By Aimee Heckel
Many spas claim to offer the “ultimate” spa experience. And oftentimes, those treatments are great. Fantastic. Even epic.
But to qualify as ultimate — truly ultimate, as in unbeatable, perfect, can’t be improved — you’ve got to do something extra.
The Ritz-Carlton Denver Spa does it.
It’s called the Couples Spa Escape, a new, unique offering where you and your loved one can rent out the entire spa just for yourselves, get a treatment together and then unwind in the red-rose-petal-filled hot tub with a bottle of bubbly.
The lobby at the Ritz Carlton, Denver. Photo by Aimee Heckel
The Hotel
The Couples Spa Escape is set in the perfect scene.
The Ritz-Carlton in downtown Denver is ideally located in the heart of all the action, at 1881 Curtis St. It’s convenient walking distance from many of Denver’s highlights, like Coors Field, the 16th Street Mall and Larimer Square. Or if you drive, complimentary valet parking is included with your spa treatment, even if you’re not an overnight guest at the hotel. In downtown, where hunting for parking can be stressful enough to warrant a bonus relaxation treatment at the spa, this gesture of service is appreciated.
This is just the kind of courtesy you would expect from a hotel that’s been an AAA Five Diamond Award-winner every year since 2010. (This makes the Ritz-Carlton Denver’s longest-running AAA Five-Diamond hotel.) In addition, the Ritz-Carlton, Denver has been awarded the prestigious Forbes Four Star Award every year since 2012 and has been named one of Colorado’s top hotels by multiple other publications.
When you enter the front doors, the hotel itself welcomes you with a glamorous lobby with an ever-changing artistic floral display spread out before the winding staircase. Take the elevator to the spa level and the fresh, calm spa entrance will immediately take you away.
The Ritz-Carlton, Denver Spa spans 6,000 square feet of heaven, including a full-service fitness center. It was a Forbes Four-Star winning spa for seven consecutive years, 2010-2017, which attests this is absolutely one of Colorado’s best.
A serene treatment room at the Ritz-Carlton, Denver. Courtesy photo
The Treatment
Imagine: An entire luxury spa all to yourselves. After checking in at the front desk, a spa employee will guide you back to the locker rooms, where you won’t have to navigate around any other guests.
Be sure to arrive at least 30 minutes before your appointment so you can sip some calming tea, munch on some snacks (such as yogurt-covered pretzels, dried fruit or nuts) in the relaxation room. Make a decaf coffee or refresh with some fruit-infused spa water or crystal-infused water.
If you crave something specific, like a glass of wine, champagne, local craft brew, fresh fruit or a mimosa, staff will bring you whatever you need.
Cool wash clothes by the hot tub at the Ritz-Carlton, Denver. Photo by Aimee Heckel
If you have time, take a warm shower or sit in the eucalyptus-scented steam room to relax your muscles and mind and open your pores. Settle into the second relaxation lounge on cozy chairs in your soft-as-clouds bathrobes and read magazines or chat, while you wait for your therapists to retrieve you.
For the couple’s massage, you will each have your own therapist with the gender of your preference. They will guide you through the quiet hallways back to the couple’s treatment room, where two of the most comfortable, memory foam massage tables will be made up for you. The room is softly glowing with candles and rose petals scatter across the tables and beds, setting the mood.
You will each talk to your respective therapist about your needs, goals and any add-on treatments you may desire, such as using muscle-calming CBD oil, a special back treatment, a soothing scalp massage or a unique hand-softening treatment that doesn’t use paraffin. Pick the essential oil scent that speaks to you and get ready to completely unwind in a 50-minute, side-by-side massage.
Sharing an already amazing experience with someone you love makes it all that better.
After an expertly performed massage, slowly get up, get dressed, give your loved one a smooch and head back to the relaxation room. There, while your brain is already foggy from its state of bliss, you will be greeted with a bottle of bubbly, a personalized card from the staff and a giant, decadent piece of chocolate cake to share, set on a table adorned with scattered red rose petals and candles. Whether you’re celebrating a wedding, an anniversary or just your everyday romance, do a private toast and dig in together.
The hot tub specially prepared at the Ritz-Carlton, Denver. Photo by Aimee Heckel
After filling up on the rich dessert, bring your chilled bottle and flutes to the hot tub, which is lined with flickering candles and covered in even more rose petals, with the hot tub lights glowing a sexy red. Sink into the warmth and find an even deeper level of relaxation. You have the whole spa to yourself for another hour.
Before you immediately write this off as a luxury only royalty could afford, this (truly) ultimate, romantic couple getaway is $450.
To make this possible, the spa books these treatments at the end of the day, so it doesn’t have to shut the entire spa down; it only stays open a few hours later.
On your way out the door, make sure you stop to browse the spa shop at the front end, where you can find locally sourced products, like the Sanitas line out of Boulder. Pick up a product recommended by your therapist to bring home, so you can take a piece of this incredible experience with you and tap into this level of peace whenever you need it.
