Study: The best cities in the world for spas in 2025

In a world where wellness has become a global priority, some cities have risen above the rest as true sanctuaries of relaxation. To spotlight these destinations, we analyzed spa accessibility, guest satisfaction, and digital demand across international markets.

Knowing where spa culture is thriving can help you identify your market’s strengths and areas for growth. If you’re a spa owner thinking about expanding, these cities show strong demand for wellness, meaning plenty of potential customers. On the flip side, cities with growing interest but fewer spas could be perfect for opening a new location and tapping into a fresh market.

From historic European retreats to sunny U.S. havens, our study reveals where spa culture thrives and where it has room to grow.

The world's top spa cities are those that perfectly balance accessibility, affordability, quality, and popularity. These destinations are ideal for relaxation and rejuvenation, offering luxurious spa treatments alongside vibrant local experiences.

At the top of the list: Bath in England, a historic city famous for its ancient Roman baths and therapeutic waters; Palm Springs in California, known for its desert oasis vibe, high-end spas, and stunning mountain views; and Miami in Florida, a city that blends luxury spa services with its renowned beaches and lively culture.

Want to know which other cities made the list? Check out the full ranking of all 55 cities below. The rankings are based on five key factors, ensuring a comprehensive guide to the best spa destinations globally.

Bath, England, with its centuries-old wellness traditions, ranked first for spa density and placed fifth in spa-related search interest. It also stood out with a notable presence of luxury spas, securing the 13th spot for high-end offerings.

Palm Springs, California, earned the top position for digital demand, with the highest number of spa-related searches per capita. It also ranked second in spa availability and ninth in affordability, an attractive mix for both locals and tourists seeking relaxation in the desert.

Miami, Florida, rounded out the global top three with strong showings in both spa density and search interest, claiming third place in both categories. Though its affordability ranking was lower at 13th, Miami's vibrant wellness scene still placed it firmly among the global elite.

Within the United States, spa culture thrives in both coastal and inland regions. Whether you're looking to open a new location or attract clients, these cities are leading the way in luxury and wellness experiences.

The top 10 best American cities for spas are:

1. Palm Springs, California

2. Miami, Florida

3. Scottsdale, Arizona

4. Honolulu, Hawaii

5. Boston, Massachusetts

6. Seattle, Washington

7. New York, New York

8. Denver, Colorado

9. San Francisco, California

10. Austin, Texas

Not all spa cities shine for the same reasons. While some lead in guest satisfaction, others stand out for luxury, affordability, or sheer demand. By breaking down the rankings across each of the study's five key factors, we reveal which cities excel in specific areas of spa culture, offering deeper insight into what makes each destination unique.

Bath (UK), Palm Springs (U.S.), and Miami (U.S.) led the world in spas per capita, giving residents and visitors exceptional access to wellness experiences. These cities offer a dense network of spa services, making it easy for guests to find treatments that match their preferences and schedules.

When it comes to satisfaction, Sao Paulo (Brazil), Kyoto (Japan), and Scottsdale (U.S.) earned the highest average Yelp ratings among all cities studied. Each scored over 4.3 out of 5 stars, an indicator of consistently positive guest experiences and standout service.

Digital demand told a similar story, with Palm Springs (U.S.), Toronto (Canada), and Miami (U.S.) topping the list for spa-related Google searches per capita. Palm Springs had the highest search volume by far, with nearly 44,000 searches per 100,000 people, reflecting a strong interest in spa services among locals and tourists alike.

Affordability and luxury varied by region. Japanese cities like Osaka and Kyoto offered the highest percentage of affordable spas. Geneva, Switzerland, led the way in luxury, with half of its spas classified in the highest pricing tier. Milan and Rome followed next, highlighting Europe's strong presence in upscale spa offerings.

Expansion opportunities: For spa entrepreneurs, emerging markets with increasing search interest but fewer spas might be ripe for investment. Use digital demand data to scout promising locations.

Market positioning: If you operate in or near these top cities, leverage the high digital demand by optimizing your online presence and encouraging customer reviews.

Customer expectations: Cities with high ratings and luxury spas set the bar for service quality — continuous training and innovation in treatments can help you compete.

Pricing strategy: Consider the local market’s affordability vs. luxury balance to price your services appropriately and attract your target clientele.

Spas offer more than just relaxation. They can also reflect a city's culture of care, self-investment, and hospitality. Whether guests seek an indulgent retreat or an affordable refresh, the cities in our study show that great spa experiences come in many forms.

For spa owners and operators, these findings are about more than just rankings. They pinpoint the ingredients of a thriving spa market: accessible services, quality experiences, and strong local interest. The opportunity? Take these lessons and consider opening wellness destinations where they're needed most.

This study aimed to rank the best cities in the world for spas using a combination of Yelp data and Google search interest. The analysis was limited to cities with sufficient Yelp coverage and spa-related listings.

We evaluated global cities that met the following inclusion criteria:

Each city's final score was calculated using a weighted index based on the following five factors:

Cities were excluded if they had fewer than 20 spa listings on Yelp or lacked sufficient search volume or population data. Due to these data availability constraints, some notable cities may not appear in the ranking.

While Yelp and search data offer valuable insight, the study does not account for:

The rankings reflect only the cities that met our inclusion criteria and are based on the defined variables and weights. As such, "top" or "best" cities refer specifically to those ranked highest among this dataset, not necessarily all cities globally.

Zenoti provides an all-in-one, cloud-based software solution that empowers salons, spas, medspas, barbershops, and fitness studios to seamlessly manage every aspect of the business in a comprehensive mobile solution.

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