Extravigator - Spas + Treatments

Spa Recommendations - Mexico/Middle US?

J.L. — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 04:54:35 -0400

Must agree with Mii Amo at Enchantment Resort in Arizona.

In Mexico, try The Tides (the property formerly known as Ikal Del Mar), on the Riviera Maya.

Spa Recommendations - Mexico/Middle US?

TravelRose — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 20:25:13 -0400

Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Holistic Retreat and Spa. Mouthful, but a good place to go. http://www.pueblobonitopacifica.com

No kids are allowed so it's quiet and it's a non-smoking facility. Went there last fall and got an awesome massage. I highly recommend it.

Spa Sanctuary in Sonoma County's Coastal Hills

Nancy B. — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 00:37:50 -0400

February 18, 2008
If you are looking for a unique spa experience in Sonoma County, I would highly recommend the Osmosis Day Spa, http://www.osmosis.com in the tiny village of Freestone. I was introduced to this five acre Japanese retreat, sixty miles north of San Francisco, during a recent stay in Occidental.

Inn at Occidental,http://www.innatoccidental.com Owner Tina Wolsborn noted that many of their guests visit the spa and return to the Inn very relaxed. In fact, the Inn offers an "Osmosis Enzyme Bath Special" during the winter season that is quite a deal.

I've experienced many spa treatments in my day, but nothing compares to the Cedar Enzyme bath, a heat treatment used in Japan. Upon arrival at the spa, guests change into Japanese robes and are welcomed with an organic herbal tea and invited to stroll the meditation garden. As I was there on a Monday evening, I had the peaceful garden all to myself. It was in that garden that I was able to let go of my "to do" list and open myself to a moment of quiet reflection.

I must admit that I was a little nervous about what to expect next because I'm not a sauna loving girl. My personal attendant explained how the cedar, rice bran and plant enzymes work together to create biologically generated warmth. She carved out a place for my body and I stepped into the tub.

How to describe this experience? It's a little like when you were a kid at the beach and someone covered your body with warm sand; only this naturally fermenting mixture can get quite hot. The more you squirm, the hotter it gets. Fortunately, my attendant had told me that I could lift my legs and arms whenever I wanted to cool myself down. She also came in periodically to check on me, offered me a cool sip of water through a straw and laid a damp cloth on my forehead.

After a quick shower I was handed off to a massage therapist for 75 minutes of pure bliss. I don’t want to sound like an advertorial here, but this was one of the best deep tissue massages I’ve had in my life. .

Has anyone else experienced a Japanese enzyme bath in your travels? Did you like it?

Spa Recommendations - Mexico/Middle US?

dd67 — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 19:33:53 -0500

Arizona is quite the hot spot for spas. In fact, there are six that were recently recognized by Mobil in their 2008 rankings. (3 in Scottsdale, 1 in nearby Paradise Valley, 1 in Phoenix and 1 in Tucson).

http://mobiltravelguide.howstuffworks.com/four-star-spas-2008.htm

The Spa at the Four Seasons Troon is beautiful but I also really enjoyed the Willow Stream Spa at The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. Although it didn't make the Mobil list, the spa at the Boulders Resort is worth a visit as well.

There is also a Willow Stream at the Fairmont Mayakoba, which is an hour south of Cancun in Riviera Maya. The almost new resort recently received the AAA 5-Diamond Award.

Spa Recommendations - Mexico/Middle US?

DonPablo — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 22:23:51 -0500

We enjoyed staying at La Posada de Santa Fe a few years ago. It's a five-star resort and spa, located in Santa Fe, New Mexico, that is part of the Leading Hotels of the World organization. Not only was the spa delightful but, also, the location was very convenient to most of the really good restaurants, museums and galleries that always make a trip to Santa Fe such an enjoyable experience.

Spa Recommendations - Mexico/Middle US?

romeodawg — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 11:48:53 -0500

As a spa editor, one of my fave spas is Mii Amo in Sedona, Arizona (http://www.miiamo.com/). It's also the #1 rated spa by Travel & Leisure's readers in 07. Spectacular location, great food, awesome treatment options -- lounge by the pool all day or hike and bike around the red rocks of Sedona. It's got an intimate feel, because it's a smaller, self-contained annex of the larger resort next door. One of the best beds I've ever slept in. Definitely a great place to hang with a friend and get pampered for a few days.

In Utah, I'm not a big fan of Red Mountain Spa, but its neighbor Green Valley (http://www.greenvalleyspa.com/) is the place to go if you're into tennis (also a Travel and Leisure "world's best"). Get a spa villa if you can - it's also large and home-like, with a separate living room and a FIVE ROOM bathroom. Vic Braden's tennis camp is there, so tons of opportunity for privates, stroke analysis via video, and indoor and outdoor tennis. Beautiful scenery and pools, huge selection of Native American treatments and products. The layout is sprawling and even at capacity it seems almost deserted -- good for peace and quiet.

In the high budget range, the Golden Door in Escondido is really hard to beat (http://goldendoor.com/). Your friend would have to fly a couple extra hours to meet you in California, but the Door really knows how to do it right. They only take people who commit to the whole week, and there are only 40 people allowed each week, which means you never have to deal with people coming and going mid-week. No new faces, no luggage or credit cards -- it really lets you just unpack and decompress completely from the daily grind. Rate includes daily facials, daily massages, lots of hikes and classes and other activities, and incredible 5-star food, almost all of it grown on their organic farm.

A note on alcohol if you're a wine drinker -- Mii Amo serves it, Green Valley doesn't but you can get wine for dinner at the nearby liquor store, and the Golden Door only serves wine on the last evening's dinner.

Hope that helps!

Regalia Resort & Spa, Suzhou, China

theNavigator — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 06:31:27 -0500

Actually Suzhou has really come of age. I first went there in 02 and it has completely transformed/modernised itself since then. There appears to be a lot of wealth in Suzhou. The gardens, landscape and street architecture is immaculate. There are some interesting buildings such as the I.M. Pei -designed Suzhou Museum. Personally I'd recommend two full days maximum. Or stop by on your way from Shanghai to Nanjing. Always hire a private car and driver. 90 euros can get you a latest model Buick people mover which seats up to six passengers very comfortably. Don't forget to take your own CDs!

Regalia Resort & Spa, Suzhou, China

abeam — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 02:57:02 -0500

I've never been in that region. Would you say the hotel/spa the main reason to go to Suzhou?

Regalia Resort & Spa, Suzhou, China

theNavigator — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 23:49:44 -0500

I want to alert readers to a fabulous boutique spa resort at Suzhou (two hours drive west of Shanghai). Regalia Resort & Spa is one of just five SLH properties in China. I spent last weekend there; indulging in exquisite Thai food (courtesy of Shanghai's Simply Life Group) and a luxurious aromatic massage (courtesy of Thai Privilege Spa). Highly recommended.

Spa Recommendations - Mexico/Middle US?

Trabzon — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 14:18:35 -0400

I can't say I've been to either, but two come to mind.

Lake Austin Spa in Texas: http://lakeaustin.com
Ten Tousand Waves in New Mexico: http://tenthousandwaves.com

Spa Recommendations - Mexico/Middle US?

StephanieBamBam — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 15:13:04 -0400

I'm looking for a spa to go to with a friend from NY. I'm in CA and we're trying to find somewhere in between.

We'd like a luxury-style relaxing spa, not really one where you live on carrots, although a 'healthy' touch would certainly be fun. Mainly just a place to relax and be pampered for a few days that isn't snotty-stuffy (NOT Canyon Ranch).

Any recommendations would be very appreciated.