Connecticut Spas

Thanks in large part to their function as weekend getaway spots for Manhattanites, many of Connecticut’s [1] rural and suburban towns have become centers of world-class spas. Case in point: Water’s Edge Resort & Spa (1525 Boston Post Rd., Westbrook, 860/399-5901, www.watersedge-resort.com [2]), a full-service resort with luxury treatment rooms overlooking the water, where guests receive hot-stone massages, caviar moisturizing facials, and sea mud wraps.

Step into The Spa at Norwich Inn (607 W. Thames St., Norwich, 860/886-2401, www.thespaatnorwichinn.com [3]), a turn-of-the-century country inn renovated to include an ultra-modern spa, and find a full-service salon, plus thirty-plus treatment rooms ready to administer body waxes, hydrotherapy, aromatherapy facials, and microdermabrasion.

Less extravagant but every bit as relaxing are the massages at Hands On Massage Therapy and Wellness Center (282 Railroad Ave., Greenwich, 203/531-7929, www.handsonwellnesscenter.com [4]), a cozy enclave dedicated to all forms of massage—lymphatic and Yoga Su to myofascial and Reiki.

At Lavender Fields Day Spa (1842 Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike, Southington, 860/276-9958), couples can receive tandem massage and individuals can undergo facials, manicures and pedicures, or microdermabrasion (among other things) before enjoying the European steam shower.