As I arrive at Garden of the Gods Resort and Club in Colorado Springs—home to Garden of the Gods Park, a registered national landmark with red rock sandstone formations—for a three-day visit to recharge and reflect before pending knee surgery for a running injury, I’m immediately transported by the crisp, mountain air and the painterly backdrop in rich tones of terra-cotta. Originally founded as a private club and refuge 70 years ago, the veritable oasis boasts three swimming pools, a 27-hole golf course and STRATA Integrated Wellness and Spa, a new 31,000-square-foot facility housing a medical center, spa and event center.
After checking into a newly unveiled Wellness Spa casita appointed with a soaking tub, a fireplace and a cozy, modern living room, I comb the more than 200 offerings from IV Nutritional Therapy and cardiology to naturopathy at STRATA, featuring more than 40 board- certified doctors and wellness clinicians. Admittedly, I want to try everything imaginable interspersed with socially distanced mindful meditation classes and visits to the Pink Himalayan salt-inhalation sauna, but I choose a healing touch session to align chakras and eliminate energy blockages, and the Aypa energy body treatment (a nod to an Andean Incan ritual with earth, wind and fire components) comprised of indigenous Peruvian plants and fruits such as purple corn exfoliant and sacha inchi oil. By the end of day one, my shoulders have noticeably dropped, and lingering thoughts of the to-do list have vanished. By day three, I feel a new sense of self, ready for just about anything that comes my way—even surgery. gardenofthegodsresort.com
—Jennie Nunn