It’s the most wonderful—and stressful—time of the year. Between the holiday parties, family obligations, frenzied shopping, wrapping, decorating, and baking, it’s easy to get burned out. Luckily, Texas hotels and resorts have rolled out the wellness wagon to weary travelers in search of some sanctuary.
The highly anticipated 105-room Albert Hotel opened just off Fredericksburg’s Main Street in January and is home to a luxe spa. Inspired by the Hill Country landscape and its vibrant springtime flora, the space features seven treatment rooms and a relaxation lounge filled with housemade snacks.
“Our spa was designed to keep the integrity of the Texas Hill Country in mind, from the treatment room names to the stone wall in our retail area that dates to the 1800s, tying in the Albert Keidel family history,” spa director Meredith Nugent says.
Muted mauve and emerald tones set the stage to disconnect from the bustling crowds of tourists throughout Fredericksburg, while reflecting the local community and culture in an understated way. There’s an Enchanted Rock hot stone massage, a sommelier wrap featuring grape shea butter and body polish, and a Hill Country herbal wrap with mesquite buffing grains in a body polish, along with local flowers sprinkled in with soothing hot towels. An aromatherapy massage starts with creating a custom blend of essential oils at the aroma design bar based on a mood or even a special date like an anniversary or a birthday.
Try out the vibroacoustic therapy tables, which mix sound therapy and vibration, or take a dip in the sunken limestone pool after your treatment. There’s also a pool bar, an on-site restaurant, a saloon, and a barbecue joint for guests to refuel before jumping back into the holiday action. Rooms start at $248/night. alberthotel.com
2 / The Adolphus Hotel, Dallas
Named in honor of Anheuser-Busch cofounder Adolphus Busch, this 1912 hotel in downtown Dallas bubbles over with charm. Book the Dallas Ready Package, which includes a manicure, a pedicure, a blowout, and makeup. Men can get a beer or whiskey with services at the barber shop. Rooms start at $309/night.
adolphus.com
3 / Stanton House, El Paso
Situated within the artsy Stanton House, Blush spa offers an array of facial and massage services. Facilities include a steam room and a Vichy shower, which has multiple sprayers for a full-body massage. Staff estheticians also create customized peels and laser treatments. Rooms start at $163/night. stanton-house.com
4 / Lake Austin Spa Resort
This all-inclusive resort includes fresh-pressed juices, locally sourced meals, and yoga and meditation classes. Book the AquaStretch Myofascial Release, which involves floating in an indoor pool while a practitioner helps you stretch and work through muscle pain or immobility. Rooms start at $795/night. lakeaustin.com
