Historic San Antonio culture will enrich your spa experience   

Thinking about a trip to Alamo City for some fresh guacamole washed down with double-barrel tequila margaritas on the Riverwalk? Right – enjoy! Just make sure to leave room in your schedule for some spa healing. Trust us, you’re going to need it after doing the tourist thing…

Whether you’re on the hunt for a mani-pedi, couple’s massage or a full spa day, high-end hotel to an independent day spa, GoGirlfriend has the ultimate places to relax in San Antonio.

Mokara Spa (in the Mokara Hotel)

Honored as a top spa by Condé Nast Traveler and Travel & Leisure and named the only 4-star spa in San Antonio by Forbes Travel, this 17,000 square-foot sprawl of luxury offers a full menu of rejuvenating services. From signature treatments rooted in the surrounding culture to sleep-inducing massages to a Riverwalk foot restoration, you’ll have no trouble finding what you need here. We didn’t book ahead and space was limited the day we called – but we enjoyed an aromatherapy, deep-tissue massage – and made full use of the hot tub, sauna and steam room afterward.

If you go, book before you leave home to ensure you’ll get the treatment you need at the time you want. And be prepared to pay slightly more than you would at another area, lesser-decorated spa.

Visit Mokara Spa online or check out reviews from other travelers on TripAdvisor – they’re ranked 1st out of 28 local spas.

DASA Spa (at the Hyatt Regency)

Step off the Riverwalk and into the Hyatt Regency’s soaring 16-story atrium that serves as the entrance to DASA, a locally owned and operated day-spa. They specialize in locally-focused relaxing therapeutic massages, age-defying facials, full-body treatments and nail services. They also provide in-room therapeutic massages to downtown hotel guests. Their list of customer faves will have you struggling which one to pick – everything here is described as heavenly. We stopped by for side-by-side pedicures in their massage-a-riffic chairs. I wanted to stay and nap afterward.

If you go, they take walk-in appointments for mani’s and pedi’s but booking ahead is always recommended if you have your heart set on a specific treatment at a set time.

Visit DASA online or check out reviews from other travelers on TripAdvisor – they’re ranked 5th out of 28 local spas.

Alamo Plaza Spa (in the Menger Hotel)

If you’re looking for something off-beat and focused more on healing than luxury, visit the Menger Hotel, head toward the pool and go downstairs. The Alamo Plaza Spa (independently operated from the hotel) is an unassuming space with treatments focused on health rather than luxury – and prices are very reasonable. Treatment rooms are closed off with curtains rather than doors and there are no amenities (hot tub, sauna, etc.) We were hoping to book a treatment but because our itinerary wasn’t set ahead of time, we couldn’t schedule in advance and there were no openings during our visit.

Visit Alamo Plaza Spa online or check out reviews from other travelers on TripAdvisor – they’re ranked 8 out of 28 local spas.

La Cantera Spa (in La Cantera Resort)

The Loma de Vida 25,000 square-foot indoor/outdoor spa is a spa to behold on your visit to San Antonio. It offer a broad range of luxurious, holistic and restorative treatments that meld local Texas elements with European influences. Carved into the hillside with dramatic views of the golf course and San Antonio’s distant landscape, guests will enjoy peaceful seclusion, healing energy and sophisticated fun. 

“Some people come [to a spa] for luxury and pampering,” said Maggy Duffy, Executive Director of Spa and Wellness for Destination Hotels and La Cantera Resort. “Some come to heal. Some come to socialize. Our goal is to meet people where they are and cultivate an experience unique to their needs. Loma de Vida is a welcome respite that exudes the true meaning of health and wellness, whether it’s for an hour or a few days.”

Visit La Cantera Resort & Spa online and plan a long day's visit at their Loma de Vida Spa.

Ever been to a spa in San Antonio? Got a favorite? Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter and let’s talk!