From workouts under the night sky to spa treatments inspired by the phases of the moon, lunar-themed rituals are lighting up hotels and resorts around the globe.
Rituals celebrating the lunar cycle date back thousands of years, but now hotels around the world are rediscovering modern ways to celebrate the beauty of an ancient tradition. While we’ve been sunbathing and forestbathing for a while now, moonbathing is something new for spa.
These offerings deliver perks that range from beauty and de-stressing to healing and inner peace. Experience the magic of the moon at one of these unique getaways.
THE PROPERTY Madinat Jumeirah
THE PLACE Dubai, United Arab Emirates
MOON MAGIC After striking a pose under a full moon on the beach in Dubai, Downward Dog will never feel the same. Once a month, experts from Talise Spa lead guests to inner peace with Full Moon Yoga. The crashing waves and classical music serve as the soundtrack to the 60-minute session, which aims to harness the energy of the moon with a special meditation and asanas. jumeirah.com/en/hotels-resorts/dubai/madinat-jumeirah/
PROPERTY The Palms
PLACE Turks and Caicos
MOON MAGIC Too much fun in the sun? You’ll never have to worry about getting sunburned while “moonbathing” on lounge chairs on the white sands of Grace Bay Beach. Sip after-dinner cocktails while enjoying mini spa treatments such as foot, hand and shoulder massages from the staff of The Spa at The Palms, an oasis that blends ancient healing solutions and holistic treatments from across the globe, all with a modern spin. thepalmstc.com
PROPERTY Costa Rica Marriott
PLACE Heredia, Costa Rica
MOON MAGIC In the most soothing way to get your caffeine fix, the Coffee Plantation Candlelight Treatment at Kuö Spa immerses guests in the property’s 30-acre coffee plantation under Coffee Arabica trees in the moonlight. Take your pick from spa treatments with ingredients taken from nature, including local coffee and volcanic ash for scrubs. Then, top off the night with a scented hydrotherapy treatment in the outdoor Jacuzzi while indulging in wine and strawberries. costaricamarriotthotel.com
PROPERTY L’Auberge de Sedona
PLACE Sedona, Arizona
MOON MAGIC Sedona has long been hailed for its mysticism and spirituality, particularly for its energy vortex. The striking Red Rock formations are the perfect setting for Full Moon Meditation. The 60-minute sessions are scheduled around full-moon phases along Oak Creek, on the property’s private Serenity Point. The hour starts with a fire-burning ceremony, followed by a breath-awareness meditation, with tips on how to start a daily meditation practice on your own. Devani Paige leads the class and reads from Yoga Nidra by Swami Satyananda Saraswati. Paige plays seven different Native American flutes, and brings the Meditation to a close with a calming flute chakra ceremony to balance the chakras and energy fields. lauberge.com
PROPERTY Sandos Finisterra Los Cabos
PLACE Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
MOON MAGIC Looking for a little romance? The Moonlight Spa Package will set the scene at the beachside Spa Sandos with a special setting or in a private open-air cabin with views of the marina. Couples can choose between a Relax Massage (to ease stress and harmonize the body) or Deep Tissue Massage (to wipe out tension from stress and fatigue). After the 50-minute rubdown, a bottle of sparkling wine and chocolate-covered strawberries for two is included. sandosloscabosresort.com
PROPERTY Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
PLACE Dorado, Puerto Rico
MOON MAGIC Spa Botánico seamlessly melds a luxurious experience with the lush nature of Puerto Rico. The five-acre spa is set inside a fragrant pineapple garden and focuses on local ingredients from the island and indigenous treatments. The 60-minute Lunar Treatment is a massage in the private open-air Tree House rooms during new and full moons, surrounded by the fragrance of bay rum leaves, lemongrass and ginger that grows in the sanctuary. ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/puerto-rico/dorado-beach
PROPERTY Red Mountain Resort
PLACE St. George, Utah
MOON MAGIC Just an hour away from Zion National Park, the Full Moon Meditation is a perfect way to sooth your mind and body after exploring the striking region. The two-hour long session is offered once a month on the night of the full moon. Guests gather together to watch the moon appear over the horizon while the leader guides everyone to release their stress and take in the broader physical universe and look inward as well. The result is a sense of deep relaxation and a fresh connection with nature. redmountainresort.com
PROPERTY Mii Amo
PLACE Sedona, Arizona
MOON MAGIC The traditions and rituals of Native Americans are the inspiration behind this holistic destination spa with its indigenous ingredients in beautiful Boynton Canyon. The 90-minute Spirit of the New Moon treatment, which can take place outdoors, starts with a foot bath, followed by a full-body and scalp massage to stimulate your mind and intuition. The Spirit of the Full Moon treatment, which is exclusively available around the full moon, begins with writing down emotions and thoughts that you want to release. Next, there is a scalp massage to reduce tension, a body massage with wild Arizona sage that has been infused with light from the full moon, and finally a foot massage with frankincense. miiamo.com
PROPERTY Amangiri
PLACE Canyon Point, Utah
MOON MAGIC In Sanskrit, “Aman” means “peace” and “giri” means mountain. You can experience both in the Full Moon Yoga class, which only takes place four times per year, at the spectacular Amangiri resort in southern Utah. As the moon rises over the cliffs and canyons, guests can take part in an intensely therapeutic, nature-melding, 90-minute yoga class on top of a 165-million-year-old mesa. Aman.com