The best spa hotels in Austin

Located 550 yards from Shoal Beach, Hotel ZaZa Austin is in a prime location and offers a wide range of amenities for its guests. The four-star spa hotel has an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, a bar, and spa facilities - everything you'll need for a relaxing break. The hotel's spa - ZaSpa - provides a sensuous oasis to rejuvenate the mind, body, and soul. Treatments include various massages, facials, and body treatments (including one to purge last night's activities). A luxury experience focusing on holistic and modern healing techniques. Ahhh, bliss.

10 miles outside the city lies the Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa, a tranquil hotel popular for its golf course. There are four different championship courses comprised of challenging holes and scenic views, but if you need a break from practicing your swing, Omni's spa is the next best place to be. They have everything from holistic treatments and guided meditations to services like the Barton Springs Massage (version of a Swedish Massage), or the Himalayan Salt Stone Massage, where heated mineral-rich stones are applied with traditional techniques for joint relief, deep relaxation, and an energy-lift. The Hydrafacial is one of our faves—just 30 minutes with a therapist, and their super serums can make a noticeable difference in your skin's elasticity, tone, and firmness (perfect if hitting up a red carpet back downtown). Remember to fuel up at the Spa Creek Cafe; full of healthy grub, including salads and delicious crudité (it is all in the roasted garlic hummus), then continue the wellness in your spectacular suite overlooking their scenic grounds.

While the W’s spa offers a welcome respite from downtown’s noise, the fourth floor is ironically also where it’s most happening. The AWAY Spa is a heavyweight in this modern luxe hotel, with all the means for detox to ‘retox’ (as their saying goes). There are seven spacious treatment rooms, and we highly recommended their massages customized with add-ons. For example, a new cupping therapy will bolster your detox for $40, giving you a unique sensation of push and pull that’s unlike anything you’ve ever felt. Those retreating to their rooms or suites can continue the R&R in a deep soak bathtub, otherwise, there’s always the pool, one of the sexiest downtown. Where to retox, we hear you ask? Well, you might as well stick around and get ready at AWAY’s salon—there are complimentary mimosas! Then there’s the Living Room bar, a top spot for making bad decisions; TRACE restaurant, which hosts the most famous drag brunch in the city; or back on the WET deck at sunset. Go loco.

A 30-minute drive from downtown leads you to Austin’s premier spa resort, a dream destination overlooking Lake Travis and perched upon 220 acres of lush protected land. Stash away devices and get comfortable in one of 117 zen guest rooms and suites before browsing the extensive list of activities offered by the resort ranging from fitness, yoga, and meditation, to culinary, equine, and art. Our recommendations include cardio drumming, a bouncy way to break a sweat, and the unique equine session, unforgettable learning with Miraval’s resident horses. Your stay at Miraval includes a full board of nutritious meals and beverages from Crossings Hilltop Kitchen, the adjoining café/bar, and the poolside café (many ingredients used are plucked from their on-site farm). Tips aren’t accepted either, so headspace can be reserved solely for mindfulness. Add that to gorgeous natural surroundings, blissful wellness experiences, and food that makes you feel good inside and out, and you’ll leave a whole new person (basically, there’s no turning back). Complimentary shuttles and valet are included, while optional treatments, activity upgrades, alcoholic beverages, and boutique shopping are available at extra cost.

Nestled against the Lady Bird Lake hike and bike trails, the Four Seasons Hotel Austin is a perfect gateway to one of the city’s most iconic natural amenities. Known for its unrivaled guest experience, the spa includes revitalizing eucalyptus-infused steam rooms and treatments ranging from HydraFacials to Aromatherapy massage. Our pick is the Ultimate Caviar Anti-Ageing Facial because why go to a spa if you’re not going to treat yourself? The session features Kerstin Florian’s luxurious product line and utilizes the power of anti-aging caviar proteins to firm, tone, refine and hydrate the skin on your neck and face. When you’re done, relax with herbal tea by the Himalayan salt wall in the spa’s relaxation lounge, and then wander the Four Seasons lush garden before retreating to your lake view suite.

With 1,048 rooms and suites, towering views of Lady Bird Lake, and five acclaimed restaurants and bars in the building, Fairmont Austin's got pretty much everything you could need from a downtown stay. What makes it extra special, though, is the newly reopened spa; comprising nine treatment rooms, women's and men's solariums, saline soaking pool, eucalyptus steam grotto, European dry heat sauna, nail studio, and VIP couples suites…this spacious retreat can fill up a whole days worth of pampering. If you've just landed from a long flight, go for the Colorado Hot Stone Massage to encourage circulation and enhance with an invigorating body scrub for an additional $50. Tip: fuel up on fresh-pressed juice and acai smoothie bowls at Revue on the ground floor before checking in to the spa...and balance its goodness out with Champagne between treatments.