Menla Retreat & Dewa Spa

Menla Retreat & Dewa Spa sits on a wooded property in Phoenicia, in the Catskills, about two hours from New York City. It's primarily a retreat center — hosting multi-day programs on Buddhism, yoga, holistic health and related subjects — with Dewa Spa as the wellness component built into that setup.

Dewa Spa draws on Tibetan healing traditions, a focus that's uncommon among spas in the Western hemisphere. The facilities cover the basics expected of a thermal circuit: sauna, steam room, pools, and a cold plunge, giving guests a way to cycle through heat and cold between other activities on site.

The spa is geared toward groups and couples rather than solo walk-ins, and most visits happen in connection with an overnight stay or a structured retreat rather than as a standalone day-pass experience. A reservation is required for access. Pricing falls in the upscale range (tier 3 of 4), though specific day-pass or treatment rates aren't listed here — worth confirming directly with Menla.

Beyond the spa itself, the broader property runs a packed calendar of retreats — on yoga, breathwork, constellations work, shamanism, and more — so anyone booking a spa visit may find themselves sharing the grounds with a retreat group in session. Hours aren't published, so calling ahead (845-688-6897) or checking menla.org before planning a trip is the practical move.