7 Unexpected American Spa Resorts That Fly Under the Radar

by Laura Powell

7 Unexpected American Spa Resorts That Fly Under the Radar

by Laura Powell

When travelers look to book spa getaways, their thoughts likely turn to the coasts or to Arizona, where healthy havens are a dime a dozen. But if you turn inward, you might be surprised to discover a concentration of wellness resorts in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and deep in the heart of Texas.

When travelers look to book spa getaways, their thoughts likely turn to the coasts or to Arizona, where healthy havens are a dime a dozen. But if you turn inward, you might be surprised to discover a concentration of wellness resorts in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and deep in the heart of Texas.

14
Sundara Inn and Spa / Photo courtesy of the property
Kohler Waters Spa at The American Club
1 of 14
Kohler Waters Spa at The American Club

Given that the town of Kohler, Wisconsin, is known for the eponymously-named company specializing in plumbing fixtures, it’s not surprising that one of the state’s top spas is located here. Stay at the five-star American Club and enjoy its spectacular bathrooms (outfitted with Kohler products, of course), and then get healthy at Sports Core Health and Racquet Club or Kohler Waters Spa. Rates from $187 per night, depending on the season.

Given that the town of Kohler, Wisconsin, is known for the eponymously-named company specializing in plumbing fixtures, it’s not surprising that one of the state’s top spas is located here. Stay at the five-star American Club and enjoy its spectacular bathrooms (outfitted with Kohler products, of course), and then get healthy at Sports Core Health and Racquet Club or Kohler Waters Spa. Rates from $187 per night, depending on the season. 

Kohler Waters Spa
2 of 14
Kohler Waters Spa at The American Club

At the Kohler Waters Spa, it’s all about the H20. Hydrotherapy treatments include "Tranquil Tides," a full-body exfoliation followed by a Vichy shower and a magnesium-enriched bath (80 minutes for $249). Tip: For added savings, book treatments on weekdays, when the prices are lower.

At the Kohler Waters Spa, it’s all about the H20. Hydrotherapy treatments include "Tranquil Tides," a full-body exfoliation followed by a Vichy shower and a magnesium-enriched bath (80 minutes for $249). Tip: For added savings, book treatments on weekdays, when the prices are lower.

Grand Geneva Resort
3 of 14
Grand Geneva Resort & Spa

What was once the Playboy Club is now a family-friendly resort located less than 90 minutes from Chicago. Health-minded visitors can enjoy amenities that include a fitness center complete with tennis and pickleball courts, a pool, a basketball court, a yoga and pilates studio, and a 35-foot high rock-climbing wall. Outdoor activities range from zip-lining and boating to golf and tennis. After an action-packed, adventure-filled day, head to the The Well Spa and Salon for some much-needed R&R. Rates from $159 per night, depending on the season.

What was once the Playboy Club is now a family-friendly resort located less than 90 minutes from Chicago. Health-minded visitors can enjoy amenities that include a fitness center complete tennis and pickleball courts, a pool, a basketball court, a yoga and pilates studio, and a 35-foot-high rock-climbing wall. Outdoor activities range from zip-lining and boating to golf and tennis. After an action-packed, adventure-filled day, head to the The Well Spa and Salon for some much-needed R&R.  Rates from $159 per night, depending on the season.

Grand Geneva Resort and Spa
4 of 14
Grand Geneva Resort & Spa

 The Well Spa and Salon offers a wide range of anti-aging services from head to toe. The anti-aging pedicure ($90) gives your tootsies some love, while the firming collagen and hyaluronic acid facial ($210) leaves you looking renewed and refreshed. For a unique rubdown, book a Lava Shell massage (80 minutes for $225).  

The Well Spa and Salon offers a wide range of anti-aging services from head to toe. The anti-aging pedicure ($90) gives your tootsies some love, while the firming collagen and hyaluronic acid facial ($210) leaves you looking renewed and refreshed. For a unique rubdown, book a Lava Shell massage (80 minutes for $225).  

Sundara Inn and Spa
5 of 14
Sundara Inn and Spa

Sundara is located in the outskirts of the Wisconsin Dells and provides visitors with some much-needed R&R in a serene setting.The eco-chic, adult-only spa is tucked back into a fragrant pine forest, a world away from the tourism madness of the Dells. Here, you'll notice sleek interiors and high-style design that features curved walls and an abundance of feng shui. One tip: Instagrammers are going to have to chill out, since no cell phones are allowed in public areas. Rates from $339 per night, depending on the season.

Sundara is located in the outskirts of the Wisconsin Dells and provides visitors with some much-needed R&R in a serene setting.The eco-chic, adult-only spa is tucked back into a fragrant pine forest, a world away from the tourism madness of the Dells. Here, you'll notice sleek interiors and high-style design that features curved walls and an abundance of feng shui. One tip: Instagrammers are going to have to chill out, since no cell phones are allowed in public areas. Rates from $339 per night, depending on the season.

Sundara Inn and Spa
6 of 14
Sundara Inn and Spa

While Sundara has a dedicated spa, the entire experience envelops the property, from the front desk to the restaurant, to the one-of-a-kind Meditation Trail, which helps to center the body and heal all seven chakras. Don’t miss the spa’s energy therapies (holistic treatments drawn from Ayurvedic healing principles). Step into the salt treatment room, where salt crystals coat the floor and salt tiles line the walls. Halotherapy is said to improve respiratory function and rejuvenate the skin ($25 when booked with another spa treatment).

While Sundara has a dedicated spa, the entire experience envelops the property, from the front desk to the restaurant, to the one-of-a-kind Meditation Trail, which helps to center the body and heal all seven chakras. Don’t miss the spa’s energy therapies (holistic treatments drawn from Ayurvedic healing principles). Step into the salt treatment room, where salt crystals coat the floor and salt tiles line the walls. Halotherapy is said to improve respiratory function and rejuvenate the skin ($25 when booked with another spa treatment).

The Lodge at Woodloch
7 of 14
The Lodge at Woodloch

Located in northeastern Pennsylvania (about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from New York City), The Lodge at Woodloch feels fresh and approachable. Its nature-inspired rooms reflect its setting, which features 150 wooded acres complete with a private lake. Rooms rates from $299 per person, per night, based on double occupancy (includes three meals per day, fitness and wellness activities, outdoor adventures, and art classes).

Located in northeastern Pennsylvania (about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from New York City), The Lodge at Woodloch feels fresh and approachable. Its nature-inspired rooms reflect its setting, which features 150 wooded acres complete with a private lake. Rooms rates from $299 per person, per night, based on double occupancy (includes three meals per day, fitness and wellness activities, outdoor adventures, and art classes).

Lodge at Woodloch
8 of 14
The Lodge at Woodloch

Here, the spa is the perfect place to tune into alternative therapies. The vibrational sound therapy treatment uses the sound waves of therapeutic singing bowls to create a relaxed, meditative state (50 minutes for $160). Want something a little more energetic? The spa's "Gong with the Wind" treatment combines yoga and meditation with holistic sound immersion. The background music comes from conch shells, bronze gongs, and bowls.

Here, the spa here is the perfect place to tune into alternative therapies. The vibrational sound therapy treatment uses the sound waves of therapeutic singing bowls to help you enter a relaxed, meditative state (50 minutes for $160). Want something a little more energetic? The spa's "Gong with the Wind" treatment combines yoga and meditation with holistic sound immersion. The background music comes from conch shells, bronze gongs, and bowls.

Nemacolin Woodlands Resort
9 of 14
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

Nemacolin Woodlands Resort is located in southeastern Pennsylvania’s wooded Laurel Highlands region (70 miles south of Pittsburgh). Opt to stay in the main lodge or Falling Rock, where you'll experience the luxe amenities and quality service. There’s no shortage of things to do at this 2,000-acre property, from off-road driving to animal safaris, to zip-lines, to spa treatments. Rates from $255 per night, depending on the season. 

Nemacolin Woodlands Resort is located in southeastern Pennsylvania’s wooded Laurel Highlands region (70 miles south of Pittsburgh). Opt to stay in the main lodge or Falling Rock, where you'll experience luxe amenities and quality service. There’s no shortage of things to do at this 2,000-acre property, from off-road driving to animal safaris, to zip-lines, to spa treatments. Rates from $255 per night, depending on the season.

Nemacolin Woodlands Resort
10 of 14
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

Health seekers can choose from either the Woodlands Spa — which features 40 treatment rooms — or the Holistic Healing Center, which offers treatments that are specifically designed to achieve life balance and wellness focusing on integrative methods. The spa features more traditional treatments, while the Holistic Healing Center offers everything from cupping to exercise physiology lessons.

Health seekers can choose from either the Woodlands Spa — which features 40 treatment rooms — or the Holistic Healing Center, which offers treatments that are specifically designed to achieve life balance and wellness focusing on integrative methods. The spa features more traditional treatments, while the Holistic Healing Center offers everything from cupping to exercise physiology lessons.

Lake Austin Spa Resort
11 of 14
Lake Austin Spa Resort

Nestled in Texas Hill Country, Lake Austin Spa Resort offers value-packed, all-inclusive vacation packages, which include lakeside accommodations, guilt-free gourmet meals, rotating fitness activities and classes, and a selection of spa and body treatments. Rates from $575 per night, depending on the season. 

Nestled in Texas Hill Country, Lake Austin Spa Resort offers value-packed, all-inclusive vacation packages, which include lakeside accommodations, guilt-free gourmet meals, rotating fitness activities and classes, and a selection of spa and body treatments. Rates from $575 per night, depending on the season. 

Lake Austin Spa Resort
12 of 14
Lake Austin Spa Resort

The 25,000-square foot LakeHouse Spa offers guests dozens of pampering services. We love the Espresso Fresco Signature Service, which detoxes the body with a scrub scented with notes of coffee and sarsaparilla, followed by a personalized massage ($230 for 80 minutes). For something a little more eccentric, book the Manaka tapping service ($165), an ancient Japanese treatment where therapists rap acupressure points with a wooden hammer and peg.



The 25,000-square foot LakeHouse Spa offers guests dozens of pampering services. We love Espresso Fresco Signature Service, which detoxes the body with a scrub scented with notes of coffee and sarsaparilla, followed by a personalized massage ($230 for 80 minutes). For something a little more eccentric, book the Manaka tapping service ($165), an ancient Japanese treatment where therapists rap acupressure points with a wooden hammer and peg.

Miraval Austin Resort and Spa
13 of 14
Miraval Austin Resort & Spa

The renowned wellness resort brand opened its Austin location in early 2019. Here, the guest rooms are designed to enhance the sleep experience, which are complete with blackout shades and comfy bedding. Additionally, the Body Mindfulness Center features modern, tech-savvy equipment; as well as a fitness studio for activities like spinning and cardio drumming. You'll also find a 10-acre farm and a culinary kitchen onsite. Rates from $529 per person, per night depending on the season; includes $175 nightly resort credit, all meals, complimentary classes, and airport transfers.

The renowned wellness resort brand opened its Austin location in early 2019. Here, the guest rooms are designed to enhance the sleep experience, which are complete with blackout shades and comfy bedding. They even provide a sleeping bag for your cell phone. Additionally, the Body Mindfulness Center features modern, tech-savvy equipment; as well as a fitness studio for activities like spinning and cardio drumming. You'll also find a 10-acre farm and a culinary kitchen onsite. Rates from $529 per person, per night depending on the season; includes $175 nightly resort credit, all meals, complimentary classes, and airport transfers.

Miraval Austin Resort and Spa
14 of 14
Miraval Austin Resort & Spa

The Life in Balance Spa promotes relaxation, balance, and a sense of wellbeing. The spa menu includes innovative treatments. The Roots, Fruits, Petals & Leaves Facial ($275) uses an array seasonal artisan-farmed plants, which offer a bounty of antioxidants, vitamins, enzymes, and nutrients.

The Life in Balance Spa promotes relaxation, balance, and a sense of wellbeing. The spa menu includes innovative treatments. The Roots, Fruits, Petals & Leaves Facial ($275) uses seasonal artisan-farmed plants, which offer a bounty of antioxidants, vitamins, enzymes, and nutrients.

Up next...

11 Stylishly Revamped American Motels

Kimpton Goodland
Go Back
Find The Best Cruises
Find a cruise

Find the best deals!

Click on multiple sites to get the lowest prices

Click on multiple sites to get the lowest prices