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Spa Salamander
Photograph: Courtesy Spa Salamander

The 14 best spas in Washington, DC

Looking for an affordable or splurge-worthy treatment? Head to the best spas in Washington, DC for a massage and more.

Written by
Jessica Estrada
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Although spending the day eating the best brunch in DC or perusing through the best music stores in DC might be perfectly relaxing activities, there is something about a spa day that makes it one of the most comforting and best things to do in Washington, DC throughout the week. Enter the best spas in Washington, DC. Book yourself a massage, facial, manicure, scrub and more (or all of the above) and thank us later.

Best spas in Washington, DC

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • Hotels
  • Georgetown
  • price 4 of 4
  • Recommended

As you might expect, the spa at the Four Seasons is downright dreamy. A soothing palate of neutrals is accented with pops of lavender and murals of cherry blossoms surround the indoor pool. Treatments here are pricey, but so worth the indulgence. Case in point: the splashy Four Seasons gold and diamond facial ($460) that uses ultrasonic exfoliation and LED therapy to leave your face feeling as soft as butter.

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • Hotels
  • Recommended

Think you’ve had the best massage ever? Think again. The sprawling 10,000-square-foot Spa at the Mandarin Oriental takes relaxation to a new level with its signature oriental harmony treatment during which two therapists massage your entire body together. Basically, it’s heaven on earth. Another one of the posh spa’s draws are the bespoke treatments. Pre- and post-treatment, be sure to check out the spa’s sparkling vitality pool, dry sauna and amethyst crystal steam room.

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  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • Hotels
  • Georgetown
  • Recommended
If you already thought the Spa at The Ritz-Carlton was dreamy, wait until you see its chic new look. Fresh from a makeover, the luxe Georgetown spa will launch in January 2017 with five treatment rooms, two couple’s rooms, a re-designed relaxation area, a steam room and a sauna—all elevated by plush new design features such as hardwood flooring and a soothing color palette of blues and grays. As for treatments, do yourself and a special someone a favor and book the side-by-side river stones couple’s experience which begins with dry body brushing followed by a relaxing hot stone massage and ends with a champagne toast.
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • Health and beauty
  • Spas
  • Virginia
  • price 3 of 4
  • Recommended
Technically, this spot isn’t in DC (it’s actually in Middleburg, Virginia), but it’s so spectacular it warrants a full-on spa getaway. Escape DC and retreat to this luxe hotel for a day (or five) for some major pampering. A variety of facials, massages and body treatments are on the menu but, for the ultimate Salamander experience, go with one of the spa’s core rituals: clearing, awaken, grounding and balance. Each is designed to heal and energize with body exfoliations, scalp treatments, restorative massages and more. When you’re not in the treatment room, chill out in the aromatic steam room, take a dip in the heated infinity pool or just relax in a poolside cabana. Now that’s what we call a spa-cation.
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  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Hotels
  • Farragut Square
  • price 3 of 4
  • Recommended

Tucked away inside the Jefferson Hotel, the petite spa only boasts three treatment rooms. But, what the spa lacks in size it makes up for in premium pampering. In addition to standard issue spa treatments, the venue also offers two unique massages that can’t be missed: the Monticello aromatherapy massage infused with organic plant and flower essences and the anti-aging and utterly relaxing vinotherapy massage (inspired by Thomas Jefferson’s love for wine) that uses Chardonnay grape seed extract.

  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Hotels
  • Downtown
  • price 4 of 4
  • Recommended

Nestled inside the W Washington D.C., Bliss Spa is much cooler and hipper than your average spa. The mod space—complete with a glam nail lounge, four treatment rooms and a beauty boutique—is bathed in white and blue and fluffy clouds and cherry blossom designs adorn the walls. Instead of typical spa music, jazzy tunes fill the air. Although the menu is filled with difficult-to-resist spa treatments with cheeky names, don’t miss the raved-about triple oxygen facial, the elemis exotic lime and ginger salt glow scrub or the blissage full body massage, which is, in a word, blissful. Did we mention there’s a brownie bar?

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  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Health and beauty
  • Spas
  • Friendship Heights
  • price 3 of 4
  • Recommended
As soon as you step through the red doors of this chic spot, you know you’re in for a treat. The décor alone is gorgeous, outfitted in black-and-white and punctuated with sultry lipstick red accents. Feel all of your worries melt away with a signature massage that covers your body in shea butter cream and relaxes you with facial acupressure and foot reflexology. The manis and pedis are also divine. They begin with a sugar exfoliation and a mini massage and end with a paraffin treatment. Botox treatments are also available.
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Health and beauty
  • Spas
  • Alexandria
  • price 3 of 4
  • Recommended
If you’re all natural or the highway, head to Old Town Alexandria’s chic 4,000-square foot spa—home to five Vicente Wolf-designed treatment rooms awash in blue and gray tones that match the hotel’s West Coast vibe—which uses only organic, paraben-free products. Although all of the treatments here are heavenly, the decadent caviar dreams facial is by far the star of the show, leaving your skin looking and feeling youthful. After your treatment, spend the rest of your spa day chilling in the relaxation room or in one the eucalyptus steam rooms.
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  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Health and beauty
  • Spas
  • Farragut Square
  • price 3 of 4
  • Recommended
Touted as the first LEED-certified spa in the world, this nature-inspired pampering haven is all green all the time, from its space to its organic products made with essential oils. In addition to its eco-friendly approach to relaxation, what makes this spot special is its Intentional Aromatherapy app that allows guests to blend their own massage oil for treatments such as the Nusta—a ridiculously relaxing experience that includes a body scrub (using your own personalized sugar scrub, no less), a shea butter wrap, a facial massage, a jasmine essential oil scalp treatment and an indulgent full-body massage.
  • 3 out of 5 stars
  • Health and beauty
  • Spas
  • Georgetown
  • price 3 of 4
  • Recommended
Although Bluemercury is known as a beauty retailer, many of their boutiques actually offer spa services. The Georgetown and Dupont locations have two treatment rooms where guests can pop in for a quick treatment in-between shopping sprees. For a petite spa, the menu of treatments is actually pretty impressive and includes everything from brow styling and body waxing to massages and facials. We recommend the Fast Blast facial. It takes only 30 minutes and features cleansing, a glycolic peel and a vitamin oxygen blast.
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