Relaxing Retreats: 4 Homes with Spa-Style Bathrooms

Back in the 1600s, our American forbears called it “the necessary:” a separate, freestanding structure (for very good reasons), and no one could actually bathe there. Or would want to. The place was uncomfortably … necessary. 

The 19th century advent of the in-house “water closet,” equally necessary, was a bit of a slow starter. When the U.S. Census Bureau started tracking these things in 1940, only 55 percent of homes reported having a private bathroom!  

American ablutions, as we happily know them today, reportedly began with Benjamin Franklin’s importing of the nation’s first bathtub from France in 1790.  

In this 21st century, it is our necessary bathroom—more than any other room in the house—which most lends itself to lavish luxuries in creature comforts. For that, we can thank master architect Frank Lloyd Wright. 

In the September 1956 issue of House and Home, Wright outlined his designs for the big, comfortable bathrooms for his basic-build Usonian houses: “Punch a hole in the roof of an inside bath; light it from above,” he stated. “Give the owner a huge bathroom mirror, and light it evenly all around the border.”   

Indeed, we’ve come a long way in four centuries, as this Luxury Defined collection of spa-worthy bathrooms necessarily will attest. 

1. The Penthouse at Eywa,Dubai, UAE 

True opulence abides in the soaring spaces of this “wild luxury” penthouse in Eywa, a revolutionary, eco-friendly tower overlooking the Dubai Water Canal with views of the city and Burj Khalifa.  

Inspired by nature, the building’s designers evoked the sheltering banyan Tree of Life, with open, circular columns emulating the sacred tree’s organic weave of branchings and interlacing roots. The building is certified by the green- and wellness-building standards LEED Platinum, and wellness building WELL Platinum, and HealthTechPro.  

In the five-bedroom, five-bathroom penthouse, the travertine floors and marble accents of dining room and European-style kitchen (fully kitted with designer appliances and home automation) open to a vast terrace with a pool, a dazzling water feature and a vista of the canal and the Dubai skyline.  

The palatial en suite bedrooms have parquet floors, walk-through closets, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Their baths, meticulously finished in wood and stone, offer deep soaking tubs, multiple shower heads, and a hammam-style Jacuzzi and steam bath in the primary suite. 

The building’s unparalleled amenities include a crystal garden, holistic spa, indoor pool, a thoughtfully curated library, a restaurant, and an exclusive clubhouse. 

2. 1450 Blue Jay Way, Los Angeles, California 

This stunning Hollywood Hills home has a lofty perch in the highly sought-after Bird Streets neighborhood, above famed Sunset Strip.  

The creation of KAA Design Group, the residence offers a refined, location-specific living experience enhanced by breathtaking, jetliner views of the City of Angels.  

The pool and spa terrace seamlessly integrates with the interior spaces for a harmonious indoor-outdoor flow. The tranquil garden courtyard leads into a magnificent great room with cedar plank ceilings and limestone flooring. Just beyond is a dining area served by an elegant Italian-designed kitchen.  

The owner’s suite has a beautiful fireplace, dual closets, and a stunning spa-like bathroom opening to a Zen-like garden leading out to the pool. Two guest bedrooms, each with their own luxurious en suite bathroom, are in a separate wing.  

On the second level, there is a glass-enclosed wine display, a lounge and library, a media room, an en suite guest room, and a gym with a steam shower and patio. 

Related: Discover 9 Homes with Indoor Swimming Pools

3. Aloha Golf Valley Estate, Marbella, Spain 

This stylish contemporary villa in Nueva Andalucia is in the heart of Marbella’s Golf Valley, mere minutes from several championship golf courses, golden-sand beaches, and the glamour of Puerto Banús.  

Sleek geometries orient the house to maximize the year-round Costa del Sol sunshine. The outdoor living spaces include several “chill-out” terraces, an alfresco dining space, a roof terrace with a sunning lounge and a Jacuzzi, and a cool blue infinity pool with integrated Balinese sun beds surrounded by mature tropical gardens. 

All five bedrooms access the pool terrace or the gardens. Closest to the pool is the primary suite, its marble-clad, spa-inspired bathroom pampers the owners with a soaking tub and steam shower enclosure. There’s also a dedicated wellness/exercise space on the lower level, along with an elegant cocktail bar, fitness studio, steam and dry saunas.  

4. Designer Penthouse, Munich, Germany 

This residence has pride of place atop a luxurious three-story complex in the historic heart of Munich, with a vast rooftop deck that has sun from morning to evening, and wide-open views of the streetscape below. 

An elevator serves the expansive space, which extends over approximately 1,775 square feet, with a sun-flooded glass-walled lounge and living/dining space just off the deck. 

The interior finishes include American walnut parquet flooring with underfloor heating and ceiling spotlights in every room. The bright-white, open-concept fitted kitchen has a Swedish stove and an adjoining utility room.  

There are two superbly proportioned, air-conditioned bedrooms, a dressing room, an expansive primary suite bathroom with a spa ambience, a soaking tub, sauna, and an additional shower room.   

In the basement, the hobby/games room offers 225 square feet of leisure space with underfloor heating. The residence comes with two underground parking spaces with EV-charging stations. 

Searching for a luxurious, spa-worthy bathroom? Begin your search here.