There's something so relaxing about getting into a hot bath, letting the warm water ease the stress away. And when you can share a bath with your partner, you both come away feeling reset, recharged, and reconnected.
From day spas with a view to mineral mud baths to splurge getaways with private hot tubs, there's no better way to bond than with a romantic couples soak.
Dr. Wilkinson's Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs in Calistoga has been around since the 1950s, and it's still got retro, mid-century vibes paired with renovated modern comforts. The centerpiece of the resort is the mineral mud baths, which contain a combination of volcanic ash from St. Helena, mineral rich natural hot water from the property, and peat from Canada. Specially designated couples treatments—like The Works, where the two of you start with side-by-side mud baths, followed by a mineral bath and a mud mask, then a steam, a blanket wrap, and a Swedish massage—let you enjoy the spa's healing properties together. There are also several couples massage options, including salt stone, CBD deep tissue, and an amethyst bio mat massage.
"There's a real joy in doing something completely different together, says Avery Winter, director of spa and wellness at Dr. Wilkinson's. "Our couples' mud baths strike a balance between relaxation and play, giving guests space to unwind, reconnect, and not take things too seriously. The warmth of the mineral water, volcanic ash, and peat moss helps relax the body and soften the skin, but just as important is the shared moment of slowing down and experiencing something playful, unexpected, and genuinely memorable."
If you're an overnight guest, you can soak in any of the three large mineral water pools at the resort; each is at a different natural temperature, and they all contain healing natural minerals. The resort has 50 guest rooms, including some spacious private cottages, all of which underwent a renovation in 2021. And while you can make any visit here romantic, their VDay Getaway special nails it with wine, breakfast and dinner at the onsite House of Better (try the pie!), mud bath treatments, and chauffeured Napa Valley wine tastings included. For day trippers, The Sweetheart's Escape features mud baths, massages, Champagne, and chocolate-covered strawberries.