The 8 Best Spas in Chicago
With winter temperatures setting in, it’s important to consider all the wonderful ways to be indoors in the Windy City—and spending a day (or three) at these spas in Chicago tops our list. Thankfully, Chicago is no stranger to excellent self-care spots, and each one boasts expertly trained staff, thoughtful, curated treatments, and world-class amenities (not to mention all of the onsite perks, from plush robes to A-lister product).
And while several of these destinations have already established themselves as R&R beacons, be on the lookout for the brand-new and forthcoming—namely, The Spa at Four Seasons (ready for a renovation reveal later this spring) or Fairmont’s Leaf Spa, where the team specializes in seasonal treatments (e.g. a Botanical Booster Facial or Floral Flow Massage). From a sky-high sanctuary to globally celebrated thermal baths, here are eight of the best spas in Chicago to visit when you need to warm up, unwind, and ease your way into the new year.
Read our complete Chicago travel guide here.
Virgile Simon BertrandactivityThe Peninsula Spa, Chicago
Situated on the 20th floor of the Peninsula Hotel, this spa reflects the same attention to detail and dedication to hospitality as the rest of its property (which has been garnering accolades since its 2001 debut). Upon exiting the elevators, guests encounter a serene space of rustic woods and natural slate, ushering them into a calmer state and prepping them for the pampering to follow. Eight treatment rooms and suites (plus a manicure and pedicure room) await guests, who complete a questionnaire upon arrival to better help the therapist in customizing the service. An extensive menu of treatments reflects both modern and traditional techniques and range to include options like the all-natural Hot Stone Massage or Healthy Glow Facial (comprised of a deep cleansing and exfoliation, application of anti-aging serums, and customized facial mask). Therapists call upon high-end product like Subtle Energies (handcrafted essential oils) and Biologique Recherche—do leave time for them to work their magic before making a beeline for the steam room.
Courtesy Waldorf Astoria ChicagoactivityThe Waldorf Astoria Spa, Chicago
You'll feel like a royal when walking into the chateau-style Waldorf Astoria Chicago, thanks to its Parisian courtyard entrance and pristine lobby. That elegance extends to the award-winning spa, a fourth-floor retreat where guests can experience luxurious downtime with facial and body treatments incorporating premium product from Biologique Recherché (which guests can purchase post-service at the spa’s shop, which also stocks apparel from the likes of Balmain and Lululemon). The team here encourages guests cozy up in robes (courtesy of Frette or Chadsworth & Haig) to enjoy many onsite amenities, including a whirlpool, eucalyptus steam room, dry sauna, indoor heated lap pool, and fitness center, along with snacks and fruit-infused water (and Champagne for anyone celebrating a special occasion). Small groups can also check out the spa terrace, where light bites and drinks are served.
Courtesy The Ritz -Carlton Spa, ChicagoactivityThe Ritz-Carlton Spa, Chicago
The team at K’Alma Spa Concepts is behind this tranquil retreat, where services are designed to help visitors relax and rejuvenate. Enter and encounter a calming color palette of earth tones, helping to ease guests into any of the customized treatments ahead. Any of the facials here are a good choice, and a custom one allows for more conversation around what the guest is seeking most (from de-stressing to anti-aging benefits). Those craving a head-to-toe treatment can opt for the Ultimate Body Experience, a 110-minute service featuring a whole-body scrub, wrap, and massage. Luzern Laboratories skincare is used across the service menu, ensuring clients are pampered through and through.
Juan Serrano Corbella/AIRE Ancient BathsactivityAIRE Ancient Baths Chicago
After opening in New York City (and with six other locations around the world), AIRE touched down in Chicago’s River West neighborhood, bringing with it a wellness experience melding ancient Roman, Greek, and Ottoman thermal bath traditions. Guests can journey through seven thermal baths, all set at varying temperatures to offer different mind-body benefits. Those dips take on dreamlike quality amidst your surroundings—housed in a restored 1902 factory, the space features original exposed bricks and columns, globally sourced antiques, and hundreds of candles. Soft orange blossom aromas and calming music ready guests for one of the custom massage or body treatments here. Opt for the Himalayan Salt Ritual, which begins with a salt exfoliation and wrap and is followed by a full body massage with hot Himalayan salt stones. And then, there’s the Signature Wine Experience, a 30-minute red wine soak (and chance to soak in all of its antioxidant-rich properties), followed by a full body massage (and some wine and cheese in between).
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Courtesy Chuan Spa at The Langham, ChicagoactivityChuan Spa at The Langham, Chicago
It's easy to instantly unwind at this urban escape, situated on the fourth floor of the Langham Hotel. Guests receive a warm greeting upon arrival, then are guided to a comfortable waiting area to complete a treatment questionnaire before hitting the locker rooms, where a pool, hot tub, and heated loungers (surrounded by epic skyline views) await. The team here takes a holistic approach to wellness, embracing traditional Chinese medicine philosophies and principles of Wu Xing (encompassing the elements of wood, fire, earth, metal, and water). Once greeted, guests are asked about their current lifestyle and treatment goals, and services are customized accordingly, incorporating modern comforts and ancient therapeutic practices. There’s an impressive menu of offerings, from facials and herbal salt scrubs to mud wraps, hand and foot therapies, and body massages (and then those that incorporate a few of the aforementioned, such as the Chuan Tao of Detox—a head-to-toe exfoliation followed by a marine algae wrap and acupressure massage).
SAMMY REED/Kohler Waters Spa ChicagoactivityKohler Waters Spa Chicago
Kohler Waters Spa has been tapping into the restorative properties of mineral-rich waters to create bespoke experiences for guests since 2000 at its Wisconsin location and 2019 at its Chicago location. The latter is located in the heart of Lincoln Park and specializes in state-of-the-art hydrotherapy offerings—take, for example, the Thermal Suite and its hydrotherapy circuit, comprised of a steam room, sauna, eight-foot-deep cool plunge pool, and hydromassage pool (a recent design showpiece featuring five half-circle coves and a gooseneck waterfall). The Still Waters treatment begins with a full-body CBD-infused exfoliation, followed by a Shirodhara forehead treatment and custom Kohler Vichy shower. If you opt for an entirely customized service (e.g. the Uniquely Yours Massage), choose between three signature, essential oils: Relief (made with peppermint, rosemary, and lavender), Uplift (lavender, lemon, and sweet orange), or Breathe (eucalyptus, peppermint, and lavender).
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Courtesy NoMI Spa at The Park Hyatt, ChicagoactivityNoMI Spa at The Park Hyatt, Chicago
Found on the seventh floor of the Park Hyatt Chicago, just footsteps from the bustle of Michigan Avenue, NoMI Spa may be the Mag Mile’s best-kept secret. Though the spa initially debuted in 2010, it reopened this past summer as part of the hotel’s $60 million renovation, seeing its own updates and refresh. Longtime patrons are pleased to know that the wellness destination’s dedication to warm hospitality remains the same, as does its approach in luxurious, well-rounded care. Choose from four scents for treatments, including Revive Morning (citrus and wood tones with grapefruit oils and rosemary), Muscle (cooling and aromatic with notes of lavender and ginger), Light Relax (sweet and floral), and Support Equilibrium (notes of frankincense and geranium). The team also uses product from Manhattan-based emerginC Skin Care and, most recently, Body Butters by GorjusWhips (for the seasonal Bourbon Body Bliss polish).
Courtesy Soho House ChicagoactivityCowshed Spa at Soho House Chicago
All Cowshed spas around the globe began with a simple mission: to offer a bit of country calm into those leading busy, on-the-go lives. The Midwest location, found on the ground level of Soho House Chicago, showcases a full self-care lineup, from massages and facials to manicures and pedicures. When guests enter (from the lobby level’s bustling Allis Bar), they’re in a relaxing space of reclaimed Midwestern barn wood and plush furniture, neutral colors, and dim lighting. Therapists customize signature services to meet client needs (whether that be to relax or address specific skin concerns). Just one example is the Soho Skin 24/7 Facial, a brightening facial that energizes and plumps skin with a natural, hydrated glow using products from Soho Skin (Soho House’s new vegan, cruelty-free skincare line). That range is in addition to the brand’s already beloved Cowshed products, which come in the form of massage oils (found in treatment rooms), along with shower gels, hand wash, and body lotion (found throughout the locker rooms).
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