<p>I just got an unexpected bonus at work, and I’d like to spend it on myself instead of my daughters for a change. I’ve never been to a spa before. How do I go about choosing one? How are the spas inside casinos? Groupon has a great deal right now at a casino in the Pocanos. Any recommendations in the NY, NJ, CT area?</p>
<p>I am also considering a holistic yoga retreat. Any recommendations in the northeast?</p>
<p>Canyon Ranch is one of the top spas in the country and they have a location in Lenox, MA in the Berkshire Mountains. I live in NJ and it was only a 3 hour drive. It’s actually much more than a spa – more of a healthy living retreat with yoga, all forms of exercise, hikes, cooking classes, etc. plus a huge array of pampering treatments in the spa. The facility is total luxury and the food is superb. </p>
<p>Good for you using your bonus to take care of yourself. A friend invited me to go with her to Canyon Ranch many times in the past years but I didn’t feel right about spending so much money on something just for me. I finally went with her in October and it was amazing. I came home with a new energy and a blueprint for healthier living that is worth every penny.</p>
<p>Are you interested in a day spa or a spa retreat? They are different. But the one thing that should be paramount is cleanliness. Then you must clarify: day spas do treatments (massage, facials, jacuzzis, steam rooms, waxing…plus some will bring in a healthy lunch)…whereas a retreat does a lifestyle…which can contain beauty treatments, but often have exercise classes, inspirational speakers, food etc.)</p>
<p>I went to Canyon Ranch in Lenox three weeks ago. It was a great experience–went with my oldest D. CR offers every possible type of exercise, yoga, meditation class available, lectures on health/lifestyle/nutrition as well as the regular spa experience (facials, massages, manicures, etc). You can meet with nutritionists and exercise physiologists and leave with a fitness plan. Food was very good and the facilities were very nice (I wouldn’t call the ambience and food five star, but it’s definitely four star; grounds were spectacular. The only downside is that it’s pricey. I got a discount by using Rue La La (it’s like Groupon) and went during the off-season. </p>
<p>If you’re looking for a retreat specializing in yoga–Kripalu, which is also in the Berkshires, is great. It’s in Stockbridge and offers all types of yoga programs. It’s much more spartan (lodging) than Canyon Ranch. My younger D is working on a yoga teaching certification there and is doing it on weekends. Her view of the facility was that it was like sleepover camp for adults. Despite that, she thinks the yoga offerings are excellent.</p>
<p>Check out the Himalayan Institute in the Poconos, founded by Swami Rama. Years ago he was involved in a sex scandal, but haven’t many of them been! I believe he has passed, but I love his books, and he was one of the earliest involved in measurements of brain wave alteration with meditation. Swami Ananda das is a Kripalu practitioner. </p>
<p>If you google you will find many places in Vermont and Mass. for yoga and spas in general.</p>
<p>Thank you everybody! I have been googling, but it’s good to get first hand feedback. I will check out Canyon Ranch.</p>
<p>A day spa would be okay, but a multi-day yoga retreat sounds like heaven. I just don’t want to end up someplace seedy or run down.</p>
<p>In Las Vegas, some of the high end hotels have spas that are as luxurious as some of the stand alones. In fact the Canyon Ranch Spa has a branch at the Palazzo Hotel/Casino. Since the rooms are all suites, you can easily stay 3 or 4 to a room and enjoy the spa at a great price(though it may be far afield for you, the weather there is nice right now)
[The</a> Palazzo - Hotels | Travel + Leisure](<a href=“http://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-guide/the-strip/hotels/palazzo]The”>http://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-guide/the-strip/hotels/palazzo)</p>
<p><a href=“The Palazzo Tower | Luxury Hotel & Resort in Las Vegas”>www.palazzo.com/Las-Vegas-Packages/Las-Vegas-Suite-Packages/Canyon-Ranch-Luxury/</a></p>
<p>Where are you located? I don´t like spas that make me eat spa food. I like to do all my treatments, then have a very good meal at night. When lived in the NE, I used to go to Norwich Inn and Spa, Norwich, CT. It was not very expensive. The Inn was very nice, and they had very interesting services. I used enjoy their regular facial, massage, but they used to have this bath treatment which was out of this world. They have Reiki, I was never so relaxed afterwards.</p>
<p>[Mystic</a>, CT Personal Trainers | The Spa at Norwich Inn - Personal Training | Norwich Fitness](<a href=“http://www.thespaatnorwichinn.com/spa_treatment_specialty.aspx]Mystic”>http://www.thespaatnorwichinn.com/spa_treatment_specialty.aspx)</p>
<p>If you live near a big city with nice hotels, they often have good spas. I go to our local hotel´s spa now.</p>
<p>I’ve heard great things about Norwich Inn & Spa, and also about the Kripalu Center (since you mentioned a Yoga retreat)</p>
<p>[Kripalu</a> - Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health—Get inspired. Explore fresh perspectives emotional wellness, physical health, and spiritual sustenance.](<a href=“http://kripalu.org/]Kripalu”>http://kripalu.org/)</p>
<p>(this from a girl who’s never had a facial, manicure, pedicure, pedicure, in her LIFE.)</p>
<p>Canyon Ranch is absolutely fabulous! But very expensive, so not sure of your budget. The Borgata in Atlantic City has a very nice spa for more of a day spa treat - nice treatments and a sauna, etc. Also the Seaview at the shore is very very nice.</p>
<p>Whoa! Canyon Ranch is pricey. I felt like I maybe could swing the base price, but one massage would use up the “services” allowance. I will keep looking. The casino spas seem like a good deal. I am thinking they expect you to gamble while you’re there, but I’m sure I could resist that. I think a yoga retreat is more my style though. I don’t mind rustic as long as it’s a successful enterprise. Some of the websites I’ve been on don’t inspire confidence.</p>
<p>danceclass, where are you from? Are you looking for something local? A friend of mine works at a spa in the Poconos. She’s a masseuse and is nothing short of amazing.</p>
<p>When I have extra money, I like to get about an hour or an hour and a half massage, a pedicure and occasionally a manicure. :)</p>
<p>I will not do manicure at a spa because it is over priced. I have a masseuse in NYC I go to on a regular basis, and another one where I live now. I also go to a dermatologist to get a facial every other week.</p>
<p>How far do you want to travel? Check out the spa at the Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Alberta, Canada–AMAZING place…</p>