This NC spa was ranked among the best in the US. Why travelers love it.
Those in search of a premier spa experience can look no further than a Western North Carolina resort.
The Art of Living Retreat Center, a sprawling wellness sanctuary in Boone, was ranked among the top destination spas in the U.S., coming in at No. 20, according to Condé Nast Traveler’s 2025 Reader’s Choice Awards survey.
It earned an overall score of 92.71, results show.
For its 38th year, readers cast a staggering 757,109 votes to highlight “the very best in travel” and guide those searching for their next getaway.
Venkat Srinivasan, vice president of operations at the Art of Living Retreat Center, called it “an incredible honor.”
“What makes this recognition so meaningful is that it comes directly from our guests and community,” Srinivasan said in a news release sent to CharlotteFive.
“Every day, our team is devoted to creating a sanctuary where people can slow down, reconnect, and feel truly cared for, and seeing that dedication reflected back through this award is profoundly rewarding.”
What makes it special
Tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the retreat center is set on over 380 acres of forest where guests can recenter through meditation and yoga classes, Ayurvedic massages and other wellness activities, according to the release.
The Art of Living Retreat Center also offers all-inclusive wellness escapes and customizable retreat programs, according to its website. Guests can book a facial or detox treatment at the on-site spa and enjoy a variety of outdoor activities from hiking to bonfires.
The lush sanctuary previously earned a Traveler’s Choice Award from Trip Advisor, a designation reserved for accommodations “that are ranked within the top 10% of properties on” the platform. It had a 4.7 out of 5-star rating as of Nov. 13 and earned high praise for its picturesque setting and serene atmosphere.
“The location is absolutely wonderful, the staff super kind and welcoming,” one guest said of their recent stay. “Mary, in the spa, is perfection. As was the lady, whose name I didn’t catch, that taught the sunrise yoga. Her energy and class were infectious and a wonderful way to start the day.”
Another guest described the spa experience as “absolute bliss.”
“Gayatri was my practitioner, and her presence was so grounding and nurturing,” they wrote. “The treatment itself was a beautiful balance of relaxation and deep healing. I felt truly cared for in every moment.”
Where are the nation’s best destination spas?
Here are the spa resorts that cracked the top 10, as voted by Condé Nast Traveler readers:
- Lake Austin Spa Resort in Austin, Texas (Score: 98.42)
- Shou Sugi Ban House in Water Mill, New York (Score: 98.18)
- The Ranch Hudson Valley in Sloatsburg, New York (Score: 97.99)
- Mii Amo in Sedona, Arizona (Score: 97.58)
- Miraval Berkshires Resort + Spa in Lenox, Massachusetts (Score: 97.2)
- Canyon Ranch Woodside in Woodside, California (Score: 97.16)
- Sundara Inn + Spa in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin (Score: 96.99)
- The Lodge at Woodloch in Hawley, Pennsylvania (Score: 96.94)
- The Ranch Malibu in Malibu, California (Score: 96.69)
- Cal-a-Vie in Vista, California (Score: 96.67)
