Allyu
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.
Allyu, 600 W. Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL, USA, +1 312 755 1313
Allyu relaxation tent | Courtesy of Allyu Spa
Waldorf Astoria 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.
Waldorf Astoria Spa, 11 E. Walton Street, Chicago, IL, USA, +1 312 646 1310
Peninsula Spa
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.
Peninsula Spa, 108 E. Superior Street, Chicago, IL, USA, +1 312 573 6860
Courtesy of the Peninsula Spa
Kohler
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.
Kohler Waters Spa, 775 Village Center Drive, Burr Ridge, IL, USA, +1 630 323 7674