Most spas take pride in keeping up with the latest trends, from organic ingredients to Asian massage.

But a half-dozen new spas opened last year in landmark hotels and historic places. While offering contemporary treatments and luxurious new facilities, spas in settings such as Williamsburg, Va., and Plymouth, Mass., are also looking to the past for inspiration in everything from decor to botanical remedies.

The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg offers treatments that spa manager Kate Mearns calls "a modern-day interpretation of five centuries of wellness." For example, a treatment using hot stones, linen wraps and cool aromatherapy cloths was inspired by a Powhatan Indian sweathouse ritual. Traditional remedies and ingredients also inspired the spa's lavender baths, lemon verbena manicures and massage oils containing cypress, juniper and rosemary.

Three-fourths of the guests at the John Carver Inn in Plymouth, Mass., visit Plimoth Plantation to learn about the Pilgrims. Others go whale-watching or visit the replica of the Mayflower in the town's picturesque harbor.

"They do a lot of walking while they're here, and they're tired," said Debra Catania, whose family owns the inn. "I wanted to have a spa, but I didn't want to have a generic spa in an area that's so well-known for history and the ocean. So I came up with the idea of the Beach Plum Spa."

Beach plums are fragrant wild roses, with hips rich in anti-oxidants. Early New Englanders used them in jams. Beach Plum Spa uses them in oils, lotions and other products. "They smell wonderful," Catania said.

She also used plum as a design color, along with cream and a crystal silver that she says evokes the ocean and stones.

"You have to go traditional 18 th century here," Catania said. "I didn't want the zen feel, the plain bamboo. But I couldn't put a picture of a pilgrim on my wall in a spa."

The happy marriage of modern spas and historic places is being driven by the demographics of the aging post-World War II generation, according to Joe Goldblatt, who teaches at Temple University's School of Tourism and Hospitality Management in Philadelphia.

"The experience economy is moving toward health tourism," he said. "The one thing that does not change as people age is infirmity. Baby boomers and even Gen-Xers are looking for ways to relieve the pain. These spas are offering pain relief, plus comfort and connections to history."

Another historic property, the West Baden Springs Hotel and Spa, opened in Indianapolis after being shuttered for 75 years. Both West Baden and the newly reopened Bedford Springs Resort in Bedford, Pa., which also has a spring-fed spa, are National Historic Landmarks. The mineral waters at Bedford Springs have been attracting visitors since the 1790 s.

In addition, Linden Spa opened at the Inn at Perry Cabin, in St. Michaels, Md. The Linden Spa was named for the stately linden trees that have lined the drive to the inn since the building was built in 1816.

The Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, N.H., which dates to 1902, also opened a spa. "This makes the third of New Hampshire's four grand resorts to introduce a significant spa facility in the last few years," said Christina Diaz, spokeswoman for the New England Inns and Resorts Association. (The others are the Mountain View Grand in Whitefield and the Wentworth by the Sea in Portsmouth.)

In the early 19 th century, so many people sought cures in Hot Springs, Ark., that Congress established the Hot Springs Reservation to protect the mineral water flowing from the hillside. The reservation was later made a national park.

Interest in taking the waters to cure disease declined in the late 20 th century. But with the popularity of spas and springs on the rise again, the National Park Service allowed a private developer to reopen Hot Springs' 85-year-old Quapaw Bathhouse.

The new spa, due to open soon, will include hot-water pools with fountains and whirlpools, a semi-private tub area, steam cave sauna with a cool plunge pool, and a day spa with massage and beauty treatments.

IF YOU GO

BEACH PLUM SPA: At the John Carver Inn, Plymouth, Mass. www.johncarverinn.com; (800) 274-1620.

HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK: Hot Springs, Ark. www.nps.gov/hosp; (501) 620-6715.

LINDEN SPA: At the Inn at Perry Cabin, St. Michaels, Md. www.perrycabin.com; (866) 278-9601.

NEW ENGLAND INNS: www.newenglandinnsandresorts.com; (603) 964-6689.

SPRINGS ETERNAL SPA: At Bedford (Pa.) Springs Resort. www.bedfordspringsresort.com; (866) 623-8176.

THE SPA OF COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG: Williamsburg, Va. www.thespaofcolonialwilliamsburg.com; (800) 688-6479.

WEST BADEN SPRINGS: Indianapolis. www.frenchlick.com; (888) 694-4332.