The 8 Best Spa Resorts in New England to Visit This Winter

For some, the U.S. Northeast hardly feels like a retreat in the winter, especially once the fresh blanket of December snow turns to mid-January slush. And yet, New England, even in a season devoid of summer wildflowers or fall foliage, manages to retain some of its charm during the coldest months of the year.

Corners of New Hampshire and Vermont offer world-class skiing, while in near-empty coastal towns in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, resorts feature private beaches that winter guests often get all to themselves. Whether you're looking for a quiet getaway to ring in the new year or a mini-break to recover from a holiday spent with your in-laws, these New England spa resorts are hygge central, all equipped with menus of pampering treatments among other luxe amenities.

Twin Farms, Vermont

There are few places more charming in the winter than Twin Farms, where guests are mere steps from snowshoe trails, skiing, and ice skating — and even closer to massage tables, not to mention a brick-and-glass steam room that allows guests to peek out at the snow-laden trees. At the property's Bridge House Spa, you can get a facial, a Himalayan salt stone massage, or the "fireside ritual," which involves a fireside massage, hot bath, and glass of champagne.

The accommodations are just as next-level — the all-inclusive Relais & Châteaux resort offers 10 standalone cottages with fireplaces, stone hot tubs, midcentury modern accents, and wood stoves.

Cliff House, Maine

Cliff House, in Cape Neddick, Maine, sits on a semi-jagged bluff overlooking the semi-raucous Atlantic Ocean. A waterfront room is essential, though not nearly as essential as leaving it to spend an afternoon at the on-site spa. Using products that source ingredients from the ocean outside your window, the treatments offered in the 9,000-square-foot wellness center — scrubs, wraps, hydrafacials, cupping, a dozen different massages — can help relieve tension, calm the mind, and soothe your wind-chapped skin.

Canyon Ranch Lenox, Massachusetts

A Berkshires hideaway that stays true to the Canyon Ranch name in its beloved cuisine and wellness offerings, Canyon Ranch Lenox marries Northeastern charm with upscale spa culture. The 100,000-square-foot wellness facility encourages fitness as well as indulgent relaxation. Guests can join one of the exercise classes on offer or create their own workout at the indoor tennis courts or 75-foot indoor swimming pool. How about starting your morning with a yoga class followed by a steam session and hot stone massage? Later on, you can return to the spa for an energy therapy treatment.

Mayflower Inn & Spa, Auberge Resorts Collection, Connecticut

Nestled within the Connecticut wilderness, Mayflower Inn & Spa, Auberge Resorts Collection, is a short, two-hour drive from NYC. The 58-acre inn — with a romantic Shakespeare Garden, meticulously curated interiors, and a culinary program helmed by chef Cortney Burns — is only enhanced when blanketed by a fresh dusting of snow. The spa brings the best of The Well — body treatments, beauty services, fitness programs, personal care products, and all — to Mayflower. It features a hammam as well as holistic, Eastern-inspired wellness programming.

Topnotch, Vermont

The pinnacle of luxury in Stowe, Topnotch is beloved for its spa, a little oasis of relaxation tucked into New England's Green Mountains. Massage choices abound, including CBD massage and reflexology options. After a treatment, don't skimp on time spent languishing by the spa's stunning indoor pool. Though the Green Mountains are a major skiing destination, guests more interested in tennis can enjoy private lessons in the warmth of the resort's indoor Tennis Academy.

Ocean House, Rhode Island

To call Ocean House, an iconic Rhode Island hotel, "idyllic" would frankly be an understatement. The property exudes old New England grandeur (think: Kennedy-chic), from the Victorian architecture to the private beach. Rest assured, though, there are some new-age touches as well, such as seasonal movie screenings and a brunchtime bloody Mary bar. Oh, and Taylor Swift has a house down the street, which adds to its allure.

Bundle up for blustery walks on the beach, and book a positively decadent seasonal treatment at Oh! Spa. A deep tissue massage or beach stone massage promises to warm you to your core. As for accommodations, choose from Ocean House's array of signature suites (the Tower Suite has two stories and comes with a private rooftop deck) and upscale cottage collection.

Chatham Bars Inn Resort & Spa, Massachusetts

A turn-of-the-century mansion overlooking Chatham Harbor, Chatham Bars Inn Resort & Spa is a must-visit property on Cape Cod. Visitors can stay in the main house, the adjacent cottages, or the ever-romantic spa suites. The spa is known for seasonal, bespoke treatments such as the Ocean Massage — which guests can enjoy year-round — using hot stones, aiming to ease your central nervous system and reduce fatigue. Beside massage therapy, the spa offers a seaweed body wrap, a range of facials, dermaplaning, manis, and pedis.

White Barn Inn, Auberge Resorts Collection, Maine

In Kennebunk, Maine, Auberge Resorts Collection's luxe-yet-rustic White Barn Inn is home to waterfront cottages, suites with fireplaces and forest views, and an exceptional restaurant. White Barn Inn offers a deeply comforting sense of seclusion — and if that doesn't relax you, the spa will. Sourcing stones from the Kennebunk River for hot stone massages and drawing inspiration from Native American healing practices, this R&R destination harnesses the power of its surroundings to rejuvenate guests.