During the winter, while some people seek tropical islands and beaches to escape the cold, others find solace in the warmth of restorative indoor environments and natural hot springs. These spaces, showcasing the best of spa architecture and design, have the power to cure the winter blues and rejuvenate both body and mind.
Take a Pause With These Spa Architecture and Design Hot Spots
1. Blue Lagoon Retreat Spa by Basalt Architects and Design Group Italia
Image: A woman steps into a blue lagoon surrounded by rock formations while holding a wooden railing.
The Blue Lagoon Retreat Spa in Iceland is renowned for its warm aquamarine water with healing properties. The subterranean spa offers various treatment areas dedicated to silica, algae, and minerals, each providing unique benefits for the skin.
2. Calistoga Motor Lodge and Spa by AvroKO
Image: A man walks in a room lined with blue tile and a pair of light blue clawfoot bathtubs.
The Calistoga Motor Lodge and Spa offers a transformative experience with its congenial and comfortable design. The spa features porcelain mosaic tile-clad tub rooms with custom-colored tubs, creating a unique and relaxing atmosphere.
3. Spa des Soules by Jouin Manku
Image: An indoor pool surrounded by wooden walls and floor-to-ceiling windows with open wooden blinds.
Spa des Soules boasts a unique design with its four treatment rooms, sauna, and steam bath. Guests can indulge in a willow-bark oil massage and enjoy the plunge pools, which flow outdoors to become a hot tub.
4. Kimpton Seafire Resort and Spa by Powerstrip Studio
Image: This spa design includes a room with blue and white tile and glowing candles creating an underwater effect.
The Kimpton Seafire Resort and Spa combines a beachy aesthetic with sophistication, paying homage to local artisans and island history. Mosaic tiles depicting the sun's reflection on the ocean add a touch of elegance to the 8,500-square-foot spa.
5. Artyzen Sifang Nanjing Recreation Centre by Hirsch Bedner Associates
Image: This modern bath features a curved rub with cement walls and golden accents.
The Artyzen Sifang Nanjing Recreation Centre captivates guests with its soft textures and tones, creating a calming and refuge-like atmosphere. The spa's hot tub, floor, and walls are adorned with luxurious marble finishes.
6. Sangha by Octave by Tsao & McKown Architects
Image: An indoor pool surrounded by white walls loungers with gold and blue accents lining the back wall.
Sangha by Octave offers a serene subterranean spa experience with its glass mosaic-tiled pool and therapeutic rooms like the salt room for breathing and skin problems, and the dome room for meditation.
7. Sukhothai Shanghai by Neri & Hu Design and Research Office
Image: The architecture of this spa includes meditative cement stairs with an open shower.
The Sukhothai Shanghai is an architectural masterpiece inspired by nature. The lower level of the hotel is accessible through a pebble-bordered garden path that seamlessly extends into the spa area.
8. Jaffa Hotel by John Pawson
Image: Wooden slats line this massage room with a white massage bed at the center and flowing candles.
The Jaffa Hotel features a subterranean spa located between a restored 19th-century building and a new addition. The treatment room walls are adorned with cedar, creating a warm and inviting ambiance.
9. Four Seasons Hotel Bogotá by Rottet Studio
Image: A vibrant red and gray tiled ceiling creates visual intrigue in this spa design with a sheer curtain dividing the room.
The Four Seasons Hotel Bogotá presents a lush and textural spa design, evoking a sense of luxury. The ceiling features vibrant red and gray tiles, adding visual interest to the serene environment.
10. Explora Valle Sagrado by José Cruz Ovalle Estudio de Arquitectura
Image: The architecture and design of this spa includes tile walls that meld with natural wood accents.
The Explora Valle Sagrado rejuvenates guests in a former 18th-century house with massage rooms, steam baths, and saunas adorned with adobe feature walls. The natural wood accents seamlessly blend with the spa's overall design.
11. Bürgenstock Hotels & Resort Alpine Spa by MKV Design
Image: This spa design features glass walls with views of the nearby mountains covered in snow and wooden floors.
The Bürgenstock Hotels & Resort Alpine Spa offers a breathtaking sauna experience within a cantilevered glass structure, perched on the side of a mountain overlooking Lake Lucerne. The spa was recognized with the Best of Year 2018 award for Beauty/Spa.
12. °C Pod Hotel by Schemata Architects
Image: A man sits in a sauna lined with wood planks in this spa design.
The °C Pod Hotel utilizes space on the third level to create a unique sauna experience. Lined with abachi, a wood that doesn't transmit heat, and fragranced with fresh mint water, the sauna offers a refreshing and relaxing atmosphere for visitors.
13. Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown by AC Martin Partners
Image: Red stools add a pop of color against the white tiled floor and wooden walls and furnishings in this spa.
The Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown is characterized by its diverse and personality-filled spaces. In the gym's sauna, hemlock meets porcelain tile, creating a stylish and inviting environment.
14. Healing Stay Kosmos by The System Lab
Image: A wooden archway leads to a small oval window at one end offering a curved bench for seating.
Healing Stay Kosmos aims to create a harmonious connection with its surrounding natural beauty. The cedar-lined Finnish-style sauna in Villa Kosmos adds a touch of architectural uniqueness to the resort.
15. Mortenhals House by Stinessen Arkitektur
Image: Wooden slats snake around the wall providing space to sit in this spa design.
Mortenhals House seamlessly blends natural surroundings with man-made architecture, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding forest from its sauna. Immerse yourself in true Norwegian tranquility.
16. Freizeitbad Stegermatt by 4A Architekten
Image: A sitting nook covered by a geometric structure creates a portal to another world.
The sauna at Freizeitbad Stegermatt provides a hidden sanctuary within the Offenburg, Germany aquatic center. Its shingled exterior walls create a cozy cabin-like atmosphere, perfect for relaxation.
Not done relaxing? Take a quick nap and when you wake up, visit your favorite coffee shop. We won't tell.
