Devorah Lev-Tov on Spas, Sense of Place, and What Makes a Hotel Truly Great

Tell us about yourself and your background.

I got into travel writing around 15 years ago, while I was on a mini-Sabbatical with my husband, living in India and traveling around Southeast Asia. I started with a blog and when I came back to New York City I began cold-pitching editors. I became a fulltime freelance food, wellness, and travel writer about 10 years ago and I’ve been published in outlets including The New York Times, Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, AFAR, Hotels Above Par, Vogue, Architectural Digest, and more. Two years ago, I wrote a book called 150 Spas You Need to Visit Before You Die, and earlier this year I started a Substack focused on spas and wellness, called Spascape. To date, I’ve been to 54 countries on 6 continents. I live in Brooklyn with my husband and two sons—who are racking up their own international travel records.

What makes a hotel go from good to great?

Staying at hotels full of character is one of my favorite things to do while traveling. A hotel that gives me an immediate sense of place makes me excited to be in a destination. A pleasing design is important to me, but feeling welcome is also a priority. I love it when the staff anticipates my needs—if I’m with my kids, they have the room set up for that, and if I’m alone, they know I want to fully relax. Also, a well-placed towel hook in the bathroom and easy-to-operate lighting goes a looooong way.

What's something you only realized about hotels after staying in your first 50?

If something goes wrong—which happens—it’s all in the response and how it’s handled. No one is perfect and having an entirely flawless stay is uncommon. But if I tell the staff and they don’t react quickly or correctly, that’s when I may get frustrated.

Where would you send a friend looking for a spa trip?

Well, I have a few answers, based on location. If they’re willing to travel far, Six Senses Vana in India. This is an authentic Ayurvedic wellness retreat in a gorgeous setting at the foothills of the Himalayas. You need to devote at least 5 days, and the longer the better, but it is a true reset where you spend your days getting four-handed massages, doing Watsu and yoga, and eating delicious vegetarian food. And the best part: no phones in public places. If they want Europe, I’d say Grand Resort Bad Ragaz in Switzerland, near the border with Austria. Their massive spa is fed by thermal mineral waters and they have a full medical facility. Plus, the hotel has an incredible art program and you can bring the kids to the kids club while you’re taking care of yourself. Finally, in the U.S. I’m going to say Castle Hot Springs in Arizona. Can you tell I love thermal springs?! This place is a true oasis in the desert with a long history and incredible mineral pools to soak in—and do things like paddleboard yoga and tai chi.

What’s the first thing you do in a hotel when you check in? The last thing before you leave?

Take pictures! I have to capture the room before my kids mess it up, ha! But then I find a window and gaze at the view to slow down for a minute. Before I leave, I do a last check of all the rooms, looking in the closets and shower, and opening drawers and the safe—even though I never put anything in there! But my kids can be mischievous, hiding things in weird places.

What’s a single feature that's enough to sell you on a hotel?

Direct access to nature, whether that means beachfront; ski-in, ski-out; farmland; or it has hiking trails on property. For a city hotel, large windows with a view.

Where are you trying to get to this year?

Portugal and Estonia

What's the trip you haven't taken yet but keep thinking about?

Japan!

What about Safara resonates with you?

I love seeing where my friends and people in the travel industry I admire are staying. It’s a fun way to get ideas and learn about new places.

What’s the most recent hotel you added to your Stayed List?

Cheetah Plains in Sabi Sands, South Africa

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