Sundara’s Secret Sanctuary in Wisconsin’s Wilderness
Tucked away in Wisconsin Dells, Sundara Inn & Spa brings you a new wing with eight luxurious private suites — each with a screened-in terrace balcony, oversized hot soak and fireplace — creating the ultimate place to rejuvenate. You can venture out into the 80-acre property for yoga or meditation classes, delicious food at Nava, spa treatments, and more pools, but it’s equally as nice to slip into a robe and a state of tranquility without leaving your room. The resort earned recognition as #2 Best Spa Resort in USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice 2023 and #3 Top Resort in the Midwest in Travel + Leisure magazine’s “World’s Best Awards” for 2023. Sundara is also introducing a wellness passport for 2023 that prioritizes mind, body, and soul by offering such perks as a free overnight stay in a premier suite, 15 percent off spa services, and four day passes for its spa facilities. Think of it like a grown-up summer camp where the only competition is against your stress levels.
Kohler Waters Spa: Wisconsin’s Diamond in the Rough
Kohler Waters Spa alone is worth a visit to The American Club, the region’s only AAA Five Diamond Resort. Book a room at the Carriage House, in the same building, where strolling down to the pool in your robe is not only acceptable but expected. Choose from an expansive menu of more than 75 services, including the heavenly cascading waterfall massage with a custom Kohler Vichy shower. What makes this place special isn’t just the fancy treatments—it’s the fact that you can literally roll out of bed and into relaxation mode. This is the kind of place where wearing pajamas in public is considered high fashion.
Big Cedar Lodge’s Hidden Healing Haven in Missouri
With its perch overlooking Table Rock Lake in the Ozark Mountains, Big Cedar Lodge is the perfect weekend destination for relaxation and rejuvenation. Reconnect with nature and yourself by nestling into the most serene area of this sprawling wilderness resort: Cedar Creek Spa. Each of the 11 treatment rooms across the 18,000-square-foot spa has its own fireplace. Once you’re warm and cozy, refresh in the ice room or take a dip in the candlelit grotto pool. A spa weekend here is best enjoyed from the private Spa Cottage, steps outside the spa itself. It’s like getting pampered in your own secret treehouse, except with better room service.
The Black Hills’ Best Kept Secret at Moccasin Springs
Let your troubles float away into the Black Hills when you immerse yourself in the natural hot springs of Moccasin Springs, measuring a blissful 88 to 102 degrees. Native Americans first soaked in these warm waters more than a century ago, and the area was revived as a spa in 2019. An addition to the original 1913 pool house included massage rooms and a sunken hot pool. There’s something magical about following in the footsteps of people who discovered these healing waters over a century ago. It’s like stepping into a time machine, but one that comes with modern amenities and doesn’t mess with your timeline.
Elan Brio Spa: Green Lake’s Tranquil Treasure
Nestled in the heart of Green Lake, Wisconsin, Elan Brio Spa offers a serene escape where wellness meets luxury. This tranquil retreat blends holistic therapies with stunning natural surroundings just a short drive from Madison, Green Bay, Milwaukee, and Chicago. The beauty of this hidden gem lies in its accessibility—you don’t need to travel to the ends of the earth to find paradise. Sometimes the best escapes are hiding right in our backyard, disguised as small-town destinations that pack a luxurious punch. Green Lake might sound like a simple name, but the experience is anything but ordinary.
Aspira Spa’s Lakeside Luxury in Elkhart Lake
Nestled among cedar trees and the spring-fed waters of Elkhart Lake, Aspira Spa at The Osthoff Resort offers a luxury wellness retreat that harmonizes nature and holistic healing. Guests can indulge in rejuvenating treatments, a therapeutic salt room, yoga classes, and the nourishing Spa Café. The Vichy Suite elevates relaxation with a cascading water massage experience, perfect for solo or shared indulgence. Set within the AAA Four Diamond Osthoff Resort, this lakeside escape also features diverse dining options, from the refined Concourse Restaurant & Lounge to the casual Otto’s Restaurant and the health-focused Spa Café.
Spa Shiki’s Ozark Mountain Magic in Missouri
A health and wellness sanctuary awaits at Spa Shiki at The Lodge of Four Seasons, a luxury resort on Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks. The facilities to enjoy along with your spa treatment or fitness class include a mineral whirlpool, indoor/outdoor swimming pool, steam room, Himalayan salt infrared sauna, and meditation lounges. Enjoy the full services, accommodations, and fine dining of The Lodge of Four Seasons. Spa Shiki offers a complete escape. The Lake of the Ozarks has always been known for family fun and lake activities, but this spa proves that sometimes the best family bonding happens when you’re bonding with yourself first.
Crystal Mountain’s Northern Michigan Oasis
Crystal Mountain Resort in northern Michigan is a year-round mountain playground perfect for family vacations, couples’ getaways, or solo escapes. The Crystal Spa is an elegant oasis inspired by the surrounding natural beauty and the changing seasons. The 18,500-square-foot spa offers massage, skincare, and body treatments in a LEED-certified “green building.” Be sure to visit the Mosaic Garden and relax in the hot tub. This is where environmental consciousness meets personal wellness—proof that taking care of the planet and taking care of yourself aren’t mutually exclusive goals.
Gervasi Vineyard’s Tuscan-Inspired Retreat in Ohio
Embark on a journey of blissful renewal at Gervasi Vineyard Resort & Spa. From soothing massages to invigorating facials and indulgent body scrubs, their thoughtfully curated menu ensures an escape from daily life’s demands. The Spa at Gervasi Vineyard features world-renowned Babor and Kerstin Florian products, which are known for their exceptional quality and nourishing properties. Venture beyond The Spa and discover the allure of Gervasi Vineyard Resort, a sprawling 55-acre estate inspired by Tuscan Village charm. Who says you need to fly to Italy for that Tuscan experience? Sometimes the heartland delivers European luxury with Midwestern hospitality.
Kosa Spa’s Ayurvedic Sanctuary in Wisconsin
Tucked into Garver Feed Mill, a hybrid food hall and wellness center, the 4,500-square-foot Kosa (pronounced KO-sha) spa will do wonders for your mind and body through a variety of Ayurvedic techniques. Melt away tension with treatments like shirodhara (warm oil poured over your forehead) and abhyanga (massage with warm oil), then enjoy a nourishing meal prepared by Kosa Kitchen. It’s fascinating how ancient healing practices have found their home in converted industrial spaces. This isn’t your typical strip mall spa—it’s where traditional wisdom meets modern innovation in the most unexpected setting.
French Lick Resort’s Historic Healing Waters
Health and wellness has been a focus at French Lick Resort since it was founded in the mid-1800s. Guests can take a private 25-minute soak in the mineral spring waters with the signature Pluto bath experience. At the spa, guests can choose from a traditional Swedish massage or a sacred stone massage, which uses lava stones and therapeutic massage to focus on key tension areas. French Lick Resort has two spas among its three hotels, and guests can access both via the complimentary shuttle. There’s something reassuring about a place that’s been in the healing business for over 150 years—they’ve had plenty of time to perfect their craft.
Wild Rice Retreat’s Lake Superior Solitude
Located in the wooded lands just off of the shores of Lake Superior, Wild Rice Retreat creates a space for grounding the mind, body, and spirit. Enrich your soul as you reconnect with nature itself. Give the ultimate gift of relaxation and rejuvenation with a gift certificate to Wild Rice Retreat. Lake Superior has this incredible ability to make you feel both humbled and empowered at the same time. When you’re surrounded by that much natural beauty, your problems start to look pretty small in comparison. This retreat understands that sometimes the best therapy is simply being present with the elements.
The Rising Tide of Heartland Wellness Tourism
As travelers have grown more mindful about choosing these getaways, the global wellness tourism industry has been on the rise. Now a $651 billion industry, it’s set to still grow 16.6 percent each year through 2027, according to the Global Wellness Institute. Health & Wellness centers in the USA are usually located in areas away from the hustle & bustle of big cities. The secluded locations allow for an immersive & zen experience. Budget retreats → $500 – $1,500 for 3–5 days · Mid-range retreats → $1,500 – $3,000 for 5–7 days · Luxury retreats → $3,000 – $5,000+ for premium experiences. The heartland is perfectly positioned to capitalize on this trend, offering both affordability and authenticity that’s hard to find in coastal destinations.
These hidden sanctuaries across America’s heartland prove that you don’t need to travel to exotic locations to find extraordinary wellness experiences. Sometimes the most transformative journeys happen right in our own backyard—where the prairie meets possibility and small towns hold big secrets.
