“There’s nothing more euphoric than a good cold plunge,” says Gucci of her devotion to the holistic purifying ritual—which is more way-of-life than wellness trend in the Swedish countryside where she grew up. She’s not alone. These days, hot-and-cold therapy, which involves alternating between a hot sauna or steam room and an icy bath of approximately 50 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit, is experiencing a boom at luxury destinations across the country.
Anecdotally, cold water therapy is said to tighten skin, boost circulation, shrink pores, and induce a healthy natural glow. “Everything feels awake, alert, alive, present,” says Gucci, who loves to finish the ritual with a few deeply hydrating layers of hydrating Skin Activator serum. But she also finds the benefits go much deeper—citing mental clarity, stress relief, and a surge in energy levels, thanks to the mood boost that comes with the release of dopamine after a session.
Bracing yourself to take the plunge requires a doctor’s clearance—certain health conditions are not compatible with a significant dip in body temperature—as well as a leap of faith and a good steady breath. Be forewarned, says Gucci, who recently spent a few days dashing between sauna, steam room, and leaps into the lake at Ästad Vingård with her extended family and is already plotting her return. “It’s pretty addictive.”
Here, our favorite spots to take the plunge in the U.S. and abroad.
NEW YORK CITY
Aire Ancient Baths
Those in search of an all-day detox head to this 16,000-square-foot candlelit subterranean bathhouse, which draws inspiration from the ancient Roman and Greek social cleansing ritual. Spend the day soaking in a variety of open-plan therapeutic pools (still, salty, foamy) ranging from 46 to 102 degrees, the coldest of which contains slim chunks of ice. After taking the plunge, warm up in the glassed-in marble steam room or Turkish hammam—then do it all again.
Sky Ting Noho
Die-hard followers of downtown yoga visionary Krissy Jones’s transcendent classes go wherever she goes. This month, they’ll be flocking to her new expansive light-filled Noho studio to wring out blocked energy, release tight muscles, and perform meditative rounds of breathwork. Beginning in summer, you can also book a 60-minute session in a pair of crisp white treatment cabins to finish the purification ritual: Each one contains an infrared sauna and cold plunge pool for you (and a friend!) to seal your therapeutic practice.
Higher Dose at Modernhaus Hotell
Bookable in 30- or 60-minute increments, HigherDose’s infrared sauna sessions are exhilarating and democratically priced, putting consistent treatments (and consistent results!) firmly within reach. Benefits include raising the body’s core temperature, increasing blood flow, and inducing a pleasantly soothing mental state. To take your “dosing” up a notch, head to the Soho wellness studio’s complimentary cold plunge for a jolt of ‘hot-cold contrast therapy” that contracts pores and boosts immunity.
MONTAUK, NEW YORK
Shou Sugi Ban Spa
Whether you stay for the day or make it a long weekend, this Japanese-inspired wellness destination in the Hamptons offers a range of holistic spa treatments, healing arts, nutrition, and fitness experiences. At the heart of it all is the calming and curative communal hydrotherapy and thermal suite, which encourage guests to rotate through three outdoor plunge pools, a warm infrared sauna, dry sauna, eucalyptus steam room and (really) an ice fountain that serves up snowflakes as a form of energizing skin treatment.
MIAMI BEACH
The Standard Miami
When a time out from the Art Basel swirl or surging Miami humidity is in order, head to this beachside property’s Turkish-style Hammam to take in unparalleled views of Biscayne Bay and hit the pleasantly chilly arctic plunge pool—one of the many water therapy treatments included with any spa booking at the lush Miami Beach enclave. Don’t miss: The Ice Room—a large step-in freezer that cold therapy devotees call the ultimate full mind-body reset.
LOS ANGELES
Waldorf Astoria, Beverly Hills
There’s no question that Los Angeles has perfected the art of the sunny rooftop pool scene. Upping the ante: The Waldorf Astoria’s airy outdoor private wellness cabins. Schedule everything from deep tissue massage to private sauna-and cold-plunge sessions—all without ever having to leave the pool.
CANYON POINT, UTAH
Amangiri Spa
Set against a sweeping desert landscape of canyons, mesas, and ridges is the Spa at Amangiri in Canyon Point, Utah. Inside, guests can access the cavernous water pavilion’s steam room, sauna, cold plunge pool, and heated tub before or after each pampering treatment service. For an immersive full-body experience, try the 120-minute guided hot-and-cold contrast therapy session, which is capped by a connective tissue-release rolling session, Thai yoga massage, and sound therapy.
JACKSON HOLE, WYOMING
The Four Seasons
A full day of skiing (winter) or hiking (summer) is best capped by a spa appointment at The Four Seasons Jackson Hole, where guests can enjoy the hotel’s majestic mountain views and warm-to-cold water plunge pools. Standout treatments include therapeutic pressure-point massage, customized facials using local wildcrafted plants, and full-body dry-brushing capped by a warm linen wrap of chamomile-, arnica, and willow bark extracts. Before you head home, tuck in for a warm tea at the popular Handle Bar.
INTERNATIONAL
Hotel Lutetia, Paris
A 55-foot-long indoor lap pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, and cold plunge bathing area are at the heart of this luxuriously serene Left Bank spa, where hotel guests mingle with Parisian club members. Come for an anti-jet lag drainage massage, immaculate pedicure, or a U-Beauty body resurfacing treatment, then stay for a nap in the 7,500 square foot light-flooded marble sanctuary or une coupe de champagne at the historic Bar Joséphine.
The Garden Club at Palm Heights, Grand Cayman
Chic doesn’t begin to describe this buzzy white marble wellness oasis surrounded by bright blue ocean waters along Grand Cayman’s Seven Mile Beach. Inside the 60,000-square-foot outdoor spa, treatments focus on the principles of mind, gut, skin, and muscular health—with help from a suite of private treatment rooms, sensorial shower experiences, and hot-and-cold water plunge pools. Bonus: Finish any treatment with one of the spa’s fortifying mineral or floral baths, or book in for a 15-minute focus post-workout recovery ice plunge.
Ästad Vingård, Sweden
Nestled on rolling vineyards and surrounded by Sweden's western woodlands, guests flock to Ästad Vingård to unwind and connect with nature. The Sinneas Spa is located on one of the hotel's waterfront villas and draws its design from Nordic simplicity and Japanese traditions. Plunge into the fresh water ponds (in summer or winter!), then warm back up in the sauna and steam room. Top off the experience with a reservation at ÄNG, the on-site Michelin-star restaurant, for a tasting menu of curated Scandinavian cuisine.
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Extend a post-spa glow by applying Skin Activator or amplify any cooling treatment with Skin Activator Rollerball. The deeply hydrating serum, floods skin with 12 actives and continuously boosts skin quality long after any wellness retreat.
