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Welcome to the second iteration of Vogue’s global spa guide, an index of the 100 best spas in the world, built from the expertise of our global editors and trusted contributors. There is a lot to choose from in the world of wellness, and no matter how far you’re planning to travel—from a subway ride to a trans-Atlantic flight—we want to make sure it’s worth the journey. Whatever your path, let us be your guide.
Why go here?
The Ranch Hudson Valley is modeled after its famous cousin The Ranch Malibu, only with three- or four-day stays for busy, type-A New Yorkers, rather than Malibu’s week-long visits. The forests of the Hudson highlands replace sweeping views of the Pacific—they’re an especially worthy stand-in during the fall when the woods light up with color—but the wellness focus remains the same, east coast and west: At the Ranch, you’ll hike hard, eat clean and lean, and focus on your body, mind, and spirit with daily massages, plus services and activities that include colon hydrotherapy, journaling workshops, and energy healing. To reset the Ranch way, you’ll need to do some prep work; all guests receive a 30-day pre-arrival program with recommendations to up your exercise quotient and eliminate added sugars, alcohol, and caffeine.
What’s the vibe?
During my March stay, daffodils were blooming and the first buds were forming on the 200-acre estate’s trees, but the air still smelled of woodsmoke, with a fire crackling in the marble fireplace of an impressive wood-paneled great room. The 40,000-square-foot stone mansion was a wedding gift from JP Morgan to his daughter in 1907, and it lived many lives in the century or so before it was bought and renovated by Alex and Sue Glasscock, who founded The Ranch Malibu 15 years ago. Today, fitness and yoga classes take place under the former ballroom’s stunning carved ceiling; the orangery is now a dining room, with views down the rolling lawn to Sheppard Pond; and staff quarters “below stairs” have been converted into treatment rooms. Upstairs, the guest bedrooms are sunny and charmingly appointed with antique furniture, modern art, deluxe linens, and WiFi, but no TVs. The staff make or break any retreat experience, and at The Ranch, the guides are not just fit, they’re unfailingly enthusiastic: happy to offer foot care before, after, or during a hike, if needed, and eager to share their expertise, be it in local geology or the benefits of meditation. Carlos’s breathwork class is not to be missed.
The history?
Open since the spring of 2024, The Ranch Hudson Valley draws a substantial portion of its clientele from its Malibu experience—such is the level of devotion its transformational exercise and wellness regime inspires. On my visit, a fellow Rancher, as guests are called, drove out from Los Angeles, and a second proudly displayed badges from four previous stays on their day-pack. For these guests, “Ranch-ing” is a lifestyle: At the communal dining table, they share stories about the coffee-less breakfasts and smuggled packages of Nescafé and the 5 a.m. chime wake-ups of Malibu’s early days. The chimes ring at 6 a.m. in the Hudson Valley and portions are more substantial now; rumors even swirl among guests that animal protein may soon be added to the menu. The weigh-ins and measurements of Malibu are no longer included—the three- and four-day stays are too short to see noticeable changes. Even still, there were outliers who were surprised by the reduced calorie, meatless meals; others remained on property when the rest of us piled into sprinter vans for the morning activities. But despite the varying degrees of interest in the routine-changing benefits the Ranch promises, a we’re-all-in-this-together camaraderie soon develops—it’s one of the defining elements of the Ranch experience.
What should you try?
If you like to hike, this is the retreat experience for you. The four-hour morning treks to nearby Ramapo Reservation and Harriman State Park are the Ranch’s star attractions, guaranteeing 20,000-plus steps a day. (A two-hour option promises about half that much.) Hiking is my high of choice, and under a cloud of mist, Harriman’s Diamond Mountain Loop (rated moderate on AllTrails) was particularly transporting. Afternoons at the Ranch are for recovery: Guests are treated to a 50-minute massage every full day of their stay. Optional fitness and restorative classes are also offered, though plenty of the people on my four-day stint spent their off-trail time napping, enjoying the contrast therapy of the cold and hot plunge pools in the solarium, which also features an infrared sauna with expansive views of the pond, where kayaks will be floating by this summer, or trying to score an extra 3 p.m. snack (the quinoa tahini balls are chef’s-kiss-good). The plant-based meals were another one of the draws for me; the shop on the premises sells two cookbooks, one vegan and the other vegetarian, but guests also receive a list of recipes as a parting gift. Ranch chili served over shredded bibb lettuce and a convincing grilled sandwich made with cashew cheese are meals I will be trying at home. Second portions are always available on request. Of the many “extras” on the spa services on menu, Anthony Holdampf’s hypnotherapy had the most takers; perhaps because he’s the author of Spirit Brew: A Man’s Search for Love, Peace and Purpose Through Ayahuasca.
How environmentally friendly is it?
The Ranch’s neighbor is an active quarry, and on the first day’s hike, which happened on the property, the blasting produced some minor noise pollution, though most hikers on my trip didn’t notice or seem bothered by it.
What else do we need to know?
As much as the focus is on self-improvement and wellness—“the most important relationship is the one you have with yourself” was one of the quotes shared in the pre-hike group hug—would-be Ranchers should be comfortable with group activities. In addition to the group hugs, you will be asked to participate in a gratitude exercise, and an off-calendar singalong in front of the fire just may get added to your final night’s schedule. And don’t neglect the packing list. Ranchers go out in all kinds of weather. If you don’t have rain gear on the trail, you’re going to get wet, and there are few things worse than soggy hiking clothes. And even the most broken-in hiking boots can’t really stand up to 25,000 steps a day. Blisters are almost guaranteed, and they’ll be much, much worse in new boots.
Who can go?
The Ranch Hudson Valley is only open to guests.
Booking details for The Ranch Hudson Valley
Address: 150 Sister Servants Lane, Sloatsburg, New York, 10974
Read more from Vogue’s Global Spa Guide. Read more about The Ranch Hudson Valley at the Conde Nast Traveler Hot List.
