by Jane Leisteiner

Is there anything better than a spa vacation; being indulged and fussed over? Answer: Yes, if the spa happens to be part of a unique and charming Bed and Breakfast (B&B) or country inn. Here’s some ‘Spa Bed and Breakfasts” across America that just took our breath away!


Completing our spa odyssey from west to east, the Buttermilk Falls Inn & Spa in Milton, N.Y. is a renovated 1680 home and 70-acre estate on the banks of the Hudson River. Outside, the grounds have retained their historic charm with exquisite gardens, flowering terraces, and wildflower fields; there are even swans! Indoors, guests can enjoy their own whirlpool tub or curl up in front of their fireplaces.

The spa at Buttermilk Falls offers literally dozens of relaxing options. Massage choices include shiatsu, Swedish, deep tissue, hot stone and even pre- or post-natal massage. A variety of facials also are available, and be sure to ask the innkeepers about the many spa packages that are available. Try the Peace Retreat for the ultimate spa experience.

Located close to Dallas, The Sanford House Inn & Spa is comprised of a rambling elegant mansion and four cottages, all decorated in majestic yet understated elegance. Besides offering a superb menu and wine tasting in its private dining room, Sanford House Inn offers a breadth of spa amenities. These include a range of massages, body polishing, and Botanical; Sanford House’s botox-like wrinkle treatment uses no needle, and generates no pain! Add facials, makeup, waxings, hand and foot treatments, and even a hair salon, and Sanford House truly is an all-in-one spa/country inn escape.

Guests at award-winning Pearson’s Pond Luxury Bed and Breakfast Inn can walk to a glacier, relax in a hot tub surrounded by towering pines, or snuggle up in front of the fireplace in their room. The inn’s Adventure Spa features everything you need to revive your body and spirit, from the mountain biking and hiking trails where one can commune with nature to the relaxing massage therapy. The innkeepers have art supplies and musical instruments for guest use, as well as outdoor gear.

Massage away your cares and worries at the Cheshire Cat Inn & Spa in Santa Barbara, California. The whimsically-named inn includes two Queen Anne Victorian homes, as well as cottages and a coach house, each decorated in romantic style with antiques and Laura Ashley fabrics. The innkeepers at this award-winning getaway offer many massage options. For total relaxation, try The Cheshire Cat massage, which works on your neck, back, shoulders and scalp and includes aromatherapy with citrus, rosemary and ginger oils. Acupressure, deep tissue therapy and facials also are available.

Named for famed lawyer and politician, Daniel Webster, the Dan’l Webster Inn and Spa in Sandwich, Mass., offers the best of historic ambiance and relaxation. The 300-year-old inn features individually decorated guest rooms and suites, many with four-poster beds, fireplaces or whirlpool tubs. The inn’s spa has a full range of services, from massages and manicures to body treatments and facials. There are several spa packages, including The Cranberry Cosmo which includes a back, neck and shoulder massage, cranberry manicure and a cosmopolitan cocktail.