<b>Lake Austin Spa Resort</b>

Location: 19 acres on the lake in Austin, Texas.

Best for: Spa-goers

Details: Choose from more than 100 spa services, which take place in a 25,000-square-foot, 40-room spa on the lake shore. Finish the day by stargazing and learning some Tibetan stretches. Need a break from all that relaxation? There are plenty of water activities, which include hydro-biking and aqua Zumba.

Cool perk: The Gifts of Our Garden spa treatment ($315 for 100 minutes) is based on the benefit of each herb (lavender relaxes you), according to spokeswoman Darlene Fiske. You choose the herb you want used during your treatment. The spa technician takes the fresh organic herb from the garden, grinds it with sea salt, wraps your body with it, scrubs you and gives you a massage.

Dates offered: Ongoing

Price: Rooms start at $1,720 per person for three nights, which includes meals, fitness classes and activities. Spa services are a la carte.

Information: 800-847-5637, lakeaustin.com (Terry Vine Photography, HANDOUT / February 22, 2012)

By Danielle Braffe, Special to Tribune Newspapers

9:08 p.m. EST, February 28, 2012
Cool perk: If you're a yogi book-lover, you should check out the Eat Pray Love yoga retreat, in which scenes from the book are woven throughout the retreat, which emphasizes eating, hiking and yoga.

Dates offered: Most retreats are offered Thursdays through Sundays, June through September.

Price: Starts at $895 for three days and includes everything.

Information: 406-587-2390, bigskyyogaretreats.com

New Life Hiking Spa

Location: The mountains of Vermont

Best for: Hiking

Details: New Life takes advantage of its stunning surroundings by offering 21 different hikes each week. Expect to take a three-hour hike each morning, followed by fitness classes. The average person loses about 5 pounds a week, said director Jimmy LeSage.

Cool perk: Most of the hikes are along the Appalachian Trail, and you'll often cross paths with people who are in the midst of hiking the entire 1,800 miles of the trail. "You'll get inspired," LeSage said.

Dates offered: Most people stay one to two weeks during the May 17-Sept. 30 season.

Price: Starts at $1,500 a week, which includes everything from food to classes.

Information: 866-298-5433, newlifehikingspa.com

The Biggest Loser Resort

Location: Utah, California or New York

Best for: Intense weight loss

Details: Ever watch "The Biggest Loser" on TV? The resorts are based on the popular weight-loss show and aim to teach participants how to live a healthier lifestyle via intense fitness and nutrition classes. A typical day starts at 6 a.m. with stretching, followed by an assortment of exercise, cooking classes and hikes. The average woman loses about 5 pounds a week, and men lose about 7 each week, said Derek Johnson, the executive nutrition director at The Biggest Loser Resorts.

Cool perk: It's not just for adults here. Anyone age 14 and up can attend this retreat for a health jump-start.

Dates offered: Ongoing weekly cycles

Price: Starts at $2,695 per week for a private room. The price decreases if you stay longer than three weeks or if you share a room.

Information: 877-825-8878, biggestloserresort.com