In late November, a couple of months after the global financial crisis leaped to the top of news reports, spa lovers browsing  were showing new interest in a concept fit for jittery times. Along with the usual search terms, like “day spas” and “massage,” a newly prominent word was typed into the site’s search engine three times more often than it had been in the summer. That word was “stress.”

Interest hasn’t waned since.   Not only is “stress” still showing up often in the site’s searches, but weekly traffic to “stress management”  has doubled since the summer months.

When the economy was good, taking a spa vacation was largely about pampering yourself. It didn’t matter that the afterglow of that $165 carrot-and-sesame body buff lasted only until your next shower. Now, with the sinking economy on most people’s minds, a trip to the spa has become something else — an investment of sorts, in well-being.

The shift in mood is not lost on spa owners, who have long been savvy marketers, convincing people of the purifying qualities of sweat lodges and persuading them that a nightingale cleansing mask, made from sanitized bird droppings, was truly worth $109.

Miraval, the spa resort company based in Tucson, Ariz., is offering a new De-Stress Me package designed for “these trying times,” according to Tracey Anne Latkovic, the vice president of sales and marketing.

The Eldorado Hotel and Spa in Santa Fe, N.M., is running a Stress Bailout promotion to attract travelers looking “to escape the non-stop coverage of the economy,” according to a press release.

And under the usual New Agey marketing jargon that flashes across the sleek home page of Canyon Ranch, the destination spa company that was luring guests for body poundings and weight-loss regimens before the modern spa proliferation was a gleam in marketers’ eyes, there is a new message straight from its founders, Enid and Mel Zuckerman. “Has there ever been a time when you could have used an escape to Canyon Ranch more?” it reads, under the caption “The Vacation You Need” and a proverb about health, hope and happiness.

“No?” the pitch continues. “Then book your healthy, revitalizing getaway today and let us help you re-establish your balance. In times like these, nothing — nothing at all — is more important than taking care of yourself and on focusing on what really matters: Health, hope, love and a tranquil mind.”

During past economic downturns, Zuckerman said in an interview, business had been “very strong, because people need to get away to deal with stress, deal with fear, go to behaviorists, do life management, protect their health.” So far, Canyon Ranch’s revenues are “holding up very nicely” this time, too, he said, despite a dip in occupancy of about 10 percent in Tucson and Lenox in 2008. And the company opened a new luxury spa in Miami in December, just when the recession was proving itself entrenched.

Of course, a little financial incentive also helps. To battle the uncertain economy’s dampening effect on leisure spending, spas are marrying their new emphasis on stress relief with a flood of discounts and deals.

Rancho La Puerta, just over the California border in Tecate, Mexico, explains its decision to keep prices at 2008 levels — starting at $2,795 a person for seven nights, double occupancy — this way on its Web site: “We feel that in these tumultuous times a destination spa vacation is more important than ever.” It has also run Bring a Friend promotions that allow a guests to double up and share $1,500 to $2,200 in savings.

Miraval’s Authentic Remedy package, which starts at $399 a person a night — more than 40 percent off regular rates — includes extras like organic wine tastings and cooking classes. Mii amo, at Enchantment Resort in Sedona, Ariz., is holding rates at 2008 levels and offering other discounts.

Not to be outdone, the Golden Door in Escondido has rolled back weekly rates to 2007 levels of $7,750 a person through May 24, down from $8,275 originally planned for this year, and is offering $500 savings if you bring a friend.

Even Canyon Ranch, which has never lowered its published rates — “I could never compromise our standards or cut our programs because we no longer could be who we are,” Zuckerman said — is tinkering with pricing.

Canyon Ranch in Tucson is offering credits of up to $350 for stays of at least four nights (which start at $3,770 a person, based on double occupancy) to out-of-towners, to help offset airfares. Its sister property in Lenox, Mass., has a fifth-night-free deal through April — in effect a discount of as much as $1,000 depending on accommodations and time of week — and is also offering 15 percent in savings when two guests who have never stayed at a Canyon Ranch resort share accommodations.

Last year, at the second-annual Global Spa Summit in New York, Ian Schrager, the trendsetting hotelier who is designing a new spa brand for Marriott, suggested another way spas could improve business — add spaces where spagoers can hang out. “These are places where people can meet and socialize before or after spa treatments,” he said in a keynote address. “People feel good when they come out of the spa and spas can take advantage of that.”

Spa owners have no more insight than anyone else into how long tough economic times will last. “I have no idea whether we got another year or two or three years ahead of us,” Zuckerman said. But recently, Canyon Ranch bookings have been picking up ever so slightly, he said, which he takes as “the message that people still want and need what we have to offer.”

For the nail-biting stress victim who still has enough money left to relax at a spa at all, this may not be entirely the worst of times.

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Once an economic sweet spot, spas are aching for business.

Spas are discounting or tossing in freebies “to get people in the door,” says Shelby Jones, an International Spa Association (ISPA) spokeswoman. An ISPA survey found specials at slow times (Monday-Thursday) and more free use of amenities such as pools and hydrotherapy areas.

More hotels (1,646 in the USA had spas as of June, ISPA says) are giving spa credits. When ISPA president Lynne Walker McNees checked into a Lexington, Ky.-area Marriott after a power outage, it gave her a $40 spa credit.

Some soothing offers driven by the stressful economy:

•Through May, Miraval Tucson in Arizona (an Oprah Winfrey favorite) is touting “Authentic Remedy” packages from $399 a person daily to help manage angst. That covers meals and one spa service (up to $125) a day.

•At the Inn at Palmetto Bluff in South Carolina, visitors who book a 60-minute massage ($145-$160) also get a free mini-facial or foot refresher.

•Usually heavily booked Rancho La Puerta across the Mexican border from San Diego is holding rates at 2008 levels and running a “bring a friend for 50% off” deal on slow weeks.

•Pennsylvania’s The Lodge at Woodloch is massaging wallets with savings of 25% for a four-night minimum stay and 20% for three nights.

Even VIP-luring Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills is value-minded. It’s doing massages in a cabana at no extra cost, spa director Derek Hofmann says. “And if you’re a Bloody Mary girl, we’ll bring you one.”

Vegas spas deals:

•The Golden Nugget spa gives guests who have 50- or 80-minute services a free manicure or blow dry, based on availability.

•Some packages at The Mirage Hotel & Casino are deeply discounted ($150 for a massage and facial vs. the usual $260).

•The opulent Caesars Palace spa now gives new guests $25 off a service on request; all can get free eye treatments with a facial.

You can tell the industry is hurting  says Lindsey Gockenbach of the Spa Week Media Group. 

More spas with “treatments of $200-plus” are joining in, Gockenbach says. Among the 250 newcomers: pricey The Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa in Arizona. “These are spas that never participated in Spa Week because of this discount but now are almost forced to do so.”

Spas also are touting wellness over pampering. But in general, rates for spa basics such as massages ($150-plus hourly at some chic sanctuaries) aren’t sliding.

“The idea is to protect the brands,” says Bernard Burt, co-author of 100 Best Spas of the World. “Historically, the best spas have ridden out recessions.”

Meanwhile, at a time when a good kneading is needed more than ever, he suggests asking for discounts. It can’t hurt, he says.

“The smart shopper will call direct and ask for the best price.”

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Get regular facials to stay moisturized

To keep your skin looking beautiful this winter, get regular facials to stay moisturized. Cold weather can deplete the moisture in your skin, causing it to flake and feel dry and tight.

Felice Rivera-Puppe, an esthetician at Dolce Salon & Spa at Arrowhead, recommends the La Mia Pella Dolce facial.

“One of the advantages of the La Mia Pella Dolce facial is that it works beautifully for dry, dehydrated skin,” Rivera-Puppe said. “This facial nourishes and moisturizes, bringing that tightness and bounce back into your skin that the winter takes away.”

Eminence organic skincare products are used in this hydrating facial, which is great for mature or dry skin types. First, your esthetician will prepare your skin with a soothing lemon cleanser and lightly exfoliate with a rosehip and maize masque.

After that, extractions are done to remove blackheads and impurities in the skin. Next, a chocolate masque is applied. This hydrating, anti-oxidant-rich masque smells good enough to eat!

Your esthetician will then apply a cherry masque, which contains Vitamin C. Vitamin C is great for rebuilding and restoring the hydration capacity of your skin, and keeping it looking youthful. A rich moisturizer is applied to finish the treatment.

For dry, cracked lips, add on a lip treatment! The lip treatment includes a citrus papaya exfoliating masque, a cinnamon plumping masque and a citrus lip balm. The citrus lip balm is so hydrating that it can be used by itself all winter!

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Spas create deals and discounts for slumping economy

With the economy slumping, facials and massages might not be a top priority for consumers on a budget.

But America’s top spas, gathered in New York recently for the annual meeting of the International Spa Association, are trying to make it as easy as possible for visitors to indulge without breaking into the piggy bank.

Heated black basalt stones and cool white marble stones are used in massage therapy at the Miraval Life in Balance Spa in Catalina, Arizona.

“You can still go and have a spa experience without spending a ton of money,” says Veronica Cole of the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa in Ojai, California. “Many spas, like ours, offer use of our facilities with one treatment, so you can come spend hours relaxing.”

In other words, if you can’t afford a weekend or overnight stay, consider booking one massage or scrub at a destination spa, which usually entitles you to use the pool, steam room and other facilities for the day.

The Ojai Valley Inn, located not far from Los Angeles, is a destination spa known for its blooming lavender gardens and an approach that draws on Native American spa traditions.

Cole said carving out an hour or two and hanging out at the spa can be relaxing enough to make you feel like you’re on a mini-vacation.

Jaime Huffman of the Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa in Asheville, NC, said more 50-minute massages have been made available recently instead of more expensive 80-minute massages. The Cliff House Resort & Spa in Ogunquit, Maine, offers a $99 spa sampler on Sundays.

Booking midweek is usually cheaper than weekend trips, and spa owners suggest asking about specials like a mother-daughter discount or a family discount. Many spas have them but don’t necessarily talk them up.

Spas are still growing despite the economy: 138 million people visited spas around the country last year, according to the most recent industry figures from the International Spa Association. And spa revenue in 2007 was $10 billion, the organization said, up from just over $9 billion the year before. Data for 2008 show that spas continue to grow, the association said.

Spa operators also suggest considering a spa vacation as an alternative to going to Europe or taking some other big trip. There’s rarely a need to drive once you’re at a destination spa, so you won’t be spending money on gas. And an all-inclusive booking means that lodging, food, pools, the locker room and other amenities and facilities like hot tubs and steam rooms are included in the cost.

“You can really retreat to a spa, and there are no unaccounted costs because you pay upfront,” said Lola Roeh, general manager of the Osthoff Resort, which is home to the Aspira Spa spas in Elkhart Lake, WI. “You can chose to add on costs, like additional treatments, but that’s up to you.”

Destination spas can be pricey — $500 for a weekend or more — but it’s possible to cut other costs if you decide to vacation at one. The Lodge at Woodloch, about two hours outside of New York in Hawley, Pa., is far enough away from the city that visitors can feel like they’re on a real vacation, but close enough to take a bus or train from Manhattan and save on gas. And you don’t have to stay a week or five days; many spas offer two-night stays that can still be relaxing.

Many other spas are outside of major metropolitan areas, like Kohler’s newest day spa in southwest suburban Burr Ridge. The company, known for its faucets, paired a showroom with the spa so clients can sit in whirlpools or fancy tubs and do shopping for remodeling, too.

Along with tips for spagoers on a budget, other themes emerged at the spa meeting. Here are five trends shaping today’s spa experience.

BUSY BEES: Many spas are catering to the stresses on busy workers. The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg spas in Williamsburg, Va., is offering a Wi-Fi massage geared toward the muscles you use when you’re at the computer. Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, N.Y., offers meditation to help calm nerves.

THE FIRST TIME: Ginn Hammock Beach Resort in Palm Coast, Fla., offers a clothed massage — for people who are afraid of going in the buff to a treatment. A survey of spagoers last year found 70 percent who hadn’t tried a massage were uncomfortable with being naked or partially naked. This massage eases people into the treatment — and hopefully allows them to feel more comfortable to go full Monty later on.

COUPLES TOO: Ginny Lopis of the Lodge at Woodloch says she’s seeing more and more couples booking spa getaways. At least half the guests these days are male, she says. “It’s really not just for ladies anymore,” she said. “We get husbands and boyfriends here who really enjoy it.” Other spas say they are seeing more couples, also.

GO GREEN: Spas are getting greener, from homeopathic treatments at the JW Marriott Spa Collection to an eco-friendly spa at Mohonk Mountain House that uses organic products made from locally grown ingredients. The Kohler spas are big on water conservation and use eco-friendly shower heads and toilets.

DISTINGUISH FROM THE MASSES: With more than 18,000 spas around the country, establishments are distinguishing themselves by offering unique treatments and products. The Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts spas offer a lava shell neck treatment, which uses shells, applied in the same way that heated stones are sometimes used in massage. The Lake Austin Spa Resort outside Austin, Texas, offers yoga and spa treatments for those with asthma and allergies.

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Massage, hair salon customers watching dollars

Residents are stretching out the time between massage appointments and getting creative with hair color at Ahwatukee Foothills and Tempe salons to save money in today’s sluggish economy.

Several Ahwatukee and Tempe salon and spa owners say they expect their revenue and number of customers for this year will either remain the same as in 2007 or grow at a smaller rate year over year than it has in the past. In recent months business has been slower than normal at this time of year, they said.

Many are offering specials to lure clients.

“There’s no question the economy is affecting our business,” Richard Behr, managing director of the Arizona Grand Resort, said. “People are being much more strategic in how they spend their money.”

He said revenue generated at the resort’s spa, off Baseline Road near Interstate 10, was about $3,000 less in the first 21 days of November this year compared with the same period in 2007. But he said the number of spa treatments was about the same.

The economy has also slowed growth at Massage Envy locations at 3820 E. Ray Road in Ahwatukee and 315 W. Elliot Road in Tempe, co-owner Jon Brovitz said.

Brovitz, who owns the stores with his wife Bonnie, estimates 52,625 massages will be given this year at the two stores. That’s a 2.1 percent increase over 2007, he said. The Ahwatukee and Tempe stores sold 51,531 massages in 2007, a 15.4 percent increase over 2006, he said.

“The economy has definitely had an impact on all businesses,” Brovitz said.

Still, customers are increasingly seeking stress relief and memberships continue to grow, he said.

“They want to get away . . . escape from all the things going on right now,” he said.

At Adam Pink Salon in Ahwatukee, customers are waiting longer between appointments to get haircuts and colors, co-owner Adam Pink said. Some will have their gray hair blended in to the other colors so they don’t have to get it dyed as often, Pink said.

The salon saw the same number of customers during October this year as it did in October 2007 but revenue during that period is down 5 to10 percent, he said.

“If they are laid off or slower in their business they’re not going to come in as often,” Pink said.

But he said beauty salons offer a diversion in today’s economy.

“It’s something that makes them feel good about themselves,” he said.

Business has also been slower at Belle Mélange Salon in Ahwatukee.

The salon did 10 facials or peels in November 2007, but had done none this November as of Nov. 26, owner Shaunte Fox said.

“The economy has hit everyone and though people still want to keep up their beauty regimens . . . they are finding ways to do it less expensively,” she said via e-mail.

Just For You Salon and Spa in Tempe expects to generate the same amount of revenue for this year as it did in 2007, owner Loretta Wilson said.

“We’re financially strong,” she said. “The economy will turn around pretty soon. You have to stay positive.”

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Camelback Inn, a JW Marriott Resort Completes $45 Million Renewal, Blending Reverence for the Past with Relevance for the Future  Renovation preserves historic elements through adaptive reuse while upgrading guestrooms and meeting spaces;

A fresh focus on organic ingredients and local influences shapes culinary

The culinary renaissance extends to The Spa at Camelback Inn, where a new menu at the award-winning spa cafe, Sprouts, features grilled bruschetta topped with unusual ingredients such as melon, quince jam, artisanal cheeses, pepitos and roasted artichoke hearts. Director of Beverage Trudy Thomas taps organic liquor, antioxidant-rich ingredients and the herb gardens for classic cocktails such as the Green Apple Tea’ni using Juniper Green organic gin and a Bloody Mary garnished with fresh mozzarella, grape tomatoes and basil. Non-alcoholic herbal elixirs are also on the menu, including a Cucumber Cooler with fresh mint leaves and lime juice and Pomegranate Lemonade.

As Scottsdale’s Camelback Inn, a JW Marriott Resort & Spa, puts the finishing touches on a $45 million renovation that involved virtually every aspect of the 71 year-old resort, historians and preservationists agree that the end result strikes a perfect balance between showcasing the best of the resort’s storied past while setting a visionary course for the future. Carried out over 18 months, changes include creating a more dramatic arrival leading to a new grand lobby; debuting noted chef Laurent

Tourondel’s BLT Steak, and reclaiming the resort’s original adobe bricks for use throughout the project.
“At its core, this project is about opening up the property to its inspiring desert surroundings while preserving its history and the unique Southwestern style that has made it a favorite of generations of travelers,” said General Manager Ralph Scatena. To that end, the resort tapped noted architectural firm Hill Glazier Architects to shape a resort setting that relies as much on tradition as innovation.

Throughout, original adobe was salvaged by specialty masons who were called in to reclaim it, piece by piece, in a painstaking, eco-friendly process that involved breaking down, remixing and reshaping the bricks according to original traditions. A team of expert craftsmen from Arizona Repair Masons spent several months duplicating the 1930’s method of adobe brick-making, a time-consuming endeavor that requires each brick to be set in individual hand-made forms and baked in the sun for up to two weeks.

An Enhanced Arrival Experience

A new tree-lined passageway with water and fire elements leads to a hacienda-style grand lobby with floor-to-ceiling doors that open onto the resort’s expansive courtyard and the postcard views of Camelback Mountain beyond.

With its reclaimed adobe and vintage photographs, the lobby seamlessly blends old and new, creating an inviting setting for check-in at a desk fashioned of mesquite wood and highlighted by a back-lit photo of

Camelback Inn circa 1936 (complete with horses tethered out front). Adjacent to the lobby, a new Arizona Discovery Room gives visitors a peek into the Inn’s storied past, with photos of noted guests such as John F. Kennedy, Bing Crosby, Clark Gable and Bette Davis; and books and other reference materials about the area’s history.

Camelback Inn’s courtyard was redesigned to better showcase the resort’s abundant collection of native plants and flowers. Additions to the expansive setting are a mix of playful and practical, including an organic herb garden, waterfall, fire pits and a wind-chime sculpture created by architect Paolo Soleri. Soleri, a visionary Italian architect who settled in Scottsdale in the 1950s, has since become a local legend and a distinguished lecturer in the College of Architecture at Arizona State University. Soleri was also the recipient of a Cooper-Hewitt National Design Award for lifetime achievement in 2006.

The Culinary Spirit of the Southwest

The renovation at Camelback Inn, a JW Marriott Resort & Spa, extended well beyond structural changes. The property’s culinary experience has been elevated with a mix of local and regional flavors and organic ingredients, with a dash of celebrity sparkle. The resort’s lushly landscaped outdoor areas now feature organic herb gardens designed by Camelback Inn’s new Director of Beverage Trudy Thomas, a noted expert and author. Woven throughout the outdoor areas, guests will find a half-dozen food & beverage venues — ranging from household names like BLT Steak and Starbucks to new classics like Rita’s Kitchen and R Bar — throughout the 125-acre resort.

With the October 2008 debut of BLT Steak, Laurent Tourondel’s modern American steakhouse is beautifully executed within Camelback’s Paradise Valley setting. A long dark wood bar, reclaimed mesquite wood floors and striking views of Camelback Mountain afford guests a memorable setting for BLT’s signature blend of

American flair and French technique. The largest restaurant in Tourondel’s portfolio, the restaurant features seating for 200 guests, as well as two private dining rooms, each accommodating 50 guests, and an outside courtyard area for private dinners of up to 30 guests.

At Rita’s Kitchen, guests enjoy simple, fresh Southwestern cuisine with Mexican influences in a rustic setting. Original adobe walls, reclaimed wood floors, beamed ceilings and stone and copper throughout create a warm and casual atmosphere for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Menu specialties include such traditional fare as Huevos Rancheros, Chicken Enchiladas and Flat Iron Steak. Organic lettuces, house-made soft corn tortillas and herbs from the organic herb gardens give the cuisine a home-style sensibility. Even the desserts capture a regional exuberance, including Mexican Chocolate Fondue, Churros and Indian Peach Cobbler.

With the renewal’s completion, Rita’s Kitchen is once again the setting for Sunday Brunch, a beloved

Camelback tradition dating back over 30 years. Served buffet-style with doors open to the courtyard, it is an experience without equal in Scottsdale. Brunch service includes made-to-order breakfast items, regional and specialty entrees, carving stations, sushi, raw bar, fresh fruit, salads and unlimited Champagne.

The spirit of the southwest also imbues R Bar, a lively gathering spot that draws guests in for tequilas, sangrias and margaritas, as well as inspired beers and cocktails such as Desert Pear Cosmopolitans, Southwestern Moonshine and Sonoran Desert Amber. The bartender’s fresh herb martinis change depending on the garden’s freshest bounty. R Bar’s Small Plates and larger Bar Plates menus feature casual bar fare such as Pork Burritos, Angus Sliders, Steak Skewers and Chicken Quesadillas. In the lobby, guests can enjoy the bounty of the herb gardens by sampling complimentary glasses of fresh non-alcoholic elixirs such as lemon-verbena infused water and hibiscus iced tea.

For those who simply need the quick jolt that only a cup of coffee can deliver, a new Starbucks offers the full array of Starbucks specialties with a view of Camelback Mountain from patio tables.

A Fresh Look for Guest Rooms

The renovation also includes the Inn’s 300 casita-style guestrooms, which now feature new flat-screen televisions, beds and carpeting — all inspired by Arizona’s colorful history and surroundings. Rooms now feature new artwork and bathroom fixtures, flat-screen TV’s and revamped luxury suites.

Expanded Space for Camelback Meetings
A new 20,000 square-foot grand ballroom features soaring 24 foot ceilings and state-of-the-art keyless entry and security, full wireless connectivity and production quality lighting and sound capabilities.

Accented by textured flagstone, wrought iron and decorative glass, the space divides into 12 sections to accommodate meetings of 20 to 2,000. An additional 5,000 square feet of foyer space includes two registration desks, and adjacent outdoor meeting spaces with views of Mummy Mountain are also available.

ABOUT CAMELBACK INN

Set on 125 acres of Sonoran Desert terrain in affluent Paradise Valley, Camelback Inn embodies the spirit of the Southwest with its peaceful desert setting, private grounds for hiking and meditation and indigenous plant life. The resort features 453 oversized guest rooms and suites, each with a private entrance and garden patio or balcony. The property — which recently received its 31st consecutive AAA Five Diamond Award — also offers 36 holes of championship golf, six tennis courts, three swimming pools and seven restaurants and lounges. www.camelbackinn.com

ABOUT JW MARRIOTT HOTELS & RESORTS

JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts is one of three brands in Marriott International’s global luxury tier, appealing to travelers who appreciate and value authenticity, anticipatory but unobtrusive personal service, delectable dining experiences and elegantly informal surroundings. With award winning spas and enhanced fitness centers, this brand is particularly favored by seasoned business travelers who want to minimize stress and maintain their personal well-being on the road. There are currently 39 JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts operating in 18 countries, with another 25 properties expected to open over the next 36 months, bringing the total number of hotels to more than 60 hotels in 24 countries.

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The Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa announced today their upcoming series of Perfect Health(TM) programs, November 2008 through February 2009. These five-day healing retreats will be presented by Chopra Center Instructor and Ayurvedic practitioner, Lorrie Lawrence and are based on the global bestseller “Perfect Health(TM)”, by Deepak Chopra, M.D.

Chopra Center co-founders, Deepak Chopra, M.D. and David Simon, M.D., carefully designed this unique program, which has helped thousands of people from across the globe experience profound healing that Read more…

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With recession looming, high-end lodgings offer luxe for less

The just-renovated Camelback Inn, a JW Marriott Resort & Spa outside Phoenix, has an introductory package through Dec. 31 that includes two spa treatments and dinner for two — $309 a night, less than a room alone cost before the $50 million face lift.
A weeknight stay at the white-pillared Clifton Inn, a member of the chichi Relais & Chateaux consortium in Virginia fox-hunting country, used to run $295 in fall and gallop upward.

This month and next, guests at the Charlottesville-area retreat can tuck into homemade pastries and sip Earl Grey, sink into a four-poster and savor a sumptuous breakfast (maybe gingerbread pancakes) for a bargain $129 rate, on slow Sundays through Thursdays.

And that’s far from the only steal on the luxury lodging landscape.

A fire sale is on in Vegas: The top-tier Read more…

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Before you have a Dr Fish or Garra Rufa pedicure, be sure you read a Spavelous Exclusive article.  If you are a spa director you should read this before spending 10,000 – 40,000 in non-refundable dollars.  Six states have banned Dr fish, and more will probably follow.  What you should know before you go.

Doctor Fish Pedicure Experience

Have you wanted to enjoy baby smooth soles, free of dry skin and rough cuticles?   Did the thought of tiny fish tickling your feet filling you with laughter make you want to take off your shoes and dive right in?  The answer to this for many was an astounding yes as the first Dr. Fish pedicure spa opened in Virginia.  Quickly, over five thousand happy feet had spa owners throughout the United States were looking to acquire the Garra Rufa fish and introduce this new exfoliation and skin healing treatment.  The fish used by the spa are tiny toothless fresh water fish which have been used and studied for many years for the treatment of psoriasis. The procedure involves allowing the fish to nibble off the dead skin initially, followed by the standard procedure of pedicure.

 State Regulation for Doctor Fish 

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