Blue Lagoon, Iceland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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If most modern spa menus are to be believed, the perfect spa experience is a solitary one, in which you are supposed to relax and recharge in the privacy of your own cocoon. Historically, though, spas were more about the communal experience — a chance for friends and family to catch-up and re-connect over a soak, scrub and rub-down. Fortunately, a number of places across the globe are bringing back that trend by offering treatments that promote interaction and communal spa spaces that encourage socializing. Whether you’re with a partner, a parent or a group of friends, these spas won’t tell you to shush.

Solage Calistoga
US& CANADA | US | CALIFORNIA | NAPA VALLEY
The signature three-part Mudslide at this boutique wine country resort takes place off the spa’s central, open-air courtyard, which is bordered on one side by a geo-thermal soaking pool. Sidle up to the Mud Bar, where a therapist will mix a bucket of California clay and volcanic ash with your choice of essential oil, then head to a private heated wet room to slather the concoction on each other. Once the minerals have been absorbed, take a dip in the healing waters, then rest side-by-side in the relaxation lounge, where the high-tech sound/vibration chairs are designed to induce a power nap.

Dolder Grand
EUROPE | SWITZERLAND | ZURICH
Since being reinvented last year by Norman Foster, Zurich’s famed hotel has added a brand new spa wing with 19 treatment rooms and panoramic views of the city. Two 800 square-foot deluxe spa suites are each outfitted with a mud bath, whirlpool, sauna, snail shower and a lounge with a fireplace and flat screen TV. The “Friends’ Getaway” ritual — available for up to four guests — includes a private 60-minute massage and 60-minute facial for each participant, along with manicures, pedicures and champagne in the lounge.

Lodge at Woodloch
US & CANADA | US | PENNSYLVANIA
Set among 75 woodland acres, this eco-luxe Pennsylvania destination spa has proved popular with couples, mothers-and-daughters and groups of friends, thanks to its expansive spa and included-in-the-price healthy gourmet restaurant (where, unlike most other spas, alcohol is served.) Catch-up over a soak in the Aqua Garden, a series of co-ed therapeutic soaking pools featuring two hydromassage WaterWalls, then head to the outdoor infinity whirlpool, where a radiant-heat deck makes it suitable for year-round use. If water volleyball in the indoor pool seems like too much effort, relax in the Whisper Lounge, outfitted with rocking chairs, a fireplace and a screened-in woodland porch.

Eau Spa at Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach
US & CANADA | US | FLORIDA | PALM BEACH
Opened in Spring 2009, the Eau Spa was specifically designed to encourage a playful, communal spa experience. At the Scrub and Polish Bar, a resident “mixologist” will whip up a personalized blend of fresh herbs, essential oils and sea salts for you and your crew, which you can then slather on in the disco ball-equipped steam rooms. Post-scrub, chill in the Bath Lounge — outfitted with heated lounge chairs and a ceiling-to-floor shower — or in one of the other socializing areas: the lush Self-Centered Garden boasts hanging chairs and waterfall baths, while the Eau Zone relaxation lounge is staffed by butlers serving refreshments atop antique handheld mirrors. It’s the whimsy of “Alice in Wonderland” meets a high-end modern spa.

Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru
ASIA | MALDIVES
The larger of Four Seasons’ two Maldives properties boasts a 2.5-acre spa set right in the middle of the island, stretching from overwater treatment suites to thatched-roof pavilions nestled in an herb garden. In the latter, couples indulge in the Omkaara ritual, which is performed by two therapists — one male, one female — who themselves must follow Tantric practices like vegetarianism and daily meditation. The three-hour service goes beyond the typical side-by-side couple’s massage to include chanting, a shared floral bath and other therapies designed to connect the participants and awaken the kundalini life force at the base of the spine.

Amanjena
AFRICA & MIDEAST | MOROCCO | MARRAKECH
Aman Resorts’ Marrakech-area hotspot puts an upscale twist on the centuries-old bathhouse tradition. In two mosaic-ed steam rooms — one for men, one for women — therapists perform the classic hamman ritual, which features a thorough full-body scrub, a cleansing with black soap, and dousings of eucalyptus-scented water. The rooms can accommodate several guests at once, so you can re-create the chatty aspect of the neighborhood hammam without having to do hard scrubbing work for yourselves.

Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort
LATIN AMERICA | COSTA RICA
Set at the base of the Arenal Volcano in northern Costa Rica, this resort’s award-winning spa is centered on the use of therapeutic mineral water and healing volcanic mud. Grab a map of the hot springs circuit and explore the various thermal pools, rivers and waterfalls, which range in temperature from 80 to 107 degrees. For a deeper group connection, book the Temazcal, a pre-Hispanic steam bath ritual taking place in a circular adobe structure. A therapist will lead the group in a series of chants, meditations, visualizations and bonding interactions while you soak up the herbal-scented steam.

Blue Lagoon
EUROPE | ICELAND
Rich in healing, skin-soothing silica, minerals and algae, Iceland’s naturally-heated geothermal waters originate over 6,500 feet underground — and bubble up to the surface in an otherworldly bright blue hue. At this vast complex (open all year-round), soak up the goodness in one of the many gurgling pools, and take turns slathering each other with the silica mud mask provided in buckets throughout the complex. You can also sign-up for a 10- to 60-minute in-water massage, a unique therapy performed on floating mats. For some privacy, upgrade from the general locker facilities to the Exclusive Bath & Lounge, where you’ll enjoy private, fully-stocked changing cabins, a fireplace lounge and access to an indoor lagoon. Comfortable, modern overnight accommodations are available at the Blue Lagoon Clinic, located a 5-minute walk away through a field of lava rocks.

La Mamounia
AFRICA & MIDEAST | MOROCCO | MARRAKECH
Just re-opened, after a three-year renovation, this iconic Marrakech hotel’s new digs include the 27,000 square-foot Mamounia Spa, where the menu of more than 80 treatments includes an upscale version of the centuries-old hammam bathhouse ritual. Performed in two traditional public steam rooms and one private option, which can accommodate up to four guests, the service includes a thorough body scrub with black soap made from pressed olives and salt; cleansing with Ghassoul mineral clay from the Atlas Mountains; moisturizing with local Argan oil; and toning with fragrant rose and orange blossom water. (All the products were made exclusively for the spa in partnership with fragrance expert Olivia Giacobetti, one of the seven top “noses” in the world.) Afterwards, sip mint tea in the relaxation lounge or take a dip in the indoor or outdoor pools.

Banyan Tree Mayakoba
LATIN AMERICA | MEXICO | RIVIERA MAYA
The main attraction at this Riviera Maya spa is The Rainforest Trail, a hydrotherapy experience that combines both European and Asian principles of water-based healing into one fun, shareable activity. The circuit features eight different thermal water stations, including the Rain Walk, in which a cascade of warm water gets the cleansing going; a heated Rasul mud chamber with twinkling star ceiling; a Brine Cavern, where a combination of steam and salt stimulate the circulatory and immune systems; and an Ice Fountain, where you can rub ice on each other to tighten skin and get the blood flowing. At the end, sink into the Vitality Pool, outfitted with soft acupressure water jets.