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The Golden Door: Five Retreats for Rediscovering Your Health

Filed under: Spas

There are five Golden Door Spas in the US and Puerto Rico, and each has its own unique charm -- so much so, that the entire collection has been nominated for a Readers' Choice Award for Best Extended Day Spas.

The predecessor of Golden Door was founded by Deborah Szekely in Mexico in 1940, starting with modest bring-your-own-tent retreats. Szekely's philosophies about health and fitness attracted a broad base of followers, which led her to open the revolutionary Golden Door in 1959, which "combined intensive training in personal health with gracious hospitality, inspired by the ancient Honjin inns of Japan." Spa Escondido is still running today as a Golden Door Spa.

Today, four of the Golden Door Spas are located on Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts properties, while the original Golden Door is a LXR Luxury Resorts & Hotels property, ensuring your stay is seamless and tranquil. Each Spa offers its own site-specific perks. For example, at the original Spa Escondido, you can indulge in a week long stay (they have men's, women's and co-ed programs) to not just relax and rejuvenate, but truly rediscover your health and learn smarter daily practices along with the help of 39 other people there for the same purpose. This is a fantastic way to get back into shape if you've fallen off the wagon, as well as to make meaningful new friends.

Gallery: The Golden Door Spa at The Boulders