Top 10 Best Spas in Virginia

Virginia is one of the original spa destinations in America, with hot springs that attracted the likes of Thomas Jefferson. Today historic Virginia spas maintain their traditions, while new resort spas and intimate inn spas have opened, many with family-friendly spa policies.

This list represents my top picks for the best overnight spas in Virginia (in no particular order). It includes resort spas, urban hotel spas, inn spas, and a spiritual yoga retreat. Remember, many resort spas welcome clients on a day spa basis.

1. The Homestead

Set in the scenic Allegheny Mountains, The Homestead in Hot Springs, Virginia, is one of America's oldest spas. The stately red brick and white columned 496-room resort was founded in 1766. Thomas Jefferson bathed in the hot springs here and you can, too, inside a round barn-like structure known as The Jefferson Pools. (You don't have to stay at the resort to visit the 98-degree hot springs.) The lavish new spa has a Spa Suite where whole families can gather. Address: 1766 Homestead Drive, Hot Springs, Virginia. Phone: 800- 838-1766 or 540-839-1766.

2. The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg

Williamsburg Lodge has a new 20,000 foot, colonial-style spa, with brick floors and colonial prints. It uses five centuries of wellness as its inspiration, including hot stone massage inspired by Native Americans, European-style "water cures," African rootworks and powders, and herbal treatments from the garden. The Williamsburg Lodge is just a short walk from Colonial Williamsburg, which brings to life America in the 1700s. Address: Williamsburg Lodge, 310 South England Street, Williamsburg, Virginia, 23185. Phone: 800-447-8679 or 757-229-1000.

3. Wintergarden Spa at Wintergreen Resort

Set on 11,000 acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Wintergreen Resort is a four-season, 300-room mountain retreat best known for its skiing and 45 holes of championship golf. The modern new 12,000 square-foot spa is set at the highest point of the resort, offering beautiful views of the mountains and valley below. The family-friendly spa includes treatments aimed at teenagers and pregnancy massage . Address: Route 664, Wintergreen, Virginia, 22958. Phone: 800-266-2444 or 434-325-2200.

4. The Martha Washington Inn Spa

Originally built in 1832, red brick Martha Washington Inn & Spa is located in the historic district of Abingdon in the Blue Ridge Highlands. Its 51 rooms and 11 suites are individually decorated with handsome antiques. The spa has a beautiful new saltwater pool and sundeck, and offers spa treatments for children and teens. Address: 150 West Main Street, Abingdon, Virginia, 24210. Phone: 800-999-8078 or 276-628-3161

5. Poplar Springs, The Inn Spa

Just fifty miles from Washington D.C., this intimate, romantic getaway on 200 acres in the county has 22 individually furnished rooms. The spa is small but tasteful, with a full menu of services, a salon, and a nice outdoor pool and patio in warm weather. Address: 9245 Rogues Road, Casanova, Virginia, 20139. Phone: 800-490-7747 or 540-788-4600.

6. Landsdowne Resort's Spa Minerale

This full-service resort with 305 rooms is eight miles from Washington Dulles International airport and 35 miles from Washington, DC., in scenic Hunt Country, Loudoun County. Spa Minerale is a new 12,000-square-foot spa with 13 treatment rooms, including a couples suite. Address: 44050 Woodridge Pkwy, Lansdowne, Virginia, 20176. Phone: 877-509-8400 or 703-729-8400

7. Kingsmill Resort & Spa

This family-friendly resort is a great base for exploring Colonial Williamsburg and theme park Busch Gardens. Its 425 one, two and three-bedroom suites are located in villas that are part of a gated residential community on 2,900 acres. Amenities include 63 holes of championship golf, a 15-court tennis center, a marina on the James River, and the Spa at Kingsmill. The resort is owned by beer giant Anheuser-Busch, so its signature massage uses hops, a beer ingredient, in the oil. Address: 1010 Kingsmill Road Williamsburg, VA 23185. Phone: 800-832-5665 or 757-253-1703.

8. The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner

This is an urban hotel spa in the heart of the legendary shopping in Northern Virginia's Tyson Corners. Convenient to both major D.C. airports, The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corners has 365 rooms, 30 suites and 3 luxury suites. The Ritz-Carlton is famous for its impeccable service, which you can expect at this small but elegant spa. Signature treatments include reiki and four-hands massage. Address: 1700 Tysons Boulevard McLean, Virginia, 22102. Phone: 703-506-4300

9. Yogaville

This ashram, or spiritual community, is set on 750 acres in the beautiful James River Valley near Charlottesville. Yogaville teaches yoga and mediation classes and specializes in a style called Integral Yoga that develops body, mind and spirit. You can come for the day, as a guest, or for teacher training. Accommodations include campsites, dormitories, and private rooms in a guest house, and meals are vegetarian. The dramatic Lotus Shrine is right on the river. Address: 108 Yogaville Way, Buckingham, Virginia, 23921. Phone: 800-858-9642 or 434.969.2048

10. The Founders Inn and Spa

Centrally located to Virginia Beach, Norfolk and Williamsburg, The Founders Inn and Spas has 240 guest rooms and suites on 26 acres. Its $5 million, 10,000 square-foot Flowering Almond Spa is the only resort spa in the Southside Hampton Roads region, and just a short distance from one of the best beaches in the mid-Atlantic. The spa has six treatment rooms, including a room for couples massage . Services include caviar facials. Address: 5641 Indian River Road Virginia Beach, Virginia, 23464. Phone: 800-926-4466 or 757-424-5511