Let's Hear it for the Boy! The 6 Manliest Spas Around the World
By Jordi Lippe
Even the toughest dudes need a little R&R once in a while. But, what man feels comfortable in a frilly day spa?
We’re bringing you our favorite man spas—places to unwind and get guy-oriented treatments that replace the rose petals, chocolates, and Enya with beer, bourbon, and bath.
1. Four Seasons - Chicago, Illinois
(Courtesy: Four Seasons)
Bourbon is synonymous with sophistication, style and sexiness, so it makes sense that a hotel with the same definition would offer a bourbon-based spa treatment: The Vintage Bourbon Massage. Kicking off with the Bourbon Bubbler scrub, this treatment starts at $160 for 50 minutes and combines brown sugar and Kentucky bourbon for an exfoliating rub down. The visit wouldn’t be complete without a sip of the gentleman’s cocktail from the hotel’s new Allium Bar where they offer you their signature single-barrel bourbon.
2. Hey Man Day Spa: New York City
Your childhood clubhouse just grew up. Practically hidden in the basement of a West Village apartment building, this men-only spa offers a relaxing retreat from the hustle and bustle of New York City. Offering head to toe services like stress-relieving massages, facials, body scrubs, waxing, manicures and pedicures starting at just $13, you can pop in for one treatment or make a day of it and bundle a few.
3. Gentlemen’s Tonic: Hong Kong and London
(Courtesy: Gentleman’s Tonic)
Traditional barbershop meets modern men’s club at this upscale grooming and lifestyle establishment. With the business traveler in mind, treatments like a haircut, shave and full-body massage are offered to help you relax and recharge. Take advantage of some of their cleverly named spa packages like “The Hemingway” for $1,800, which they say is perfect “after a heavy night of drinking and bull fighting” and comes complete with an aromatherapy facial, massage and Bloody Mary. With locations in two major financial hubs, you’ll be able to unwind after fighting bulls in the arena or the markets.
4. Ritz Carlton: Denver, Colorado
(Courtesy: Ritz Carlton)
The mile-high city breeds mountain men and manly spa spa treatments. Described as an “ex’beer’ience,” the “Mile High Malt Scrub & Microbrew Massage” for $200 uses two beers from the nearby Great Divide Brewing Co. to enhance their service. Start the 75 minutes off right with a chilled brew before heading into the scrub where a mixture of rice ale beer and malt is used for a down right delicious exfoliation. Next, you’ll receive a mask made from rich Stout beer. Top it off with a scalp massage using the foam of the thick Yeti beer.
5. Kempinski Hotels: Bodrum, Turkey
(Courtesy: Kempinski)
The Turks famously perfected the idea of man spas thousands of years ago. At the Kempinski in Bodrum you can head to one of the three Hammams (Turkish baths) for a luxurious taste of history or try one of the many Eastern treatments like Reiki or a Kese scrub. For even more solitude, they offer the “Private Spa Suite” where you can have access to your own whirlpool and service areas.
6. Viceroy Hotel: Anguilla
Salt air, adventure and buried treasure make the pirate’s life appealing. The long, straggly beards? Not the best look. That is why this two-story oceanfront Caribbean spa specializes in a rejuvenating facial that renews and protects skin damaged by shaving. The $150 Gentleman’s Quay service is just one of five male-oriented treatments they offer here.
