The Retreat at the Vault
Photograph by Jeff Fusco One floor above Matt and Sabrina Kelley’s dynamic Brazilian jiu jitsu school stands the Retreat. The aptly named, appointment-only recovery studio — home to state-of-the-art saunas, cold-plunge tanks, red-light therapy panels, and 6D massage chairs powered by AI — is so tranquil you’ll forget how much time has passed since your arrival, and that takedowns are happening right below you. Who knew a slice of Delco could feel like such a serene escape? 25 South Morton Avenue, Morton, PA 19070
Space & Grace Yoga and Wellness
This community-minded, über-welcoming Germantown studio, which opened two years ago under the direction of Aisha Waters, offers seasonally rotating yoga classes — past sessions have included power flow, heated, and a practice taught entirely in Spanish. Bonus: Meditation, sound baths, and couple’s yoga workshops are frequently on offer. 6120 Greene Street, Unit B, Philadelphia, PA 19144
Invert Your World
This isn’t just a yoga studio — though the vinyasa, Ashtanga, and slow flow classes are fire. (No, seriously: The heat index reaches 95 degrees.) There’s also a packed roster of Pilates, barre, HIIT, and dance workouts; retreats to Tulum; and a newly opened recovery studio boasting red-light and halo therapies and an infrared sauna. With all that variety, it’s no surprise that folks return again and again. 100 Wissahickon Avenue, Ambler, PA 19002
Monique Olmo
This South Philly native has been in the industry for 20 years, but last October she debuted her own private suite, Zemi Skin Society, inside Walnut Street’s Sola Salons — and it’s a facial haven. In 55 minutes, Olmo, who says she takes a “progressive, not aggressive” approach to skin care, will cleanse, exfoliate, and hydrate your face with a completely customized treatment — and fill your session with an abundance of positive energy — leaving you with a radiant glow and feeling totally nourished. 1503 Walnut Street, Suite 17A, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Ebba Sparre Sauna Collective
Leave it to the creatives at Scout — the group behind the Bok Building — to bring Philadelphians a moment of zen in the most unexpected places. These barrel-shaped four-person saunas, which debuted outside the American Swedish Historical Museum last winter (and are slated to return in a new place, TBD, this fall), may be booked by the hour, but the schvitz high lasts all day.
G-Strength
Photograph by Jeff Fusco All are welcome at Giancarlo Regni’s five gyms, where you’ll follow a whole-body training plan that fits your level — while being guided to keep making gains. It’s all the benefits of having a personal trainer without the hefty price tag and all the fun of working out with a group but not as a group. Multiple locations,
The Wildflower Collective
Havertown mom, photographer, and maternal mental health advocate Rachel Creighton created this intimate space where women can come together to build community, get creative, connect with small businesses, and simply be themselves. Find pop-up workshops, like journaling, yoga, and DIY charm bars, plus sessions on women’s health and a monthly sip-and-socialize. 16 East Eagle Road, Havertown, PA 19083
Pilates & Plunge At W Philadelphia
What was supposed to be a five-week series last fall quickly became so popular that it’s now an ongoing experience at one of Philly’s chicest hotels. You’ll move through a low-impact, muscle-engaging mat Pilates sesh led by Coach Zha before taking a dip in the W’s outdoor pool. You’ll never want to go back to “regular” workouts again. 1439 Chestnut Street, 7th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Together Athletics
Three years (and studios) since opening, Together has become the place to work out. Kate and James Connelly and their crew continue to show us what wellness in action looks like: modern mat and Reformer Pilates workouts that keep you coming back, a show-up-as-you-are (and crush it!) ethos, collabs with other local small businesses, and community events that foster friendships with the ease and playfulness of summer camp. Multiple locations.,
K. Louise Boutique
The stylists at Kara Williams’s relaxing Roxborough salon — including Williams, a colorist and hair educator — are pros at giving shape and making highly textured kinks and curls look damned good. All services include a wash and conditioning, and for the cherry on top, complimentary tea, wine, coffee, and snacks. 6072 Ridge Avenue, Floor 1, Philadelphia, PA 19128
Talon Nail Bar
Book early and don’t rush is the name of the game at this appointment-only Queen Village salon. (The techs take their time because they take your nails seriously.) Whether you’re after glazed-doughnut chrome or hot dog nail art (yes, really), the results are flawless, and your dip manicure will last for weeks. 509 South 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Scalp Facial at Sarang Head Spa
Sonia Yoon not only traveled to Korea to study traditional head spa practices, but also imported a curated line of Korean hair products she uses exclusively. Her spa’s custom scalp facials work to exfoliate, stimulate, and clean hair follicles to improve thinness, dryness, oiliness, and growth. Get all the benefits of having someone else wash your hair, but way upgraded. 1900 Waterloo Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122
Dana Garrett
We seriously considered gatekeeping Garrett, but she and her intimate massage studio Therapivity, inside Fitness Works, are too good to keep to ourselves. She deftly sorts out tense muscles using a variety of modalities — including cupping, gua sha, and lymphatic drainage — especially for those looking to optimize peak physical performance and recover accordingly. Bonus: Garrett will travel to you. 714 Reed Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Wildflower Wellness Spa
Photograph by Jeff Fusco Think “one-stop shop” means a bunch of mediocre services? Think again. At this Paoli gem, you can get a skin-reviving custom facial from co-owner Heather Champion, an expert cut and color from co-owner Maria Phillips (don’t miss her signature head spa treatment), a killer massage, a turn in the sauna, a spray tan, and a cute summer dress from the well-stocked boutique. All of this goodness occurs in an old house that’s restored so beautifully you won’t want to leave. 12 South Valley Road, Paoli, PA 19301
Fleurs du Mal Hair Salon
Named after Baudelaire’s poetry collection Flowers of Evil as a nod to “finding your own version of beauty,” this Queen Village salon guides customers in telling their one-of-a-kind stories via their hair. Along with their team, co-owners Meera Gessner and Cate Breining lean into fun, alternative styles and color — think mullets, wolf cuts, and vivid hues across the rainbow — so you can confidently look and feel your best, most radical self. 736 South 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Skin Retreat Medspa
There’s much to like about this addition to Philly’s skin-care scene, especially if you’re a med-spa newbie. That’s because owner and aesthetician Jessica Pineda likes to “keep it light,” whether you’re opting for tox, fillers, or a laser treatment for your face, lips, hands, or chest. Our favorite option? Sofwave, which uses ultrasound technology to boost collagen and lift your face — no needles needed. 1825 Callowhill Street, Unit C2, Philadelphia, PA 19130
Center City Breathe
“There isn’t a place in most cities dedicated just to breathing,” says Ari Barkan. And he’s right — which is why his studio is a much-needed exhale of the world’s noise. Calm your nervous system with qigong energy practice, somatic sessions, tension and trauma release, and intense (and somewhat trippy) circle breathing — or by channeling “Zen Ben,” the studio’s mural of Benjamin Franklin meditating. 1425 Federal Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146
Recovery Run Club
Photograph by Linette Messina Kellen Matthews-Thompson's Recovery Run Club, which he started in the spring of 2024, is a monthly all-paces, all-ages running group with a mission to connect people in early recovery — all types of recovery. “It could be eating disorders, domestic violence, whatever kind of recovery you’re in,” he explains. “You’re welcome to come out and be around like-minded people that have faced some sort of adversity, and are using fitness and the running community to overcome their issues.” The group typically sees anywhere from 10 to 40 participants, and the pace and distance are set to be inclusive: a 5K loop, with the group meeting back where they started. Learn more in our Best of Philly spotlight.
ForCynthia Healing
Longtime aesthetician Suzy Zelley blends skin care and the mystical in her light-filled studio, tucked in the back of her bohemian home in Yardley. Zelley begins the 90-minute wellness experience by nourishing your skin with her targeted approach — enhanced by high-tech tools like LED light therapy — and then performs Reiki, working with your body’s energy to promote healing and reduce anxiety and pain. You’ll leave with glowing skin and a rejuvenated spirit.
Erin Lipinski of Wild Honey Salon
The prettiest hues to match your skin tone, the ideal lived-in root, the expertly placed high- and lowlights — Lipinski will brighten you up with color that grows out gracefully. And her always sunny vibes never fail to make the end results dazzling. 261 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Sweeney Todd’s
It’s hard not to love a barbershop named for the murderous villain whose customers became meat-pie fillings. Fortunately, you won’t get sliced to bits at this Delco shop. You’ll get the cleanest cuts and smoothest straight-razor shaves, with plenty of congenial conversation and shop talk. Treat yourself to the $60 cut-and-shave combo, hot towels and all. 923 Darby Road, Havertown, PA 19083
goodbeet
Photograph by Bre Furlong Last september, Haddon Township’s go-to plant-based, dairy- and gluten-free eatery launched a meal-prep biz that serves South Jersey and most of Philly. Expect a weekly rotating menu of nutrient-packed breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, and desserts — we devoured the chickpea pasta with grilled corn, zucchini, and vegan parmesan — that support health areas like hormones, mood, and your gut.
Six Fishes
We’re obsessed with the restorative acupuncture treatments from the Six Fishes team — they work across cozy neighborhood clinics in Grays Ferry and Grad Hospital — and how they leave us feeling brilliantly relaxed and renewed. Every treatment is tailored to your individual needs, whether it’s general health or a specialty like fertility, pain management, or facial rejuvenation. (The pros can also craft you a personalized herbal medicine regimen.) Our go-to? Enhancing the acu sesh with cupping, gua sha, or moxibustion for ultimate healing. Multiple locations, Philadelphia, PA
Drift Spa
You might think driving nearly 80 miles for a spa is bonkers, but this one — inside the Marriott in downtown Lancaster — will change your mind. You’ll decompress for 30 minutes in the relaxation room — complete with wave chairs, hot tea, and champagne — before recharging with one of the many massages (everything from deep tissue to CBD to Lomi Lomi) or skin treatments, like a facial, gua sha, or microdermabrasion. (We also recommend the monthly floating sound baths that take place at Drift’s pool.) The best part? If you want to make an overnight out of it, a room is just an elevator ride away. 25 South Queen Street, 5th Floor, Lancaster, PA 17603
Haiama Beauty
Photograph by Theresa Regan Sage leaf, fenugreek, açaí, guava — Allison Shimamoto’s hair-care line is full of high-quality, well-researched natural ingredients that make the repairing masks and growth elixirs effective for anyone’s curls. It’s personal: Shimamoto was sick of using products that did more harm than good to her textured hair, so she spent years formulating (and perfecting) her own. The Everything Cream is so pure, you can even use it on a baby.
Beon Esthetics
You’d be hard-pressed to find a lash artist who works harder than Thaya Edmond. When she’s not formulating products, teaching other artists how to build their own businesses, or doing lashes for Philly’s own Jazmine Sullivan for the Met Gala, Edmond applies sets that fit your face and eyelash curl pattern at her West Philly studio. Gingers, blondes, and brunettes, rejoice — her salon even does color matching to give you lashes that pair seamlessly with your locks.
Nude Wax + Body Studio
We keep coming back to Ashley Saracen’s new studio for the flawless, nearly painless hair removal, but it’s the aftercare, like the post-Brazilian calming vajacials (yes, it means what you think it does) and high-frequency treatments that really keep our private bits soft, smooth, and wondrously ingrown-free. 179 West Berks Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122