The Good Life: Winter Spa-tacular

PHILADELPHIA

1: Winter Body Renewal at Adolf Biecker Spa & Salon
This full-body exfoliation includes a mini-facial and Vichy shower, too. The vibe: Total. Utter. Serenity. Best for: The no-nonsense spa-ette who wants her treatments to accomplish something. Great for winter because: It’s ultra-moisturizing. $110; The Rittenhouse Hotel, 210 West Rittenhouse Square, 215-735-6404; adolfbiecker.com.

2: Citrus Brown Sugar Scrub at Body Restoration
You’ll lay atop a table covered with layers of plastic sheets as a homemade brown sugar scrub is applied all over your body; then comes a gentle face and body massage. The vibe: Pleasant urban retreat. Best for: The person who wants it all in one seamless treatment. Great for winter because: The scrub sloughs away scales. And smells like dessert. $70; 1611 Walnut Street, 3rd floor, 215-569-9599; bodyrest.com.

3: Philadelphia Freedom Hot Towel Infusion at the Spa at Four Seasons
Few things are as decadent as this 80-minute treatment, in which each body part is covered with steaming hot towels steeped in aromatic herbs, then deeply massaged. The vibe: Total class act. Best for: Anyone in need of pampering. Great for winter because: It’s super-hydrating. $180; Four Seasons Hotel, 1 Logan Square, 215-405-2815; fourseasons.com/philadelphia.

4: BioLift Facial at Rescue Rittenhouse Spa Lounge
From the gentle topical peel to the round of electric currents (beware the tinny taste this temporarily leaves in your mouth), you’ll feel your skin thanking you for the attention. The vibe: Luxe loft. Best for: Spa regulars who appreciate treatments that are as functional as they are fun. Great for winter because: Your dead skin will become just a memory. $150; 255 South 17th Street, 2nd floor, 215-772-2766; rescuerittenhouse-spa.com.

5: Sports Massage at Richel D’Ambra Spa & Salon
You won’t feel roughed up, thanks to the steely but accommodating hands of Jennifer, who asks permission before digging deep into muscle knots. The vibe: Dreamy Zen escape. Best for: Athletes and the active. Great for winter because: The exotic decor makes you feel far, far from Philly. $120; The Ritz-Carlton, 10 South Broad Street, 3rd floor, 215-523-8035; richeldambra.com.

6: Four-Handed Massage at Tabu Salon & Spa
Once you get over the self-conscious assumption that having two people work on you means they’ll gossip later about your flaws, you realize that this is the ultimate in hedonistic massage. The vibe: SoHo loft. Best for: Regular spa-goers and the curious. Great for winter because: There’s nothing hotter than hands all over your body. $130; 37-39 South 3rd Street, 215-413-3000; tabusalon.com.

7: Hydrating Body Polish and Facial at Terme Di Aroma
You’ll leave feeling super-smooth — and confident enough to wear strapless to your next winter affair. The vibe: Hushed holistic haven. Best for: Someone who wants a gentle, tranquil escape. Great for winter because: They serve warm homemade apple cider. $70; 32 North 3rd Street, 215-829-9769; termediaroma.com.

BUCKS COUNTY

8: Couples Massage at Nurture Spa
John and Colleen go out of their way to make sure even spa-phobic guys feel at ease, as couples lie side by side and soy candles illuminate the room. The vibe: Crate & Barrel cool. Best for: Couples who can’t stand pretension. Great for winter because: You’ll now have a new Valentine’s Day tradition. $300; 415 South York Road, New Hope, 215-862-7010; nurturespa.com.

9: Herbal Linen Wrap at Skin ’n Tonic Spa & Salon
After a dry-brush exfoliation, you’ll get wrapped in warmed linen sheets that have been soaked in the spa’s signature herbs. Then comes a cooling facial treatment, a scalp massage, and massage-like moisturizing. The vibe: Laid-back luxury. Best for: Spa-goers seeking nature-inspired nurturing. Great for winter because: It improves circulation and hydrates. $100; Peddler’s Village Shop 56, Lahaska, 215-794-3966; skinntonic.com.

CHESTER & DELAWARE COUNTIES

10: Soft Pack Journey at AME Salon and Spa
Under the skilled care of Rose, your body will be exfoliated twice before you rinse off in the spa’s 16-head shower. Then you’ll be painted with your choice of a butter, green tea or mud wrap before resting in a state-of-the-art “water-bed” and finishing with a full-body aromatherapy massage. The vibe: Urban Zen. Best for: Spa-goers who’ve become bored with the ordinary. Great for winter because: Hot showers + warm wraps + aromatherapy = ultimate escape. $200; 111 Waynewood Avenue, Wayne, 610-995-2631; amesalonandspa.com.

11: Ginger Mango Scrub at Corinthian Wellness Salon & Spa
This very grown-up treatment leaves you baby-soft as Shannon sloughs off dead skin, one limb at a time. The vibe: Natural, neutral minimalism. Best for: Anyone with dry skin. Great for winter because: Four words: Red-heated ceiling lamps. $85; 3543 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, 610-356-6062; corinthiansalonandspa.com.

12: Hot Stone Massage at Chuck Thayer Salon & Spa
You’ll instantly relax — and warm up — as hot stones (atop towels) are placed around your body. The vibe: Intimate, glossy, modern. Best for: Main Liners who can’t make it to Palm Beach. Great for winter because: When the therapist slips tiny, smooth, heated stones between each of your toes near the end of the 75-minute treatment, you’ll feel warm all over — for the first time in months. $135; the Radnor Hotel, 595 East Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, 610-687-6004; chuckthayersalon.com.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

13: Oxygen Facial at Jolie Salon & Day Spa
You just might doze off during this series of masks and face and neck massages, as pure oxygen is sprayed into your pores to eliminate toxins and ward off wrinkles. The vibe: Stylish suburbs-meet-L.A. sanctuary. Best for: Girls who want to put off Botox. Great for winter because: It will plump up your wind-whipped cells. $120; 750 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell, 610-277-2152; joliespa.com.

14: Spa Teaser at Changes Salon & Day Spa
A relaxing massage seamlessly morphs into a facial using moisture-enhancing, wrinkle-fighting products. The vibe: Attitude-free Main Line hideaway. Best for: The time-challenged or indecisive. Great for winter because: From scalp to toenail, you’re covered in aromatic moisturizer. $65; 30 Greenfield Avenue, Ard-more, 610-649-3773; changessalonspa.com.

15: The Get Real Facial at Citrus Salon & Day Spa
The most self-conscious 16-year-old will enjoy this rookie-specific facial, since the aesthetician keeps an open dialogue — and a warming, aromatic steam — going throughout the 30-minute treatment. Bonus: It will ward off PMS breakouts. The vibe: Posh suburban getaway. Best for: Teens. Great for winter because: The steam treatment and warm masks are a break from the March of the Penguins world outdoors. Even icy teens will thaw. $60; 1201 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell, 610-277-HAIR; citrussalonspa.com.

16: Therapeutic Massage at Francesco & Giovanni Salon & Spa
Say goodbye to aches with this deep, slow kneading massage. The vibe: Cool and calm. Best for: Anyone who’s always on the go. Great for winter because: The heated table is heavenly. $80; 72 South Trooper Road, Trooper, 610-539-2887; fgsalonspa.com.

17: Champagne and Roses Buttercream Wrap at Millennium Hair and Day Spa
Leah will exfoliate your skin with a grape-based champagne scrub, apply a roses-and-buttercream moisturizer, wrap you in layers of heated blankets, and massage your scalp for a good 20 minutes. The vibe: Main Line mainstay. Best for: Anyone looking to unwind — and smell delicious. Great for winter because: Every Valentine’s Day ingredient is used in the most sensory-stimulating way. $85; Wynnewood Shopping Center, 50 East Wynnewood Road, Wynnewood, 610-649-4977; millenniumhairanddayspa.com.

18: Maternity Massage at Elizabeth Arden Red Door Salon & Spa at Saks
Every pregnant woman deserves to be this relaxed and comfortable. Even at week 35, the relief will last for days. The vibe: Crème de la crème. Best for: Any mom-to-be. Great for winter because: Pregnant is hard; pregnant in snow and cold is even harder. $100; 2 Bala Plaza, Bala Cynwyd, 610-667-9166; reddoorspas.com.

19: Tri-Level Peel at Regie Wise
Inside her gadget-filled office, Regie will spend an hour consulting with you on your skin before sloughing off dead cells, with, say, her diamond-plated wand — or a light chemical peel. The vibe: Suburban doctor’s office. Best for: Anyone committed to ongoing skin treatments. Great for winter because: Regie’s knowledge — and patience — are heartwarming. $175-$205; 888 Glenbrook Avenue, Bryn Mawr; 610-527-5025.

20: “The Vacationer” at Rejuvinessence
The time passes quickly between a cleansing papaya enzyme mask, a hydrating Vitamin C mask, a marine collagen mask and head-to-toe massaging, plus a spa lunch. The vibe: New Age jewel box. Best for: Someone who wants a cozy, unpretentious spa experience. Great for winter because: It’s warm; they even heat — and scrub — your feet during the facial. $270; Valley Court Yard, 2535 Huntingdon Pike, Huntingdon Valley, 215-938-6000; rejuvinessence.com.

21: Therapeutic Massage at The Body Serene Day Spa
Spa owner Roseanne Klementisz gives credit to her mom for the homey, family-friendly vibe of her two-story hangout. But things turn more intense with the spa’s deep massage, as Darryl makes his way around every inch of your body. The vibe: Doting aunt’s house. Best for: Totally unpretentious spa-goers. Great for winter because: The spa feels like home — cozy, comforting and warm. $70; the Shops at Newbury Square, 4007 Skippack Pike, Skippack, 610-584-7284; thebodyserene.com.

NEW JERSEY

22: Aromatherapy Massage at Louis Christian Wayne Robert Salon and Spa
You’ll sniff a dozen unlabeled bottles before, as skilled masseuse Carolyn tells you, your body will recognize which scent it “needs.” Suffering from winter colds? You’ll supposedly gravitate toward the lemon essence, which will then be released into the air and worked into the massage cream. The vibe: Sleek futuristic den. Best for: Anyone with a cold or aches. Great for winter because: Your airways will be de-clogged, and the spa’s silvery design will transport you far from the snowy strip mall outside. $85; 1990 Route 70 East, Cherry Hill, 856-751-2233; lcwrsalonandspa.com.

23: Raindrop Massage at Mane Stop Salon & Day Spa
Nine essential antimicrobial oils are dripped along your spine and massaged in to ease back pain. (Psst: You leave the oils on overnight. They smell. Warn your spouse.) The vibe: Dark and quaintly overdecorated. Best for: The spa addict seeking the offbeat. Great for winter because: The oils burn. Literally. $85; 116 East Kings Highway, Haddonfield, 856-795-5122; manestopsalon.com.

24: Body Bliss at Zanya Spa Salon
After a 20-minute detoxifying steam and a scalp massage, you get a sea salt exfoliation and hour-long full-body massage. The vibe: Chic, serene retreat. Best for: Those who crave head-to-toe pampering. Great for winter because: The steam relieves congestion, and the scrub leaves winter skin like butter. $185; The Laceworks Building, 287 South Main Street, suite 7, Lambertville, 609-773-0770; zanyaspasalon.com.

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS

25: Body Polish at Bluemercury
The 50-minute body polish is at once useful (it exfoliates) and relaxing (with a mild massage and a cocoon of heated blankets). The vibe: Comfortably hip. Best for: Anyone headed on a sunbathing vacation. Great for winter because: It sloughs off scaliness. $95; 1707 Walnut Street, 215-569-3100; see bluemercury.com for other locations.

26: Winter Velvet Body Wrap at Pierre & Carlo European Salon Spa
You’ll have every inch of your body painted with wax before you relax, mummy-like, with layers of mylar and blankets wrapped around you. Then comes a soothing mask before everything’s peeled off. The vibe: Busy high-end salon. Best for: Non-claustrophobes. Great for winter because: The wax will warm you up, and leave you dewy, smooth and soothed. $105; 200 South Broad Street, 215-790-9910; see pierreandcarlo.com for other locations.

27: Rendezvous for Two at Toppers Spa
You and yours will have basalt stones worked into your muscles and hot towels applied to your backs. The vibe: Laura Ashley’s sitting room. Best for: Couples looking to de-stress. Great for winter because: It will put you in snuggle-mood. $220; 745 West Lancaster Avenue, Devon, 610-989-9660; see toppersspa.com for other locations.

28: Couples Massage at 3000 BC
With a Tea Lounge and an inhalation room, 3000 BC takes details seriously. Couples can choose a Swedish or deep tissue massage; both come with chocolate fondue for two. The vibe: Modern, sleek diversion. Best for: Trend-setters. Great for winter because: All of your senses come alive. $250; 8439 Germantown Avenue, Chestnut Hill, 215-247-6020;
see 3000bc.com for other locations.