Elements West Hartford, West Hartford

At Elements, you don't need spelunking gear and bat repellant to be considered a "caver." The staff applies the term to those who regularly visit its artificial salt cave—a grotto lined with pink Himalayan salt and lounge chairs. The salt dispenses particles into the air that potentially soothe the skin and combat respiratory ailments, such as congestion and asthma. And, by mimicking a natural cave, the room falls in line with the spa's eco-friendly motif. This focus on the environment pervades all of their treatments, paying homage to the elements of earth, water, wood, metal, and fire.

A wet room, complete with a vichy shower and soaking tub, best embody the "water" aspect, whereas skin and massage services incorporate the remainder of the elements. Aestheticians light up complexions with products from Naturopathica Holistic Skin Care, applying extracts of alpine willow, rosemary, and chamomile to fight the signs of acne and rosacea. Massage therapists, meanwhile, customize their kneads to the unique aches of each client. They might untie muscular knots with help from Mexican beach stones, or conduct an ashiatsu massage with their bare feet, the best tools for conducting deep-tissue work behind jackhammers set to "gentle."