All posts tagged: spas

No Rest, No Relaxation: My Week at a Sleep Clinic

No Rest, No Relaxation: My Week at a Sleep Clinic

Published by Sam Flores

“Dress for rehab,” my colleague Elise told me when she heard I was about to leave for six days at the clinic Mayrlife in Austria. I didn’t know if I should be offended that I knew the kind of sweatpants-forward look she was referring to, even though I have never been to rehab. I was viewing my week closer to a week in rehab than, say, a spa vacation. I have been to many spas from Türkiye to Tucson and am familiar with the water aerobics and climbing gyms and hot-stone massages, and fruit breakfasts, and especially the enforced collective bonding through deprivation and physical effort, and sharing our feelings. So many feelings. Mayrlife prided itself in offering none of that. Mayrlife, which is in central Austria, about 90 minutes from Salzburg, calls itself a health resort promising “an enhanced outlook on life.” They specialize in the ominous sounding The Mayr Cure, which is an elaborate detox much of which is centered around gut health and the microbiome; medical treatments both esoteric and commonplace; and …

Luxury things to do in London in March: Spas, Mother’s Day afternoon teas & new openings

Luxury things to do in London in March: Spas, Mother’s Day afternoon teas & new openings

Published by Daniella Wilson

March always feels like a bit of a reset in London. The cosy, candlelit months start to fall away and the city slowly shifts towards brighter days – something I couldn’t be happier about. My weekend plans and date nights are already following suit, swapping snug corners and comfort food for playful, colourful interiors and menus that feel fresher and lighter.  With Mother’s Day landing on Sunday 15th, there’s also a welcome excuse for florals everywhere, and maybe the most classic celebration of them all – an afternoon tea. Elsewhere, there’s a very exciting hotel opening in Bayswater this month. Even if you’re a Londoner with no need for a place to stay, it’s still worth having on your radar thanks to its beautiful spa. Consider this your little black book for luxury in London in March 2026. Daphne’s  Chelsea Daphne’s beautiful conservatory-style dining room is the epitome of elegance, but it’s also warm and welcoming. The Italian restaurant has touches of a Milanese trattoria and has been a neighbourhood institution since the 1960s. Tucked …

Söders Spaß ist vorbei – POLITICO

Söders Spaß ist vorbei – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

Am politischen Aschermittwoch steht die CSU im Mittelpunkt. In Passau versucht Markus Söder einmal mehr, die große Bühne zu bespielen. Doch ohne die Ampel als klaren Gegner wirkt der CSU-Chef weniger angriffslustig. Gordon Repinski analysiert, ob Söder an politischer Strahlkraft verliert und wie stabil seine Position in der Partei wirklich noch ist. Im 200-Sekunden-Interview spricht Ilse Aigner über die Lage der CSU, über Söders Führungsrolle und über mögliche Zukunftsszenarien. Sie verteidigt den Parteichef, weist Spekulationen über einen Machtwechsel zurück und ordnet die parteiinternen Debatten ein. Außerdem geht es um die AfD und die wachsende Affäre um Vetternwirtschaft. Der Bundesvorstand ringt mit der Frage, ob und wie man kurz vor wichtigen Landtagswahlen eingreifen soll. Ein Update über das Verwandten-Problem von Pauline von Pezold. ⁠Den neuen POLITICO-Podcast „Inside AfD” gibt es hier. ⁠ Das Berlin Playbook als Podcast gibt es jeden Morgen ab 5 Uhr. Gordon Repinski und das POLITICO-Team liefern Politik zum Hören – kompakt, international, hintergründig. Für alle Hauptstadt-Profis: Der Berlin Playbook-Newsletter bietet jeden Morgen die wichtigsten Themen und Einordnungen. ⁠Jetzt kostenlos abonnieren.⁠ Mehr von …

Best romantic spa breaks in Britain

Best romantic spa breaks in Britain

Published by Sam Flores

All our reviewers are either resident destination experts or travel writers that specialise in hotels. Often they will have stayed at a hotel many times and so can see how it has changed for better or worse over the years. They know what makes a great hotel in that particular destination and will compare it contextually against local competition. When our reviewers first visit a hotel, they stay for at least one night, eat one meal in addition to breakfast and will experience all of the facilities on offer. Whichever category of room they stay in, they will see the entry-level rooms in order to assess them. After their stay, our reviewers then give the hotel six scores out of 10, rating its location, style and character, service and facilities, rooms, food and drink, and value for money. The average of these scores then determines the overall score. Our experts then select reviews for curated lists like this – the best hotels in a particular destination for families, for instance – together with the Telegraph Hotels team. …

Beat a retreat: These are the best wellness destinations for 2026

Beat a retreat: These are the best wellness destinations for 2026

Published by Sam Flores

I’ve visited countless retreats over the years and unsurprisingly enjoyed most of them. But the ones I truly treasure are those that, however subtly, shifted something in me. Offering far more than great facials or massage, these were defined by intention, rigour and care. In supporting the mind, body or both, they created the conditions to heal, recalibrate and regain equilibrium. Once rare, retreats of this calibre are now easier to find. In 2026, wellness is no longer a ‘nice to have,’ but often the reason to take the trip. SURRENNE AT THE MAYBOURNE RIVIERA BEST FOR: Luxe, sea-facing serenity and science The glossy wellbeing and longevity brand linked to the world-famous Maybourne Hotel group – think Claridge’s and The Connaught – Surrenne is a sanctuary shaped around science-led treatments, tailored fitness and holistic ritual.The brand’s new retreat program is hosted at The Maybourne Riviera, perched dramatically above the Côte d’Azur – and boy it’s good. With uninterrupted views of sea, sky and horizon, the cliffside setting delivers instant perspective, encouraging clarity and calm. Nutrition …

Relax with a day pass at these Palm Springs-area spas

Relax with a day pass at these Palm Springs-area spas

Published by Sam Flores

When the Spa at Séc-he opened its doors in Palm Springs in 2023, it welcomed guests to a 73,000-square-foot facility with mineral-rich bathing waters, resort-style pools, salt caves, steam rooms and a slew of indulgent amenities, all without requiring booking a treatment. Of course, massages, facials and the like are available, but a major draw of visiting Séc-he is simply to spend the day cocooned within its grounds. The spa isn’t alone in selling day passes to visitors. North of Palm Springs in Desert Hot Springs, many hotels pump mineral waters from the ground into oasis-like enclaves where spa-goers can soak for the day without staying overnight. About This Guide Our journalists independently visited every spot recommended in this guide. We do not accept free meals or experiences. What should we check out next? Send ideas to guides@latimes.com. And further south in Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert and Indian Wells, some of the splashiest resorts in the valley offer day pass admission to deeply impressive spas. Think aromatherapy showers, menthol-infused dry saunas, zero-gravity lounge chairs and …

9 soothing L.A. foot spas for relief and relaxation

9 soothing L.A. foot spas for relief and relaxation

Published by Sam Flores

My feet ached from an epic six-mile beach walk the day beforehand. So I was especially excited to arrive at Bao Foot Spa, in Beverly Hills, and be greeted by plush massage beds, soothing bamboo screens and a trickling fountain. My practitioner, Vincent Taing, brought me a wooden bucket filled with sloshing warm water and instructed me to lay back on the bed, my legs dangling off the edge, and soak my feet. He then administered long, slow strokes with his thumbs along the underside of my arch, draining tension from my feet. I expected the experience to bring temporary pain relief. But to my surprise, my feet felt light and springy for several days afterward. “Foot spas aren’t a replacement for medical attention if your feet hurt,” says David G. Armstrong, a podiatric surgeon with Keck Medicine of USC. “But they can feel great and offer real relaxation benefits.” There’s no shortage of places to get your feet pampered in Los Angeles, from high-end nail salons and massage chains such as the NOW Massage, …

Looking for utter relaxation? Here are 6 of the best head spas in L.A.

Looking for utter relaxation? Here are 6 of the best head spas in L.A.

Published by Sam Flores

I settled into a salon chair at Head Spa Nagomi while my practitioner, Kai Fujimoto, wove a tiny digital camera through my wet hair. It provided a 230-times-magnified view of my scalp on a nearby laptop screen. There, my noggin glistened, its dimpled, moon-like surface studded with swaying, dark amber stalks: my individual hairs and their follicles. “This is an ideal condition — literally, a dream scalp,” Fujimoto said, beaming victoriously at the results of the treatment he’d just administered. This had been my third head spa treatment of the week — for research, of course. No wonder my scalp was so squeaky clean. Luxurious Chinese- and Japanese-inspired “head spa” treatments began gaining popularity on social media in 2022. Videos of scalp scrubbings amid plumes of aromatic steam and an arc-shaped “waterfall bath” teased an enthralling spa experience that some influencers claimed would “change your life.” Head spas generally offer a detailed scalp analysis, repeated deep cleanses, hydrating treatments and various forms of head and neck massage. They’re all slightly different, however, with unique touches …

The best Las Vegas spas with day passes (and no hotel booking needed)

The best Las Vegas spas with day passes (and no hotel booking needed)

Published by Sam Flores

Day pass fee: $125 Included amenities: Sauna, steam room, herbal laconium room, igloo room, sensory showers, a jacuzzi. With 134,000 square feet of space, Canyon Ranch’s spa is among the largest in the city. In the lobby, you’ll see a cafe where it’s normal to rock your robe while you eat a grilled bison burger or avocado toast, and a large fitness center, both of which you have access to with a day pass. (The fitness area also has a rock climbing wall, which you can use for a separate fee.) Day passes, which grant you in-and-out privileges all day, cost $125 for non-hotel guests daily. However, if you purchase a service over $75 — among the cheapest is a manicure — you’ll automatically receive a day pass with no additional fee. Once you check in, you’ll be escorted down a lengthy hallway to the grand spa, which features an herbal laconium room, a steam room, a sauna, an igloo room, sensory showers (cold and hot) and a jacuzzi. You can do your own thing …

Need a soak? Try these spas beyond the known Koreatown spots

Need a soak? Try these spas beyond the known Koreatown spots

Published by Sam Flores

Our friendship blossomed in hot water. We met at a destination wedding, and while everybody else did shots, we nerded out about the art of public bathing. We discussed the sad reality of the spa experience in the U.S., which is more about isolated, expensive treatments than communal rest. We talked about the fact that spas were gate-kept for the rich, but that one of the best things in life was to get way too hot, then too cold, and then gossip as your circulation went wild. Instead of never seeing each other again, we both ended up in Los Angeles for work. The city was an exciting spread of food and culture, but the feast of hot water was the hidden delight of L.A. Over the 15 years since that wedding, we’ve spent hundreds of hours in SoCal spas. Sometimes we talk about job woes, sometimes the frustrations of parenting, and sometimes we don’t talk at all. L.A.’s expansive bathing culture has become the landscape not just of a necessary retreat but also, a …