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Best Spas in Washington DC
Best Spas in Washington DC. Check out our list of award-winning and reader favorite spas and use our guides to both Spas in DC, Maryland and Virginia to find the perfect place for your next spa day or spacation.
Washington DC is the capital city of the United States. It was formally known as the District of Columbia, but is now commonly referred to as Washington, “the District”, or simply D.C. This district is comprised of geographic areas taken from both Maryland and Virginia. Consequently, Washington DC can be considered a “multi-cities” area.
2024 BEST SPA ANNOUNCEMENTS BEING FINALIZED
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BEST WASHINGTON DC HOTEL SPA
MANDARIN ORIENTAL WASHINGTON DC
1330 Maryland Avenue SW Washington, DC
Our Best Spa Day Overall was courtesy of reader tips, votes, and visits by our Secret Spa Reviewer. The Spa Mandarin Oriental is exquisite. Spacious and well-appointed, it features 8 treatment rooms, relaxation rooms, signature steam room and sauna, heated indoor Vitality Pool, Experience Showers, heated indoor lap pool, and a sundeck overlooking Washington’s Marina. The spa’s ethos is to consult with each guest to assure a positive experience. Whether you’re just using the steam rooms and relaxation areas, or booking more thorough spa services, including massage or skin care, your spa consultant crafts the perfect experience.
I was a little nervous about the consultation — each guest meets with a spa concierge to determine how you want to spend your spa day, and the concierge guides you through the day. I want an involved therapist when I get skin care or a massage, but would I be able to just enjoy the experience on my own without someone hovering, guiding me from step to step before I was ready, or eyeing me from around the corner to be certain I was in my Zen Place? I need not have worried. I was given a tour of amenities, and asked what I most wanted out of my day, and I was given suggestions of which areas to use first, and why. Very delightful and polite attendants who were never obvious, but always available when I had a question.
BEST WASHINGTON DC DAY SPA
NUSTA SPA
1129 20th Street, NW Washington, DC
Located in downtown Washington, DC, Nusta Spa was the first urban day spa of its kind designed with high performance “green” interiors which are healthier, more efficient, and environmentally responsible. Nusta is well known for being the first spa ever to achieve Gold LEED certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. It is committed to providing luxurious, sustainable interiors, organic product offerings, and an overall approach to healthy living.
I was up for the challenge to convert from my mail-order skincare for a few months, and booked the 60 minute Optima Brightening Facial at Nusta Spa. This treatment is described as a complete targeted treatment for the face, décolleté and hands. Vitamin C evens skin tone, and addresses sun damage, while restoring natural luminosity and brightness to the skin.
I was initially reluctant to lose the little bit of ‘natural bronze’ I’d just acquired on vacation. I was thoroughly impressed, however, at the results. I still had my sun-kissed bronze look, but my skin was dewy, vibrant, and even. Best of all, I hadn’t thought about the effect on my neck and chest. The treatment targeted my decollete and for once, I had a smooth appearance from my forehead down to my bustline. Lovely! My skin looked better, but it also simply felt better than it has in years. It was noticeably plumper and brighter, and I’m all about instant gratification!
BEST WASHINGTON DC SALON SPAS
KARMA Beauty Lounge by Erwin Gomez
1104 24th Street Northwest, Washington DC
KARMA Beauty Lounge by Erwin Gomez in the West End of DC makes a first time appearance on our Best of Washington DC list. While new to our annual list, the talents and services of the well-known makeup artist Erwin Gomez and his entire team of stylists, artists and estheticians have been touted for over decade by his impressive roster of clients and the beauty industry. The menu of services, all carried out in a beautiful, swanky and elegant setting, include hair, makeup artistry, skin care, nail care, esthetics, and more. Marylanders will be excited to know a Potomac location will be opening in 2018.
BEST WASHINGTON DC MED SPA
HELA SPA GEORGETOWN
3209 M Street NW, Washington, DC
Hela takes its name from the Swedish meaning for “To Make Whole, Heal.” Hela Medical Spa specializes in advanced skin and body care to help remedy the toll we pay for living in such an environmentally precarious urban area. The physician supervised Hela team treat acne, address aging skin, help with unwanted hair, massage aches and pains, and basically foster the overall look and feel of wellness with techniques ranging from simple to advanced, including Botox, Laser, Injectables and more.
DON'T MISS SALONS AND SPAS IN WASHINGTON DC
BARBER OF HELL'S BOTTOM
818 Rhode Island Avenue NW Washington, DC
Strictly speaking, we couldn’t include one of the most-nominated reader favorites on our poll because it doesn’t offer skin care or body care services, but so many readers thought the Barber of Hell’s Bottom was worth a mention (three years running) — we’re mentioning it. We sent our Secret Spa Reviewer’s husband here while she enjoyed a massage elsewhere, and he returned a convert.
I’m actually a little angry I could have looked even better, sooner.
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