Spa Guide: Mario's International Spa and Hotel

Don’t be fooled by the simple facade of this 1842 Victorian. Stepping into Mario’s International Spa in Aurora is like being transported across the globe. With seven stone fireplaces, marble statues throughout and an underground Finnish grotto with a whirlpool, steam cave and sauna, Mario’s feels like you’re visiting an ethereal, European-style retreat. Here the focus is on holistic wellness services such as the Sawan ($210), a moisturizing body scrub coupled with a wrap that uses pineapple and tamarind extracts to revitalize your skin before a relaxing lemongrass essential oil massage. You’ll find Old World techniques such as the 80-minute Thai Massage ($175), which uses small, herb-filled heated poultices to massage organic nutrients directly into the body and release tension. “Hot stones feel great, but with this you can use more pressure, because it’s an herb bag,” says aesthetic director Patricia Bilek. “It’s a very healing experience.” 35 E. Garfield Road, Aurora, 330-562-9171, marios-spa.com

Try this: Take pressure off your feet with the Sukapao Thai Foot Ritual ($85). Although this treatment includes a pedicure, the real treat begins with a lemongrass essential oil soak bath, which is followed by a fresh, hot banana leaf foot wrap and an invigorating peppermint oil massage to break up the stiffness in your step.