Whether your Om chant of choice centers on yoga, facials or injectables, longevity, biohacking or just a great detoxifying massage, there are a surprising amount of wellness centers and (med) spas close to your desired Amtrak stop in New York. In fact, some of the best spa resorts are a stone’s throw from the train stations below and—best part—the spas or the corresponding hotels and resorts can arrange for you to be picked up from the station. No car needed.
Now, the joy of getting there via Amtrak amplifies your needed disconnect from driving. Your body and mind are already preconditioned for betterment. I was very encouraged (not exactly surprised) to see how our recommended spa stops held a high bar of excellence. You wouldn’t want anything less.
INNESS
Train Station: Poughkeepsie (POU)
Inness has been a buzzy, organic, brutalist-chic hospitality destination where “mindfully checking out” and simplistic wellness are its purpose for being. Their entire 220-acre rustically designed compound is green, explorable and includes a nine-hole golf course, which is fast-becoming an addiction for aficionados of the sport (the intentionally quirky design is oftmentioned as a driving reason for the love). You’ll be off to a great start with two saltwater pools, two hardcourt tennis courts and a well-equipped gym, including The Studio, offering group movement classes. But The Spa not only delivers a welcoming vibe, it’s open and airy without that club level “checkpoint” feeling. Further inside is The Bath House with its open-air heated tranquility pool, large dry sauna and separate steam room, all designed as roomy with lots of light and glorious backdrop views of the Hudson Valley landscape. While many resorts have dismantled their wet room features, Inness has promoted them—and people are running toward it for that reason.
The Spa menu is au-courant and top-shelf. Advanced skincare treatments and marine-infused, oxygenated facials include Biologique Recherche and Luzern (amazing). With stellar massages, reflexology, Reiki, auricular acupuncture and fire-cupping, you’re sure to find your inner healing guru. Also available are Journeys With Isun: Transcend, Quench, Cleanse and Recover. Limited to 28 deluxe cabins or the 12-room Farmhouse (hotel), you’ll want to book early and use Chase Transportation from the train station. Do visit their “Offers” page for real incentives. Elegant healing without the hype. inness.co
CANYON RANCH LENOX
Train Station: Albany-Rensselaer (ALB)
Considered the gold standard for many wellness enthusiasts, this location of the Canyon Ranch brand is in Lenox, MA, not too far from the Amtrak station. With an endless list of services, it may require some pre-planning if you’re looking to maximize gratis amenities that come with your room booking, like the pools, fitness and movement center, steam, sauna, jacuzzi, cryo-plunges, fitness lectures and group exercise. Speaking from experience, they are fantastic and you’ll soon see why The Spa is considered Canyon Ranch’s beating heart.
Their rejuvenating programs are diverse and accommodate many seekers from beauty aesthetics, maternity, weight loss, physicianassisted diet and nutrition, mindfulness classes, brain health and monitoring sleep patterns. All stemming from both eastern and western medicines. Their dining pavilion is chic and the delicious food is expertly monitored to respect all dietary needs that won’t throw off your biohacking, vegan or organic menus—without enforcing lifestyles.
Whether it’s yoga, sound healing, scenic intention walks, pickleball, culinary wellness guidance, soul enlightenment, metaphysics or you’re a practicing mystic or adrenaline junkie, you could easily spend two weeks here trying to experience all the offerings. I took an anti-inflammatory cooking class and loved it! Or you could opt for a Biologique Recherche Lift & Sculpt Facial, book the fullservice salon or barber, get a manipedi or partake in a bevy of targeted massages or cutting edge body treatments, including Ayurvedic, Reiki, reflexology and barefoot ashiatsu. Or you could book a $450 Day Pass that includes a $250 service credit and specific retail discounts. You’ll feel transformed. canyonranch.com/lenox
TURN A NEW LEAF— INTUITIVE ENERGY & BODYWORK
Train Station: Saratoga Springs (SAR)
If you have a little more time while in Saratoga Springs, consider going to Turn A New Leaf. This is a rare and unique moment in your healing journey that you’d have to look far and wide to experience. Aside from fantastic massages, healing gem therapy treatments and soulistic guidance for mental and physical clearing, you may find a release from trauma, soul blockages and more. I did! Erin is an extremely intuitive, well-versed, true empath expert with one of the rarest gifts of gemology accreditation that focuses on gem healing and path awareness. I found the results to be ongoing and cumulative. A recent expansion of superior healers is now available. This spot is loved by locals and visitors alike. turnanewleafllc.com
PURE ORGANICS SALON
(THE DELEVAN HOTEL & SPA)
Train Station: Buffalo-Exchange Street Station (BFX)
Located within the Delevan Hotel with shuttle service from the train station, this awarded spa has great reviews and caters to many of the well-heeled locals, especially for advanced hair and deluxe organic color services and head spa treatments. With product lines including Manicurist and Green Go, your mani-pedis will keep you on your vegan and cruelty-free pact. Also available is sugar/wax hair removal, lash and facial services featuring the Delavan Dermal Renewal which is exfoliating and smoothing. You can also choose between a Swedish, Deep Tissue or Hot Stone Massage or more from the menu. pureorganicssalon.com
