Nestled in a valley between the Sawatch and Gore mountain ranges, Vail, CO, is a tourism village surrounded by the majestic Rocky Mountains that is best known for its world-class skiing and snowboarding, and its pedestrian friendly and European-inspired streets. Travelers from around the world visit Vail seeking year-round adventure, a multitude of outdoor activities, and its picturesque setting. After a day of exploring the village, visitors can find much-needed rest and relaxation at the newly redesigned Spa at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail. The spa’s state-of-the-art transformation, designed by Rose Ink Workshop, includes 13 enhanced treatment rooms, | modernized lounges and dressing rooms, and rejuvenated hot tub, sauna, steam room, and relaxation spaces. “We were seeking to revamp our spa into a more inviting and serene space that beautifully blends natural elements with rich textures inspired by the Rocky Mountains,” says Lana Labrecque, director of leisure and wellness at The Spa at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail. “I think we’ve found that perfect balance. Each treatment room is a haven of comfort and elegance, specifically designed to enhance the therapeutic experience, while the locker rooms and shower areas offer a modern, luxurious feel. We also commissioned art exclusively for the space. Drawing inspiration from the local and foraged flowers, the artist experimented with a wide variety of mediums including cyanotypes, watercolors, and acrylics to evoke the richness of life found in nature here in the Vail Valley.”
The new spa features an innovative approach to wellness that is centered on the core pillars of rest, recovery, sleep, slowing down, and meditation. These pillars are represented throughout the spa, including in the aptly named treatment rooms: Thrive, Flourish, Breathe, Believe, Nurture, Pause, Renew, Shine, Glow, Rise, Dream, Bloom, and Wake. “Previously, the treatment rooms were named after local trees; however, during the renovation, we decided that we wanted to change the names to be more encouraging and relaxing, thus setting the intention for when the guest enters their room for the treatment,” says Labrecque. “For instance, if a guest books one of our signature facials, we will place them in our Shine or Glow room to set the intention of the treatment they’ll be receiving.”
Setting the intention of the treatment ahead for guests is one way the spa ensures transformative wellness. This focus is also evident in the menu of services and product lines used—Ground Wellbeing, Comfort Zone, and EviDenS. “We designed our menu of services to be ritual-based,” says Labrecque. “We didn’t have rituals before, so it was imperative that we incorporated these on our new post-renovation menu, as our guests told us they were looking for a slower approach to wellness in order to disconnect, recharge, and truly focus on their wellness needs.”
The Signature Extreme 360° Beauty Ceremony (starting at $450, 80 minutes), in partnership with EviDenS, is designed to soothe signs of aging and stimulate cell renewal; The Revitalizing Mineral Mud Wrap ($410, 80 minutes), in partnership with Comfort Zone, offers an intensive treatment with thermal waters from Italy designed to encourage profound puri cation; and The Sleep Ritual ($410, 80 minutes), created with Ground Wellbeing products, guides the mind and body into deep sleep with owing massage techniques and mindful breathwork. Labrecque hopes to add IV therapy to the offerings, as well as create more rituals that are focused on real-life concerns, such as cancer, premenopausal care, and more.
Pre- and post-treatments, guests can relax in the spa’s lounge, which offers a complimentary trail mix station, bowls of mini fruit, tea, and fruit-infused water. According to Labrecque, each item offered provides the guests with specific properties meant to help with their spa journey. “In the trail mix, there are pumpkin seeds to help reduce inflammation, dried blueberries to protect against aging, crystalized ginger to alleviate joint and muscle pain, and more,” she says. “We also offer a spa menu featuring smoothies, freshly squeezed juice, and healthy dining options, such as a crudites and cheese platter, salads, fruit plates, and house-made protein bars.”
During their stay or prior to departure, guests can browse the spa’s retail area, which features a number of local items and high-end brands and products. “There is a story behind every line we choose,” says Labrecque. “Whether we are seeking vendors because of their sustainability practices or because they are local, we are constantly staying up to date on the latest trends—mixing local with quiet luxury. The team is trained to start conversations to create personalized shopping experiences for our guests. Our new retail partner, Back Label, is an exquisite wellness wear brand from Italy that uses non-toxic, next-generation fabrics and employs a slow fashion mindset. The inclusion of Therabody’s cutting-edge recovery tools ensures that guests have access to the ultimate in relaxation and recovery. We work with a local leather maker, Coleman’s Haberdashery, for its bespoke bags. For jewelry, we offer items from Henri Noël and Hania Kuzbari Jewelry Designs.”
The spa’s commitment to sustainability is evident in the retail and product partners it works with and in other ways throughout the space. For example, the spa does not utilize any single-use plastics, it offers biodegradable amenities, and it does not have any printed collateral. It’s the spa’s sustainability efforts, its treatments and amenities, and its transformative wellness focus that attracts guests from near and far. “We are a true luxury spa in the Vail Valley,” says Labrecque. “It’s our attention to detail, storytelling, and the local touches we add to the pre-service rituals that sets us apart from other spas in the area.”
Sidebar
OWNER: MSD
SPA DIRECTOR: LANA LABRECQUE
OPENED: 2010
RENOVATION: 2024
CLIENT BASE: 70% FEMALE 30% MALE
SPACE: 14,395 SQUARE FEET 13 TREATMENT ROOMS
PRODUCT LINES BACK LABEL, BOOK4TIME, COMFORT ZONE, EVIDENS, GLOSS MODERNE, GROUND WELLBEING, HYDRAFACIAL, LA BOTTEGA, LIVING EARTH CRAFTS, THERABODY, YEAH BABY, ZENTS
ARCHITECT: HILL GLAZIER ARCHITECTS (PALO ALTO, CA)
INTERIOR DESIGNER: ROSE INK WORKSHOP (MIAMI AND NEW YORK CITY)