Trend report: More spas are going local, featuring farm-fresh ingredients in their pampering treatments.
By: Jenna Mahoney
Photo courtesy of The Spa at the Omni Mount Washington Resort
Omni Mount Washington Resort
Once known as a retreat for New England’s upper crust, this classic New Hampshire inn in the White Mountains has been welcoming guests since 1902. The four-season resort boasts not only a variety of
accommodations — from classic guest rooms to town homes — but also an array of activities that celebrate the surrounding area, like hiking, Nordic and alpine skiing, golf, tennis, fly fishing and, of course, spa-ing. Many treatments performed in the 13-room spa utilize locally grown alpine botanicals, others are culled directly from the property’s gardens. The cornerstone of the delectable herbal cleansing ritual is aromatherapy created from guest-picked ingredients. Selections include rosemary to energize and invigorate, lavender to relax and soothe and sage to awaken and refresh (room rates start at $199 a night; omnimountwashingtonresort.com).
Photo courtesy of The Spa at the Omni Mount Washington Resort
Sorrel River Ranch
In Moab, Utah, 55 cabin-like suites set on the banks of the Colorado River between the red-rock Arches and Canyons Lands National Parks provide a cozy perch for guests in search of hiking, mountain biking, river rafting and hot air ballooning. In addition to three restaurants and sumptuous accommodations, Sorrel River Ranch boasts an enormous organic farm from which the chef and his wife, an herbalist, source goodies for meals and spa treatments. One such offering is the new garden glow facial, which features basil to treat and soothe the skin; another utilizes birch in a buttery cream to hydrate. The spa’s juice bar showcases the bounty of the on-property organic garden — from cilantro and ginger to beets, carrots and prickly pear (room rates start at $417 a night; sorrelriverranch.com).
Photo courtesy of Sorrel River Ranch
Photo courtesy of Sorrel River Ranch
Paradisus Punta Cana
According to Dominican legend, hibiscus (known locally as cayena) is said to promote positive energy. The healing tropical blooms, organic herbs and local coconuts are at the centerpiece of the signature spa collection at the Yhi Spa at this spectacular all-inclusive resort on the Dominican Republic. The hotel’s garden sits amid 96 tropical acres, which encompass nearly 700 guest rooms, 12 restaurants, a beach and seven swimming pools. All-inclusive activities include non-motorized water sports, beach volleyball and dance lessons, as well as classes to learn Spanish, flower arranging and cocktail making. Of course, just kicking back under one of the palapas on the palapas on the sand is also available (room rates start at $422 a night and are all-inclusive).
Photo courtesy of Paradisus Punta Cana
Ritz-Carlton Los Angeles
Even city hotels are getting in on the farm-fresh trend. This luxe, 123-room enclave in the downtown area of the buzzy city of angels has a seasonal rooftop garden. The space grows more than 20 varieties of spices along with produce like oranges and pomegranates, which are featured in some of the yummiest spa treatments around. Equally delicious are the cocktails at the Mixing Room lounge and the offerings at the hotel’s marquee restaurant WP24 by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck (room rates start at $499 a night; ritzcarlton.com).
