Insider's Guide to Spas

1 week ago | insidersguidetospas.com | Mary Bemis

A rare sanctuary rooted in American spa culture and Provençal eleganceTucked into the hills of northern San Diego County, Cal-a-Vie Health Spa is more than a wellness retreat—it’s a storied sanctuary that helped shape the very concept of the destination spa in the United States. Established in 1986, it was among the earliest to offer a fully immersive, all-inclusive wellness experience grounded in fitness, mindful eating, and restorative spa therapies.

1 week ago | insidersguidetospas.com | Mary Bemis

From lush oils that honor ancient bathing rituals to spa-smart athleisure and a lymphatic-focused treatment bed, this year’s ISPA show offered a rich tapestry of stories, textures, and ideas. What stood out weren’t the loudest booths—but the ones that spoke quietly and carried meaning. These are the brands that sparked conversation and felt genuinely in step with where spa is headed next.

2 weeks ago | insidersguidetospas.com | Mary Bemis

For Charmaine Lang, founder of The Madison Collection, the new Wabi Sabi collection is more than just a fresh offering in hospitality-grade linens—it’s a soulful evolution of her design ethos. “I’ve been working on Wabi Sabi for four to five years,” Lang shares. “The reason was, I wanted to go thinner than our Bordado collection, and the dyes needed to be developed resistant to fade.”Thinner wasn’t just a pursuit of elegance—it was a pursuit of sustainability.

1 month ago | insidersguidetospas.com | Mary Bemis

The historic mountain town of Berkeley Springs is not only famed for its waters, but is a magnet for healers of all ilk. Each February, for the past four years, I’ve made a pilgrimage of sorts to Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, to serve as a judge for the International Berkeley Springs Water Tasting Awards. During that time, I’ve tasted more than 200 waters from all over the United States, Canada, and 16-plus foreign countries.

1 month ago | insidersguidetospas.com | Mary Bemis

The SoCal Spa Wellness Collective launches as a dynamic new force, uniting Southern California’s spa and wellness industry to foster collaboration, drive growth, and spark innovation. Dedicated to empowering industry professionals, the organization provides a dynamic and supportive community focused on business success, professional development, and maintaining the highest standards of excellence.