Even if you can't get away for an entire weekend-long wellness retreat, that doesn't mean you can't fit some much-needed R&R into your weekly schedule. That's where the day spa comes in and, luckily for all of us in dire need of a massage and some jacuzzi time (guilty!), Chicago is home to one of the best day spas in the country, according to USA Today's Readers' Choice Awards 2025 rankings.
Coming in at number 10 on the spa list is the Windy City's own AIRE Ancient Baths, a temple of relaxation located in the River West neighborhood at 800 W Superior Street. "Set inside a restored 1902 factory, AIRE Ancient Baths offers a peaceful, low-lit atmosphere inspired by classical Roman, Greek, and Ottoman bathhouse traditions," reads the outlet's write-up, highlighting the center's series of thermal baths (including a saltwater pool, ice plunge, and steam room) and special treatments like a Wine Bath or Himalayan Salt Ritual. "The exposed brick and candlelight make it a unique and deeply calming experience in the heart of Chicago’s River West neighborhood."
You can explore the baths themselves for $178 for a 90-minute experience, or enhance your experience by tacking on "rituals," whether you want to dip a literal toe into cold plunging, enhance your skincare regimen or engage in more intentional relaxation. (The "Summer Essential" offering is a two-hour wellness experience with a 30-minute orange-scented massage alongside your thermal bath explorations; pricing as of press time is $210 per person.
Outside of Chicagoland, the Altar Spa in Greenville, South Carolina took the top spot off the strength of its "customized massages, rejuvenating facials, advanced esthetics, and restorative body therapies." Rounding out the top five were The Spa at Séc-he in Palm Springs, California (at No. 2); two Denver-based day spas, Oakwell Beer Spa and Sway (at No. 3 and No. 4, respectively); and My Beer Spa in Orlando, Florida (at No. 5).