Glow-in-the-dark kayaking, a serene beach escape + 8 more top Texas travel tips for May

The honeymoon’s not the only big trip brides are planning these days. Destination bachelorette parties are a trending wedding topic in 2024 — and why not? Every bride-to-be deserves an escape with her besties from the stress of it all. Even better if it involves primping and pampering at a posh hotel spa, where the dress code is “plush robe and slippers or bathing suit and flops” all weekend long.

Chic luxury hotels have been opening at a dizzying pace in Texas’ biggest cities in the last year. Below are the seven hottest new spas at luxury hotels around the state, all of which have opened (or reopened) in about the last 18 months, ready to pop the cork for girlfriend groups in celebration mode.

Dallas-Fort Worth

Canyon Ranch Wellness Club + Spa at The Crescent, Fort Worth
Known worldwide as a premier destination spa, Canyon Ranch debuted its first Wellness Club in Fort Worth’s new Crescent Hotel in December 2023, with an Austin property on the way. The club’s luxurious spa and salon is open to both hotel guests and the day-pass visitors alike. A lengthy menu of services includes ultra high-tech facials and body treatments, including a multisensory Vichy table used as part of a CBD Wellness Ritual and Hungarian Mud Wrap Ritual (both $340-$350). Bonus: A day-pass to the spa affords access to the first-in-Fort Worth CR Vitality space, a state-of-the-art room offering infrared sauna, red light therapy, and more. Groups can rent the Celebration Suite for a half-day or full day ($500-$1,250) and arrange catering and more with the hotel. Then hit the buzzy new restaurant Emilia’s, with its made-for-royalty Blue Room dining room, and meet up later at the Circle Bar. 850 Van Cliburn Way, Fort Worth, 682-786-4656.

Groups can reserve the Celebration Room at Canyon Ranch for up to eight hours.Photo courtesy of Canyon Ranch

Ash Spa, Bowie House, Fort Worth
Located on the second floor of Bowie House, the new Auberge Resorts Collection hotel in Fort Worth’s Cultural District, Ash Spa is “where the ashes of everyday life are gently swept away,” they promise. In keeping with the hotel’s Western-glam aesthetic, Ash is a tranquil space inspired by the barns of Texas and “all things wild and free,” with five treatment rooms, a sauna and steam room, fitness center, nail studio, boutique, relaxation lounge, and private access to an outdoor terrace. Experiences and treatments include water dancing, synergistic skin treatments, infrared therapy, and non-sleep deep rest massage. A signature Qi Beauty Facial is made for a queen, incorporating 24k gold-covered micromagnets to promote recovery ($195-$275). After a day at the spa, groups can head down to the acclaimed Bricks and Horses restaurant, spend time on the exclusive pool terrace, and sip drinks at the glamorous bar. 3700 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, 855-683-4092.

The Bowie House and its Ash Spa have a Western theme.
Photo courtesy of Bowie House

The Spa and Salon at Loews Arlington
This is the destination for gal pals who love sports. The swanky spa on the second floor of the new hotel just steps from the Texas Rangers’ Globe Life Field and Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium opened February 13. The pampering palace features six spa treatment rooms, including a dedicated suite-for-two offering massages, facials, and body treatments; a co-ed Relaxation Lounge, and a specialty boutique. There’s a full-service salon for manicures, pedicures, and hair styling to look camera-ready for Rangers’ and Cowboys’ games or a night on the town. The signature service is a whole bachelorette party in itself — it’s a Tequila Body Treatment that uses Jose Cuervo Authentic Tequila with a detoxifying body brush exfoliation, hydrating body mask, and antioxidant-rich face, neck and shoulder massage ($200 for 50 minutes). The hotel also has a quintet of dining and drinking establishments, two pools, a sandy beach, cabanas, and more. Check the website for a limited-time Spa Escape Package. 888 Nolan Ryan Expy., Arlington, 682-318-2810.

The spa and salon at the new Loews Hotel in Arlington.
Photo courtesy of Loews Hotel in Arlington

The Ritz-Carlton Spa & Salon, Las Colinas
After a rebranding and refurbishing, the newly christened Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas hotel is ready to unveil its highly anticipated spa. According to a spokeswoman, the spa is targeting Saturday, May 4. Summer brides, book your getaways now. The 14,000-square-foot Ritz-Carlton Spa features 16 treatment rooms, including a suite for two and a full-service salon. (Watch the website for more information to come on services offered.) Spa packages range from two-hour treatments to full-day packages for total indulgence. The spa also features a wet and dry sauna, heated whirlpool, cold plunge pool, and a Vichy shower room — a power shower with six shower heads. Groups can also play a round at TPC Las Colinas, dine on globally inspired Italian fare at the new Knife Italian restaurant, take in a fitness class, enjoy craft cocktails at Bar Juniper, and more. 4150 N. MacArthur Blvd., Irving, 972-717-2555.

The lounge at the new Ritz-Carlton Spa in Las Colinas.
Photo courtesy of Ritz-Carlton

Houston

Thompson Spa at Thompson Hotel, Houston
Thompson Houston, Houston’s newest luxury lifestyle hotel, opened its doors in early 2024 as an urban haven overlooking the lush Buffalo Bayou Park, with rare unobstructed views of downtown Houston’s skyline. The just-opened Thompson Spa fills an entire floor, with its six treatment suites plus indoor and outdoor relaxation areas, saunas, a salon, and a state-of-the-art 24-hour fitness center. Customizable treatments include massages, facials, body and hydration scrubs, regenerative treatments, and more featuring products from Pietro Simone and Agent Nateur. Signature treatments include the Gold Aurum Radiance Infusion Facial, incorporating a 24-karat gold activation peel; and a Texas Starry Night Massage that uses CBD and essential oils to promote deep relaxation, every bride’s dream (check website for pricing). The hotel features rooftop with an infinity pool, and it will also be home to three restaurants: Sol 7, a casual poolside restaurant; Chardon, a French brasserie; and Buck 40, an upscale supper club. 1717 Allen Pkwy., Houston, 346-560-4150.

How about treating the M of H to a massage in a suite designed for two?
Courtesy of The Thompson Hotel Houston

San Antonio

The Spa Plaza, San Antonio
After months of anticipation, Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, the city’s first Marriott Autograph Collection property, checked in its first guests in mid-January. Surrounded by lush gardens and greenery, the Spa Plaza is located in two beautifully re-imagined historic homes that date to the 1850s, the Elmendorf-Tyler House and The Staffel House. It features six treatment rooms, a Zen Lounge, and a Wellness Concierge. Treatments include massages, facials, and nail services, along with three “Immersion Packages” ($360-$790) that offer multiple treatments, plus tea service or a full lunch. Party planners can work with the spa to choose from a handpicked selection of services that are tailored for groups. Then be sure to hit up the Plaza’s full-service restaurant Corinne, featuring classic American fare with nods to South Texas and the Gulf Coast, or Anaqua Garden Bar, named after a stately 42-foot-tall tree on the property, which looks onto the hotel’s pool and serves Japanese-Latin fusion bites along with botanical-inspired cocktails. 555 S Alamo St, San Antonio, 210-353-8016.

Austin

Away Spa, W Hotel, Austin
Prefer to stay closer to home and make it a staycation? The W Austin’s Away Spa underwent a complete refresh in 2023 and now features a new aesthetic, new menu of services, and new products. Away Spa is a go-to in Austin for massages, facials, body wrap treatments, manicures and pedicures, and other beauty services. Unique offerings include ashiatsu, cupping therapy, couple’s massages, oxygen facials, and a suite of other enhancements. There’s even a Bach Bash package, complete with a personal spa concierge who will help plan everything for groups of five or more, including a complimentary cabana at Wet Deck and choice of a bucket of beers or bottle of bubbles ($234 per person). All Away Spa guests receive complimentary valet at W Austin for three hours, and full access to Wet Deck and Fit, a full gym complete with Peloton, yoga studio, and Pilates reformer. Hours are 9 am-6 pm Sunday-Thursday, 9 am-7 pm Friday-Saturday. 200 Lavaca St., Austin, 512-542-3626.

Away Spa’s concierge can help you plan a full spa day with your squad.
Photo courtesy of W Austin