How to Have a Spa Day in Raleigh: Relaxation packages not to miss!

You know what we could all use a little more of? Self-care. It’s easy to get swept up in household chores, business meetings, and parenting responsibilities. So, when it all becomes a bit too much, it’s time to take yourself on a spa day!

We’re really lucky here in the Raleigh area because we have some excellent wellness centers and day spas that will restore and rejuvenate the mind, body, and soul. From restorative massages to hydrofacials, it’s time to soak away stress and treat yourself to a full day of pampering. But it can be difficult to narrow down which spa deal is right for you. The whole point of a spa day in Raleigh is not to stress, so we’ve taken that stress away from you and listed our top spa deals in the Triangle area below.

Woodhouse Spa, North Hills

• Address: 4204 Six Forks Rd, Raleigh
• Website: woodhousespas.com

We make a pampering at Woodhouse Spa our monthly self-care ritual. We’ve enjoyed their facials and massages on separate occasions, and Caroline also had one of their treatment packages as a Mother’s Day gift one year. We have always found the experience to be exactly what the body ordered.

Woodhouse Spa is a luxury spa, and everything feels high-end and polished. From the moment you walk in, you are met with a calming ambiance, a warm, relaxing tea or Woodhouse Mimosa, and the warm and attentive staff, who are always making sure you are comfortable and listening to your needs.

The treatment packages can be well worth it since they are full-day experiences. I like the sound of the aptly named “Head-to-toe-Relaxation” package, which includes a Swedish Body Massage and Soothe and Hydrate Facial. If you’re on a budget, you can spend 30-minutes in the salt therapy room or infrared sauna for $30 USD, which I think is well worth the price. What we love about Woodhouse is that they do couples’ experiences, too. So, if you’re looking for a couple’s spa day, then be sure to check them out. 

Umstead Hotel and Spa, Cary

• Address: 100 Woodland Pond Dr, Cary
• Website: theumstead.com

Another luxurious spa day backdrop is The Umstead Hotel & Spa, which has been recognized by AAA as a Five-Diamond property and by Condé Nast Traveler as the third-best hotel in the U.S. And in 2021, Forbes Travel Guide named The Umstead Spa, as a five-star award winner – the highest-achievable ranking. If you have never been before, feels like stumbling across a woodland retreat hidden in plain sight. Located just outside Raleigh in Cary close to RDU Airport, The Umstead Hotel and Spa is surrounded by pines and overlooking a tranquil lake.

The spa itself offers one of the Triangle’s most indulgent experiences; from the restorative treatments to the serene lounges, calming water features and natural light-filled spaces, everything about it invites you to slow down. The spa menu has a wide variety of treatments, from Signature rituals such as the Emerald Cleansings and the Umstead Classic Swedish massage, to more holistic therapies such as the Smoky Quartz experience, which uses warm herbal compresses and acupressure to melt away tension. 

I like the sound of the Umstead Renewal Espresso Mud Treatment, which pairs exfoliation, a mineral-rich body wrap, and a restorative massage in one. Or for those who prefer to soak, the Spa Wave Ritual blends a therapeutic bath and massage for a complete wellness experience. And the Umstead is a place to linger. Between massages and facials, there are relaxation lounges, whirlpools, saunas, an outdoor pool, and a peaceful woodland setting to explore. You can also extend the indulgence with lunch or dinner at the acclaimed Herons restaurant. Read our staycation guide to the Umstead.

Lorena Luca, Raleigh

• Address: 412-201 Woodburn Rd, Raleigh
• Website: lorenaluca.com

Another place to get a classic spa experience is Lorena Luca Med + Spa in Five Points. It has a calm atmosphere, with plush relaxation spaces and thoughtfully designed treatment rooms. On offer are a mixture of relaxation, therapeutic, and deep tissue massages as well as specialty treatments such as aromatherapy, hot stone massages, foot reflexology, and scalp massages.

There’s also a Togetherness for Two massage for couples or friends, which means you can enjoy a spa day with a special someone. It’s also one of the few spas in the area to offer the coveted Biologique Recherche facials for that youthful skin appearance. Whether you’re coming to sauna or to pair pampering with skincare regimens, Lorena Luca is the perfect retreat.

Spa Retreat Cary

• Address: 200 Cornerstone Dr, Cary
• Website: sparetreatcary.com

It’s well worth the drive over to Spa Retreat Cary, a locally loved day spa with a warm, unpretentious feel. When you arrive, you are greeted with herbal tea, soft lighting, and the scent of lavender and coconut, and this earthy feel continues into each treatment as they use organic products. The spa’s thoughtfully curated packages make a spa day a breeze. I personally like the sound of the five-hour Retreat experience, combining a signature massage, facial, foot soak and polish, revitalising body treatment, sauna detox ritual, and a light lunch box, and a spa gift. 

Those short on time can choose the Restore package, which pairs massage, facial, soak and sauna in just a three-hour escape, while the Renew package layers massage, facial and soaking rituals into a luxurious four-hour experience. There’s also a Retreat for Two package for couples and friends, featuring side-by-side massages, facials and soothing foot soaks. If your ideal spa day is less about marble opulence and more about genuine relaxation, Spa Retreat Cary is the one.

Sauna House Raleigh

• Address: 324 Dupont Cir, Raleigh
• Website: saunahouse.com

If you are looking for a spa day with a Nordic twist, Sauna House Raleigh is new to the wellness block and invites you to embrace the restorative ritual of hot and cold therapy. Inspired by Scandinavian bathhouses, this minimalist wellness space strips relaxation back to its essentials, pairing cedar-lined Finnish saunas with invigorating cold plunges and peaceful indoor and outdoor lounges.

The Bathhouse Thermal package features 2 hours of access to the wellness space, where you can cycle between the dry heat of the sauna and icy plunge pools at your own pace. Rather than traditional massages and facials, the focus here is on self-guided thermal circuits to reset your nervous system and restore balance to the body. You can also add on a 60-minute massage to your thermal cycle for a complete mind, body, and soul reset.

Spavia Day Spa, Cary

• Address: 107 Edinburgh Dr, Cary
• Website: carync.spaviadayspa.com

Spavia Day Spa is like a warm oasis. The minute you walk through the door, you are greeted with earth tones, soothing music, and a tranquil lounge area where you can begin your experience in peace and serenity. It’s a spa that strikes the balance between polished and accessible, making it just as well suited to first timers.

The menu is mostly designed to be mixed and matched; you can choose between relaxing Swedish and deep tissue massages or hot stone and sports therapies, or add on a facial, body wrap, exfoliating treatment, or other waxing and beauty services. Alternatively, the new packages are designed to make planning effortless and affordable. Choose between massage and facial boosts, and feel ready for summer. They also have regular seasonal specials and membership options worth signing up for the newsletter for.

Alossi Day Spa, Garner

• Address: 245 New Fidelity Ct, Garner
• Website: alossispa.com

Lastly, just south of downtown Raleigh in Garner, Alossi Day Spa is a peaceful, locally owned retreat that favors warmth over extravagance. The spa’s thoughtfully curated treatment packages are designed for either the body, the skin, or hands and feet. Choose your ailment and then enjoy custom massages, nourishing facials, or body treatments packed into half- and full-day experiences. They also have couples treatments in the Loft Suite.

Alossi Day Spa is the kind of place that reminds you that a memorable spa day doesn’t have to be lavish to feel luxurious; you just need an unhurried pace, a personalized touch, and the right treatment combinations to suit your specific needs.