Refuge
27300 Rancho San Carlos Road, Carmel
(831) 620-7360, www.refuge.com
The big, four-tiered Finnish sauna and the super-steam room bring the sweat. The plunge pools bring the insane circulation. Dozens of Adirondack chairs clustered around stone-framed fire pits – and several relaxation rooms with “zero-gravity” lounge chairs and airy chords of transcendent music – bring the peace. Sculpted waterfalls and six different hot pools bring the slow soothing warmth. A closing massage brings the thought that you never want to leave.