New England charm and the surrounding beauty of the Green and Taconic mountains have been drawing guests to The Equinox for more than 200 years. But in 2003, this landmark property in the Vermont countryside gave guests another reason to flock to the world-class resort spa. Like the resort, the spa combines luxury, charm, and a nature-inspired theme that offers guests a uniquely decadent experience.

Mrs. Abraham Lincoln once called The Equinox “the premier summer resort.” If she could see the 13,000-square-foot spa, with its 75-foot heated indoor pool, state-of-the-art fitness center, ten treatment rooms, and saunas and steam baths, she would surely offer the same accolades. She would also indulge in a treatment or two—but not before donning a fluffy white robe and enjoying the calm of a crackling fire in the relaxation room.

Having taken its name from the ancient Tewa Native American word for a mythical water serpent, The Spa at the Equinox incorporates elements of its natural surroundings into facials, massages, and body scrubs. Your skin will glow after the Gentle Rain body treatment, where a sea salt, maple, or citrus scrub is followed with a warm waterfall shower and an application of rich body cream. Massage therapies like Flowing Water, Rolling Thunder, and Dancing Wind simulate nature’s energies through effleurage, deep tissue, and gentle massage techniques, while the River Stones massage employs the physical element of hot and cold basalt river rocks. A signature of the spa is the 80-minute Legend. In this revitalizing body treatment, guests choose a scrub from a selection of fragrance-infused sugars, salts, and crushed flowers; a mask with options that range from oils to seaweeds and muds; and a finishing moisturizer of essential blended oils or hydrating lotions.

By far, The Spa at the Equinox is the most luxurious way to feel revitalized and experience nature. It most certainly wins out over a nature walk in the park.