Spa-Experience

Spa Scene | B.F.F. Spa Night at Willow Stream

The Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club

Lowdown: It was less than a year ago that Turberry opened its spa to non-hotel guests, so you can easily book a regular Shiatsu massage, $139 for 60 minutes.

But you might have more fun collecting your best friends for B.F.F. Spa Night, held on the last Wednesday of every month.

In this case, B.F.F. stands for backrubs, facial and foot scrubs. Entry is $45, which includes all the services you can undergo during the 7-9 p.m. window, appetizers, wine and other beverages, and a parting gift. Valet parking is free with validation and tax and tips are included.

Understandable, the event — with its limit of 60 attendees — has sold out since it began three months ago.

”I wanted to do something I’d want to bring my friends to,” said Rachel Pinzur, who directs public relations for the hotel and conceived the idea.
At the last B.F.F. event, there were also tarot readings, lessons in poker, makeup application, crab-cucumber bites and mango proscuitto.
One happy attendee, Rosary Falero, said she’d sampled, well, “everything.”
”I’m going for seconds,” she said.

Neighborhood: In the Aventura hub, Turnberry is around the corner from the mall. Valet service is efficient.

Vibe: Powder blue walls, soft music and stronger lighting than most hotel spas.

Highlights: Guests sitting in the regal pedicure chairs who were having their feet and hands simultaneously scrubbed didn’t look unhappy. There was a good 15 minute wait at this station, but plenty of others had no wait at all. In all, there were six massage chairs, four facialists and four nail specialists, though manicures and pedicures are not among the offerings.

You can also buy a B.F.F. package that includes a relaxation massage (30 minutes), deep cleansing facial (60 minutes), pedicure with a foot scrub (45 minutes) and glass of champagne. This also entitles you to use resort’s fitness center, steam rooms and relaxation lounges. Total cost is $199, tax and tips extra.

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Tags: Florida Resort Spas, Florida Salon, Florida Spas, Resort Spa, Spa, Spa Resort by Spavelous
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Soothing spa ’staycation’ relieves years of pain
Bill Lukas usually goes on an out-of-state summer vacation with his wife and two daughters each year. With the cost of gas increasing last spring, the family decided to try something new: “staycations.”

Rather than traveling the country, the Lukas family visited closer locations like Port Huron, Silver Lake Dunes, Frankenmuth, the Toledo Zoo and various local festivals, fairs and small towns.

“In past years, a summer vacation to an out-of-state destination was a given. This year, it was decided that the summer vacation would consist of a different concept as we wanted to ensure that the budget would not be compromised; thus, affecting our primary family winter vacation to Florida,”

Lukas said. “The family agreed that we would partake in the new concept of ’staycations’ by doing day trips that involve the exploration of local Michigan activities, historic landmarks, metro parks, beaches, fairs, carnivals, outdoor concerts, camping, physical fitness activities, bike riding and anything that promotes better health and welfare.”

Lukas, 49, was at Leo’s Coney Island in Novi talking to a waitress last month about his chronic hip pain and general lack of energy when she suggested he look into [Read more →]

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Hotel hopes posh spa hits spots

“Ms. McConville? Ms. McConville? Is there anything I can do for you?”

The holistic massage therapist had just finished working on my feet, and now, before moving on to the knotted muscles in my back, she wanted to know if the room temperature or music volume should be adjusted.

At the Spa at the Mandarin Oriental Boston, the staff pays very special attention to their clients’ well being.

On Tuesday, Boston’s poshest spa - which is located inside the city’s poshest hotel - opens its doors to the public. And last week, I spent more than four hours at the Boylston Street spa, swaddled in an other-worldly luxury, as enthusiastic and excited workers bustled along the polished bamboo floors, eager to make everything just right for incoming guests.

The economic gloom and doom that has cast a dark shadow across so much of American life wasn’t apparent at all.

“I’m so excited,” said spa director Sharon Holtz, a trained massage therapist who helped create some of the spas treatments.

Several Boston spa owners say business is still strong, but a recent stroll through Boston’s South End indicates otherwise. One salon was offering deeply discounted facials, while another announced that its workers no longer accept tips.

While it is true that spas and salons are among the nations fastest growing small businesses, we are living through an economic time that for most Americans is unprecedented.

Even executives at the Mandarin Oriental are stressing the value that comes with a spa visit. After all, an 80-minute Swedish massage can cost as much as $210, but the price includes much more than a singular treatment.

With just a few days to go, Holtz said shes not worried that the economic upheaval will hurt business.
Americans have adopted a European point of view about spas, she said.

People realize that this is part of wellness, she said Friday, in the spas “caf,” a sun-splashed room on the fourth floor of the hotel. The days of seeing a spa as a pampering experience are over.
And in times of great stress, people seek other solace, she said.

People are needing a place to step away from the stressors in life, and relax and regroup, she said. It’s so important.

That remains to be seen.

The journey begins upon entering the Asian-inspired lobby, where guests exchange their street shoes for a cozy pair of slippers and warm tea.  From there, its a short walk, past babbling fountains, to a heat and wet area, which incorporates bathing rituals of several different cultures. There are separate sections for men and women.

Each section contains an expansive steam room with mood-enhancing lighting and a quartz crystal known for its healing powers. The space includes a warm vitality pool, big enough to float in, a fountain of ice chips, and a heated bench for relaxing.

The section also includes a multi-faceted experience shower, where warm waters pour down in a simulated jungle storm. Another option is the more brisk artic mist.

It’s all about preparing the body for the treatment, Holtz said.

Guests are encouraged to spend at least 45 minutes taking to the waters,before receiving a facial, pedicure or hydrotherapy treatment.

Between the bathing area and the treatment rooms, there are several crisply made beds for guests to relax on.

After relaxing and replenishing with fresh fruit and lemon-flavored water, I went on to a private room for the Commonwealth Comforter, a spa treatment designed for Bostonians. The 110-minute, $260 treatment included an chocolate and frankincense exfoliation to prepare my skin for winter.

And sometime after the ginseng-flavored tea, the steam room, and the shoulder massage, I realized that Holtz may be on to something.

I knew that Id be back at the Herald in a few hours, back under those buzzing fluorescent lights and next to the always-ringing telephones, but it all seemed so very far away.
“No,” I told the massage therapist, when I finally realized she was speaking to me. “Everything’s perfect.

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Tags: Boston Spas, Day Spa, Massachusetts Spas, Spa Openings, Spa Resort by Spavelous
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Kent’s Lemon Drop Skin Care & Massage Takes Role as “Best Spa” Seriously

Earlier this year, Lemon Drop Skin Care & Massage was named the winner in the Kent Reporter’s “Best Spa Services” category, and this fall, it was nominated as “Best Day Spa” in the KING5 Best of Western Washington contest.

Owner Macey Boughter, LA, LMP, who started the business in 2006, takes these nominations and awards seriously by ensuring that her Kent-based skin care and massage studio offers a wide range of personal services. For example, a visit to the cozy Lemon Drop studio could include [Read more →]

Tags: Day Spa, Spa Awards, Washington Spas by Spavelous
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. . . with spa getaway packages in Scottsdale!  Treat yourself to a soothing escape in Scottsdale with enticing summer packages that invite you and your friends to pamper yourselves from head to toe!  Don’t wait – check out the cool summer specials and recipes below and start planning your summer Scottsdale getaway today!

The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa
Agave, The Arizona Spa at The Westin Kierland, is a heavenly retreat designed to rejuvenate and renew the mind, body, and spirit. Serving as the spa’s main inspiration, the indigenous agave plant is used in many of the treatments offered. This full-service spa also showcases exclusive services developed by its own therapists as well as rare ancient treatments infused with the essence of the Far East.

Hotel Valley Ho
Pick your pleasure at Hotel Valley Ho with specials from $149 nightly, plus events and discounts at ZuZu, Trader Vic’s and VH Spa. Have dinner, have some drinks, hang out by the pool – you’ll find fun whenever you’re in the mood.

Royal Palms Resort and Spa
Local guests can indulge the senses at Alvadora - book two 60 minute treatments and receive even more savings!

Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa
Spa Avania offers a unique collection of exceptional treatments that will restore your mind, body and soul. The AromaSoul Discovery package includes two spa services featuring the benefits and pleasures of rare herbal blends combined with healing customs and massages inspired by the warm deserts of Arabia, the energetic spirit of the Mediterranean, and the healing philosophies of India.

Scottsdale Villa Mirage
Sleep-in. Lounge by the pool. Get a massage. Repeat. Aren’t vacations great? This resort features: waterfall pool, hot tub & personal concierge service. Suites offer: luxe furnishings & private balcony. Best of all, it’s located just minutes from Scottsdale’s world-class spas…Be Good To Yourself Deal- Spend the weekend in a one bedroom suite

FireSky Resort & Spa
Immerse into a world of relaxation by celebrating health and wellbeing at the FireSky Resort & Spa, a Kimpton Hotel. Treat yourself to two 60 minute body treatments or facials at the resort’s Jurlique Spa, specializing in “The Purest Skin Care on Earth”. Your experience will be complimented with a mind, body, spa amenity in the privacy of your deluxe patio accommodations.

Rejuvenation
In downtown Scottsdale. Thai Yoga Massage utilizes gentle pressure and yoga-like stretches to promote flexibility and balance. No oils or lotions are used. The massage is performed while you lie fully clothed on a special floor mat. Treat yourself to a mini-vacation without even leaving the city.

  
Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale
Escape to the Spa at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North. Indulge in offerings influenced by the indigenous botanicals of the Sonoran Desert, including such favorites as the hydrating Soothing Sage Wrap and Desert Nectar Facial. The Resort also features a lagoon-style, two-tiered pool with complimentary cabanas and a variety amenities such as fruit kebabs, chilled towels and smoothies.

Fairmont Scottsdale
Bring the girls for a weekend of gossip, pampering and rejuvenation at the award-winning Willow Stream Spa. With 27 treatment rooms, private poolside cabanas, a world-class fitness center and a variety of specialty fitness classes, there is something for everyone. The Willow Stream Relaxation Package is valid year-round, with summer rates starting at $569 double occupancy and includes: One (1) night luxurious room accommodations and a $200 credit per person, per paid night, to be used at Willow Stream or any of the resort’s available award-winning restaurants.

CopperWynd Resort and Club
CopperWynd features luxurious accommodations, indulgent services, stunning natural beauty and an experience like no other. CopperWynd Packages are sensational for couples or a special girls getaway and includes: two nights accommodations, dinner for two in our award-winning restaurant Alchemy, daily breakfast for two, two 60-minute spa treatments, resort sandals “Zendals”and all service charges and gratuities.

Scottsdale Resort & Athletic Club
Can you put a price on romance? Scottsdale Resort & Athletic Club’s Rekindle the Sizzle Package includes: Suite accommodations, bottle of wine and gourmet cheese plate, rose petal turndown service and chocolate-mint couples massage in the spa suite.

Hotel Indigo
Chill out, cool down, and coast through a weekend of carefree living with our Shop & Spa Getaway package. This refreshing one night stay package includes two complimentary Mango Mojitos, a welcome spa gift basket, discounted services at the Moss Spa and a Westcor Shopping Incentives Book.

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Tags: Arizona Spas, Scottsdale AZ Spas, Spas by Spavelous
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Nine Easy Ways To Erase Age

More baby boomers than ever–about 78.2 million–are entering their golden years. They just don’t want to look like they are.

Do-it-yourself, home-use gadgets designed to treat wrinkles and other signs of aging through lasers, micro-currents, oxygen blasts and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are becoming increasingly popular. In total, the U.S. anti-aging skincare market, of which these products are a part, reached $1.6 billion in 2007, a surge of 63% from sales of $1 billion in 2002, according to Mintel, a global consumer, product and market research firm.

Spavelous Preferred Home Products

And there’s no sign of slowing down. The global market is projected to reach $115.5 billion by 2010, according to a report by Global Industry Analysts, a market research firm. The United States and Europe lead this growth, with a 62.8% share of the global market based figures from 2007. And just today, a small company’s stock price soared over a new drug it claims can reduce wrinkles.

Even though the spa industry is thriving (with 32 million regular visitors hitting U.S. spas in 2007, according to the International Spa Association), at-home tools could make a dent in that success. The solutions are not only convenient, they can cost significantly less over the long term. [Read more →]

Tags: Facials, Spa Tips, Spa Treatments, Spas by Spavelous
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It’s siesta time
Napping is an increasing trend among overworked, sleep-deprived professionals.

Napping isn’t just for your grandpa anymore. In fact, folks at fancy spas like to nap, too.

Sleep-deprived Americans are increasingly turning to the power nap and afternoon siesta to restore alertness and enhance performance, studies show. And some spa patrons are shelling out big bucks just to snooze.

The Kohler Waters Spa in Burr Ridge, Ill., which opened in April, offers a 60-minute massage with a 15-minute restorative nap service for $150. Meanwhile, Yelo, a New York City spa with air-conditioned sleep chambers, plans to open a Chicago spa locations in 2009 or 2010, according to the company.

“We are seeing so many of our guests coming in that are having trouble sleeping at night,” said Jean Kolb, Kohler’s wellness business director. “This is a way for us to really extend an opportunity for them to have total relaxation.”

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 Developers Work to Make Home More Like a Hotel

New Residential Properties Offer Concierge Services and Five-Star Treatment at Home
Zack Mishkin went all out to impress his girlfriend on the one-year anniversary of their romance.
He treated her to a professional massage in a poolside cabana at their Tempe, Ariz., apartment complex; champagne as they relaxed in a candle-rimmed hot tub; and a gourmet dinner he grilled by the pool. In her apartment, she found chocolate-covered strawberries, more candles, and rose petals forming a giant heart on her bed.

All this was engineered by the concierge staff at the complex, Grigio, one of a burgeoning number of places around the country that aim to provide the convenience of home and the comforts of a hotel.
From New York to San Francisco, the amenities race is on among some high-end apartment and condominium buildings. Never mind a gym and a doorman — how about turndown service, pet sitting, gift wrapping, a wine cellar or a private library? [Read more →]

Tags: Balancing Your Life, Spa Experience, Spas, spa lifestyle by Spavelous
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Destination napping
Sure, a pedicure is soothing. You might even drift off during a massage. But for serious relaxation some spas are going further - offering everything from weekend sleep seminars to pods for snoozing after sightseeing

‘I used to be a fantastic sleeper,” Amanda Ross says. But then the 37-year-old had a baby. “Suddenly I couldn’t fall asleep, and when I did, I usually woke up a few hours later.”

By the time she had her second child, Ross had what she thought was incurable insomnia. But as editor of HomeSpa magazine, she knew there was help at hand. The latest trend in spas: Not just relaxing massages, but sleep therapy.

Requests for sleep programs tripled last year. And spas are responding. Some are offering flotation tanks to promote deep rest, while others have launched dedicated nap chambers. Then there are intensive workshops to help guests stop tossing and turning for good.

That’s what Ross had in mind when she signed up for the Sweet Art of Sleep Seduction last year. Led by Robert de Stefano, the spa world’s “sleep whisperer,” the four-day session at Red Mountain Spa in Utah teaches participants how to get a good night’s sleep - even after their vacations end.

“I am now entirely cured,” a well-rested Ross says. “When my head hits the pillow, I’m out immediately.”

It’s true, she adds, she also bought a “really, really good mattress.” And she admits that, like most self-improvement programs, her workshop wouldn’t have worked if she hadn’t been committed.

But whether you are committed to a whole new approach to sleep or just want a luxe nap to recharge from a day spent hiking or sightseeing, spas are increasingly catering to sweet dreams. And experts predict that the trend will continue into the next decade.

Herewith, a few best bets for dream vacations right now.

CANYON RANCH

TUCSON, ARIZ.
Located in a magical land of mountains and desert foothills, it seems like a shame to sleep the day away at Canyon Ranch. But then this is a grand dame of life-enhancement retreats - and this spa pioneered the doctor-led sleep program more than a decade ago. The current incarnation is called Rest & Rejuvenate: The Power of Sleep. Run by Phil Eichling - a sleep expert and the director of the Canyon Ranch Executive Health Program - it covers everything from mindfulness meditation to tips on “sleep hygiene.” And should you feel like tiring yourself out with physical activity? The complex includes six gyms, 45 fitness classes, an indoor aquatic centre and even an art gallery.

YELO
NEW YORK CITY
It may be the city that never sleeps, but New Yorkers certainly take their naps seriously. A case in point: the Yelo salon, launched last year, where clients are escorted into futuristic sleep cabins called YeloCabs - hexagonal pods pimped out with a reclining leather chair, purified air and a Nepalese cashmere blankie. When each nap begins, the “zero-gravity” YeloChair reclines to elevate clients’ legs above their hearts, meant to slow down their pulse and encourage full relaxation. When time’s up - about 20 minutes later (just the amount of time research suggests is optimal) - LED lights simulate a sunrise for a gentle awakening. If you need a little help winding down, there are also packages that combine a 20-to 40 -minute foot or shoulder massage and a restful 20 minutes of snooze time.

MAYFLOWER INN & SPA
WASHINGTON, CONN.
This five-star inn has been here for decades, but the 20,000-square-foot spa is new. And it’s definitely designed to make guests feel pampered. The property now includes rooms filled with four-poster beds, an oak-shaded pond and spa dinners such as juicy rare tenderloin and baked apples. Still, even luxury doesn’t guarantee a good night’s sleep. So enter a three-day workshop called Whisper in the Night, Roar in the Day. Targeted at stress-induced insomnia, it’s led by sleep guru Robert de Stefano and Amy Galper, the founder of a successful line of organic body-care products. The program includes sessions on drug-free sleep techniques, shiatsu massage and aromatherapy. Each guest also gets a personalized activity schedule based on a pre-trip phone consultation with the spa director.

RED MOUNTAIN SPA
IVINS, UTAH
Towering red cliffs and rock formations are the backdrop for this self-styled “adventure spa.” And Red Mountain does have 40 guides to take guests on more than 30 trails. But the spa also understands the power of a good post-hike rest: Sleep retreats include several daily sessions (including one on releasing “negative sleep entrapments”) led by Robert de Stefano. If you can keep your eyes open long enough, there are also daily cooking classes and a spa restaurant that serves gourmet, calorie-wise fare such as coriander-crusted chicken. And don’t forget the full-service Sagestone spa here. It offers “desert rain” massages and sleep-inducing green clay facials.

Pack your bags
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