A-List / A-List Editors’ Choice Awards 2026: Wellness, Beauty & Lifestyle

A-List Editors’ Choice Awards 2026: Wellness, Beauty & Lifestyle

FITNESS / RECREATION / TRAVEL / DENTAL / SALONS / COSMETICS / AND MORE

BEST NEW SERIES FOR RUNNERS

GO! St. Louis Summer Series

GO! St. Louis is proving race season doesn’t end with the marathon. This year its new summer lineup included trail relays, family-friendly fun runs, and relaxed evening races that welcomed everyone from first-time runners to seasoned competitors, all while building community through movement.


MOST HELPFUL PLATFORM FOR FAMILIES

Beyond the Start Line

Created by a South City mom and pediatric physical therapist, Beyond the Start Line helps families confidently navigate local races and active events. The platform reviews stroller accessibility, parking, kid-friendly amenities, and race logistics, so it’s easier for parents to get moving together.


Photography by Miranda Munguia
Photography by Miranda MunguiaBarre STL
Barre STL

MOST EXCITING EXPANSION

Barre STL

Barre STL brought its community-focused fitness experience to downtown Kirkwood with a second studio that’s designed to meet growing demand. Known for inclusive instruction, varied class formats, and an emphasis on connection as much as exercise, the expansion doubles opportunities for members to join the movement.


COOLEST NEW APP

Leor

After years of managing their sons’ asthma and food allergies, two Chesterfield parents created Leor to simplify caregiving. The app helps families track symptoms, medications, reactions, and treatments while generating organized care summaries that make doctor visits more productive and less stressful.


BEST NEW YOGA STUDIO

Blackbird Yoga

Blackbird Yoga brings a welcoming approach to Webster Groves with hot, warm, and beginner-friendly classes alongside sound baths, physical therapy, and wellness services. The thoughtfully designed studio emphasizes accessibility, community, and whole-person well-being both on and off the mat.


BEST NEW SELF-CARE COMMUNITY

STL Journal Collective

What began as a simple invitation to journal in Forest Park has grown into one of St. Louis’ most meaningful new third spaces. STL Journal Collective offers free monthly gatherings where reflection, creativity, and low-pressure connection meet.


Photography courtesy of Electric Movement Fest
Photography courtesy of Electric Movement FestElectric Movement Fest wellness rave
Electric Movement Fest

BEST WELLNESS RAVE

Electric Movement Fest

Electric Movement Fest brings rave energy to the wellness world, minus the alcohol and late-night regret. With DJs, movement classes, cold plunges, bodywork, and hands-on healing experiences, the quarterly event turns self-care into a full-on dance party.


Photography by Alexandria Toszegi-Dubis
Photography by Alexandria Toszegi-DubisThe Spa at Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis
The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis

MOST ANTICIPATED RENOVATION

The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis

With a renovation inspired by earth, air, fire, and water, The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis has been reimagined as a more intentional wellness destination. The refreshed space promises new treatments, expanded offerings, and a tailored guest experience.


NEW SOBER-CURIOUS SOLUTION

Sunday House Club

Sunday House Club gives St. Louisans a new reason to get up early: coffee, house music, and a sober dance floor. The pop-up daytime party brings DJs, movement, and community into local coffee shops for a feel-good start to the week.


COOLEST NEW COLLECTIVES
(TIE)

STL Yoga Collective + STL Nurture Collective

STL Yoga Collective is redefining what a wellness event can look like; its retreat-style gatherings blend yoga, sound healing, breath work, and community. The nonprofit brings together local instructors, artisans, charities, and wellness partners for mindful experiences centered on connection and personal growth. STL Nurture Collective unites chiropractors, pelvic floor therapists, pediatric specialists, mental health professionals, and massage therapists together under one South City roof. The collaborative model makes it easier for new and expecting parents to access holistic, wraparound care while fostering community.


SLEEKEST SUPPLEMENT STARTUP

Aetheria

Aetheria is giving creatine a polished, wellness-minded rebrand. The St. Louis–based supplement startup launched with a simple, one-ingredient monohydrate creatine designed for everyday use, with sleek packaging and messaging geared toward women, longevity, and clean daily routines.



Photography by Angie Dutton / iStock / Getty Images Plus / via Getty Image
Photography by Angie Dutton / iStock / Getty Images Plus / via Getty ImageLondon England
London

NEW ROUTES

London/STL Flight

British Airways’ new nonstop service between London Heathrow and St. Louis Lambert International Airport allows seamless access to more than 200 global destinations. The route connects St. Louis travelers directly to the U.K. four times each week—and will increase to five in spring 2027. 


Photography courtesy of Wild Rice Retreat
Photography courtesy of Wild Rice RetreatWild Rice Retreat Lake Superior Wisconsin
Wild Rice Retreat

YOGA ESCAPES

Wild Rice Retreat

Located on the shores of Lake Superior in Wisconsin, Wild Rice Retreat is a restorative escape. Guests can choose self-guided stays or instructor-led retreats with yoga, meditation, art, and locally sourced cuisine, nature immersion, and spa amenities, all in Scandinavian-inspired accommodations amid a serene setting. 


Photography by Kansas City Star / Tribune News Service/ via Getty Images
Photography by Kansas City Star / Tribune News Service/ via Getty ImagesDriftless Area Fly Fishing
Driftless Area

OFF-THE-BEATEN-PATH GETAWAY

Driftless Area

Spanning parts of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois, the Driftless Region is a striking landscape, untouched by the last glaciers. Rugged bluffs, deep river valleys, limestone cliffs, winding streams, and charming small towns are found in abundance, and there are plenty of opportunities for hiking, paddling, and fishing. 


NEW MIDWEST HOTEL

Cherry Warehouse Hotel

Located in a reimagined 1916 warehouse in Midtown Kansas City, Cherry Warehouse Hotel blends historic industrial architecture with modern boutique design. Individually styled guest rooms, locally inspired artwork, spa-like amenities, and walkable access to restaurants and cultural attractions make for a distinctive stay in one of the city’s most creative neighborhoods.