Three Degress of Relaxation
Luxury spas take hospitality to another level with carefully designed treatments to improve guests’ well-being
Luxury spas take hospitality to another level with carefully designed treatments to improve guests’ well-being
In today’s environment, there are very few things about business travel that would qualify as “carefully designed to improve guests’ well being.” However, am happy to report that this is not always true in every case. Specifically within the luxury spa category, some treatments are new or have undergone refinement, and there are overall spa features that are worth considering during your next hiatus, whether it’s planned or spur of the moment.
Personalized Treatments
In the most premium spas in luxury hotels, the practice of simply selecting from a menu of two or three offerings within each of the basic categories of massage, facial, nail services, etc. are long gone. Today’s luxury spa experience begins with a consultation by one of the experienced staff members to set the expectations or goals for the services. The result is a tailored session using specialty products, either custom made or blended, for the ultimate spa experience.
The NoMI | SPA at the Park Hyatt in Chicago is a perfect example of allowing each treatment (or“journey”as they like to label them) to be directed toward the very instance of your visit, making the essence of how you wish to spend time completely your own. With treatments based on what’s happening in their garden and what’s happening in your world, NoMI | SPA inspires the essential qualities of relaxation, results and experience. Each spa treatment includes an artfully selected indulgent bite and a unique beverage to enhance and complement your chosen spa course.
My journeys over a three day stay included a sixty-minute massage for the purpose of de-stressing the mind. This treatment included the focusing and clarifying powers of frankincense, petitgrain, wild camomile and rosemary to organize thoughts. I have to confess that after this massage, my mind was much calmer and my business day went unusually smoothly. My other session was the Hydro Facial which was explained to me as a skin care treatment that offers medical grade results without the down time. It uses advanced technology to exfoliate, rehydrate, and nourish the skin. At first glance, I thought the device seemed a bit like a miniature carpet cleaner/ extractor. However, the results were stellar!
Aromatherapy
While treatments typically include products that are generally pleasing to most people’s olfactory senses, a new
generation of specialized experiences really take your nose to the next level, with the added benefit of allowing you to take the ingredients along on your next trip.
The therapists at the Heavenly Spa by Westin at the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa, Hollywood, FL, know certain scents may have remarkable healing powers. That’s why the spa features a variety of massages, body treatments, facials, antiaging enhancements, waxing, manicures and pedicures that integrate special customized aromatherapy components.
My Heavenly Spa Signature massage experience began somewhat unconventionally when I was given the choice of stones marked ‘hope,’ ‘gratitude’ or ‘love;’ this to encourage positive thoughts during the treatment. After I picked a stone, the therapist who was trained in aromatherapy then consulted with me to create the perfect aromatic blend for my body and for my individual needs. Using the spa’s signature essential oils and plant extracts from Aromatherapy Associates, as well as non-traditional blends, the therapist gave an exceptional head-to-toe massage. She incorporated scents designed to help improve circulation and ease stress, and the whole experience left me feeling quite relaxed and refreshed.
The brand new 14,000-square-foot facility has been relocated from the golf club, and offers 10 treatment rooms, a Halotherapy salt steam room, Vichy shower, as well as a two-story, 24-hour fitness studio and spa cafe. The spa’s oceanfront design is bathed in a palette of soft blues, greens and golds inspired by the sea. Each treatment room is marked with a one-of-a-kind nautical shell, while the relaxation room is accented with a green wall, Italian artwork, distinctive spheres created from oyster shells and an eyecatching sculpture resembling a wall of cascading rain.
Pre-Treatment Experiences
Meanwhile at the Langham Chicago, the Chuan Spa is one of the newest luxury spas that takes the pre-treatment experience to a whole new level. The Chuan is an oasis of tranquility in the heart of Chicago. From the moment you enter the spa, a soothing setting inspires contemplation and introspection as the spa hosts invite you to embark upon a journey designed to balance the mind, body and soul. It was explained to me that in Chinese, Chuan means flowing water. As the source of life, water represents the re-birth and re-balancing of our whole being. Thus, before each treatment they make a point of guiding you to embark on a natural water journey – the Chuan Bathing Ritual.
This “ritual,” located within each changing room, is a series of chambers designed to reinvigorate the body’s reaction to hot and cold stimuli to create deeper dimensions of relaxation, health and well
being. This ritual begins with an aromatic sensory and moderate heat experience in the Herbal Sauna allowing the heat to loosen and soothe tightened, congested muscles and the herbs to open the respiratory system. For more intense heat, you are invited to relax in the Salt Stone Sauna which releases negative ions to create a fresh, clean, bacteria-free environment. Blocks of pure Himalayan salt stone line the wall creating a calming environment and assisting in reducing stress, respiratory and skin ailments.
The next transition is to one of the Experience Showers to awaken your spirit with invigorating aromatherapies. You then enter the Oriental Steam Room where you are greeted by the soothing scent of Chamomile. The atmosphere makes it quite inviting and comfortable to linger longer on one of the ergonomically-designed relaxation recliners radiating soft warmth directly on your body to create a sense of harmony. With your mind and body now in equilibrium, you are a step closer to rediscovering your source. BT