Minnesota Spa Guide: The Best Spas in Minneapolis
[Photo by Steijn Leijzer]
Minneapolis stands as a dynamic urban oasis renowned for its fusion of modernity and natural beauty. As the largest city in the state of Minnesota, Minneapolis marries a thriving arts scene, a rich tapestry of cultural diversity and a deep appreciation for the great outdoors.
Minneapolis is a hub of innovation, enterprise and a haven for those seeking a harmonious blend of urban allure and serene relaxation. While Minneapolis is famed for its iconic landmarks such as the Mall of America and the Walker Art Center, it’s also a city that understands the significance of unwinding and rejuvenation.
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Amid the bustling streets and scenic landscapes carved by the Mississippi River, Minneapolis presents a wealth of opportunities for indulging in self-care. Many spas and wellness centers in the city draw upon the Finnish heritage of the Europeans who settled in this area with saunas and cold plunges popular options.
This spa guide invites you to explore the soothing retreats that Minneapolis has to offer. Whether you’re a resident in search of a tranquil escape from the daily hustle or a visitor eager to experience the city’s quieter side, Minneapolis’s collection of spas promises a sanctuary of serenity. Our guide is tailored to help you uncover the finest spas that grace this city’s thriving urban tapestry.
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Join us as we embark on a journey through the most exquisite havens for relaxation and self-renewal that Minneapolis proudly presents. Navigate with us this realm of tranquility where the essence of Minneapolis’ spirit converges with the art of unwinding. Check out our Minnesota spa guide to discover the best spas in Minneapolis.
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Anda Spa at Hotel Ivy, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Minneapolis
201 S. 11th Street, 2nd Floor, Minneapolis 55403; (612) 746-4600
Anda Spa at Hotel Ivy, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Minneapolis is a luxurious wellness retreat known for its serene ambiance and a range of rejuvenating spa services. The name is a Swedish word for “spirit,” and the spa stresses a philosophy rooted in balance. Nestled within the upscale Hotel Ivy, Anda Spa provides guests with a tranquil escape from the bustling city.
The spa's design incorporates modern elegance with soothing earth tones, creating an inviting space for relaxation. The skilled therapists at Anda Spa offer a diverse menu of personalized treatments including massages, facials, body scrubs, bath rituals, and more—all aimed at promoting holistic well-being and inspired by crystals and mindfulness.
Spa Profile: Anda Spa at Hotel Ivy
Guests visiting Anda Spa indulge in top-notch spa services and have access to additional amenities such as a sauna, steam room, and a well-equipped fitness center. The Quartz Spa and Aura Lounge provide an opportunity for a self-guided wellness journey. They even invite you to nap there after your service. In the evening, they offer couples exclusive access to the spa with an extended experience that includes custom aromatherapy.
One of their unique experiences is Forest Bathing, a Japanese practice of mindfully walking in the woods. The spa's commitment to creating a comprehensive wellness experience aligns with the upscale atmosphere of the Hotel Ivy. Whether you're a hotel guest or a local seeking a spa retreat, Anda Spa in the Hotel Ivy stands out as a haven for those seeking a blend of luxury and wellness in the heart of Minneapolis.
Aurora Spa
1609 W. Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55408; (952) 922-1222
An Uptown spa, Aurora Spa recently moved to a new space that they share with Salon Sa Bel. Their goal is for people to leave feeling and looking their best. To achieve that, they hired a Feng Shui specialist to help design their space and make it mutually calming and energizing. They provide all guests with robes, coffee, tea, ginger candies, and shower facilities.
Their services stress natural and holistic methods, rejecting cosmetic surgery or invasive treatments. Instead, they blend holistic and traditional treatments with the latest in therapeutic techniques. Skin care includes several varieties of facials focusing on specific needs, face lifts, peels, light therapy, and revitaneedling.
Body treatments include multiple types of massage with add-ons, body polishes, and wraps, lunchtime “lipo,” sculpts, sauna treatments, and ion footbaths. They also offer nail treatments, a variety of packages, couples treatments, and spa parties.
The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis
245 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis 55401; (612) 895-5707
The spa at Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis sets out to provide the ultimate in luxury experience that is unique to the Twin Cities. The spa is situated on a wellness floor that includes the fitness center, indoor pool, and outdoor pool. The fourth floor is also home to the spa’s guided sauna experience, created in collaboration with Cedar & Stone.
The Four Seasons offers unique experiences, particularly for couples such as after-hours packages in their Songbird Suite that includes access to the pool, special drinks, bubble baths, aromatherapy steam showers, and massages.
Spa Profile: The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis
Throughout the day they offer body, facial, and massage rituals. Any of their services can be enhanced with options such as as body balms, warm salt stones, face masks, percussion therapy, yoga balm or Smart Goggles (an eye mask designed to lower your heart rate, soothe headaches, and reduce eye strain).
Guests can visit their Lifestyle Boutique and shop a collection of local and bespoke gifts designed to help take the spa experience home or to give the gift of rest and relaxation to someone else.
Halo Healing Therapies and Mobile Spa
514 N. 3rd Street Suite #205, Minneapolis, MN 55401; (612) 200-1820
4748 Chicago Ave. Suite #8, Minneapolis, MN 55407; (612) 200-1820
Halo Healing Therapies and Mobile Spa specializes in massage, primarily deep tissue sports massage, though they also offer Swedish and Shiatsu massages. They’ll even do Ashiatsu massages for a slight upcharge.
They have two locations in which they offer 60-minute, 90-minute, and two-hour massages for individuals and couples. While those are the basic massage services, they offer many add-ons and enhancements from dry brushing to special oils and eye treatments.
Halo takes their services on the road as a mobile spa delivering services to hotels, Minneapolis sports teams, and even people’s homes. They simply tack on a $10 travel fee for those more than 15 miles away or add fees starting at $25 for appointments after 9 p.m.
The founder, Alisia, spent years on the road providing massage services to MLB and NFL teams. She’s been the owner of Halo Healing for more than 20 years and writes on the website, “I truly believe that for every healing you give, you in turn receive a healing.”
Some of their enhancements are available only at those hotels which also have shower facilities such as face masks, detox clay wraps, mud wraps or full-body salt scrubs. They are currently the exclusive provider of spa services for such hotels as Alma Hotel, the Hedwig, Westin Edina Gallery and Nicollet Island Inn.
Lontis Day Spa & Salon
811 La Salle Ave. #212, Minneapolis, MN 55402; (612) 354-2697
Lontis Day Spa & Salon is an establishment committed to leading the pack when it comes to spa services and spa parties. They specialize in high-end hair, natural nail, skin, and massage services.
Their first step in providing amazing experiences for guests is to hire team members who are personable and empathetic. They then provide them with technical training sessions each year and encourage them to be trained in multiple modalities to respond to individual guest needs. Their goal is for each guest to look and feel fabulous when they leave the premises.
Lontis specializes in providing spa parties where groups can customize packages including multiple services such as facials, pedicures, massages, reflexology or body wraps/scrubs. Each guest is provided a robe and slippers for the duration of the party. They offer solo getaway packages for someone who needs extended self-care. The packages range from two to five and a half hours.
NE Wellness
1717 NE 2nd Street NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413; (612) 399-6322
A company with clinics in Minneapolis and Bismarck, North Dakota, NE Wellness invites guests to journey toward being their best self. To achieve this, they offer a wide range of treatments, workshops and services.
They specialize in Chinese medicine and acupuncture, but they also offer massage, Ayurveda treatments, craniosacral therapy, infrared saunas, floatation therapy, yoga therapy, cupping, wellness consultations, facial rejuvenation, reflexology, PEMF therapy, ONYX red light therapy, and sacred embodied practices.
Their goal is to be accessible and affordable and they are in-network providers for several insurance companies to provide acupuncture and massage therapy for personal injury, worker’s comp and some motor vehicle or accident claims. They will work with guests who have difficulty affording services.
Sabai Body Temple
2753 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN; (612) 872-8354
Located in Uptown, Minneapolis, Sabai Body Temple is an urban oasis committed to high-quality bodywork that is safe, accessible and supportive. Their commitment to healing expands beyond the walls of the treatment rooms and permeates everything that they do from operational choices, payroll, and community involvement. The spa is warmly lit with aromas of incense wafting through the halls. A plant wall provides live greenery in the lounge.
Spa Profile: Sabai Body Temple
The founders recently passed the reins over to the next generation with Maple Conn picking up their commitment to Eastern-inspired bodywork and high-end spa experiences. They offer slow-flow massages, cupping, Thai herbal poultice treatments, Thai massages and couples treatments. Discounts are offered on Mondays and Tuesdays to people in the service industry.
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They greet every guest with water or tea and a warm, scented towel when they arrive. During the session, there are warm towels on the feet, aromatherapy and a light closing flow touch that ends the session at the feet. Their staff meetings focus on the needs of their return clients and team members develop plans and recommendations for each client.
The Salt Cave
4811 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55419; (612) 567-2587
Breathe deeply when entering The Salt Cave, a place designed to promote both wellness and relaxation. It is Minnesota’s first salt cave and they are eager for guests to experience the health benefits of halotherapy, a centuries-old treatment backed by modern research.
Each salt cave has walls and floors built by hand with more than six tons of pure Himalayan crystal salt. Even the air inside each cave is treated with a halo generator, infusing the air with tiny particles of pharmaceutical-grade salt.
The Salt Cave offers a selection of private salt therapy sessions and group guided sessions that include yoga, Reiki and meditation. Individual sessions—or sessions with private groups—can select from meditations, ocean waves or music during their 45-minute stay on zero-gravity loungers in a salt cave.
The Salt Cave has a retail store in which people can buy salt-related products such as salt lamps in various sizes and shapes, candleholders or imported cooking salts.
Spa Sweet
4747 Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55407; (612) 799-3588
Spa Sweet is known for its high-quality spa services and satisfied customers. It is often praised for its inviting atmosphere, skilled therapists and commitment to providing personalized and effective treatments. They demonstrate an attention to detail, use quality skincare products, and create an overall relaxing atmosphere. Their motto is to provide a thoughtful approach to a high-end spa experience.
The owner, Sonja Boatman Anderson, brings more than 20 years experience in the spa industry to the creation of Spa Sweet. From working as a teenager at a local Minneapolis spa to spending a year at a Beverly Hills Hotel spa, she learned just how she wanted to curate experiences for spa guests in Minneapolis.
Each facial begins with a skin analysis and is customized to individual needs. Massages range from deep tissue to relaxation and can include aromatherapy, hot stones, and CBD oil. They offer waxing and tinting services. They have three treatment rooms and a retail shop offering makeup, skincare, supplements, and luxury linens.
Tula Spa
319 W. 48th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55419; (612) 244-8632
Tula Spa is a serene oasis dedicated to wellness, relaxation and rejuvenation. This boutique spa, born in 2013, offers a holistic approach to self-care, focusing on both physical and emotional well-being.
With a team of nine skilled and caring professionals, Tula Spa provides a range of non-toxic therapeutic treatments, including massages, facials, body scrubs, and other holistic services. Guests can escape the hustle and bustle of city life and unwind in a tranquil environment designed to promote relaxation and healing.
Tula Spa's commitment to using natural and sustainable products adds to its appeal, ensuring that clients receive treatments that are not only indulgent but also environmentally conscious. Whether you're seeking a restorative massage, a customized facial or a wellness package tailored to your needs, Tula Spa is a haven where you can engage in self-care and find balance. It's a place where self-care is elevated to an art form, leaving visitors refreshed and revitalized.
Watershed Spa + Baths
514 2nd Street, Minneapolis, MN; (612) 331-4182
Watershed invites its guests to participate in deep, restorative rituals, to feed the soul, and engage in communal healing practices. They want to create watershed moments for every person that help to transform both the individual and the community.
Nell Rueckl created the city’s first communal bathing spa, a place where guests can take their time to move through a bathing ritual that includes an exfoliating shower, a cold plunge, a warm pool, a steam room and a dry sauna. Guests can then stretch out in a relaxation room on loungers or yoga mats either by themselves or with others. Altars provide a place for guests to tap into their spiritual renewal needs.
In addition to the communal bathing space, Watershed offers a full range of spa services including massage, skin care, acupuncture, cupping, gua sha and integrative healing modalities such as dynamic body balancing, vibrational sound healing and Reiki. Each massage therapist is trained in multiple methods and customize their massages according to the needs of the guest as they believe healing happens in the energy that flows between the therapist and guest.
Massages may incorporate deep tissue, Swedish, Esselen, Hawaiian Lomi Lomi, Shiatsu and acupressure. The skincare products are all curated to be clean, sustainable and green. Rueckl even makes some products including the body butter made available in the communal bathing area.
Spa Review: We Tried the Signature Massage and Communal Bathing at Watershed Spa
Watershed also hosts a Panchamaya Yoga Therapy Clinic, sound baths and other classes and is available to rent out after-hours for private parties. Expansive shelves of retail products let guests fully experience the spa and take a bit of it home with them whether they want to pick up apparel, body and skin products or herbs and adaptogens.
The spa is in the historic Switch House building (once known as The Soap Factory) near the Stone Arch Bridge on the Mississippi River in the St. Anthony Main neighborhood of the Riverfront District.
[Photos courtesy of spas]
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Bridgette, who is a second-generation journalist, fell in love with spas and travel while working as a writer and editor for 16 years at the Educational Institute of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. As a freelancer for the International SPA Association, she co-wrote two textbooks, nine workbooks, and numerous case studies on spas. Her freelance career began in the 80s and she has written for publications in Michigan, Arizona, California, and Texas along with several regional and national publications. She is a committed storyteller who loves sharing narratives which improve people's quality of life and build community. Born and raised in Michigan, she currently lives in Lansing with her husband and son. See more of her writing at bridgetteredman.com.