When it comes to spas, Bostonians have a lot to choose from. You can go to a day spa or a resort spa. There are tons of spas to choose from if you live in or near Boston. And don't forget, almost any suburb or surrounding city or town will also have lots of spas to choose from. Look at our list of Boston spas above.

Why Go to a Spa?

Daily life is full of stress. That's just a fact of modern life. And those stressors, be they emotional or physical, embed themselves in our bodies as tight muscles, clogged pours, and stiff joints. Having body work done at a spa is a great way to rejuvenate our emotional and physical systems.

Many people use their birthdays as an occasion to enjoy special treatment, but, really, going to a spa is something we should all treat ourselves to on a regular basis in order to enjoy optimal health and wellness. Just remember to drink lots of water after visiting in order to rehydrate and flush the toxins.

Do your homework before going to a spa in Boston, Massachusetts. Ask lots of questions and if possible, take a test soak — definitely get into a dry spa. Since a spa is a luxury, try to find the most relaxing place your budget allows. Woburn to Waltham, Newton to Natick, Cambridge to Cohasset, spas are everywhere!

Types of Spas

You don't have to be on a cruise ship to enjoy some spa time. The Boston area has plenty of options to choose from, each catering to different needs.

Day Spa: The most commonly patronized by regular spa-goers, day spas provide a variety of treatments and services for day visitors. Facials, manicures, pedicures, massages, body wraps, hot tubs, saunas, and more will likely be available for you to enjoy. Some day spas may also incorporate a hair salon, though you'll want to ensure the noise of the salon is dampened in the actual spa area.

Destination Spa: If you are seeking a more immersive experience, visiting a destination spa may be just what the masseur ordered. With a focus on overall health, a destination spa will generally combine traditional spa treatments like massage and mud baths with exercise, meditation, and nutrition components. Stays at destination spas often range from two to seven days.

Resort/Hotel Spa: For guests at high-end resort hotels, the on-site spa is a must. Taking aspects from both the day and destination spas, resort/hotel spas offer the best of both worlds, including spa and wellness services, healthy cuisine, and fitness training. Some resort/hotel spas allow local residents to partake of their treatments, as well.
Club Spa: Because club spas are incorporated into fitness centers, the services offered will often be a trimmed-down version of those found at a day spa. Typical services include saunas, hot tubs, and massage.

Medical Spa: Facilities that combine luxurious spa services with more technical cosmetic procedures fall under the medical spa umbrella. Generally, these treatment centers require a doctor's supervision because specialty offerings such as Botox injections are on the menu alongside the standard fare of facials.

Mineral Springs Spa: Hydrotherapy is the center of action at a mineral springs spa. Whether the baths come from a thermal, seawater, or natural mineral source, these facilities are all about getting you in hot water.

Surrounding Boston cities and towns for Spas: Woburn, Newton, Natick, Quincy, Dedham, Waltham, spas Framingham