A Hot Place To ChillLooking for a Spa in New Buffalo? Here's What We Offer
A Hot Place To Chill is a private recovery studio in downtown New Buffalo, at 400 S Whittaker St. It isn't a day spa with facials or wraps. It's a calm, warm place to feel better faster with infrared sauna, red light, whole-body cryo (cold air), compression and robotic massage chairs. Most visits take about an hour, and you can try it on a Day Pass for $67.
Is A Hot Place To Chill a spa?
Not in the usual sense. When people search "spa in New Buffalo," many want a quiet hour to warm up, unwind and leave feeling better. That part we do every day.
What we don't offer: facials, body wraps, nail care, a pool, or a hot tub. We also don't have a hands-on massage therapist. Our massage is robotic massage chairs, which you sit in fully clothed.
If you want a spa-day feeling without a whole-day booking, a recovery studio is a good fit. If you want a facial or a therapist's hands, a day spa is the better pick, and that's fine.
What's the difference between a spa and a recovery studio?
A day spa is built around treatments someone gives you: massages, facials, wraps. A recovery studio is built around tools you use in a private, guided visit: heat, cold air, light and compression. Our team shows you how each one works and helps you pick an order.
For a longer answer, read What Is a Recovery Studio?
| Day spa | A Hot Place To Chill | |
|---|---|---|
| What you do | Someone gives you a treatment | You use the tools, with our team's help |
| Typical visit | Varies by treatment | About an hour |
| Clothing | Often a robe and changing room | Your choice in private spaces; clothed in the chairs |
| Booking | Often booked ahead | Book online or call; Day Pass for visitors |
What can I do on a visit?
Pick what sounds good. Here's what's in the studio:
- Infrared sauna (25 minutes): dry, gentle heat, and a cozy way to warm up on a cold day. About our infrared sauna
- Red light (12 minutes): Room 3 is the 3-wavelength bed, Room 4 is the 4-wavelength panel and Room 5 is the 5-wavelength bed. About red light
- Whole-body cryo (3 minutes): cold, dry air, not a plunge. You stay dry. About cryo
- Compression (15 minutes): boots that squeeze and release your legs while you sit back. About compression
- Robotic massage chairs (15–30 minutes): full-body chairs you sit in fully clothed. About the massage chairs
A common first visit is sauna, then red light, then compression or a massage chair. You can finish with cryo if you like. Our team will help you plan an order that feels right.
What happens when I walk in?
You walk in and check in at the desk.
First visit: Our team walks you through the process, gets your account set up, and reviews each piece of equipment — how it works and what to expect. Then you're ready for your hour.
Regular visit: You're already familiar with how everything works. Staff are always nearby if you have a question, and they help with any services that need a hand.
Not sure what to focus on? Take the Wellness Journey on the website: answer the questions and it recommends what to try.
How long does a visit take?
About an hour. That's enough time for two or three of the tools without rushing. It fits between lunch downtown and a walk on the beach.
What does it cost?
- Day Pass: $67 for one visit. If you join within 7 days, it credits toward a membership.
- Week Pass: $99, for visitors in town about a week.
- Month Pass: $200, for visitors staying a few weeks.
- Monthly All Access: $175 a month, for locals.
- Longevity Paid in Full: $1,750 a year.
See every option on our memberships page.
When are you open?
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 8:30 AM–6 PM |
| Tuesday | 9 AM–6 PM |
| Wednesday | 8:30 AM–6 PM |
| Thursday | 8:30 AM–6 PM |
| Friday | 9 AM–4 PM |
| Saturday | 8:30 AM–3 PM |
| Sunday | 10 AM–2 PM |
Holiday hours: closed Nov 26 2026, Dec 25 2026, Dec 26 2026, Jan 1 2027; open regular hours 9 AM–4 PM Fri Nov 27 2026; open 9 AM–3 PM Dec 31 2026.
Where are you?
400 S Whittaker St, New Buffalo, MI, downtown at the corner of Whittaker and Clay. Call (269) 612-8913. We're an easy stop for weekenders from Chicago and Detroit and for anyone staying in Harbor Country. Planning the rest of your day? See things to do in New Buffalo.
Who should check with a doctor first?
Heat and cold aren't right for everyone. Check with your doctor before your visit if you are pregnant, have a heart condition or high or low blood pressure, or take medication. Skip the sauna if you've had a recent heart attack or stroke or have been drinking alcohol, and drink water before and after (Cleveland Clinic on sauna safety).
Call 911 right away if someone passes out, becomes confused, or has a seizure after time in the heat (MedlinePlus on heat emergencies).
Want hands-on massage?
Our massage is robotic chairs only. For hands-on massage with a licensed therapist, Corrective Chiropractic, in the same building, offers massage. See Corrective Chiropractic massage.
Common questions
Is there a spa in New Buffalo, Michigan?
Yes, there are spa options around New Buffalo. A Hot Place To Chill is a private recovery studio downtown with infrared sauna, red light, cryo, compression and robotic massage chairs. Most visits take about an hour.
Do you have a hot tub, pool or cold plunge?
No. Our cold is whole-body cryo, which uses cold, dry air. Our heat is a dry infrared sauna.
Do I need to book ahead?
Booking online is the easiest way to get the time you want. You can also call (269) 612-8913.
What should I wear?
Comfortable clothes. In the private sauna and red light spaces you can wear as much or as little as you like. You stay clothed in the massage chairs and compression boots.
Can visitors come in without a membership?
Yes. The Day Pass is $67 for one visit, and it credits toward a membership if you join within 7 days.
Is it good for a rainy or cold day?
Yes. Everything is indoors, warm and private, and a visit takes about an hour.