The Best Destination Spa in the U.S. Just Opened a Second Retreat

The United States’ most celebrated destination spa has recently expanded its reach with the grand opening of a second retreat, bringing its renowned wellness experiences closer to mainland guests. Let’s explore this fresh chapter, including founder background, the age and family of its founder, net worth where available, and what travelers can expect.

American Spa Powerhouse Launches Its Second Retreat—Now on the Mainland

A Major U.S. Spa Brand Makes a Bold Move

Condé Nast Traveler’s 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards crowned Lake Austin Spa Resort as the top destination spa in the country. But spot number 4 belongs to Sensei Porcupine Creek, a brand that just unveiled its second location on the U.S. mainland—marking a major expansion from its original home on Lanai, Hawaii .

Sensei Lānaʻi opened in 2019 under the Four Seasons banner, rooted in Zen-inspired wellness and culinary retreats. Fast forward to 2024, and Sensei Porcupine Creek debuted in Rancho Mirage, California, offering lush desert surroundings, a 75-acre golf course, and wellness experiences that mirror its island predecessor. It stands out as the brand’s first standalone retreat in the continental U.S.—built to redefine modern luxury wellness .

Who’s Behind the Brand and What’s Their Story?

Sensei was launched under the umbrella of Four Seasons, with backing connected to Larry Ellison, co‑founder and billionaire of Oracle. Although direct age, personal family, and net worth details aren’t publicly disclosed, Ellison himself (born in 1944) is renowned for owning the Lanai property, and the Sensei brand reflects his family’s investment in luxury retreats and wellness architecture. His net worth sits in the tens of billions, and his personal passion for wellness clearly shaped Sensei’s identity in hospitality and design.

What Makes the New Retreat Unique?

Stand‑alone property in Rancho Mirage, not attached to a Four Seasons hotel.
Designed with a blend of Zen-inspired spa treatments, desert wellness programming, and activity-based experiences such as yoga, meditation, and golf.
Inspired by—and intended to rival—its Island origin, but adapted for a desert setting with signature treatments and intimate luxury .

Awards, Ranking & Why It Stands Out

In Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards 2025, Sensei’s new location joins other Berkshires stalwarts among the country’s top spas. While Lake Austin holds the top spot, Sensei Porcupine Creek earned recognition as a major destination spa worth visiting—even at its early launch phase.

With an average reader score of 97.52 according to 2024 Condé Nast Traveler results, its reputation is firmly rooted in top-tier design, transformative wellness, and exclusivity. At the time of opening, some amenities (like tennis, holistic workshops, or art spaces) were still rolling out—meaning the 2025 retreat fully builds on that foundation on California soil.

Resort Experience: What Guests Get

Guests at Sensei’s second retreat can expect:

Integrated wellness routines such as energy healing, personalized bodywork, and mindful movement classes.
Design accents borrowed from art installations, natural desert palettes, tranquil water features, and secluded spa spaces.
Dining focused on nutritional balance and local sourcing.
The same ethos of “retreat + personal transformation” that defined the original Lānaʻi location, now tailored to mainland leisure and accessibility .

Brief Table: Sensei Lānaʻi vs. Porcupine Creek

Feature	Sensei Lānaʻi (Lanai, HI)	Sensei Porcupine Creek (Rancho Mirage, CA)
Opening Year	2019	2024
Setting	Remote Hawaiian island	Desert resort with a 75-acre golf course
Ownership	Four Seasons / Ellison family	Same brand under standalone resort model
Spa Focus	Island-inspired wellness rituals	Desert-adapted treatments and programming
Brand Status	Iconic original	First mainland full retreat, “second outpost”

What It Means for Travelers & Wellness Trends

This opening marks a shift: Americans no longer need to cross the water to experience the Sensei wellness ethos. Rancho Mirage’s proximity to Los Angeles and Palm Springs offers broader access while retaining exclusivity. It mirrors growing demand for socially responsible and deeply restorative wellness escapes that balance mindfulness, body care, and spiritual renewal.

Final Thoughts

Sensei’s new retreat represents more than just geographic expansion. It’s a statement of confidence in its core philosophy—wellness as an immersive, personalized journey. With the brand’s leading-edge treatments, high design standards, and celebrated first location in Hawaii, the second retreat in California confirms its place among top spas nationwide.

Whether you’re seeking luxury recovery, intentional rest, or balanced renewal, this newly opened destination spa delivers a fresh chapter in U.S. wellness hospitality—one rooted in design, elite services, and a mindset built on family legacy and proven excellence.