Spellbound Spa: Voodoo Massage

Voodoo, an African diasporic religion, has been depicted many ways across all forms of popular culture, giving rise to the widespread association of Voodoo with witchcraft, talismans, patchwork dolls of enemies, and the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. And in New Orleans, a fascination with spirits, magic, and potions runs through the streets, bringing in millions of tourists each year. The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans has capitalized on the interest in traditional Voodoo magic by adding a mystical massage treatment to their spa menu, the Voodoo Ritual Massage.

Voodoo bloomed as a prominent practice throughout New Orleans during the African slave trade when enslaved Africans blended their religion with the Catholicism of Louisiana. It further became entrenched in the culture of New Orleans when Voodoo practitioners from Haiti fled to Louisiana after the 1791 slave revolt. Connection with ancestors and spirits is a big part of the Voodoo belief system, along with personal ceremonies, rituals, and chants.

The Voodoo Ritual Massage offered at the Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans is an 80-minute treatment that involves a soak in a double lounge whirlpool tub, a backing track of Voodoo chanting and drums, and a traditional vetiver and therapeutic poultice massage. The Ritz-Carlton website invites clients to “let [the spa] cast a spell of relaxation as [clients] enjoy this unique massage in a Voodoo inspired setting.”

The massage itself is a fusion of Swedish, Thai, and deep tissue massage with opportunity to customize the technique based on individual concerns and preferences. Guests sip champagne while soaking, then indulge in a relaxing, multisensory massage experience. Accompanied with burning incense, aromatherapy created by fragrance designer Niven Morgan, and the warm glow of red candles around the room, this treatment is said to transport clients to a realm of relaxation perfectly in line with the culture and energy of New Orleans.

References
Duan, Noël. 2025. “A Day of Voodoo Healing and Beauty in New Orleans.” Tumblr.com. 2025. https://noel-duan.tumblr.com/post/130328228341/a-day-of-voodoo-healing-and-beauty-in-new-orleans.
Enlightened Spa Review. 2014. “Marie Laveau Voodoo Love Bath & Massage.” Enlightened Spa Review. March 13, 2014. https://enlightenedspareview.com/2014/03/13/marie-laveau-voodoo-love-bath-massage/.
New Orleans & Company. 2017. “History of New Orleans Voodoo | New Orleans.” Neworleans.com. 2017. https://www.neworleans.com/things-to-do/multicultural/traditions/voodoo/.
The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans. n.d. “The Ritz-Carlton Spa.” https://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/msyrz-the-ritz-carlton-new-orleans/spa/.