Refreshing Ideas

Health and Wellness Facilities

By Erin Byers

When your body and mind need to refuel, cash in those sick days and take a holiday. Drag your tired limbs and aching muscles to where the only appointment you'll need to be concerned with is your next spa treatment.

Cranwell Resort, Spa & Golf Club, tucked away in the beautiful Berkshires, will scrub, massage and wrap your body into a state of enlightenment. More than a spa, the resort houses a fully staffed fitness center offering group classes like ab sculpting, spinning and yoga. There's also a championship 18-hole golf course, a lunchtime spa café and a glass-enclosed, heated indoor pool.

On the other side of the state, Crowne Pointe Historic Inn & Spa in Provincetown nurses even the sorest of souls back to health. Committing to a full day of pampering here is as easy as stepping from the inn's quaint, old-fashioned homeyness to the tranquil on-site Shui Spa. Deep tissue massages, vitamin C infusion facials and marine contouring masks are just a few of the aqua-focused offerings to help you breathe a sigh of relief.

Guests of the Phillips Club at Boston Common, world renowned for excellent service, have signing privileges and membership at the nearby Sports Club/LA. With 100,000 square feet of fitness space, the club features top-of-the-line weight-training and cardiovascular equipment, along with one of the finest personal fitness programs in the city. Exotic classes like Cardio Blast and Gyrokinesis pound away stress while Splash spa treatments reenergize. For a light, healthy lunch, stop into restaurant Blu Café located just outside of the gym's entrance.

Reminiscent of an English manor, the sprawling grounds at Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club in Brewster recall simpler days of lawn games and leisurely sport. Hit the links for a lesson with a PGA pro or take fusion fitness classes like aqualates or diva dance for a low-impact workout. Cape Cod–styled villas and a private beach await those seeking a longer retreat.