The Best Spas in Chicago

Hours spent wandering the streets of Chicago, rushing from landmark to museum, and trudging from shop to shop on Michigan Avenue can really tire a tourist out. After you’ve seen the sights of the city, unwind with a few treatments at one of the Chicago’s best spas. After all, a vacation should involve some relaxation, right?

Peninsula Hotel Spa

At the beautitul Spa at the Peninsula guests can stay post-treatment to relax in the Jacuzzi, pool, or on the sundeck. Treatments include luxurious massages, facial, nail treatments, and full and half day programs customized to your needs.

Bliss Spa

Located on the 8th floor of the W Chicago-Lakeshore, the view from Bliss is simple stunning. And of course, the treatments aren’t bad either. Unique touches like movie playing at the nail stations and post-treatment brownie buffet make this spa even more special.

Thousand Waves Spa for Women

After a treatment at the Japanese-style Thousand Waves, guests are invited to curl and and relax in a partially enclosed sleeping pod. Services include body wraps and massages; a visit to the sauna, jacuzzi and steam room (for up to three hours) is just $20 per person.

SPA at Hotel Felix

Eco-friendly Hotel Felix takes its green theme to the SPA, where only eco-friendly ingredients are used in the body polishes, waxing, facials, massages, and skim firming treatments. The flooring is made of bamboo and the walls are made of recycled materials.

Spa@theWit

After a massage, wrap, body polish, or nail treatment at Spa @theWit,  relax in the lounge with some delicious chocolate-scented organic raspberry truffle tea.

Spa at Trump

While the treatments at the Spa at the Trump International Hotel and Towers are fabulous, the locker room might even be better. Stocked with sugar scrubs and rich lotions, plus robes and soft slippers, it features gigantic showers that allow you choose your own water pressure, number of shower heads, and even the color of the lights.

Nail Bar

For manis, pedis, and waxing with the girls, Nail Bar is tops. Small groups are always welcome, and groups of 10 more can have the location (there are 3 around the city) all to themselves. Best of all, they can bring in their own food and drink for a little partying while they pamper.

Red Door

The Michigan Avenue Red Door Spa may not be the most cutting-edge, but it is a classic. Perfect for treating your mom or grandma to a day of beauty, or those who are looking for the more traditional services at a reasonable price.

mySpa

Located inside the Fairmont Hotel, mySpa is a beautiful oasis in the Loop. Services include massage, body polishes and wraps, nail treatments and hair removal, and monthly specials help keep the cost down.

Galos Salt Cave

For a totally unique experience, head to the Galos Spa Caves, on the northwest side of the city. For 45 minutes per session ($15) guests enter an underground salt cave where they sit and simply relax. Benefits of the cave are said to include improvements in respiratory, digestive, and cardiovascular function, sinus decongestion, and stress reduction.

Chicago Male/ halo for men

There are two men-only spas in Chicago: Chicago Male and halo for men. Both offer masculine versions of facials, massages, nail treatments, eyebrow waxing, and hair styling. The services are designed specifically for men, and so is each space, with dark wood details, clean lines, and a masculine feel.

Photo by Diamondduste