day spa

Founded in 2007, The Grand Del Mar and its 249 guestrooms are tucked between the rolling fairways of a Tom Fazio-designed golf course near San Diego, Calif. The resort's 21,000-square-foot spa was created with Renaissance sensibilities in mind, from its earthy colors to is crystal glass tiles and imported white Carrera marble. Framed Hermés scarves and vintage photos of Venice adorn the walls; sauna rooms, an indoor Jacuzzi and a stone fireplace beckon.

Gallery: More from the Spa at the Grand del Mar

Inside the spa's 11 treatment rooms – including a couples' suite – guests receive a host of natural therapies, including facials, hydrotherapy and body treatments. For the body, treatments include "Renaissance," a bath of mineral mud and warm oil proceeded by a warm body wrap and rosemary-infused Swiss shower, topped off with a stretching massage (90 minutes: $310). All treatments at the Spa utilize The Grand Del Mar Skin and Body Care Collection, a private label of botanical and aroma therapy-based facial and body wellness products. The entire product line is handmade and organic (products are for sale exclusively at the Spa Boutique).

Founded in 2007, The Grand Del Mar and its 249 guestrooms are tucked between the rolling fairways of a Tom Fazio-designed golf course near San Diego, Calif. The resort's 21,000-square-foot spa was created with Renaissance sensibilities in mind, from its earthy colors to is crystal glass tiles and imported white Carrera marble. Framed Hermés scarves and vintage photos of Venice adorn the walls; sauna rooms, an indoor Jacuzzi and a stone fireplace beckon.

Gallery: More from the Spa at the Grand del Mar

Inside the spa's 11 treatment rooms – including a couples' suite – guests receive a host of natural therapies, including facials, hydrotherapy and body treatments. For the body, treatments include "Renaissance," a bath of mineral mud and warm oil proceeded by a warm body wrap and rosemary-infused Swiss shower, topped off with a stretching massage (90 minutes: $310). All treatments at the Spa utilize The Grand Del Mar Skin and Body Care Collection, a private label of botanical and aroma therapy-based facial and body wellness products. The entire product line is handmade and organic (products are for sale exclusively at the Spa Boutique).

For the face, options include "Luminous," a combination of a pressure-point massage and a nutrient-rich facial (90 minutes: $270), as well as "Art for Art's Sake," an exfoliating facial followed by a neck, shoulders, face and scalp massage done with warm oils (90 minutes: $270). Not a bad way to end the day after 18 holes.

Cast your vote for your favorite spa until March 31st. Winners will be announced on April 1.

With 20 locations around the world, its own line of take-home products and an attitude almost as refreshing as its spa treatments, Bliss is an obvious candidate for Luxist's best day spa award.

Bliss was founded in 1996 as a stand-alone spa in New York's stylish SoHo neighborhood, setting itself apart from rivals with its irreverent approach to relaxation. The proprietors of Bliss chose to play R&B tunes instead of the usual elevator music – "whale music," as they call it – and brownies replaced veggies at the spa's snack table. The approach made waves in the industry, and soon the spa's popularity helped it expand beyond the Big Apple.

Gallery: More from Bliss Spa

Today, Bliss boasts that it has given "a million massages, a trillion triple oxygen treatments and about a bazillion Brazilians." Some of the treatments that made it a hit include "Best of Skintentions," a traditional facial combined with skin-specific exfoliation and a massage (60 minutes: $120), as well as "Blissage 75," which includes a warm wax foot softening wrap and a massage (75 min: $150).

For those who'd like to take some Bliss home with them, the spa offers a full line of skin care, anti-aging and general beauty products. Offerings include "Fabulous Foaming Face Wash" ($34) and "Best of Skintentions" daily moisturizer ($35). For those who'd prefer a bricks-and-mortar spa, new locations have just opened abroad in Singapore, Barcelona and Hong Kong; a Dubai spa is also in the works.

The connection between the Plaza Athénée and Christian Dior dates back to 1947, when the fashion house's namesake and founder chose the hotel as a place to photograph and showcase his models. Soon he began to invite his best customers there for lunch, or eat by himself in a private dining room. Dior even named a couple of his designs "Plaza" and "Athénée."

Gallery: Dior Institute Plaza Athenee

The Dior Institut was established to promote Christian Dior's goal to make women "prettier and happier," with a focus on reversing the effects of aging. The spa boasts five individual treatment rooms, including a VIP couples' room. There is also a fitness center, a sauna and a steam bath on the premises for clients to relax in after receiving treatments.

The typical treatment at Dior begins with a "Lifting 3D" massage, designed to raise energy levels and transform the guest's posture. Next, micro-abrasion revitalizes tissues and skin. Finally, Dior's anti-aging potions are applied to stimulate, reoxygenate and decongest skin. What better way to prepare for a night on the town in the City of Lights?

Cast your vote for your favorite spa until March 31st. Winners will be announced on April 1.

Is there an extended-stay spa with a program that changed your life for the better? Is there a great spa that caters to men with unique programs or treatments? Which international spa is really worth traveling to, even if it is thousands of miles away from home? Is there a luxurious day spa that you believe is the best one around? Which spa do you think offers the best green practices while also offering luxurious surroundings and state-of-the-art treatments? If you can recommend the best spas around the world, we want to hear from you!

The Luxist Readers' Choice Awards for Best in Spas will be awarded based on your nominations and voting. We're currently seeking nominations for the best-of-breed in the following categories:

Best Day Spa
Best Green Spa
Best Extended-Stay Spa
Best International Spa Retreat
Best Men's Spa

One nomination per category, please. Submissions can be filed until March 15, 2010. Winners will be announced on April 1, 2010.