The 15 best spas in Chicago

Breathing new life into the ancient tradition of Greek and Roman bath houses, Aire Ancient Baths is a singular spa experience in Chicago. The awe-inspiring space, which is built inside an old factory in River West, is like a hidden bunker designed for peaceful retreats. You can just explore the indoor and outdoor baths—ranging from frigid to hot and incorporating steam, salt and jets—or add on a relaxing massage. The spa also offers packaged experiences for one or two people such as the wine bath, where you’ll take advantage of the antioxidant properties of grapes with a 30-minute soak and cranial massage and an hour-long massage with grapeseed oil.

A good spa is all about relaxation, and this River North spot sets the tone as soon as you show up for your appointment. Instead of sitting in a typical waiting area, kick up your feet in a calming, dimly lit, semi-private tented chamber. The treatments are similarly next level—think chakra-balancing massages, infrared sauna therapy and a volcanic clay body wrap. Be sure to reserve a complimentary shower room when you book your appointment; the walls are covered in beautiful Moroccan plaster, and guests are treated to plush towels and eco-friendly products.

This posh spa within the Langham Hotel bases its practices around the principles of traditional Chinese medicine and the five elemental forces of Wu Xing: metal, wood, fire, water and earth. You can get a relaxing taste of all five elements through the 5 Wy Xing Elements In-One, a two-hour experience that includes an acupressure massage with heated bamboo and a full-body mud mask. Weary travelers can also reap the benefits of the Chuan Jet Lag Revival, which combines an herbal salt scrub and full-body massage that are designed to combat fatigue and mental exhaustion.

This Lakeview spa specializes in skin and body treatments such as wraps designed to increase circulation and pore-cleansing facials that include exfoliation and a massage. Make sure no part of your body feels left out with a back, shoulder and elbow facial that uses cleansing steam and massage to relax your tired muscles. Health-focused treatments include hydration drenching using the anti-inflammatory properties of shea butter. Membership packages let you develop a facial routine and add on other treatments at a discount.

The 20,000-square-foot Lincoln Park spa (not to be confused with locations in Burr Ridge and Kohler, Wisconsin) specializes in hydrotherapy. You'll find treatments like Lavender Rain, which features a lavender and eucalyptus scrub, warm rinse and full-body moisturizing, and Still Waters, which uses CBD exfoliation and moisturizing to relieve stress and restore energy. The services change with the seasons and also include an extensive selection of facials, pedicures and massages, using a mix of traditional and modern techniques such as cupping and microcurrents. Continue relaxing after your appointment in the sauna, cool plunge pool or the thermal suite’s hot tub.

This cozy massage studio is known for soothing scrub treatments and deep tissue massages. What it lacks in space it makes up for in skill and affordability. You can nab a relaxing 60-minute Swedish massage for $99, or a two-hour signature massage for $209. The services are all top-notch, so if you're not into the fancy steam room, lap pool, and all the extra frills, save a bundle and come here instead. 

Our favorite part of spa-ing at The Peninsula Spa is the time we spend chilling in the lounge area. Single-person beds with fluffy comforters are nestled in draped enclaves. You can spend hours reading or napping, completely undisturbed—except for someone refilling your tea. Nearby, a fire flickers in the fireplace. The spa menu is pricey (the Hydrating Manicure is $80 Monday–Thursday or $95 Friday–Sunday), but the top-notch products make a body treatment worth the splurge.

Get ritzy at this wellness-focused spa housed inside The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago hotel, which offers revitalizing treatments ranging from full-body exfoliation to antioxidant boosting facials—for a pretty penny, of course. Want to take your relaxation to the next level? Tack on additional upgrades to your services, like a manicure and pedicure, for an extra-luxurious effect. 

Located in the heart of Wicker Park, Ruby Room is a soul-soothing oasis that offers cupping and healing massages you can modify with hot Himalayan crystals or essential oil-scented cold stones designed to soothe headaches. Ruby Room also offers a variety of intuitive readings using numerology, tarot or Akashic records. Quiet your mind and connect with your body at Sunday meditation classes, where groups learn focused breathing and visualization techniques that promote deep relaxation.

As you may expect, the spa services at the Four Seasons are no less than divine. The seasonally-changing menu includes novel treatments like the vintage bourbon massage, where your back is exfoliated with bourbon and brown sugar before a healing massage incorporating essential oils and warm stones. You’ll also get a glass of Knob Creek after your rubdown. Want to splurge on a romantic treatment for two? One of the spa's more unique bookings is the Skylight Swim, which closes down the 50-foot Roman-style indoor pool for one lucky couple. The experience starts with a massage and continues with a bottle of champagne and canapes.

The opulence of the historic Palmer House is the perfect backdrop for some rest and relaxation. Book specialty treatments like the Chicago Fire and Ice Massage, using a mix of heated and cooling salts, and Honore's Hydrotub Immersion, which uses water to relieve stress and relax muscles. Can't decide on just one thing? Ask for the Empire, a 50-minute massage, 50-minute facial and 50-minute body wrap for a cool $375.

This Austin export is one of Chicago’s newest day spas, offering a suite of massages, facials, waxing, manicures and body treatments—plus med spa treatments, like injectables and chemical peels—from an airy, light-filled space in the Gold Coast. A signature 60-minute, Swedish-style massage will whisk away aches and pains, but you can pump up the luxury with the spa’s Ultimate Massage: After invigorating your skin with full-body dry brushing, your provider will provide a choice of 90-minute massage (signature, deep tissue or sports) before moving onto a warm oil scalp and a neck massage, working away the kinks of a stressful day. 

Massages are the specialty here, and the spa offers every type—from classic Swedish to ashiatsu, during which a therapist uses their feet to massage you. There's even a specialty CBD treatment to relieve pain and reduce anxiety and stress. Fans of traditional Chinese medicine can also opt to add on extra features, like a cupping session, to their massage package. Urban Oasis also offers a special prenatal massage geared towards reducing back, neck and joint pain and helping with digestive issues.

There's a spa service for everyone at the Waldorf Astoria, where therapists will personalize services based on your age, skin type, body type and stress levels. Kids can indulge with an ice cream manicure or pedicure, while couples can share a romantic massage. Before or after your treatment, you can enjoy some light bites and drinks in one of the spa’s cozy nooks, warm up with a eucalyptus steam or dry sauna, or work out in the Gyrontonics facility.

Much like the rest of Soho House, downstairs spa Cowshed is tastefully decorated in Midwestern barnwood, crystal chandeliers, pristine vintage sofas and leather wing-backed pedicure chairs. While all of the spa's treatments are equally stellar, it's the Ultimate Pedicure you can't miss out on. The service uses all-natural Cowshed brand products and includes a relaxing leg and foot massage, hydration mask, shoulder massage and polish, to top it all off.