High-style pampering
SomaFit, 2121 Wisconsin Ave., NW; 202-965-2121; somafit.com. Designed by architects Adamstein and Demetriou, this stunning spa, with its Zen appeal, would look at home in Met Home.
Spa at the Mandarin Oriental, 1330 Maryland Ave., SW; 202-787-6100; mandarinoriental.com. It’s not cheap—a massage can run $225—but the serene vibe, from the waterfall to the fantastical steam room, make you feel far away. Arrive early to enjoy facilities like the Vitality Pool.
For the green at heart
Natural Body Spa & Shoppe, 43670 Greenway Corporate Dr., Ashburn; 703-726-9935; naturalbody.com. This new spa—it joins area locations in Arlington and Potomac—was constructed with ecofriendly and recycled materials like bamboo and teak, and it uses energy-efficient lighting, organic blankets, and low-flow faucets. A downtown-DC location opens at 24th and L streets this summer.
Nusta, 1129 20th St., NW; 202-530-5700; nustaspa.com. Built with recycled and renewable materials, this sleek and environmentally friendly spa also shows a great deal of care toward its clients.
With a spot of tea
I Spa, Willard InterContinental Hotel, 1401 Pennsylvania Ave., NW; 202-942-2700; washington.intercontinental.com. Good classic treatments in a classic hotel. After, indulge in the Willard’s afternoon tea, one of the best in town.
Manly choice
Robert Andrew, the Salon & Spa, 1328 Main Chapel Way, Gambrills; 301-261-3844; robertandrew.com. A great choice for women, too, this is one of the few unisex spas with separate hair and nail areas for men.
For shoppers
Cloud Nine, 312 Market St., Leesburg, 703-669-8000, cloudninesalon.com; and Spa Minérale, Lansdowne Resort, 44050 Woodridge Pkwy., Lansdowne, 703-729-8400, lansdowneresort.com. Just a shopping-bag’s throw from Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets as well as the town’s boutiques, these spas are great places to relax after a day on your feet.
Ritz-Carlton Georgetown, 3100 South St.; 202-912-4175. This cozy, elegant spa gives customers free parking—leave the car there while you browse Georgetown’s boutiques.
For fitness buffs
Serenity Day Spa, 13037 Worldgate Dr., Herndon, 703-709-6596; 209 Madison St., Alexandria, 703-549-9212; and 4000 Wisconsin Ave., NW, 202-362-2560; serenitygift.com. Owned by the Sport & Health chain of fitness clubs, these spas offer deeply restorative—not simply relaxing—athletic massages. You can start or end your appointment by using the gym. Or, at any branch, in the candlelit relaxation room.
Splash, 1170 22nd St., NW; 202-974-6601; thesportsclubla.com. Pay for two or more spa treatments at Splash and you can use the splashy, adjoining Sports Club/LA.
Suburban soothers
Amenity Day Spa, 44365 Premier Plaza, Suite 120, Ashburn; 703-726-8100; amenitydayspa.com. From the efficient service to the comfortable decor, this is a winner.
David’s Hair and Day Spa, 7829 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda; 301-986-6996; davidshairdayspa.com. Open Sundays—for those too busy to hit a spa during the week.
Eclips, 44110 Ashburn Village Plaza, Ashburn, 703-858-7555; 6643 Old Dominion Dr., McLean, 703-821-0022; eclipshair.com. This longtime favorite also offers hair and nail services for kids and has a separate kids’ salon in McLean.
Salon Nordine and Day Spa, 11955 Freedom Dr., Reston; 703-437-6444; salonnordine.com. The decor—Arabian Nights meets urban chic—features light fixtures straight from the Casbah.
Shapes Salon & Day Spa, 2435 Centreville Rd., Herndon, 703-713-0222; 5622-K Ox Rd., Fairfax Station, 703-250-0000; shapesdayspa.com. Two of the area’s oldest, most established day spas.
Tranquility Day Spa & Salon, 10360 Portsmouth Rd., Manassas; 703-257-7200; tranquilitydayspa.com. From the minute you walk in, you feel well taken care of at this efficient spa. The European facial will leave your face glowing.
Girlie haven
Sugar House Day Spa & Salon, 111 N. Alfred St., Alexandria; 703-549-9940; sugarhousedayspa.com. This spa, in an Old Town townhouse, is the kind of place you can bring your mom.
Nice new spas
The Spa at Mint, 1724 California St., NW; 202-328-6468; thespaatmint.com. Modern and earthy with lots of light and natural fibers, this spa is intimate and peaceful.
The Pearl, 8171 Maple Lawn Blvd., Maple Lawn, Maryland; 301-776-6948; thepearlspa.com. The Blue Grotto is a do-it-yourself body treatment perfect for couples or a girls’ night out. Paint each other with colorful clay, then adjourn to a private steam room with music, a light show, and a rain shower. Also terrific massages.
For the skin savvy
Hela Spa, 3209 M St., Georgetown; 202-333-4445; helaspa.com. This spare, comfortable spa offers medical-grade treatments such as Botox and laser rejuvenation, but it also does great traditional facials. There’s no hard sell—there was no mention of expensive add-ons during treatment, and they are liberal with product samples.
Klinger Advanced Aesthetics, 5481 Wisconsin Ave., Level 2, Chevy Chase; 240-4828450; georgetteklinger.com. Georgette Klinger was preaching the gospel of skin care before the day spa was invented. The new Klinger spa at the Collection in Chevy Chase mixes skin science with luxurious surroundings—and hands out lots of product samples.
For the busy executive
Andre Chreky, the Salon Spa, 1604 K St., NW; 202-293-9393; andrechreky.com. Fast but thorough: Our combo Swedish and hot-stone massage, slated for 55 minutes at lunchtime, lasted 60—and we were in and out in 66. Plus we felt soothed and lighter the rest of the day.
Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Galleria, 703-744-3924. The executive spa lunch package is ideal for the overscheduled. It includes a quickie massage or facial (20 or 25 minutes) and a bento box lunch served poolside or in the cushy lounge for $90. Healthy offerings have included fresh fruit, steamed shrimp, and green salads with chicken, dried fruit, and nuts.
