With its iconic skyscrapers, cool cultural scene and fascinating museums, New York is one of the world’s most enthralling cities. Sometimes, though, we all need to escape the frenetic pace of life, and, in New York State, you don’t have to go far to be surrounded by forests, lakes and mountains. Here’s our guide to the most relaxing wellness retreats near New York City, all bookable with Culture Trip.
Reset and Recharge in the Hudson Valley
Disconnect from the daily grind on this four-day Culture Trip retreat in the Hudson Valley, which introduces you to several different forms of meditation. There’s no need for prior experience – you’ll have an expert instructor by your side throughout. From your base at a trendy boutique hotel in a converted candle factory near the Hudson River, you’ll take trips to practice stand-up paddleboard yoga, embrace your creativity at an art workshop and hike through the leafy High Falls Conservation Area.
1. Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa
Resort, Spa Hotel
Expect first-class hospitality and idyllic views of the Adirondack Mountains at this charming retreat, on the shore of Mirror Lake in upstate New York. From traditional massages to featured treatments such as heated river-stone therapy and maple-sugar body scrubs, you’ll be spoilt for choice at the spa. Elsewhere, two on-site restaurants serve up an extensive range of local craft beers, innovative co*cktails and delicious dishes using ingredients sourced directly from their own vegetable and herb garden.
2. Lake Placid Lodge
Hotel
Whether you stay in a log cabin, lakeside suite or the main lodge, you won’t want to leave Lake Placid Lodge after spending a few days here. Each room features a blend of rustic charm and modern elegance, with handcrafted furnishings, rainfall showers and timber beds carved by local artisans. Treat yourself to an in-room massage, curl up with a hot cocoa by a crackling fire, or take to the water on a private champagne cruise and admire the stunning Adirondack scenery.
3. The Gideon Putnam Resort & Spa
Resort
As the only hotel within the serene surroundings of the Saratoga Spa State Park, the Gideon Putnam is the perfect base to enjoy the legendary Roosevelt Baths and Spa. Built in 1935 above an ancient underground spring revered for its healing qualities, it offers a luxurious range of treatments such as aromatherapy mineral baths and detox seaweed or mud wraps. Fancy a round of golf while you’re there? Many of the Empire State’s finest courses are nearby.
4. YO1 Health Resort
Resort
Reinvigorate your mind and body at this tranquil retreat in the Catskill Mountains, situated among pine forests and expansive lakes. Health experts will help you create a personalised treatment pathway through a combination of holistic rehabilitative therapies, including ayurveda, naturopathy and yoga. All rooms offer views overlooking Bailey Lake, while the restaurant specializes in vegan and vegetarian dishes using organic, locally sourced ingredients. At the showcase kitchen, you can learn how to cook them yourself, too.
5. White Elephant Nantucket
Boutique Hotel, Luxury
Choose between stylish harbor-view suites, garden cottages, downtown loft apartments and chic residences at this luxurious Nantucket getaway. Treat your tastebuds to sumptuous steaks and freshly caught seafood down on the waterfront at Brant Point Grill, or take a boat to TOPPER’s, which showcases some of New England’s finest seasonal cuisine, including Retsyo oysters harvested just 300yd (274m) away. Private cabanas by the heated outdoor pool are the perfect spot to unwind and embrace the slower pace of island life.
6. The Equinox
Hotel
The Equinox, in Vermont’s Green Mountain National Forest, has hosted numerous American presidents and revolutionaries since its establishment in 1769. Today, its rich heritage and classic New England design is complimented by contemporary touches – including marble bathrooms and pillow-top beds – across its homely rooms and suites. Breathe in crisp mountain air as you make your way around the 18-hole championship golf course, sip co*cktails by the firepit at the Falcon Bar and indulge in a revitalizing massage at the spa.
7. Woodstock Inn and Resort
Resort
Woodstock, a fabulous destination to visit year-round. isn’t just one of the most attractive towns in Vermont, but across the entire US. The Woodstock Inn and Resort provides easy access to the peaceful hiking trails of the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Park and nearby ski slopes, plus a spa, 18-hole golf course and yoga studio. Head down to Richardson’s Tavern to try local craft beers by the fire, or enjoy innovative dishes at the Red Barn, prepared with fresh ingredients from the on-site farm.
8. The Whiteface Lodge
Spa Hotel, Hotel
Timber-beamed decor, cast-iron fireplaces and carpet-strewn living rooms make this lodge one of the cosiest in the Adirondack Park. Take a seat at the copper-topped bar at Peak 47 for handcrafted co*cktails and local beers – soundtracked by live music – and admire the beautiful views from private cedar and mahogany balconies. From soaking in hot tubs and enjoying a soothing Swedish massage or exfoliating body scrub at the spa, the scope for relaxation is limitless. There’s even an on-site ice rink and surround sound cinema.
9. The Inn at Gothic Eves
Spa Hotel
This delightful bed and breakfast set in a restored Victorian house in New York’s Finger Lakes region, offers eight spacious guest rooms, complete with cathedral ceilings, private porches and Egyptian cotton towels. Some also have their own fireplaces and heated-tile bathrooms. Soak in the outdoor jacuzzis, indulge in a sauna session or book a hot-stone massage at the on-site spa. Home-cooked breakfasts are made with farm-to-table ingredients, including freshly baked bread, locally sourced eggs and herbs grown in the property’s own garden.
This is an updated version of an article originally written by Esme Benjamin.
Fancy a relaxing stay in New York City? Check out our pick of the best spa hotels in New York City, bookable on Culture Trip.
Culture Trips launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes places and communities so special.
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