Austin | August 02, 2023
Goop’s Guide To The Best Hotel Spas Across The Globe
There are great hotels. And then there are great hotels with great spas. We love both, but we really love a vacation where we come back feeling healthier—with better skin, calmer minds, new insights, and even less jet lag—as well as indulged. Here, a collection of particularly fantastic hotels that happen to have next-level spas, plus our favorite treatments to get there.
THE SPA: Surya Spa at Santa Monica Proper
WHERE: Santa Monica, California
It’s no secret we’re in love with the Proper hotel. The Kelly Wearstler–designed gem is where we first discovered our favorite-ever brow wizard, Jimena Garcia; where we go for some of the healthiest, most delicious food in LA (at the rooftop restaurant Calabra); and where the rooms have the best views in Santa Monica. But the flagship Surya Spa is one of the outstanding legit-Ayurvedic spas in America. Also Kelly Wearstler–designed, it’s an enchanting space in which to get therapeutic massage, steam and oil treatments, cooking lessons, personalized dosha yoga consultations, and more.
THE TREATMENT: Ranging from 3 to 28 days, the cleansing Panchakarma detox wellness programs are the biggest draw: For up to four hours a day, you go for custom restorative treatments, detox, and healing experiences like private yoga, sound baths, Qigong, breathwork, energetic healing, and more. Founder Martha Soffer is famous for her profound, transformative results—you will leave a different person.
Whether or not you do the Panchakarma, Surya’s products are absolutely incredible. The collagen cream is hands down the richest cream we’ve ever tried, and the bath soaks are the ultimate luxury.
THE SPA: Verbena Spa at Austin Proper
WHERE: Austin, Texas
We love everything about the Austin Proper: the rooftop pool, the best views of Lady Bird Lake, the laid-back vibe, the specialty cocktails, the crispy shallot hummus at the Peacock restaurant, and most of all, the chic, intimate Verbena spa.
THE TREATMENT:
Get the Proper Facial—a skin-soothing 60 minutes of cleansing, exfoliating, masking, toning, and moisturizing with Monastery Made’s super rich, hydrating Attar balm; custom detoxifying clay and hydrating masks (made specifically for the spa); hyaluronic-acid-infused Flora Botanical Cream Serum; and Saint Jane’s featherweight Petal Cream and body cream (the latter is for an epic hand-arm massage). You can add on a TheraFace PRO session with percussive massage, heat, and cryotherapy treatments. You finish with Saint Jane’s creamy Luxury Sun Ritual SPF before you walk out the door.
