Spa Music Interlude

Need a break? Click on the blue title below, close your eyes and relax. Use you back browser arrow to return to the blog when finished. (You cannot read the blog and listen at the same time, momentary glitch we’re fixing.)
Today’s feature: Joseph Haydn Piano Sonata A Flat

Armchair Spa Travel an Economical Way to De Stress in these Trying Times

It’s no secret that stress is a health hazard.  It can exacerbate and contribute to conditions like heart disease, diabetes and even cancer.  On the other hand, managing stress, especially during turbulent times like the present, can give us energy, make us happier and help us look younger.

During April, National Stress Awareness Month, we are encouraged to identify and deal with stress.  And while one of the best ways to relax is a vacation or trip to the spa, given the current state of the economy, who can afford one?  But, the good news is armchair travel can be as soothing as the real thing.  

That’s why on April 7, 2009, from 6-9 pm, Spa4Diabetes presents a virtual spa journey, Spa Around the World, at CO Bigelow in Kenwood Towne Center.  For $5 guests will tour 10 of the world’s most luxurious spas, enjoy complimentary manicures and massages, international finger foods from Midwest Culinary Institute and travelogues from the Cincinnati Zoo & Provident Travel.  

Further details can be found at www.spa4diabetes.com.  Profits from this Spa Around the World event benefit the American Diabetes Association.  

Don’t live in Cincinnati?  Try these ways to take a virtual spa vacay:

• Peruse spa websites, many incorporate films, music and gorgeous images
• Schedule a few minutes to relax every day
• Indulge in a massage at a local massage school (usually around $30 per hr.)
• Surround yourself at home with spa music and fragrance 
• or Read our blog (wink) & other publications such as Spa Magazine 

Read more about Stress Awareness Month & find management tools at www.stresscure.com 

See you at the Spa, Candy

The Twitter Spa Guide

The Twitter Spa Revolution – Your Guide to Spaahing Via Twitter

Have you heard of twitter?  If you haven’t then maybe you’re spending too much time in the spa!  Haha, joking aside, twitter is a community where individuals and businesses connect  in 140 or characters or less.  These micrblogs can be personal or marketing oriented.  

What I love about twitter – I’m at http://twitter.com/artofthespa if you care to follow along ; ) – is meeting people with similar interests and passions – which was my main goal for getting on board.  

I’ve actually made friends with my followers and people I follow – we even have tweetups where we get together and socialize in the real world (our next one is a Spa Tweetment Tweetup!)  Also, it’s fun because you can choose whose tweets you watch so irrelevant information is filtered out.

Businesses are quickly discovering Twitter & they’re using it for everything from announcing new services to discounts or last minute availability.  So it’s no surprise that spas are making their presence known on this conduit.  

Why should you care if a spa is on Twitter or follow them?  

Woodhouse Day Spa recently had a slow day – hey that’s okay we all are having our slow days in this economy – so they tweeted that everyone who made an appointment in the next 24 hours would receive a complimentary 30 minute service!  Now that’s the kind of news we can use!  And because you can tweet from your iphone or blackberry – it’s instant gratification.

Want the Spa Tweetment?  Thought so!  So in SATW’s tradition of helping you integrate spa into culture and making it relevant to your existence, without further adieu here is tada!:

The Twitter Global Spa Guide

The Definitive Directory of Spas on Twitter – Click the name to see their tweets!

Note:  This list is updated regularly so please bookmark and check back often.  If you are a spa who is on twitter please tweet me @artofthespa with your details – or if your favorite spa is not listed but is on twitter please tweet or email. 

Canada

Lux Spa in Toronto

SpaOrange in Montreal

Willow Stream Spa at The Fairmont Banff Springs in Alberta

Willow Stream Spa at The Fairmont Empress in Victoria on Vancouver Island 

United States

Arizona

Willow Stream Spa, Fairmont Scottsdale

Miraval Resort 

California

Glen Ivy Spas, Corona

Skin Haven in Los Angeles

St. Regis Monarch Beach, Dana Point

Vital Wellness Spa, Sherman Oaks

Colorado

Face to Face Esthetics  Highlands Ranch

Florida

Willow Stream Spa at The Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club in Aventura

Plaza Resort and Spa, Daytona

Kaffee’s Garden Spa, West Palm Beach

Illinois

Fairmont Spa, Chicago

Iowa

At Ease Spa, Des Moines

Maryland

YOU Salon, Inc., Ellicot

Massachusetts

Bella Sante Spa, 3 locations Wellesley, Boston, Lexington

Cranwell Resort and Spa, Lenox

Michigan

Spa Julianna, Plymouth

New York

Canela Spa in the Bronx

Ohio

Tuscany Spa & Salon, Cincinnati

Woodhouse Spa, Cincinnati

Pennsylvania

Bodyworks Therapeutic Massage, Lancaster

Esspa Kozmetika, Pittsburgh

Texas

Lake Austin Spa, Austin

Milk And Honey Spa in Austin

Wisconsin

Onusara in Madison
 

Mexico

Willow Stream Spa at The Fairmont Acapulco Princess, Acapulco, Guerrero

Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Mayakoba on the Riviera Maya

United Emirates/Dubai

Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Dubai

Bermuda

Willow Stream Spa at The Fairmont Southampton in Bermuda

Switzerland

Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Le Montreux Palace located in Montreux, Switzerland 

 

 

The Vision Becomes Reality – Relaunching SATW

First, I’d like to apologize to everyone for the downtime for the Spa Around the World blog.  Many of you know from browsing the site that my parents have Type 2 diabetes.  I had to take a break from the narrative part of SATW to care for them for a few months. Their situation inspired me to work even harder on Spa4Diabetes, which we launched in November.  

Of course, you know I’ve always had in mind to actually take a spa sojourn around the world following Phileas Fogg’s route, raising money and awareness for the global diabetes epidemic.  This was my roadmap and planning tool and also a fun way to bring the international spa scene to you (since as a consultant I’ve had the awesome fortune to experience over 90!)  However, the reality of the trip seemed very far away. 

But, something amazing has sprung from this hardship, I have found the first two sponsors for the Spa Around the World in Eighty Days journey!  I’ll keep you posted as we progress, but just wanted to share this groundbreaking news with you all.

So thank you all for hanging in there with me. . .Now back to our spa culture chronicle. . .  

International Christmas Spa Journey Day 5 – Five Golden Rings

Today our spa sojourn takes an international course (and in case you’re wondering, no jewelry is involved!)  And, I have to toot my own horn a little here – this luxury hotel and spa is perfect to bring the five golden rings to life.  

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love sent to me, Five golden rings.

Yep, you are invited to spa like a czar in Moscow, Russia’s Golden Ring Hotel.  Skip the corporate owned franchises and enjoy true Soviet hospitality at this Russian owned palatial hotel where gold is omnipresent from the lobby to the rooms.  The name Golden Ring, actually, refers to a ring of religious cities north of Moscow. 

 

Breakfast with a View in the Wintergarden Restaurant

 

Like many spas from this part of the world, The Golden Ring’s Health and Beauty Centre focuses on results-oriented wellness therapies – as opposed to luxury treatments.  The atmosphere is a little more clinical than one might expect, but don’t let this put you off visiting. 

Many of the spa facilities are complimentary such as the gym and thalassotherapy (spa water therapy).  Don’t forget to try their aroma-bath in a cedar enclosure developed by Russian scientists.  The treatment combines aromatherapy with a sauna treatment – fragrance chosen by their European trained therapists – it’s included in your stay too.  Other treatments may be prescribed by their staff based on your health concerns and preferences.   

 

Scientifically Administered Aromatherapy

 

Another treat that is not to be missed here is the breakfast.  In the Wintergarden Restaurant, they serve a full european breakfast daily, complete with a live harpist.

For the holiday season they are offering a special package which includes: 

Special accommodation rates with 15% off the rack rate

Free of charge gym, sauna, and hammam attendance

Free mineral water, tea and coffee in the room

Late checkout till 15-00 and a 10% discount for Sunday Brunch

If you’re thinking of visiting the Golden Ring – you can see traveler reviews at TripAdvisor.

So say da to this Russian icon and spend Christmas Russian style.  Tomorrow we’re halfway, day six!  See you at the Spa, Candy

Christmas Spa Journey Day 4 – Four Calling Birds

Day Four of Christmas brings us to the end of the first weekend after – did you get all your returns done?  (I’m waiting til Monday when the lines are shorter ; ))  

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love sent to me, Four Calling Birds

Well, calling birds are lovely and all that but, the birdies are calling you to the Diplomat Resort and Spa in Hallandale Beach, Florida.  The Florida headquarters of the acclaimed Bird Golf Academy. 

The Diplomat Resort and Spa

 

Engolfing Yoga

Got some new year’s fitness resolutions coming up?  A weekend at the Bird will get you flexible and tone up those arms.  Swinging a golf club is an awesome waist workout.  Bird even has it’s own yoga golf program.  Engolfing Yoga improves golfer’s games by training focus and increasing range of motion.

After your lesson, schedule an appointment in the Spa at the Diplomat.  I’d recommend their signature treatment: Core World which encompasses a full body steam, cleansing, exfoliation, wrap, massage and moisturizing treatment.  

An outdoor massage the perfect finish to golf

 

 

 

Do you hear that?  Tweet, tweet, the birdies are calling you.  So swing on in to The Diplomat and I’ll see you at spa (and on the green!)  Tomorrow, five golden spa rings.  Candy

Three French Hens – The Twelve Days of Christmas A la Spa

Evening everyone – ready for an even more relaxing holiday season?  I hope so because here comes day three of Christmas:     

On the third day of Christmas my true love sent to me, three French hens

Today we visit Salt Lake City, Utah for a Day Spa extraordinaire – because even though it resides in the west – it’s menu is influenced strongly by French & European spa treatments.  

Relax pre or post treatment in the tea room

Breathe Day Spa doesn’t ignore it’s surroundings though.  From the western influenced Desert Stone Facial to the Dead Sea Wrap, the spa pays homage to european and western beauty.

During the holidays, this innovative spa which combines a European pharmacy like boutique with a cozy & warm western retreat, offers treatment specials & gifts on each of the twelve days of Christmas.  On the third day, they invite you to:

Get cozy in these unusual pedicure chairs

Schedule our Don’t Look Back Massage and take home your choice of the many fab scents from Mistral – a fragrance line that takes it’s name from the Mistral winds which sweep across the Alps to Provence.  Their products are meant to bring the aromas created by the Mistral winds to you.  Their luxury bath foam is particularly delish. 

FYI, the Don’t Look Back Massage is a 75 minute escape that combines a neck, back and shoulder massage with an ayuervedic facial. Aaaaah.

So bring two or more of your favorite hens and Breathe.  Tomorrow, four calling birds.  See you at the spa, Candy 

Two Turtle Doves – The 12 Days of Christmas Spa Style

Cheers everyone, I hope you’re enjoying the day after Christmas, that’s Boxing Day in the United Kingdom!  Today we escape the “new Black Friday” shopping madness, by continuing our spa journey inspired by the Twelve Days of Christmas.  Today’s the second day of Christmas:

On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me two turtledoves

The ultra chic and quirky Hotel 1000 has to be one of the hottest destinations in Seattle.  Replete with every mod con, the plush rooms are fully equipped for relaxing – outfitted with tubs that fill from the ceiling. 

 

Sanctuary everywhere at Hotel 1000

Hotel 1000 has several retreats on the property including a book-stuffed Fireside Library with coffee service and the clubbish Studio, encompasssed with backlit onyx and anchored by a fire pit.  Luxury magazine Robb Report has even named Hotel 1000 one of the 100 Top Hotels in the World.  

For the holidays they have a festive package called 12 Days of Comfort, Joy & Passport to celebrate the season.  Each night, a special event pays homage to one of the dozen days.  And, lucky for us, their Spaahh (whose name begs creativity) has created a bevy of beauty treatments inspired by the Twelve Days of Christmas.  

Superdeep and dramatic filling baths

And what true love wouldn’t want to give this inspired treatment where both giver and recipient get to indulge?:

Turtle Doves Couple’s Massage, 60 min. 

Share quality time together as you indulge yourself in a spa treatment for two. What better way to start the holiday season, then give the gift of togetherness as you bond and relax any tensions away. Your experience is finished off with a glass of sparking wine and truffles making this the perfect treatment for two. $260 

They also have a Maids a Milkin’ facial and Pear Tree Pedi for a Santa-tacular beauty experience! 

I highly suggest grabbing your other turtle dove and have a merry spa rendez vous here.

Three french hens are coming your way tomorrow.  See you at the spa, Candy 

The Twelve Days of Christmas Spa Style, A Partridge in a Pear Tree Pt. 1

Seasons Greetings from the Spa!  No matter how you celebrate the holidays, you are no doubt familiar with the song The Twelve Days of Christmas.  Did you know that the 12 days actually begin on Christmas Day?  

Our 12-Day tribute takes you to spas that bring these twelve days alive.  So let’s go and get some spirit on!

“On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a partridge in a pear tree.”

The North Pole Cottage

Not to get too kitschy (hey it’s the holidays!), but there’s no doubt the ideal spa to begin our twelve day spa journey is The Christmas Farm Inn & Spa.  This gem set in the New Hampshire countryside literally defines the essence of a Christmas getaway.  It marries luxury with rustic charm and with an address like 3 Blitzen Way, you know it’s going to be unique.

The main inn is cozy, but the Inn’s newest creation, the Carriage House Suites, proves that yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Clause.  Perched on a picturesque hilltop, staying in one of the twelve suites is like being foisted inside a Christmas card.  And, here’s the kicker, each of the suites is dedicated to one of the twelve days of christmas!

Yes, you can stay in the Partridge in a Pear Tree room!   Surrounded by red and green galore & a deep warm hot tub – you can’t help but get festive.   Or, take your girlfriends for one of their getaways and stay in one of their cottages.  My faves are The North Pole or The Sleigh House.  No wonder the Christmas Farm Inn & Spa is recognized as one of New Hampshire’s top resorts and the country’s top Inns.

When I first learned about the spa, you can only imagine what I thought the treatments would be (Candy Cane Scrubs, etc.).  Surprise!  The Carriage House Spa’s focus is on natural and effective beauty and anti-aging regimens.  They use Peuvonia products and have a treatment menu that addresses what the seasons do to the skin. 

The Spa Christmas Style

For instance, their unique body wrap selection includes:

The Desert Heat Body Wrap

The Moroccan Rassoul Body Wrap        

Detox Thalasso Wrap

Water Lily After Sun Soothing Wrap

Book a visit today at 1-800-HI-ELVES.  

Join us tomorrow for the 2nd day of Christmas.  See you at the Spa, Candy

Where Would Santa Spa? A Christmas Poem – Santa’s Spa Sanctuary

Santa's Spa Vacation

The big guy in the red suit is on his global ride.  You may think a fella like Mr. Claus isn’t a spa guy.  I beg to differ.  Yeah, Santa definitely deserves some pampering after his deliveries – flying around the world can be exhausting and don’t you know men are the fastest growing segment of spagoers?  

Santa’s Spa Sanctuary

In the spirit of our Celebrity Spa tradition,

I accept this noble mission, 

Let’s see how Santa really gets his jollies, 

After decking the halls with boughs of holly, 

On Dasher, Dancer, Prancer & Vixen

Comet, Cupid, Donner & Blitzen (& Rudolph’s folly)

On to the Spa, massages for all!

Here’s where we will spa by golly:

The Santa Spa in Pembroke, Florida will be our first stop

Here I’ll get the Brazilian Keratin Hair Treatment for my wind blown mop

(and The bright sunshine will defrost the reindeer’s paws)

Waves Spa in Chicago is next, where a peppermint polish,

Aromatherapy massage and pedicure will this soreness abolish.

Is that Disney I hear calling?  We must stop at the Candy Cane Inn. 

Where we can relax in red and white delight & finish our sleigh pain.

One more stop before we go home, 

The Pampered & Polished Spa in North Pole, 

Alaska, for a beard trim and a comb 

Our spa journey comes to an end, Rudolph, don’t tell Mrs. Claus! 

Copyright 2008 Candace Silvasy

Don’t forget to join us beginning Christmas Day we’ve still got the Twelve Days of Christmas to celebrate Spa Style. 

Wishing you bunches of holiday hugs & wishes and I’ll see you at the spa, Candy

Christmas Tree Spa – Defuse Holiday Stress & Recycle

At the holidays there are two categories of Christmas celebrators – the artificial and the real – not people mind you, but trees.  Which seems to be determined to some extent, by whether you grew up with a fake or the real mccoy.  Being a spa gal and naturalist, I always go for the gusto and aroma of a live tree.  (Coming from a family of artificial tree aficiandos doesn’t hurt either.)

This year, with the herky jerky personality of the weather as of late & the proximity to Christmas (hence longer residence in my house), my tree is weeping needles.  But I don’t vacuum or throw them out – instead I recycle them for relaxation and atmosphere.  I keep mine in a basket under the tree, which also catches a few as well.

Here are some quick and easy ways to head off holiday headaches (really the aroma of pine is known to help headaches, soothe and imbue a peaceful feeling) & bring a little Christmas Tree “green” to your beauty & health life with those needles.

• Boil a handful in a pot of water to make that festive fragrance fa-la-la-llow waft all over your home.
• “Tree-t” a friend with an evergreen scrub.  Chop up needles into one inch pieces and add to equal amounts of epsom salt and carrier oil like almond.  Mix and present in glass jars. 
• Have a “Pine Pedicure”.  Place needles into a hot foot bath and soak those shopper weary feet.
• “Spruce” up bath time – Add a handful to your bath for a relaxing holiday soak
• “Fir” last minute gifts or your own drawers make sachets.  Place the needles into a square of cloth, gather and tie with a ribbon.

Join me tomorrow as I answer the age old question, “Where Would Santa Spa?”  Good luck finishing your shopping and I’ll see you at the spa, Candy