Mohonk’s “gentlemen’s massage” didn’t cause screams of pleasure or pain—though afterward Evan noted that his shoulders felt much looser and his neck less knotty—but the revitalizing men’s facial was a clear hit. He kept staring at his reflection for the rest of the day. Meanwhile, I indulged in the spa’s signature facial and a hot paraffin wax manicure and pedicure—two and a half hours of bliss that left me as jointless as jelly. That night we swapped spa stories over wine and juicy steaks in the formal dining room (jackets required) and then scurried back to our tower room to cozy up by the fireplace. In the end, I think the whole spa thing is starting to appeal to him, if only in small ways. Case in point: In the bathroom the next day, I couldn’t find the complimentary body lotion or oatmeal-flecked facial bar. A certain someone had slipped it into his toiletry bag to take home.

-Alexandra Baer

Mohonk.com; (845) 255-1000; Eagle Cliff Gentlemen’s Massage, $100 for 50 minutes; $165 for 80 minutes.

THE LODGE AT WOODLOCH
Hawley, Pennsylvania

My husband, Paul, and I disagree about lots of things: when to pay bills (I’m always early, he’s just on time), drinking from the tap (I fear rusty pipes, he hates bottled water), and the appropriate time to wear long underwear (below freezing for me, early November for him). But we are in total agreement about what makes a marriage work: quality time together and quality time apart.

That’s why The Lodge at Woodloch was a perfect fit for our romantic weekend away. Clocking in at just over two hours from New York City, the brand-new spa in eastern Pennsylvania gave us numerous opportunities to indulge in the things that make us happy as a couple—plush king-size beds, long massages, multi-course meals crafted from local ingredients—and the activities that keep us content as individuals—hiking and mountain biking for Paul, reading by the fire and morning yoga for me. The spa took our “separate but together” approach a step further by balancing the gender-exclusive saunas, steam rooms, and whirlpool baths with a co-ed “aqua garden”—a watery playground replete with large indoor pool, soaking pools, heated hydromassage water walls, and outdoor Jacuzzi with radiant heat deck (so it’s fun to get wet, even in the winter).

At breakfast the next morning—fresh fruit smoothie and poached eggs Florentine for me, coffee and bagel with smoked salmon for him—we toasted to a perfect weekend together…and apart.

Thelodgeatwoodloch.com; (866) 953-8500; 50-minute Lodge Massage for Two, $230.

CALISTOGA RANCH
Calistoga, California