“I shall never surrender or retreat,” may have been William Barret Travis’s famous declaration, but it’s never been mine—at least not when it comes to giving in and heading off to one of Texas’s hedonistic spas or quiet sanctuaries for a little R&R. Whether you’re looking for regular tune-ups or a once-in-a-lifetime splurge, here’s my list of de-stress spots across the state.
Where to go if you want…
…a full-body detox/reboot:
Deer Lake Lodge / Montgomery
This eco-rustic compound is nestled in the Piney Woods and committed to cleansing you from all the junk in your mind, spirit, and, um, colon. Even if the colonics aren’t up your alley, you can benefit from the lymphatic massages, saltwater pool, “life enhancement” classes, and vegan treats.
Cooper Aerobics Center / Dallas
Nutrition, preventive medicine, relaxation techniques, and personalized fitness programs aim to help you shake off bad habits and “get Cooperized” once and for all.
Rancho Cortez Fitness Ranch / Bandera
There may not be any spa services at this workout-centric retreat, but you can take advantage of the horseback rides, campfires, and other dude ranch offerings.
…a place to re-center your mind and soul:
Siddhayatan Spiritual Retreat / Windom
From meditation workshops to water fasts, this Eastern spiritualty ashram in East Texas offers a range of programs, which are supplemented with homemade vegetarian meals, predawn yoga sessions, deep-breathing exercises, and chakras-balancing mantra chanting.
Retreat in the Pines / Mineola
No experience is necessary to attend one of the women’s-only yoga, meditation, or detox retreats at this thirty-acre hideaway in the Piney Woods.
Chittamani Kadampa Meditation Center / Austin, Houston, and Wimberley
Head to the Hill Country to participate in one of the Away Retreats held throughout the year at the Lotus Ranch Retreat Center or attend weekly meditation classes in Austin or Houston led by a Western Buddhist nun.
Montserrat Retreat House / Lake Dallas
Learn about Ignatian spirituality during a screen-less weekend of silence at this lakeside Jesuit campus.
…an all-out pampering session:
Lake Austin Spa Resort / Austin
Take advantage of spring specials to justify the splurge that is holing up in this all-inclusive destination spa, which offers more than a hundred treatments (from seaweed scrubs to Manaka tapping sessions), dozens of activities (including cooking demos and tai chi classes), and endless clean-eating options at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Espa at the Joule Hotel / Dallas
Descend into the swanky downtown hotel’s sybaritic subterranean spa to be buffed with Himalayan salt, slathered with calendula-shea cream, and massaged with warm volcanic and jade stones, among other treatments inspired by the elements.
Trellis at the Houstonian Hotel / Houston
You’re encouraged to arrive early and stay late at this 17,000-square-foot eden to achieve maximum relaxation before or after your oxygen facial or tension-relief cocoon treatment.
Travaasa / Austin
Located on the edge of Austin, with views of Lake Travis, this eco-minded, all-inclusive getaway now boasts a three-acre farm, a recently rebooted restaurant, and new activities, including hatchet throwing(!) and riding bikes on the no-experience-needed pump track. If you can’t sneak away for a long weekend, take advantage of the day spa packages.
