Welcome to the second iteration of Vogue’s global spa guide, an index of the 100 best spas in the world, built from the expertise of our global editors and trusted contributors. There is a lot to choose from in the world of wellness, and no matter how far you’re planning to travel—from a subway ride to a trans-Atlantic flight—we want to make sure it’s worth the journey. Whatever your path, let us be your guide.

Why go here?

Sure, the nearest beach is 90 miles away. And yes, you’re in the middle of the desert. But no matter—the standard greeting at the nautical-inspired Palm Spring Yacht Club is always, “Welcome aboard.” That may sound silly, but somehow it works. Located within the iconic Parker Palm Springs Hotel and designed by Jonathan Adler, PSYC (as they call the spa for short) manages to be quirky, serene, and chic all at once. Likely that’s because it’s also very serious in its approach to body treatments, facials, and massages: Each one is personalized to suit your specific needs, and a lot of them end with a bliss-inducing scalp massage. The 18,000-square-foot temple is dedicated to “full-on pampering and self-indulgence,” so it also boasts an indoor saltwater pool, eucalyptus steam rooms, saunas, hot tubs, a boutique, a fitness center, and a movement studio. And because the spa’s manifesto proudly proclaims its belief in the “American country club experience, mixed doubles, a long steam, and a stiff cocktail,” every visit starts with the option of a cool, cucumber-infused vodka shot. “The minute you enter, you get it,” explains spa director Charleen Senior. “You realize it’s a different kind of spa as soon as you walk through the door.”

Photo: Courtesy of Parker Palm Springs

What’s the vibe?

Laid-back, sunny, and fun. Adler describes his vision for the Parker Palm Springs as “cheeky hedonistic luxury,” and this is the property’s yacht club, after all. To that end, tongue-in-cheek sailing details abound at PSYC. Life preservers line the shiplapped-covered walls, and there are portholes in the locker rooms in place of windows. Each spacious treatment room is named after an award-winning yacht, and the coed relaxation area is inside a striped cabana right on the pool deck. This is the kind of spa where instead of Enya, they play jazz, and instead of slippers, they hand you flip-flops. With the spa’s soaring double-height ceilings and vintage chaise lounges in bold navy and white, it all comes together like a beautifully curated Wes Anderson set. It’s also very quiet—but just in case someone forgets they’re at a spa, “loose lips sink ships” and “radio silence” are spelled out on hand-lettered signs.

Photo: Courtesy of Parker Palm Springs

The history?

The Parker Palm Springs has a long and storied history. It was originally built in 1959 as the first Holiday Inn in California. It was later purchased by actor Gene Autry, who used it to house his baseball team. In the ’90s, it was a French-themed hotel aligned with Hubert de Givenchy; shortly afterwards, it was owned by Merv Griffith, who renamed it after himself. The current incarnation of the Parker Palm Springs is already 20 years old, but it’s still regarded as the area’s most exclusive and stylish resort—and, truly, its retro-inspired design still feels fresh. The spa itself dates at least as far back to the property’s time as the Givenchy. “The spa was Moroccan-themed at some point, believe it or not,” says Senior. “But, weirdly, it was still known as the Palm Springs Yacht Club. That’s where Jonathan got the idea for the design.”

Photo: Courtesy of Parker Palm Springs

What should you try?

While the interiors of the spa are rich in detail, the spa menu is not. “We don’t include a ton of description; we keep it clean and crisp, like the way you’d run a ship,” laughs Senior, who adds that the idea is to keep treatments individualized and streamlined. “At the end of the day, you know exactly what you want in a massage—you know the pressure you like.” Still, that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of surprises. The Seaweed Body Wrap I tried was not only detoxing, it also included a warm CBD-infused oil massage that was nearly coma-inducing. Senior, for her part, recommends the Sugar Body Polishing treatment, in which a two-inch paint brush is used to apply warm coconut milk after you’re scrubbed. “It’s an amazing experience—extremely relaxing.” For those who want to spend a full or half day “at sea,” the spa also offers multi-treatment Shore Excursions. Among them: the Yachtsman’s Voyage, which includes a 60-minute facial, a 60-minute massage, and a manicure; or the Sweet Sailing, which includes some of the aforementioned plus a 90-minute Honey Cocoon Body Ritual. There’s also the ability to add everything from cupping, to reflexology foot massages, to face masks to any service.

Photo: Courtesy of Parker Palm Springs

How environmentally friendly is it?

The Parker Palm Springs and PSYC have saline pools, use eco-friendly cleaning products, and offer electric vehicle charging stations. There are water bottle refill stations all over the property, and the restaurants compost their food scraps.

What else do we need to know?

This isn’t your typical wellness experience. A stay at the Parker Palm Springs and a visit to PSYC are really more about indulging in a fun getaway than anything else—and we all know that can be plenty restorative in itself. Aside from the amenities at PSYC, the Parker itself also offers a ton of activities—there are red clay tennis courts, two outdoor swimming pools, pétanque courts, croquet, a giant chess game, morning yoga classes, a speakeasy wine bar, and a few restaurants. The always-buzzing, retro-inspired lobby lounge—which features a central floating fireplace and a giant lighted “Drugs” sign—is practically worth a visit in itself. With so much to do on the sprawling 13-acre property, it’s advisable to stay for at least one night if you can swing it. You’ll definitely want to soak it all up.

Who can go?

The spa is open to guests who are not staying at the resort. In fact, many Palm Spring locals are regulars. While spa guests have access to all that the spa offers, the rest of the resort’s amenities are off-limits if you aren’t an overnight guest.

Booking details for The Parker Palm Springs