Woodhouse Spas
Nothing beats a true day spa. Comfy robes. Cucumber-infused water. Massages. Thermal baths. Cold plunges. Hours to yourself.
However, I’ve found it hard to find many true day spas – where you get to spend a whole day at a facility with different rooms and offerings – in the US. They do exist, but I’ve only found them at larger hotels in big cities (with big price tags) or at remote retreats. I came across Woodhouse Spas while looking for a new massage place that was on the more affordable side (around $200). They offered the standard range of spa treatments as well as spa robes, sandals, and locker rooms (a robe is a good sign that this is more of a “day spa” than a transactional massage). I decided to try out Woodhouse to see if this could serve as an affordable sweet spot between a basic massage treatment and a day spa.
The first location I tried out was in a converted, historic home in a downtown Denver. The building had a lot of charm from both the exterior and interior. I felt welcomed by the staff and was immediately shown to the locker room where I received my robe and sandals. I arrived about 30 minutes early to fill out the paperwork and decompress before my massage. During that time, I was taken to their quiet room which had a selection of snacks, drinks, and magazines to enjoy. I felt quite relaxed and comfortable in the quiet room while I waited for my masseuse to come get me. Overall, my experience at this location was positive but there were two issues that stood out: (1) the quiet room was small and functioned as more of a waiting room as people awaited their treatments or their friends to join them, and (2) the room where I received my massage was right next to the staircase where you could hear people throughout the hallway the whole time.
The second location I tried out was in a new shopping center in one of the DC suburbs. Similarly, I was greeted by the staff and taken to the locker room to change. The quiet room was essentially the same as the other one and I relaxed for a bit before my treatment with the other guests. The masseuse was kind, the massage itself was great, and I ended that experience feeling refreshed. I greatly preferred this location because the building was much quieter – I did not hear a peep while walking the hallways or during my massage. I suppose that’s one of the benefits to a new build as opposed to historic charm.
All in all, I would go back to a Woodhouse Spa if I was looking for a massage for myself or an affordable spa experience with a friend. The robes and access to the quiet room helped create a relaxing environment that is a step above a simple massage treatment. I personally wouldn’t call it a true day spa as there are no saunas, hot or cold baths, or places to rest for hours (or a whole day). However, its website says that there are some locations that offer lunch and more deluxe packages that may create a full spa day experience.
For more info, visit https://www.woodhousespas.com/.