Relax and recharge at these 5 luxury spas in Washington DC
- jtlockman3
- Mar 23
- 8 min read
Washington D.C. is known for its fast-paced energy and high-pressure work culture, so finding a serene escape in the city is crucial to maintaining your self care and mental well-being. Luckily, D.C. is home to a collection of world-class luxury spas that provide a break from the daily grind with elevated wellness experiences, elegant ambiance and impeccable service.
If you’re looking for a rejuvenating massage, nourishing facial or full-day of pampering, here’s a guide to luxury spas in D.C. that provide tranquility and holistic treatments.
The Salamander Spa is located in the four-diamond AAA-rated Salamander DC Hotel in Southwest Washington, D.C. The hotel was built in the early 2000s and renovated in a project that started in 2022 when the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group sold the property to Sa[lamander Hotels & Resorts. The newly renovated spa opened in November 2024.
The spa takes over two floors, creating an isolated sanctuary that offers tranquil massages and beneficial skincare and beauty treatments. The spa features 14 treatment rooms and a relaxation tea lounge that overlooks the Potomac River. In the lounge, teas, juices, and complementary snacks are available. The top floor of the Salamander Spa has four esthetic rooms for cosmetic facials and skincare treatments. The upper floor also features a nail spa and a men’s grooming lounge. The lower floor has six private rooms for massages, body treatments and the spa’s signature rituals along with a suite for couples massages.
The spa offers several 60- and 90-minute treatments to hydrate and restore your skin, including the signature facial which uses pre- and probiotics to balance and strengthen, and maple bark extract to stimulate collagen and leave your skin glowing. The spa also offers advanced skincare treatments like a Spirulina Instant Lift Facial which uses spirulina to detoxify the skin and boost immune function, and the Smooth and Refine Facial which uses a rose quartz gua-sha to minimize wrinkles.
The Salamander Spa offers a range of soothing and therapeutic body treatments, like the Gold and Glow massage which uses shimmering gold oil to moisturize your skin, leaving it radiant. The Himalayan Stone massage uses heat-activated salt stones to cleanse your body and nourish your skin with minerals like magnesium and potassium. The spa also offers a unique digital detox with an acupressure treatment to boost circulation and reduce inflammation linked to blue light exposure. Once you finish your rejuvenating treatment, head to the steam room, sauna or pool to open your pores and soothe sore muscles.
The Salamander Spa is open Sunday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The indoor pool is open each day from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The spa and hotel offer several packages so you can make the most of your stay. With the Weekday Spa Retreat offer, you get a $250 spa credit and a bath truffle wellness welcome with a minimum two-night stay at the hotel.
The Pendry Spa is located inside the luxurious Pendry Washington DC hotel on the District’s waterfront harbor. The European-inspired, modern boutique hotel first opened its doors in 2022. The hotel’s location on The Wharf complements its intimate second-floor spa, making it the perfect retreat from the city.
The spa offers custom beauty and body treatments to maintain your wellness needs and a relaxed environment to put you in the mood for some self care. The treatment menu includes the signature Pendry massage, which uses cashmere oil, probiotics and antioxidants to soften and nourish your skin, or the Sole Survivor treatment, which restores tired feet with energizing exfoliation and reflexology techniques. Try the 2-hour Athlete Massage to give your tired muscles some TLC with CBD and Theragun therapy.
The Pendry Spa has custom and refined facials to treat all skincare needs. The Pendry Perfect facial is fully customizable, just let your esthetician know what you need so they can hand-select the products that will refresh your skin. The Platinum Hydrafacial is a carefully crafted treatment option that detoxifies your skin with a lymphatic drainage massage and rehydrates with a mix of peptides and hyaluronic acid, perfect for all skin types. The spa also has a Gentlemen’s Facial for the guys who may not know where to start with their skincare goals. Instead, let your skin therapist pamper you and recommend a daily skincare routine. Each facial can be supplemented with add-ons like a gold mask, microcurrent lift or compression boots to improve circulation. If you really can’t decide on which treatment to try first, I recommend the 2-hour Head to Toe Glow. It starts with a scalp massage, then a facial that will leave you with that plump, dewy look, followed by a full-body exfoliation, buttery moisturizer and finally a heavenly foot massage.
The Pendry Spa is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and each 90-minute+ treatment comes with an all-day pass to the hotel’s outdoor saltwater pool and jacuzzi which overlooks the busy Wharf. Spa-goers can also enjoy free access to the fitness center Monday through Thursday or four-hour access Friday through Sunday. The men’s and women’s locker rooms each have private rainfall showers and eucalyptus steam rooms available.
Unwind Wellness has three locations in Washington, D.C. – in Adams Morgan, Georgetown and Navy Yard. The oldest location in Adams Morgan opened more than 10 years ago. The small chain has rave reviews on Trip Advisor, with many praising the professionalism and knowledge of their therapists and others who appreciate the cleanliness and aesthetic of the treatment rooms. However, there are some visitors who reported a less than relaxing experience due to crowded waiting rooms or noise from the street specifically at the Adams Morgan location. The spa has won several awards from the City Paper, including Best Massage, Best Facial and Best Med Spa.
The Unwind Wellness Spa offers several body and beauty treatments along with an at-home massage service. The Unwind Signature Massage combines elements of the Swedish, Sports and Deep Tissue techniques for a customized treatment that offers holistic benefits. The spa also offers a unique Four Hands Massage which uses two therapists who synchronize their movements to provide deep relief. For more targeted relief, try the Reflexology treatment which uses pressure points in the hands and feet to benefit the whole body.
The spa also offers body wraps, which can help reduce water retention in the body and promote circulation for a slimming effect. The Detox Body Wrap draws toxins and impurities from the body and uses minerals to immediately nourish the skin, leaving it smooth and reducing the appearance of cellulite. The Sugar Body Scrub uses granulated sugar and essential oils for a gentle and hydrating effect. For more invigorating results, check out the Sea Salt Body Scrub which removes dead skin cells with rich sea salt.
Unwind Wellness has several specialized facials to meet all your skincare needs. The Microdermabrasion treatment uses a diamond-tipped instrument to exfoliate your skin and reduce discoloration, sun damage and blackheads. The spa’s Back Purification Facial uses facial techniques with specialized products for the tougher skin on your back, plus a customized mask to provide deep moisture.
Each Unwind Wellness location is open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, and each location uses all-organic and cruelty-free products.
The Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown is the only 5-star hotel in Washington, D.C. The location was the first of the brand's hotels to open in the U.S., and they unveiled a newly renovated spa in May 2024. The serene and sophisticated spa is used to servicing A-listers and VIPs, so they know just how to spoil their guests. They set a luxurious mood with nature-inspired features, earth tones and ambient lighting.
The Spa at Four Seasons offers a unique and exclusive list of treatments. It’s the only spa in the U.S. that uses Mind Sync Technology, which connects to the treatment table and synchronizes your brain waves, putting you in a deep state of relaxation. The feature can be incorporated into massage treatments.
The spa has an engaging Classic Thai massage which is performed on a floor mat. The treatment requires workout clothes and incorporates stretching, yoga movements and acupressure to increase flexibility and improve energy flow. The Nature’s Immersion Massage and Meditation is based on the Japanese tradition of forest bathing. During the treatment, you’ll be surrounded by the sounds of nature and the scents of the forest to reenergize your body and melt away stress. For a more traditional full-body treatment, try the Monumental Luxury Massage which includes dry brushing, a scalp treatment and a foot scrub.
The spa partners with the skincare brand Tata Harper for its Ultimate Luxury Facial which uses concentrated serums to stimulate anti-aging effects. The Anti-Gravity Facial offers more intensive lifting effects by using LED light therapy to stimulate facial muscles. If you’re in town for D.C.’s floral bloom, check out the Japanese Cherry Blossom Ritual which uses a scrub infused with the flower, along with a silky lime oil and a moisturizing plum silk cream.
The Spa at Four Seasons is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The renovated spa includes a jacuzzi and locker rooms with a steam room and sauna. The spa also has a cafe that serves light plates like avocado toast or fruit, as well as juices and smoothies to nourish your body after your treatment.
With six treatment rooms, a Himalayan salt therapy room and a private relaxation area, the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Northwest Washington, D.C. offers a more intimate spa experience. The Waldorf Astoria hotel and spa is located inside the historic Old Post Office building which was originally built in the 1890s. The hotel opened in 2022.
The Waldorf Astoria Spa uses sustainable practices to provide luxury services to its guests. The spa’s meticulously crafted treatment menu includes a Hydrafacial to cleanse and exfoliate your skin and extract any impurities or excess oil. Their Citrus Essence Radiance Facial uses an antioxidant treatment filled with Vitamin C to boost your collagen production and prevent signs of aging. For more intense results, try the Red Carpet Ready Lift and Contour Facial which uses techniques to tighten and reduce expression lines in the face and renew your complexion for a hydrated and plump look. The spa also has a Keravive Scalp Treatment that focuses on cleansing, exfoliating and promoting hair growth.
The spa’s traditional massage treatments include the Signature Massage which is personalized for each guest. For this treatment, you can let your masseuse know your needs and relax as they prepare a cocktail of oils and techniques just for you. The Therapeutic Deep Tissue Massage is perfect for relieving sore muscles with arnica, sweet birch and magnesium. Your masseuse will use myofascial techniques and apply pressure to trigger points to introduce healing effects. The spa also has a range of wellness rituals for those seeking a sense of mental and physical tranquility. For the Harmony Ritual, you’ll be ushered into the Himalayan salt room for a detoxifying salt foot soak to calm your body and mind before finishing with a 90-minute massage using Botanic Life CBD oil to reduce inflammation. The spa’s Transformative Rejuvenation Ritual aims to improve your overall wellbeing with a gentle 75-minute, full-body dry brushing session using hot Natura Bisse Fitness Oil and a blend of peppermint and eucalyptus. A 45-minute, full-body lymphatic draining treatment will eliminate toxins, leaving you hydrated and restored before a 30-minute hydrafacial. It’s important to note some of these thorough rituals can be pricey compared to traditional body and beauty treatments, though it can be worth it for the deep sense of peace you’ll feel when leaving the table.
The Waldorf Astoria Spa is open Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Guests can also purchase a Luxe Day Pass simply to experience the spa amenities and a flute of champagne.
Which of these spa treatments would you try first? Let me know below!
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