The iconic appeal of the Big Easy is reflected in the creative locally inspired spa menu at the Ritz-Carlton Spa, New Orleans.

In the early 1800s, the mysterious Marie Laveau garnered acclaim in the city of New Orleans for her magical voodoo practices, curing the ails of wealthy patrons, casting spells, and instilling fear in the hearts of superstitious locals. Since her death, she's been raised to icon status, gracing countless pages of fiction and non-fiction books as the Voodoo Queen, serving as the subject of several songs, and going down in history as one of the city's most memorable citizens. She's also the inspiration for the Marie Laveau Voodoo Love Massage ($150, 70 minutes) at The Ritz-Carlton Spa, New Orleans. The treatment, which includes a soak in a fragrant bath and a Swedish massage set to local voodoo chanting and flickering red candles, incorporates an oil said to emulate one of Laveau's famed love potions. It is also one of the newly renovated spa's signature sessions and a sample of the myriad services that are inspired by the bounty of this magical, mysterious city. "This treatment gets a lot of attention due to the unique aspects of the service," says spa manager Daisye Dykes. "Voodoo is part of the history of New Orleans, and this service offers a bit of history and an interesting story to our guests, who are here to experience the city."

From Top to Bottom: A candlelit hydrotherapy soak is part of the Marie Laveau Voodoo Love Massage; the women's relaxation room is an ideal site for groups to convene in the spa; the hotel's verdant courtyard is perfect for pre- and post-treatment relaxation.

Several other treatments on the menu also take inspiration from the Big Easy and its environs. Café du Monde, a longtime New Orleans outdoor dining institution known for its beignets and café au lait, has tourists and locals alike lining up around the block from morning to night to partake in the scrumptious sweets. As such, The Ritz-Carlton Spa offers a number of signature sessions inspired by the coffee using BodyCoffee products that are infused with coffee, milk, salts, and essential oils. Highlights include the Café Au Lait Massage ($125, 50 minutes; $180, 75 minutes), the Café Au Lait Body Polish ($145, 50 minutes), and the Café Au Lait Detoxifying Treatment ($165, 50 minutes). The fragrant magnolia trees that line the antebellum streets of the Garden District also make their way onto the menu via the Essence of Magnolia Massage ($150, 70 minutes) and the Magnolia Sugar Scrub ($125, 50 minutes). Several other exfoliating and hydrating services are ideal for guests who have stayed up late and are looking to detox or travelers hoping to ease the skin-sapping ails of flight. "Many of our guests are here to enjoy the city, and they look to us for detoxification and to relax before or after a night out on the town," says Dykes.