Wellness travel has evolved far beyond the occasional massage or facial. Today’s leading spas combine restorative treatments, thermal bathing, fitness, mindfulness and destination-worthy surroundings to create experiences that can become the centerpiece of a vacation.
To help travelers choose their next wellness escape, DRIFT Travel has taken a closer look at the ten highest-ranked properties in Spas of America’s Top 100 Spas of 2025.
The annual ranking is based on verified consumer traffic across Spas of America’s websites, with Google Review ratings incorporated into the methodology for the first time. Every spa included in the Top 100 maintained a Google rating of at least 4.0, while the median rating across the list was 4.5.
From the mineral waters of Southern California to a peaceful country retreat in Ontario, these ten spas offer distinctly different ways to slow down, restore and reconnect.
1. Sunstone The Spa at Agua Caliente
Rancho Mirage, California
Southern California has long been associated with wellness, sunshine and restorative desert escapes. Sunstone The Spa at Agua Caliente brings those elements together at Agua Caliente Casino Rancho Mirage, just outside Palm Springs.
The spa draws inspiration from the surrounding desert and the traditions of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. Its atmosphere emphasizes quiet, renewal and a connection to the land, complemented by a broad selection of massages, skincare treatments and body therapies.
Its Rancho Mirage location also makes Sunstone easy to incorporate into a longer Palm Springs vacation, particularly for travelers looking to balance resort relaxation with golf, dining and outdoor exploration.
Best for: A luxurious desert spa escape with resort amenities.
2. Spa Pechanga at Pechanga Resort Casino
Temecula, California
Located in Southern California’s Temecula Valley wine country, Spa Pechanga offers a relaxing counterpoint to the surrounding resort’s entertainment, dining and gaming experiences.
Its setting makes it particularly appealing for a wellness weekend that includes vineyard visits and culinary experiences. Treatments range from massages and facials to body therapies and salon services, allowing visitors to create anything from a short restorative break to a more extensive spa day.
Temecula is approximately an hour from San Diego and within driving distance of Orange County and Los Angeles, making this one of the most accessible destination spas on the list.
Best for: Combining wine country, wellness and resort entertainment.
3. The Spa at Séc-he
Palm Springs, California
Built around the sacred Agua Caliente Hot Mineral Spring, The Spa at Séc-he brings an important sense of place to the traditional spa experience.
Its extensive facilities include private mineral baths, treatment rooms, outdoor mineral pools, bathhouses, a salt cave and fitness spaces. The treatment menu extends beyond massage and facials to include water cupping, cryotherapy, organic skincare and technology-assisted facial treatments.
Rather than serving merely as an amenity attached to a hotel, The Spa at Séc-he is a wellness destination in its own right. Its mineral-water traditions and modern treatments make it one of the most distinctive spa experiences in Palm Springs.
Best for: Mineral bathing and a comprehensive wellness day.
4. The Spa at Beau Rivage
Biloxi, Mississippi
The Spa at Beau Rivage provides a serene retreat on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Located inside the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, it combines Southern hospitality with the polished services expected of a full-scale resort spa.
Guests can choose from massages, body therapies, clinical facials, nail services and professional hair care. The location also opens the door to a broader Gulf Coast vacation featuring beaches, seafood, championship golf and entertainment.
It is an especially good choice for couples or friends who want a spa experience without committing to a structured wellness retreat.
Best for: A Gulf Coast resort getaway with spa, dining and entertainment.
5. Skʌ:nʌ́: The Spa at Turning Stone
Verona, New York
Skʌ:nʌ́—commonly called Skana—is located at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Central New York. The spa is known for incorporating treatments inspired by Indigenous cultural and healing traditions.
Its nature-influenced surroundings help create a sense of separation from the activity elsewhere at the resort. Mineral pools, relaxation areas, couples’ facilities and a selection of body and skincare treatments make it possible to build a complete spa day.
Turning Stone’s accommodations, dining, golf and entertainment also make Skʌ:nʌ́ suitable for travelers with different vacation priorities.
Best for: Indigenous-inspired treatments within a complete resort destination.
6. Feathers Spa at The Peabody Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee
Feathers Spa offers a sophisticated urban wellness experience inside one of Memphis’s most recognizable hotels.
The spa’s menu includes massages, body wraps, customized facials and specialized skincare therapies. Its downtown location means guests can enjoy a morning or afternoon of relaxation before exploring Beale Street, Memphis music history and the city’s celebrated culinary scene.
For travelers who prefer an energetic city break to a secluded retreat, Feathers demonstrates how wellness can fit naturally into an urban itinerary.
Best for: Adding a restorative spa experience to a Memphis city break.
7. Relâche Spa at Gaylord Opryland Resort
Nashville, Tennessee
Relâche Spa provides a European-inspired wellness sanctuary inside Nashville’s expansive Gaylord Opryland Resort.
Treatments range from massage and facials to body wraps, manicures, pedicures and salon services. Some therapies incorporate botanical elements that complement the resort’s extensive indoor gardens.
The spa is a convenient option for couples’ getaways, conferences and multigenerational trips because guests can enjoy a dedicated wellness experience while remaining close to the resort’s restaurants, pools and entertainment.
Best for: A full-service spa day during a Nashville resort vacation.
8. Ste. Anne’s Spa
Grafton, Ontario
The only Canadian property in the top ten, Ste. Anne’s Spa offers a distinctly different experience from the large casino and city resorts elsewhere on the list.
Set in the Ontario countryside approximately 90 minutes east of Toronto, the property is designed around rest and unhurried wellness. Hydrotherapy pools, nourishing cuisine, spa treatments and peaceful rural surroundings encourage guests to set aside their usual schedules.
Both day visits and overnight stays are available, making Ste. Anne’s a strong choice for travelers seeking a more immersive wellness retreat.
Readers interested in Canadian wellness travel can also explore DRIFT Travel’s coverage of Grail Springs Retreat Centre for Wellbeing.
Best for: A quiet country retreat focused on complete restoration.
9. Elements Spa at Minerals Hotel
Vernon, New Jersey
Part of Crystal Springs Resort, Elements Spa takes its design inspiration from the natural landscape of northern New Jersey.
Stone surfaces, copper fixtures, natural fabrics and sparkling mica details help bring the outdoors into the spa. Thermal water and custom aromatherapy experiences are central to its wellness approach, supported by massages, skincare treatments and other restorative services.
Its location within a larger resort makes it easy to pair a spa visit with golf, dining, hiking and a countryside escape from New York City.
Best for: Nature-inspired wellness close to a major urban center.
10. Astral Spa at Oaklawn
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Astral Spa is located at Oaklawn Hot Springs, close to Hot Springs National Park and the city’s historic Bathhouse Row.
Recognized as a Forbes Four-Star spa, Astral combines contemporary luxury with the area’s long association with thermal wellness. Guests can build a restorative visit around massage, skincare and body treatments before exploring one of America’s best-known historic spa destinations.
The location is part of its appeal. Hot Springs offers visitors the opportunity to connect a modern resort spa experience with the region’s mineral-water heritage.
Best for: Contemporary spa luxury in a historic wellness destination.
How to Choose the Right Spa Vacation
The best spa is not necessarily the property with the longest treatment menu. Travelers should consider what they want from the overall experience.
A mineral hot spring spa may appeal to those interested in hydrotherapy and thermal bathing, while a country retreat such as Ste. Anne’s is better suited to slowing down for several days. City spas in Memphis and Nashville can be added to sightseeing itineraries, while larger resorts offer dining, golf and entertainment for travel companions who may not be as spa-focused.
Before booking, check whether access to pools, saunas, steam rooms and relaxation lounges is included with a treatment. Day-pass policies, age restrictions and advance reservation requirements can vary.
For more inspiration, visit DRIFT Travel’s guide to the best spa resorts in the world or browse the latest wellness travel stories.
This article is an editorial overview of the ten highest-ranked properties in Spas of America’s Top 100 Spas of 2025. Rankings and available experiences may change, so travelers should confirm current services directly with each spa before visiting.
