From discreet Hollywood hideaways and Moroccan-inspired wellness palaces to restorative London sanctuaries, these luxury city spas offer the ultimate antidote to modern burnout – blending cutting-edge treatments, holistic therapies and serene design in the heart of the world’s busiest destinations.
The Spa at the Hotel Bel-Air, California
The spa at the Hotel Bel-Air is truly something that could have been dreamed up in a Hollywood film from days gone by, from the swans that observe serenely from the ponds as you cross a fairy-tale bridge into the hotel grounds, to the soft pinks and terracotta hues of the Spanish colonial architecture.
It’s all accented by lush topiary and ever so slightly wild landscaping that make up the expansive, multi-level landscape of this almost five hectare estate. The hotel is a sanctuary hidden in the hills – but only moments from the Westwood side of Sunset Boulevard – with the spa set in a separate, equally charming building with its own driveway.
Privacy is key: the Bel-Air is recognised by those in the know as the place to go for low-key anonymity, and the spa is no different, with door-to-door drop-off for guests from outside the hotel. Set over two floors, with the upstairs home to a spacious fitness studio complete with TechnoGym equipment and a yoga area, the main spa on the first level has an ethereal feel: ceilings are decorated with tiny three-dimensional floral sculptures, while the relaxation room features ornate sculptural chandeliers and a patio that guests can use to soak up the LA sunshine.
Facilities are immaculate – the interiors were overseen by New York studio Champalimaud Design, who specialise in “sanctuary spaces” and previously worked on Raffles Hotel Singapore and The Peninsula New York, among other projects.
Guests and members have access to a steam room and the large oval outdoor pool (which has played host to a roster of famous faces, including Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor and Grace Kelly), and when it comes to treatments, the team uses a range of products from ultra-luxe brands, including Kai, Wildsmith, Voyage et Cie and Valmont.
The menu here is extensive, and the team is chosen for each individual’s expertise, with staff who specialise in areas from the Bespoke Skin Polish to LED Therapy, and the dedicated nail salon that sits within the spa; massages have the option of oil enhancements, from aromatherapy scents for relaxation to CauseMedic CBD oil used for its healing properties.
There’s also a dedicated couples treatment room, complete with a private terrace, where you can enjoy refreshments pre- and post-appointment.
The Akasha Spa, Café Royal London
Stepping into the warm glow of the Akasha Spa on London’s Piccadilly Circus, it’s easy to forget that you’re at the epicentre of one of the busiest cities in the world.
Just one floor below ground level, where Mayfair and Soho converge, the spa is a serene, minimalist space – think low lighting and marbled accents designed by David Chipperfield Architects and run by the Hotel Café Royal, which towers five storeys above in neo-classical style over Regent Street.
A haven from the chaos above, the space offers everything a drained city dweller might need for a brief sojourn. As the only spa in London with a Watsu pool for hydrotherapy, guests will also find an 18-metre lap pool, steam room, sauna, spa pool and private hammam, plus a 300-square-metre fitness studio equipped with the latest tech for workouts and a busy roster of classes, including Pilates, yoga and boxing.
Just as London represents a melting pot of cultures, Akasha partners with select luxury wellness names that combine expertise from across the world and different eras: MarocMaroc draws inspiration from the ancestral beauty routines used by Moroccan women, while Sundãri uses Ayurvedic-inspired skincare to balance body, mind and soul.
The latest tech from Therabody is also on hand for massage therapies, and there’s a variety of beauty treatments from clean, organic brands such as Proverb and U Beauty. If you’re on the hunt for a deep refresh from the busyness of city life, Swiss skincare connoisseurs Maison Valmont have the answers in L’Essence Métropolitaine, a facial developed with the Akasha team specifically for the spa.
A holistic experience that relaxes as much as it rejuvenates, the treatment uses Valmont’s cellular science-backed techniques to detox the skin and deliver intense rehydration to banish signs of stress, fatigue and city pollution; Japanese aesthetic techniques are implemented for lymphatic drainage and microcirculation, followed by the application of a 98 per cent Pure Collagen Regenerating Mask, leaving your face and upper body feeling brand new and ready to face the world again.
Spa Palmera at The Boca Raton, Florida
In the heart of the recently revamped and now super-swanky Boca Raton resort – home to five distinct hotels, two 18-hole championship golf courses and a 30-berth marina – Spa Palmera spans a massive 4,645 square metres and was inspired by the Alhambra Palace in Granada.
With 44 treatment rooms anchored around a Moroccan-style bathhouse, guests can expect an extensive spa menu, much of which centres on the benefits of H2O, including a state-of-the-art Aemotio Vichy Shower, a Platinum HydraFacial and – BOAT’s favourite – the Royal Ritual.
It’s not dissimilar to a hammam: guests can enjoy a private oversized soaking tub infused with honey and coconut milk followed by a series of intense showers and scrubs before finally relaxing in a spa pool.
And while Spa Palmera may be large, it doesn’t mean it’s any less exclusive: like all the amenities at The Boca Raton, it’s only open to resorts guests, club members and their guests. thebocaraton.com
Coworth Park, Ascot
The only property in The Dorchester Collection’s portfolio to sit outside of a city, Coworth Park is just a short drive from London, and handily close to both Ascot Racecourse and the Guards Polo Club.
First opened in 2010, the spa has undergone an extensive refurbishment in the past six months and now features a thermal experience with a Finnish sauna, citrine-lined steam room and a snow shower next to the 18-metre pool. Housed in a contemporary building a few minutes’ walk from the main hotel, the spa has unbeatable views over wildflower meadows.
The local flora and fauna are very much incorporated into both the surroundings and the bespoke treatment menu, which features products from Wildsmith, Ishga and Made for Life Organics. Plus, if guests want a wellness experience that gets them outside, the spa also offers a series of experiences, including guided woodland walks, mindful meadow-bathing and sound healing that truly take you back to nature. dorchestercollection.com
First published in the February 2026 issue of BOAT International US Edition. Get this magazine sent straight to your door, or subscribe and never miss an issue.