The Best Spas in Chicago, Illinois
Whether you’re visiting Chicago for business or pleasure, it’s never a bad idea to take a break from the city’s frenetic pace. Read on for a list of the best spas to visit, for either an hour or a full-day getaway, during your next trip to the Windy City.
Allyu
Spa
For a spa experience with a spiritual bent – for example, getting your chakras balanced while surrounded by incense and sitar music – Allyu has got you covered. Guests here can reserve 30 minutes in a private infrared sauna, and then head to the relaxation tent to lounge on cushioned chairs surrounded by gossamer curtains. On a budget? Check out a free lunchtime meditation session, held on the second Wednesday of every month.
Waldorf Astoria Spa
Spa
Gleaming white marble, chaise longues upholstered in velvet – the vibe at the Waldorf Astoria is luxuriously modern. Treat yourself to the spa’s signature Waldorf Cleanse, inspired by hammam bathhouses, which includes a full-body lemon scrub and a clay cocoon wrap to draw out impurities, followed by a foot massage, body massage, and mini facial. Or try something a little different with the Lava Shell Massage, which uses warm lava shells to help alleviate tension and increase circulation.
Peninsula Spa
Spa Hotel
For the ultimate in extravagance, look no further than the relaxation room at the Peninsula. Here, you can lounge in an adjustable bed – complete with fluffy comforter – while sipping tea by a flickering fireplace. If you go, book the Uplifting Mint Experience (unique to the Chicago location), which includes a fresh mint foot bath, a mint and apricot kernel full-body scrub, and a 60-minute essential oil massage topped off with a head massage. Afterward, go swimming in the hotel pool and take in the stunning skyline views.
Kohler
Spa
If your idea of relaxation is soaking in the bath, Kohler Spa in Burr Ridge – just 20 miles (32.1 kilometers) south of downtown Chicago – is a must. A trusted name in sleek home appliances, Kohler doesn’t disappoint. While this location is a bit smaller than their oft-lauded spa in Wisconsin (a two-hour drive north of the city), it still does the trick if you’re looking for luxury. Don’t miss the “Circle of Tranquility,” an area that includes a cool dip pool, steam room and sauna, and a massive whirlpool complete with a plunging eight-foot (2.4-meter) waterfall.