Once a favorite haunt of celebrities and notorious outlaws (like gangsters Al Capone and Bugs Moran), Hot Springs, Arkansas, has added a luxurious new wellness retreat to its roster of holistic hideaways with The Astral Spa. The first new full-service spa to be built in the historic resort town in more than a century, Astral faces some big expectations, but based on appearances alone, the facility is more than up to the task.
A contemporary Roaring ’20s-inspired interior evokes the glamour of Hot Springs’ heyday with art deco design details and framed black-and-white photos of glitterati from days gone by. While the touches may be vintage, the facilities are anything but. Drawing from the idea of bringing a turn-of-the-century bathhouse into the 21st century, The Astral Spa boasts heated pool loungers, vitality pools, needle showers and infrared saunas alongside a robust menu of therapies that will please the modern-day spa-goer.
- No design detail was overlooked at the stunning Astral Spa at Oaklawn Hot Springs, Arkansas. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by a glimmering wall of crystal quartz that’s supposed to have healing abilities and also serves as a throwback to the state’s crystal mining history. There are also locally sourced crystals in each treatment room.
- Art deco elements, such as bold black-and-white-striped marble floors, geometric light figures and bronze accents, add an air of elegance to the Hot Springs spa. The space was designed to harken back to an era of dressing to impress at the horse races.
- The Astral Signature Hydrafacial includes a customized skin treatment with the addition of a personalized booster, followed by an LED light therapy session to stimulate skin cell rejuvenation.
- Reset after a few too many late nights at the casino with a refreshing Moon Cocoon body treatment. The indulgent offering begins with an enzymatic exfoliant and dry brushing to stimulate the lymphatic system, followed by the application of a mimosa- and vanilla-infused firming cream, a massage and a body wrap (or, cocoon, if you will) to seal in all those moisturizing benefits.
- For the ultimate day of pampering, opt for the four-hour Journey of the Springs ritual. You’ll start with a cup of soothing tea brewed with water from the local hot springs before indulging in an array of treatments, including an aromatic shea butter scrub, an 80-minute massage and chakra balancing with local crystals.
- Separate men’s and women’s spas each feature uniquely appointed parlors, dressing rooms, plunge pools and aqua thermal loungers. For a vintage touch, each spa includes needle showers as a nod to the region’s turn-of-the-century bathhouses. These showers have jets that spurt out concentrated bursts of water to certain parts of the body. It was believed that the jets would massage various internal organs.
- Hot-to-cold wellness circuits provide a spectacular way to ease into an afternoon of relaxation. Boost your circulation with alternating stints in vapor rooms, infrared saunas, ice lounges, vitality pools and thermal loungers.
- When the weather cooperates, head outside for more relaxation. The Astral Spa boasts an exclusive outdoor cabana-lined spa pool with a lush lawn for sunbathing.
- The luxury spa is home to the region’s only Himalayan salt wall — a bonus for spa-goers who want to indulge in some halotherapy. Breathing in the salt particles is supposed to help improve your breathing, and relieve stress, anxiety and fatigue.
Indoor pool
Outdoor pool
Spa shop
