K’alma Spas seek to mix wisdom with self-care by providing services rooted in ancient techniques that nurture the spirit as well as the body. There are two K’alma spas in the country—one is in South Beach, Florida at Hotel Victor and the other is at the Ritz-Carlton Chicago.

We visited the K’alma in Chicago and were able to experience first-hand the nurturing and wisdom that they offer. 

Here’s what you’ll love about K’alma Spa at The Ritz-Carlton Chicago: 

• The therapists are professionals who pay close attention to the individual needs of their clients and give customized advice on how they can have healthier bodies.

• Pool facilities connected to the spa locker rooms offer opportunities for lap swimming and loungers for relaxing.

• A wide variety of add-ons allow for each service to be customized with the elements you most want.

Everything about Ritz-Carlton is upscale and refined, and this extends to the spa. Upon entering, you are greeted by receptionists at a round desk surrounded by a circular wall inset with classy retail offerings.

You could enhance your experience by taking home things from slippers to sunscreen, Luzerne and ESPA facial products, or kits designed to pamper your skin or create delightful bathing experiences.

My mother and I were handed over to a spa attendant who was an absolute delight. She asked us about our visit, where we were planning to go while in town, and treated us as though we were long-lost friends.

I live in a large body and K’alma had an issue that I often experience when I visit spas—the robes are not large enough. However, the spa attendant not only made me feel comfortable (and not at all embarrassed) about the situation, she figured out a solution.

After trying out their largest robe and it still being too tight, she went and got me a wraparound towel with Velcro—the kind designed for men—and then I could wear the robe open. I was still covered, modest and got to enjoy the luxurious comfort of the robe.

My mom went out to sit near the pool and enjoy some coffee before her manicure and pedicure appointment while I prepared for my massage with a visit to the locker room’s steam room and sauna.

I’m always a big fan of steam rooms. I love the way the steam blankets the body and you can breathe in the warm air. It always feels like the perfect preparation for a massage. The steam room at the Ritz-Carlton had a feature I haven’t seen in too many other places: there was a wand that delivered a spray of cold water. Having a quick spritz after several minutes allows you to lengthen your stay and it really was a wonderful touch.

The sauna was also a delightful experience and the wooden foot stools were a nice additional touch.

Soon, my massage therapist Maria fetched me and brought me into the treatment room for my 50-minute massage. She explained what the massage would entail and then referred me to a tray and card on the bed. The tray contained a sample of Epsom salt and some apple cider vinegar that would be used during the massage so I could sample them and be sure they were what I wanted.

The card featured a menu of available enhancements and the cost for each. I found it to be a wonderful way to customize a massage on the spot. Often such add-ons have to be reserved in advance, but because they were in the treatment room, I was able to talk to the therapist about what they were and the benefits they offered.

Enhancements ranged from eye masks and scalp rejuvenations to immunity boosts along with some of the more traditional offerings such as hot stones and feet treatments.

While the quality of a massage relies foremost on the therapist, the bed is also an important element and the Ritz-Carlton made sure the bed was designed to create a great experience. It had many ways of being adjusted to respond to various body types and needs. Maria was able to adjust it at various points for maximum comfort.

Once I was on the bed, the experience began. Maria was very much dedicated to creating a serene environment. She had an aura of calm and peace about her that invited relaxation. 

She was professional, but nothing felt routine about what she was doing. She first ran her hands along my body, searching for spots that might need extra attention. She created a ritual that raised the massage to the next level.

The massage began and ended with her applying warm wash cloths on me, incorporating water to prepare my muscles for her treatment. She included extra touches like putting warm pillows under my legs when I was face up and applying warm coconut oil. 

She spent extra time on my lower back, where I had mentioned I was experiencing unusual stiffness. After treating it, she placed a warm towel on my lower back for continuing treatment while she worked on other parts of my body. 

Maria, who joined the spa in 2019, claimed that she loved every minute of the massage, but I’m quite sure she didn’t so as much as I did. After the massage was over, she also offered me some good advice on how to keep the stiffness and soreness away, suggesting that I set up Apple alerts to remind me to move during the day.

After the massage, I went to visit the relaxation room and stretched out on a lounger with a cup of tea. It was a wonderful place to keep my spa head on while waiting for my mom to finish her services.

My mom’s nail technician was Lynn, who was providing her with a manicure and pedicure, something my mom said she was way overdue for. She let Lynn pick the color for her nails, colors she chose to match my mom’s skin tone.

“That’s what she is there for,” my mom said when I asked why she didn’t pick out her own color (which is always one of my favorite things to do). She did say that the two of them talked about it and consulted over the choice. They started with the pedicure.

“She spent longer on that because my toes were in such bad shape,” my mom said, sharing that Lynn gave her feet a good scrubbing with Himalayan salts, getting rid of all her dead skin. She then gave her a luxurious hand treatment followed by the application of non-chip nail polish. 

One of the things my mother noted was that they took extra effort to make sure everything was clean and sanitized.

In addition to catering to travelers, the downtown hotel offers club membership for locals to make use of the facilities. As I lounged in the relaxation room, I noticed that the therapists recognized the other guests—even when the guest wasn’t one they were meeting with that day. They’d ask about how their workouts were going, comment on their recent haircuts—making sure that not only did the guest feel welcome and recognized, but valued.

Cost: 50-minute Stress Relief Massage, $195; No-Chip Pedicure and Manicure (50 minutes each), $60 manicure, $80 pedicure

Insider Tip: The Ritz-Carlton has a bistro with healthy food offerings. Plan to make a stop there before or after your services to round out a day of wellness.

Hours: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday-Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Pool hours are daily 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Address: 160 East Pearson Street at Water Tower Place, Chicago, IL 60611

Phone: 312-573-4915

Email: chicagoritzspa@ritzcarlton.com

For more information and to book a service, visit the website. Follow on Instagram: @rcchicago

[Images by Bridgette Redman]

Bridgette Redman, 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 www.bridgetteredman.com