Refuge

The Refuge, a soaking spa secluded behind a fence in the Carmel Valley Athletic Club, may just be the fastest way to forget your troubles, and everything else. You begin with a cedar sauna or stint in the eucalyptus steam room, followed by a dip in a cold waterfall pool. From there, choose how you want to laze. In one of the rooms with zero-gravity recliners? By firepits with Adirondack chairs and views of the hillsides? Then—you’re not done— take a hot soak. After a few rounds, the big questions in life emerge, like, Where did I put my keys?