Sure, it’s nice to get a manicure and massage as a treat. But spas aren’t only a luxurious option for special occasions. A regular visit to the spa can be an important part of your health and wellness routine.
Spa treatments can reduce stress, improve circulation, reduce pain and fatigue and even help you sleep better, which can help your muscles and mind recover better. Depending on the treatment you choose, you may find a long list of other benefits. A spa day is more than skin deep.
Here’s a look at some of Boulder County’s top spas, in no particular order.
Spa at St Julien, 900 Walnut St., Boulder
The 10,000-square-foot Spa at St. Julien is located right in downtown in the luxurious St. Julien Hotel. It’s a full-service spa, which means it not only offers body and skin treatments, like massage and facials, but also hair and nails.
Fall in love with one of the products? Check for it in the boutique, where you can stock up on high-quality, locally made skin care products, like one of our favorites: Zents.
Spa treatments here are handcrafted and personalized. Some products are even made right on site out of herbs from the St. Julien’s garden.
Check the menu for signature treatments including some fun, only-in-Boulder options that may include the Pampered Vegan treatment, a vegan-inspired offering.
The St. Julien Hotel is an AAA, Four-Diamond hotel and a Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star winner.
True Bloom Spa + Wellness, 2660 Canyon Blvd., Boulder
True Bloom Spa + Wellness is located near the Hilton Garden Inn and the Embassy Suites by Hilton; ask about partnerships with these hotels, such as chair massages during break-out sessions in the meeting halls or special high-altitude recovery packages.
Craig Newton, the spa’s “Chief Experience Officer” (that’s True Bloom for director), calls True Bloom a “brand new concept that fits perfectly into Boulder and into the spa industry.” True Bloom is entirely plant-powered. The products are vegan, cruelty-free and sustainable.
True Bloom has a unique MicroSilk soaking tub, which has tiny, micro-bubbles that are small enough to penetrate the pores. The spa claims this oxygenates that water up to 70 percent more, and these mini oxygen bubbles can improve skin hydration, cleanse out impurities and even detoxify the system and improve the metabolism. You can take a soak alone or add it to any treatment. The spa menu features several different kinds of baths, such as a Remineralizing Bath (to help ease stress, fatigue, jet lag and muscle soreness). The tub is filled with oceanic minerals and freeze-dried seawater.
Marianna’s Aesthetics & Spa, 1215 Spruce St., Unit 100, Boulder
The design of Marianna’s Aesthetics & Spa was inspired by 4,000-year-old Minoan palatial ruins and Greece, which makes sense: that’s the home of its founder. She is a master esthetician who has worked around the world, from London to Toronto. She offers customized facials, high-tech skin care, body treatments, massage and more.
Marianna’s partners with the Hotel Boulderado to offer hotel guests special spa deals, like 10 percent off all regular menu services. Marianna’s even offers exclusive services for Boulderado guests (with a room key), like a 90-minute Signature Massage for $135 (instead of $155); a High Altitude Super-Hydration Facial for an hour and 15 minutes for $109 (instead of $125); and more. The hydrating facial is especially useful amid Colorado’s dry and thin air. This treatment will replenish your skin with vitamins, collagen, sea plant extracts and hyaluronic acid.
jlounge Natural Nail Bar and Spa, 3003 Walnut St., Boulder
jlounge is all about safe, healthy, effective, pure beauty treatments, including nails. This spa avoids harsh chemicals and looks for organic, clean (natural and plant-based) products. Two women founded the spa in 2013, when they were looking for a natural day spa in a lounge-like environment. (One of the founder’s husband died of skin cancer.)
You can get your nails done and designed here using natural, “farm-to-finger” products. That means no toxins or harsh chemicals; organic and sustainable ingredients; and no animal testing. Ingredients are plant-derived and certified organic.
JLounge also offers skincare, facials, massage, waxing, tinting and a small boutique for shopping.
In addition to safe nail treatments, JLounge offers skincare and even has its own skincare line, JLOrganics. This line uses plant- and food-based ingredients with no parabens, dyes, toxins, chemicals, sulfates or phthalates. The certified organic ingredients even aim to support fair trade and needy people around the world, and packaging is recyclable.
You might be surprised to learn you can also get general acupuncture here. Add it to your manicure and pedicure.
The Dragontree Holistic Day Spa, 1521 Pearl St., Boulder
The Dragontree Holistic Day Spa is owned by Boulder residents Briana and Peter Borten. They have an extensive background in Ayurvedic and Traditional East Asian Medicine, which they pour into every treatment, adding depth and true therapy.
Get massaged, as well as Ayurvedic cleansing and “bliss” treatments, skin care, acupuncture and more. The Dragontree Spa uses natural oils, skin care products and cleaners.
One of the most unique features here is the special Sangha Room just for group gatherings. Sangha is Sanskrit for a “group of like-minded people who join together for mutual enlightenment.” In this peaceful community space, you can sit on a cozy couch in a circle with your friends while getting foot, hand and head treatments and sip fine tea. A must-try: the foot baths (pick from a variety of different types), and add a spa lunch to make it a full event. After, you can get access to the sauna and other facilities for a small fee. For added relaxation, pair your foot bath with a massage, facial or other spa treatment in a private room.
Dragontree has its own body care line, Dragontree Apothecary, all made with high-quality ingredients. Products span aromatherapy bath and body, muscle and joint relief and herbal supplement tinctures.
On Broadway Salon & Spa, 380 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder
On Broadway is located not far from the foothills, at the corner of 4th and Arapahoe avenues, so it has one foot in nature but is not far from downtown. This atmosphere provides a unique spa experience, where you can feel like you’re a million miles away as you unwind and reset.
On Broadway offers massage (try the signature Aveda Elemental Nature Massage), skin care, waxing, lashes, tinting, men’s services and more. On Broadway Salon & Spa is actually the oldest Aveda Salon & Spa in the world outside of Minneapolis.
Local tip: Get 20 percent off your treatment during Wellness Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday; 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday; and 2-7 p.m. Wednesday.
The Mokara Spa, 500 Interlocken Blvd, Broomfield
The Mokara Spa is located inside the Omni Interlocken Hotel in Broomfield, just outside of Boulder’s city limits. The full-service spa offers personalized treatments, everything from massages to manis to facials. After your treatment, retreat to the outdoor Jacuzzi or take a dip in one of two pools.
Looking for inspiration? Try a signature Mokara facial, which is customized just for your skin. It starts with an analysis of your skin, followed by cleansing, exfoliation, steam, massage and a face mask.
Another Colorado-specific treatment is Hiker’s Delight Foot Reflexology, which uses acupressure massage on pressure points on your hands, feet and head.
Sunflower Spa, 1715 Ironhorse Drive, Suite 150, Longmont
This day spa and medi spa in Longmont has some unique offerings. The menu includes skin care, body care and nail care, as well as medi spa treatments. Get an IPL Photofacial, laser hair removal, micro needling, Platelet Rich Plasma (a three-step medical treatment), thread lifts (aka the “lunchtime facial”) and much more.
