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Eco-Urban Spas and Hotels

by Organic Spa Magazine

A spotlight on some of our favorite eco-urban spas and boutique hotels in the U.S.

The Spas

NEW YORK CITY

Great Jones Spa

New Yorkers who want healing hands and amazing results know that Great Jones Spa, in downtown Manhattan, will deliver. The famous wet lounge features a three-story indoor waterfall, where the sound of rushing water is sure to soothe even the most jangled New Yorker’s nerves. Overlooking a thermal hot tub and cold plunge pool, guests can enjoy the River Rock Sauna or Chakra-Light Steam Room. Longtime General Manager Karen Terranova can be counted on to be on top of the latest treatments and most effective brands in natural and organic skincare, like Dr. Alkaitis, Dr. Hauschka, Vered Botanicals and more. gjspa.com —Rona Berg

CHICAGO

Chuan Spa at The Langham

Hong Kong-based The Langham hotel group’s in-house Chuan spas all feature nods to the company’s Asian roots. Past the Moon Gate entrance at this sleek, striking spa, you’ll find facilities for Bathing Rituals, an Oriental Herbal Sauna scented with
locally grown herbs, and design touches like a wall made with blocks of Himalayan pink salt stones. This location also has a long-term sustainability strategy for product and treatment development (they currently feature green-minded lines like Kerstin Florian), with recyclable paper products (no bottled water here!), carbon neutral printing and sustainable materials wherever possible. langhamhotels.com —Sandra Ramani

LOS ANGELES

Montage Beverly Hills

After a long flight, before a big event or whenever you are craving an incredibly healing wellness experience, head to the 20,000-square-foot Spa Montage Beverly Hills. Renowned for its brand-wide Elements of Wellness program, the spa also features Eucalyptus Steam, Redwood Sauna and a fabulous whirlpool, so plan on investing some time. Start the day at The Rooftop Grill, and enjoy panoramic views of L.A., along with a vegan menu devoted to fresh-pressed juices and organic dishes, like a standout Acai Bowl, Avocado Toast and veggie Lettuce Wraps. montagehotels.com —RB

SAN FRANCISCO

Nob Hill Spa

Tucked inside The Scarlet Huntington (formerly The Huntington Hotel), the 11,000-square-foot Nob Hill Spa offers unobstructed views of downtown San Francisco, an indoor infinity-edge pool, a large outdoor patio with chaise lounges, a Zen lounge, a fully outfitted fitness facility, and steam and sauna rooms. Check in for the new detoxifying Magnesium Wellness treatment with dry brushing followed by a massage, or, go for the “works” with newly launched Detox package. The mega service includes a seaweed facial, manicure and organic, cold-pressed juices by local purveyor, the Juice Shop. nobhillspa.com —Jennie Nunn

SEATTLE 

Elaia at Hyatt Olive 8

Hyatt Olive 8 was the first LEED-certified hotel in Seattle, so it’s only—ahem—natural that its spa adheres to the same high green standards, and that it reflects the progressive, environmentally conscious community that it serves. In addition to the use of sustainable materials, the spa features a 65-foot non-chlorinated lap pool that is filtered through a saltwater purification system. In the 12 treatment rooms, therapists work with natural and organic products from lines like Eminence, and the signature Market Fresh services use seasonal ingredients from the Pacific Northwest, including grapes from the nearby wine country. olive8.hyatt.com —SR

DALLAS

Spa Habitat

After learning about the allergies, skin reactions and chronic illnesses of some of her regular clients, Massage Therapist Amy Bohn was inspired to create a spa that offered clean, natural treatments in a eco-friendly space. Ten years later, Spa Habitat has five locations around North Texas, with reclaimed and recycled materials, and 100 percent wind power. Treatments use products that are 99 percent plant-based—including many from popular in-house line, Clovertree. Spa Habitat also plants one tree for every service performed, so both client and planet get pampered. spahabitat.com —SR

MIAMI

Uhma Spa Miami Beach

Uhma Spa Miami Beach is an urban sanctuary for all things serene and green, whose name is inspired by the Portuguese word for “one” (uma.) The treatment menu spans the globe, pulling from Ayurveda, aromatherapy and other indigenous healing practices from Australia and Africa to Asia and the Amazon; all services are performed using 100 percent natural, organic and cruelty-free products, from lines like Eminence. The space was built using eco-responsible guidelines, sustainable materials and Biophilic principles, with a focus on bringing the outside in. uhmaspa.com —SR

DENVER

The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel

Recently revamped, The Spa at the Four Seasons Hotel Denver is a downtown gem ideal for a staycation or mountain getaway. Outfitted by Bilkey Llinas Design and Blu Spa Consultants, the spa’s menu offerings include an 80-minute Balancing Gemstone body treatment with crystal energy wands and herb-infused oils to promote balance, and the 5,280 Relaxation (a nod to the city’s exact elevation) with a massage using gemstone Azurite oil. Post treatment, rinse off in a multi-jet shower, or wander out to the rooftop pool deck overlooking downtown Denver. fourseasons.com/denver/spa —JN

The Eco-Boutique Hotels

NEW YORK CITY

EVEN Hotel

All property and room amenities adhere to the four-pronged brand mantra: Eating Well, Resting Easy, Keeping Active and Accomplishing More. Whether paleo or vegan, all meals are organic. Guest rooms come equipped with gear from foam rollers and yoga mats to resistant bands, and all beds are topped with eucalyptus linens. In addition to the one in Times Square, at press time, there were locations in Rockville, MD and Norwalk, CT—with plans to expand in New York City and Brooklyn, Seattle, Miami. evenhotels.com —Jenna Mahoney

1 Central Park

A two-minute walk from Central Park, the 1 Hotel Central Park, built to LEED standards, features light, air, and eco-initiatives that include 21,000 living plants, hangers recycled from old Xmas cards, a fitness center floor made from recycled materials and energy-efficient heating and cooling systems. The lobby ceiling is made from reclaimed NYC oak and the restaurant, Jams, helmed by celebrity Chef Jonathan Waxman, serves local and organic food. In addition to a property in Miami, construction on a new 1 Hotel Central Park is underway near the Brooklyn Bridge. 1hotels.com —RB

LOS ANGELES 

The Shore Hotel

The Shore Hotel in Santa Monica offers guests the ultimate eco getaway with a solar-heated swimming pool and a newly installed AquaRecycle system that reduces carbon water emissions and laundry water usage by 80 percent. The LEED-Gold certified oceanfront property is equipped with eco-friendly carpet and wall coverings, and side tables crafted from certified wood by the Pacific Forest and Watershed Lands Stewardship Council.
shorehotel.com —JN

The Palladian

The Palladian is equipped with energy saving systems and 90 percent of all waste is recycled or composted. The hotel is full of green touches you might notice—like the reclaimed wood and repurposed nautical rope used in the decor, and the use of biodegradable to-go cups—to things you might not, like the composting of all food waste in the restaurant, and the collection of used fry oil for biofuel. Locally-sourced mini-bar items, in-room yoga mats, and complimentary bikes add a wellbeing touch, too. palladianhotel.com —SR

AUSTIN

Hotel Van Zandt

Opened in late-2015, the Van Zandt is located next to Lady Bird Lake, and near the Historic Rainey Street District. As befits its setting, there’s a music theme throughout, as well as plenty of nods to Texas—including a decor that features wood reclaimed from Hill Country barns and white marble flooring sourced from the LBJ Presidential Library. Other eco-touches include non-toxic cleaning materials, only organic or sustainably harvested meat and fish in the restaurant, and the recycling or composting of 90 percent of all waste, including turning fry oil into bio-fuel. hotelvanzandt.com —SR

NEW ORLEANS 

The Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery

A converted warehouse is the new home of the Old No. 77, the latest launch from Provenance Hotels. The decor features repurposed and restored elements, from the reclaimed wood used to create the backdrop for the bar to the preserved original hardwood floors and exposed brick walls. Rooms feature eco-friendly LATHER products and GOTS-certified organic blankets, while extensive recycling and conservation programs are in place behind the scenes. The retail spaces showcase goods by local artisans, too. old77hotel.com —SR

PHILADELPHIA

Hotel Monaco Philadelphia

The Hotel Monaco Philadelphia is one of two LEED-Gold certified Kimpton hotels. During the restoration and adaptive-reuse conversion of the 1907 Lafayette Building, the structure was outfitted with efficient energy and water systems, low-flow fixtures, low-VOC paint, sustainable and recycled design materials, energy-saving light fixtures and more. The hotel also purchases 100 percent green power, and serves only organic, Fair Trade coffee and tea. monaco-philadelphia.com —SR

SAN ANTONIO

Hotel Emma

The stylish Hotel Emma is the centerpiece of San Antonio’s Pearl Brewery neighborhood, a retail/residential hub set in a revived historic brewery complex. The LEED-certified Pearl features Texas’ largest solar installation, extensive water conservation and recycling systems, and a food composting program that diverts 4 to 5 tons of waste per week from landfills. Hotel Emma adheres to many Pearl guidelines and focuses on regional ingredients in its restaurants. You’ll also see original brewery elements upcycled and repurposed into conversation pieces—including former grain silos that now act as private seating nooks in the buzzing bar. thehotelemma.com —SR

DENVER

The Magnolia

Housed in the former American National Bank Building built in 1910, the newly restored Magnolia Hotel Denver offers 297 guest rooms including one-bedroom fireplace suites reminiscent of clean-lined city apartments with velvet tufted sofas, upholstered club chairs, leather headboards, and eco touches such as energy-efficient light bulbs, low-flow toilets and showerheads. Extra perks include complimentary daily breakfast and a milk and cookies hour. magnoliahotels.com —JN

The Ambrose Hotel

The Ambrose Hotel is a neighborhood oasis away from the buzz of nearby Santa Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade. The Craftsman-style property features 77 rooms fashioned with low-VOC paints, recycling containers, low-flow toilets and water-saving faucets, as well as an on-site fitness center, a living room-like study for small group meetings and preferred parking spots for hybrid vehicles. ambrosehotel.com

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