip: Fiori will soon be expanding to create even more room to embrace self-care.
ZaSpa at Hotel ZaZa
Memorial City: 9787 Katy Fwy; 713-860-4500
Museum District: 5701 S Main St.; 713-639-4566
Hotel ZaZa is known for their luxury and décor and likewise, the ZaSpa doesn’t disappoint. Now with two locations, guests in and outside the Loop can enjoy cozy and relaxing places to recharge and refresh with signature massages, facials, manicures, and pedicures. Hotel ZaZa Museum District offers guests newly added infrared saunas, offering multi-beneficial, detoxifying, and healing therapies.
Special spa service:Try signature treatments such as the Bella Vita Facial that incorporates microcurrent technology with Vitamin C and argan oil. Or, opt for the Romance Ritual, a side-by-side foot soak, sea salt scrub, hydrating shea butter body wrap, hot oil scalp massage, and full-body customized massage.
Spa tip: ZaSpa guests receive complimentary valet and are welcome to enjoy the pool at both hotels after spa treatments.
The Woodlands Spa at The Woodlands Resort
2301 N Millbend Dr., The Woodlands; 281-367-1100
Located 30 minutes from downtown Houston, The Woodlands Spa is well worth the drive, offering a wide range of nature-inspired spa treatments set in a relaxing and decadent environment. Whether you’re looking to relax and recharge or soothe and renew, this place has everything including a Eucalyptus steam room, dry sauna, and a whirlpool hot tub to bookend your spa treatments.
Special spa service:Go for a full day of luxury with the Enchanted Forest Experience, which offers a more-than-six-hour treatment that soothes and renews with a hot stone massage, age-defying Mother Nature facial, a scalp massage, Forest Oasis body nurturing treatment, and a Sweet Genius manicure and pedicure. Or, try The Forest Oasis signature treatment that begins with a dry-brush exfoliation to prepare the skin, followed by a soothing application of warm oils, and a gentle scrub to massage away dry cells. Relax in a warm cocoon while receiving a luxurious foot scrub and scalp massage, as well as a hydration soufflé
Spa tip: Following spa treatments, guests are invited to sit back and relax by the resort’s pool and lazy river in one of the brand-new luxury cabanas.