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Spa Recommendations - Mexico/Middle US?

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    I'm looking for a spa to go to with a friend from NY. I'm in CA and we're trying to find somewhere in between.

    We'd like a luxury-style relaxing spa, not really one where you live on carrots, although a 'healthy' touch would certainly be fun. Mainly just a place to relax and be pampered for a few days that isn't snotty-stuffy (NOT Canyon Ranch).

    Any recommendations would be very appreciated.

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    I can't say I've been to either, but two come to mind.

    Lake Austin Spa in Texas: http://lakeaustin.com
    Ten Tousand Waves in New Mexico: http://tenthousandwaves.com

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    As a spa editor, one of my fave spas is Mii Amo in Sedona, Arizona (http://www.miiamo.com/). It's also the #1 rated spa by Travel & Leisure's readers in 07. Spectacular location, great food, awesome treatment options -- lounge by the pool all day or hike and bike around the red rocks of Sedona. It's got an intimate feel, because it's a smaller, self-contained annex of the larger resort next door. One of the best beds I've ever slept in. Definitely a great place to hang with a friend and get pampered for a few days.

    In Utah, I'm not a big fan of Red Mountain Spa, but its neighbor Green Valley (http://www.greenvalleyspa.com/) is the place to go if you're into tennis (also a Travel and Leisure "world's best"). Get a spa villa if you can - it's also large and home-like, with a separate living room and a FIVE ROOM bathroom. Vic Braden's tennis camp is there, so tons of opportunity for privates, stroke analysis via video, and indoor and outdoor tennis. Beautiful scenery and pools, huge selection of Native American treatments and products. The layout is sprawling and even at capacity it seems almost deserted -- good for peace and quiet.

    In the high budget range, the Golden Door in Escondido is really hard to beat (http://goldendoor.com/). Your friend would have to fly a couple extra hours to meet you in California, but the Door really knows how to do it right. They only take people who commit to the whole week, and there are only 40 people allowed each week, which means you never have to deal with people coming and going mid-week. No new faces, no luggage or credit cards -- it really lets you just unpack and decompress completely from the daily grind. Rate includes daily facials, daily massages, lots of hikes and classes and other activities, and incredible 5-star food, almost all of it grown on their organic farm.

    A note on alcohol if you're a wine drinker -- Mii Amo serves it, Green Valley doesn't but you can get wine for dinner at the nearby liquor store, and the Golden Door only serves wine on the last evening's dinner.

    Hope that helps!

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    We enjoyed staying at La Posada de Santa Fe a few years ago. It's a five-star resort and spa, located in Santa Fe, New Mexico, that is part of the Leading Hotels of the World organization. Not only was the spa delightful but, also, the location was very convenient to most of the really good restaurants, museums and galleries that always make a trip to Santa Fe such an enjoyable experience.

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    Arizona is quite the hot spot for spas. In fact, there are six that were recently recognized by Mobil in their 2008 rankings. (3 in Scottsdale, 1 in nearby Paradise Valley, 1 in Phoenix and 1 in Tucson).

    http://mobiltravelguide.howstuffworks.com/four-star-spas-2008.htm

    The Spa at the Four Seasons Troon is beautiful but I also really enjoyed the Willow Stream Spa at The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. Although it didn't make the Mobil list, the spa at the Boulders Resort is worth a visit as well.

    There is also a Willow Stream at the Fairmont Mayakoba, which is an hour south of Cancun in Riviera Maya. The almost new resort recently received the AAA 5-Diamond Award.

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    Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Holistic Retreat and Spa. Mouthful, but a good place to go. http://www.pueblobonitopacifica.com

    No kids are allowed so it's quiet and it's a non-smoking facility. Went there last fall and got an awesome massage. I highly recommend it.

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    Must agree with Mii Amo at Enchantment Resort in Arizona.

    In Mexico, try The Tides (the property formerly known as Ikal Del Mar), on the Riviera Maya.

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