Self-Care, Rest, and Relaxation in Colorado

Sometimes, there is nothing better than some much-needed self-care. To you, that might mean a weekend at a spa, a nice manicure, a haircut, or just a relaxing weekend full of activities in your favorite Colorado mountain town. Having a spa weekend in a warm and cozy mountain spot while it is cold and snowing outside is a great form of self-care! Luckily, there are plenty of self-care facilities across the state for you to enjoy.

Colorado’s Natural Hot Springs

Colorado is home to an impressive number of natural hot springs. These hot springs are unique; some are very developed, including spas, restaurants, and lodging. At the same time, others are much more rustic or completely undeveloped. However, if you’re looking for self-care and relaxation time, scheduling some time at a natural hot spring can be just the ticket to recharging your body and mind. The beneficial minerals and hot waters are soothing, especially in the winter when surrounded by snow and sub-zero temps.

Colorado’s natural hot springs are all-natural bodies of water warmed below the earth’s surface. Usually, hot springs hover around 100 degrees Fahrenheit. When you go on a cold winter day, a thick layer of steam comes off the water’s surface. Natural hot springs are rumored to have enormous health benefits. They are full of minerals that can help relieve joint pain, clear up and moisturize your skin, and relax sore or tense muscles. Here are some of our favorite natural hot springs in the Rocky Mountain State.

Glenwood Hot Springs Offers a Self-Care Package

The Glenwood Hot Springs boasts the world’s largest hot springs pool, which includes a lap pool. Several hot spring pools, varying in temperature and size, surround it. The resort also offers on-site lodging, shopping, and dining. The entire facility is very modern, clean, and well-maintained.

For those seeking self-care, they have a package tailored to suit your style. With this package, you receive 10% off the best available rate at the lodge, which includes access to their premier athletic club, plush robes, unlimited access to the hot pools, and breakfast at the poolside grill. The Athletic Club amenities include a wet lounge with a steam room, sauna, and whirlpool, locker room facilities, access to fitness classes, cardio equipment and weights, racquetball/handball courts, a sundeck, and a private entrance to the hot springs pools.

Durango Hot Springs, Spa Services and Self-Care

Guest admission to the Durango Hot Springs provides access to 32 natural hot springs mineral pools, a resort-style swimming pool, two cold plunges, five Ofuto tubs, a reflexology path, a concessions garden, and recreation areas. Up your self-care game and make some plans at their spa, which has a complete set of services, including various massage types, private reservation of the Ofuro Tubs, esthetics services, and enhancements such as makeovers, scalp massage, and more.

The resort has no lodging, but they do have lodging partners.

Self-Care at Strawberry Park Hot Springs, Steamboat Springs, CO

Strawberry Park Hot Springs is located in Steamboat Springs, about three hours west of Denver. Steamboat is a fantastic mountain town with a world-class ski resort, a quaint town center full of shops, restaurants, and bars, and a rich Western history. Strawberry Park Hot Springs is located up a twisty, steep road in the mountains, making it difficult to access. They offer a shuttle service, which is well worth it, as the drive can be tricky, especially in winter.

Strawberry Park Hot Springs blends natural mountain beauty with custom stone masonry work, providing an other-worldly aesthetic feel. The resort has several pools ranging in temperature and an adjacent natural cold stream for a quick cool-down dip. There is a changing cabin, a large bathroom, custom cabins for lodging, and picnic areas around the resort. The Hot Springs Trail and other trails are accessible and excellent for hiking or biking. Enjoying the park outside of the pools is just as unique.

Reserving a rustic cabin for a few days is an excellent self-care and recharge option. Schedule a couple of massages, including a Watsu aquatic therapy massage, which is done while floating in a private designated pool.  Spend some time exploring the local trails and cooking out at your cabin. No groceries or food services are on-site, so you must bring your own. And, of course, relaxing in the natural hot springs pools, which are even available at night for overnight guests.

The Best Spas in Colorado

If self-care to you does not mean sitting in natural hot springs, then maybe you want to spend a weekend at a luxurious spa. Here are some of our favorite spas to visit in Colorado.

The Woodhouse Day Spa

The Woodhouse Day Spa is a really unique experience with several locations along the front range, including Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, Littleton, and more. All of their locations offer a generous selection of spa services for the ultimate in self-care:

• Massage
• Body treatments – Woodhouse full-body skin treatments
• Facials
• Rituals
• Nails
• Waxing
• Packages – mood care experiences

Your experience will be filled with special care, leaving you feeling your best.

Viceroy Snowmass, Aspen, CO

Aspen has some of Colorado’s most luxurious and fancy spas. Viceroy Snowmass is one of the best of these spas. Many of the treatments that are offered at Viceroy Snowmass are inspired by Native American, Nordic, and Asian rituals. This mix of cultures and treatments create an extremely unique experience. Here, you can enjoy some holistic massage and facial treatments, hair removal, and eyebrow grooming. There are a variety of other salon services that you can enjoy during your experience at Viceroy Snowmass.

Extend your trip to overnight so you can enjoy even more of the spa’s offerings. There are three outdoor soaking tubs where you can relax after a long day of skiing, hiking, or other spa activities!

There are some wonderful self-care options in Colorado, so next time you need some R&R, try heading to one of our favorite natural hot springs spots or a traditional spa to enjoy all kinds of unique treatments.

By Emma Parker