Alfresco Pampering: The Best Outdoor Spas - Full-Time Travel

Alfresco Pampering: The Best Outdoor Spas

Alfresco Pampering: Hotel Spas Move Outdoors

After everything that’s happened this year, most of us could benefit from a spot of spa time. These hotels are offering pampering services in outdoor settings, so you get the peace of mind that comes with ventilation, plus the added perk of a relaxing playlist compiled by Mother Nature. 

Photo courtesy of Chatham Bars Inn

Private Cabanas at Chatham Bars Inn, Cape Cod

If the Cape Cod shore isn’t quite relaxing enough, turn up the chill at Chatham Bars Inn’s private spa cabanas. First, take advantage of the heated pool and hot tub in the spa’s Japanese Zen garden, then opt for the 60-minute rejuvenating scrub – a signature treatment incorporating ingredients from the on-property 8-acre farm, finished with a light massage. Those who are serious about bolstering their wellbeing might consider booking one of the adult-only Spa Suites. Plump bedding, oversized hydrotherapy tubs, saunas, steam showers, yoga mats, and a wellness-themed mini library make this the perfect place to stage your own private retreat.

Hotel Barrière Le Carl Gustaf | By Fabrice Rambert

Private Terrace Treatments at Hotel Barrière Le Carl Gustaf, St. Bart’s

Boasting 23 rooms (including 13 bungalows), each with its own terrace and plunge pool, Hotel Barrière Le Carl Gustaf is well suited to bubble vacationing. The St. Bart’s hotel, which is set to open in October of 2020, is home to the Diane Barrière Spa – a French company which believes in personalizing each treatment to the guest’s specific needs and desires. Savor your holistic spa experience poolside or in the complete privacy of your own space.  

Photo courtesy of The Atlantic Hotel & Spa

Oceanside Pampering at The Atlantic Hotel & Spa, Florida

The only thing more calming than the beach is having a massage on said beach. This can be arranged at The Atlantic Hotel, a boutique property boasting the biggest full-service spa in Fort Lauderdale. Book the hotel’s signature Atlantic Massage – Swedish with a spine-tingling Moroccan oil scalp treatment to finish – and receive the treatment right on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean. 

Photo courtesy of The Resort at Paws Up

Spa Tents at The Resort at Paws Up, Montana

It’s hard to imagine a resort better suited to pandemic vacationing than Paws Up, a Montana ranch with glamping and cabin accommodations and its own outdoor spa. The Paws Up Spa Town is composed of a collection of spacious canvas tents, arranged around the edge of a pretty, pine-fringed meadow. In the privacy of your own adequately ventilated treatment tent, enjoy the massage of your choice – everything from deep tissue and reflexology to myofascial release and lymphatic drainage. An additional super cute detail: when you book a 60-minute spa treatment, your dog gets a free 15-minute massage of their own (Paws Up is a pet-friendly resort). 

Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Hualalai

Spa Hales at Four Seasons Hualalai, the Island of Hawaii

The sunny west coast of the Island of Hawaii provides the perfect tropical conditions for outdoor spa experiences. At the Four Seasons Hualalai, treatments are held in little hales – traditional Hawaiian structures – so you get a pleasant tropical breeze during your experience. Try the lomi lomi massage – an ancient healing technique incorporating long rhythmic strokes – then enjoy some chill time in the spa garden before reluctantly heading out. 

Photo courtesy of Marigot Bay Resort & Marina

Treatments in a Tree House at Marigot Bay Resort & Marina, St. Lucia

When it comes to isolated spa locations, it doesn’t get more perfect than the treehouse at Marigot Bay Resort & Marina in St. Lucia. Couples can enjoy private treatments in the rainforest canopy, surrounded by balmy breeze and birdsong. The spa’s extensive menu is inspired by the island’s Amerindian heritage and incorporates a selection of indigenous ingredients. Case in point: the signature moon phase rituals, which combine three treatments aligned with the lunar phases. 

Photo courtesy of Amanyara

Waterfront Spa at Amanyara, Turks & Caicos

Amanyara means “peaceful place,” which will make complete sense when you arrive and find yourself cradled between a marine national park and a nature reserve on Providenciales Island. In true Aman style, wellness features heavily at the resort in the form of immersions and programs tailored to each guest's goals. Treatments and classes – from yoga to Thai massage – are offered outdoors on the sala, which has curtains for privacy. Not bothered about being pampered in public? Relax by the pool and enjoy reflexology or a hydrating hair mask with scalp massage.

"This sculpture is called "Transmission" by artist Daniel Popper. Its a reminder that we are all rooted in love, unity and the divine. She stands a towering 28 feet tall and is located on Mojave Moon Ranch in Joshua Tree. The land is private property, so you can see it from the viewing platform off of Sunfair Road. And take it from me, it's best viewed at sunset."

Reel: @johnofah
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There's more to Greece than the white and blue buildings and the surrounding Mediterranean Sea. If you're planning a visit, check out these places below!

📍Kokkinopilos. Preveza
📍Verliga Dragon lake, Thessaly
📍Ithaca island, lonian Sea
📍Aoos springs lake, Epirus
📍Lake Prespes, Macedonia
📍Balda di Stringa waterfalls, Epirus
📍Meteora, Thessaly
📍Pelion, Thessaly
📍Lake Zorika, Epirus
📍Mt Lakmos
📍Crete island, Aegean Sea
📍Gistova Dragon lake, Macedonia

Reel: @farawayfarers
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Swim or kayak through the limestone cliffs of the Twin Lagoon, a must-visit destination for those traveling to Coron, Palawan, Philippines. It is called "twin" lagoon because it consists of two lagoons separated by a limestone cliff, with one lagoon on top of the other. The water in the inner lagoon is warm and clear, with a stunning turquoise color that makes it popular for swimming and snorkeling.

Reel: @travelifejournal
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Take a dip in a series of seven saltwater lagoons located in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. The Lagoons of Baltinache are known for their beautiful turquoise waters and unique geological formations. The high concentration of minerals in the water gives it a unique buoyancy that makes swimming in the lagoons a unique experience.

Reel: @everchanginghorizon
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Watching the sun rise above the clouds at Haleakalā National Park is one of the most memorable experiences you could have. Haleakalā is a Hawaiian name that means “House of the Sun” and is an awesome place to watch the clear night sky and stars fade away as the sun lights up the sky and the earth.

Reel: @girlchill_sunset
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Just 1 hour from Shanghai by train, Cherry Blossom Valley is a popular tourist destination, particularly in the spring when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. The valley is named after the thousands of cherry blossom trees that cover the area and create a stunning display of pink and white flowers. The trees were originally planted in the 1980s by a group of Japanese experts who were invited to China to help with reforestation efforts. The best time to visit is typically in late March or early April. Get there early to beat the crowds!

Reel: @cyncynti
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New Zealand is unbelievable. See it for yourself:

1. Fiordland National Park
2. A classic backcountry hut trip
3. Blue Pools walk
4. Hooker Lake
5. Milford Sound
6. Lake Pukaki

Reel: @kylekotajarvi
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Surrounded by lush greenery, towering karst mountains, and the river flowing through, the Detian Waterfall is a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of the close relationship between China and Vietnam. It is the largest waterfall in Asia and the fourth largest cross-border waterfall in the world.

Reel: @sophoebelous
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Escape to a serene and peaceful oasis away from the bustling city of Marrakech at Le Jardin Secret—a beautiful and historic garden where visitors can escape the noise and chaos and enjoy the beauty of nature. The garden was originally built in the 16th century and is home to many different species of plants, including exotic flowers, citrus trees, and palm trees.

Reel: @hypermiggzz
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For a magical moment and bucket list travel experience, visit the end point of the annual monarch butterfly migration. Starting in August, the monarchs travel 2,800 miles south from Canada, making a temporary home amid the towering trees of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Mexico, where the two most popular sanctuaries to view them are el Rosario in the state of Michoacan and Piedra Herrada in Estado de México. Standing in silence while thousands of delicate wings beat in unison is something you'll never forget.

Reel: @juliiathompson
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There's just something beautiful about snow covered landscapes like this popular attraction in southwestern Utah. Known for its unique geology, @brycecanyonnps_gov consists of a series of natural amphitheaters, called "hoodoos," formed by erosion of the rock layers.

Photo: @nathanleeallen
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As we experience a couple more weeks of winter, we can't help but dream of tropical destinations like Hawaii. The warm water, sunny skies, and consistent waves make it an ideal destination for surfers. Hawaii has a vibrant surf culture and community and is also a beautiful place to explore outside of the water, with lush green mountains, stunning beaches, and unique cultural experiences.

Reel: @christopherballadarez
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5 PLACES IN THE U.S. THAT FEEL LIKE ANOTHER PLANET:
1. @sequoiakingsnps, California
2. @canyonlandsnps, Utah
3. @olympic_nps, Washington
4. @whitesandsnps, New Mexico
5. Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona
6. Knik Glacier, Alaska

Reel: @nathanleeallen
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