Hilltop Fusion with Yi-King at the Four Seasons Resort Seychelles

Posted on 15/04/2013 by singlespy

My final treatment at The Spa at Four Seasons Resort Seychelles was a new one to me, using the indigenous Seychelles brand Yi-King — a Chinese name which means “pathway” or “divination”. The range consists of eight natural and organic oil blends, classified according to your Master Element, which is determined by your date of birth. The elements are not congruent with those of the more familiar Western zodiac so that while there I am a side-wise scuttling crab, in the Chinese-based Yi-King scheme, I am a rather more uplifting Sky. (The other elements are Wind, Water, Mountain, Earth, Thunder, Fire and Lake.) The treatments are a mix of Traditional Chinese Medicine, phytotherapy and aromatherapy, using plants biodynamically grown in Seychelles.

The 60-minute Hilltop Fusion Massage — one of the most popular treatments at the spa — delivers a treatment tailored to you. The treatment uses your Yi-King specific essential-oil blend and, as each element has a prescribed focus for massage, concentrates on that area of your body, too. If you are of the Wind element, your massage with lavender and rosewood might focus on your solar plexus; if you are a Water, your massage with spruce and bergamot would focus on your adrenalin glands. I was pleased to learn that the focus for us Skys is the head, as that is where I find my massage most soothing.

Like many treatments at The Spa at Four Seasons Resort Seychelles, we began with a foot ritual, a soothing foot-bath of salt and cinnamon leaves (the leaves picked from outside the door). My therapist, Elirose, started the treatment proper by walking her hands up and down my body for an initial letting go, then delivered medium to firm pressure throughout the massage. I asked her to go deeper on my shoulders, on which she concentrated as that is where I carry most tension. The scents of the Sky oil were uplifting — mint and laurel in a base of coconut– and, in the pleasant, sunny room, with its expansive wooden floors, I felt myself relaxing deeply.

Lighting at the Spa at Four Seasons Seychelles

The natural world is never far away in this spa…

The founder of the Yi-King range, Coralie Mouge, told me over lunch before my treatment that the guiding principle of the Sky element is “Energy through movement”. It is true that I often need to get moving to think out a problem: to walk, to swim, to throw myself into some sort of activity to come up with an answer to a question. I am pleased to report, however, that my afternoon with the Yi-King treatments was spent almost entirely INactive yet it was an energising, harmonious treatment from head to toe. The scalp massage for my element was particularly delightful.

The Hilltop Fusion Massage was a great way to end my all-too-short a time on an idyllic coral island. It felt very natural to experience in Seychelles a treatment inspired by, and developed in the islands. The local sourcing of products is a sustainable and admirable option. I left the sweet-smelling Yi-King products on my skin and wafted onto the plane smelling of coconut oil and mint — how all holidays should end, in my opinion.

Top tip: If nothing else, take home with you your personalised Yi-King aroma-roller. When you’re back in your everyday life, just a dab of this tiny but potent blend of essential oils will remind you of the sunshine and frangipani, and take your heart-beat down just a notch.

Find out more about the Yi-King elements.

The ila Kundalini Devi treatment at the Four Seasons Resort Seychelles

Posted on 06/04/2013 by singlespy

Stand by for a series of briefings from the Indian Ocean! The Good Spa Guide was recently invited to join a group of journalists on a discovery visit to the Four Seasons Resort Seychelles. The resort itself is dreamy with blue waves, white sand, and a serene hilltop spa. You can read more about the resort itself on The Good Spa Guide, but I also wanted to let you know about some of the treatments.

The beach at Four Seasons Resort Seychelles

Designed exclusively for the spa at the Four Seasons Resort Seychelles by British brand ila, the Kundalini Devi massage draws on the rich blend of healing practices in Seychelles, and is billed as “Your Seychelles awakening”. It’s certainly a great treatment to choose if you’ve just arrived on the coral island of Mahe and need help to start relaxing. A bit of vocabulary to ground you: In Sanskrit, “ila” means “earth”, and the organic skincare range uses natural plant and mineral ingredients. In Hinduism, “kundalini” is the word for the dormant divine energy which, it is said, lies like a coiled snake at the base of your spine. When awakened, this energy travels upwards through your chakras, increasing your vitality and awareness.

Whether you subscribe to the kundalini as being the fount of spiritual enlightenment or not, I can report that the Kundalini Devi treatment itself is heavenly. Full stop. It focuses on your back and is extraordinarily relaxing. The treatment starts with the burning of sage smudge sticks followed by exfoliation with Himalayan salts, which smell delicious. Once you have showered off the salts (in a shower room itself so divine I had to tweet about it), you return to the treatment bed for a short (well, two-hour) journey to Nirvana.

The shower room looks onto jungle

My therapist, Diya, gave me a light-to-medium massage and touch pressure, not too painful across my straitened shoulders, along the marma points across my back, and up and down my legs. The massage uses the ila body oil containing juniper berries and rose geranium, which means you have further celestial scents, and you also enjoy lots of head massage (a treatment for which I have elsewhere declared my undying love). The application of hot Himalayan salt and marigold poultices along the spine, on your neck and on the top of your head completes a profoundly de-stressing experience.

Top tip: The Kundalini Devi treatment is both relaxing and soothing. I recommend it as a true “Seychelles awakening” at the beginning of your holiday, enabling you to leave the cares of your everyday events behind and start enjoying the laid-back life in your hillside retreat.

Discover more about the ingredients in ila products: and The Spa at Four Seasons Resort Seychelles.

The Spies visit the new Y Spa at Wyboston Lakes

Posted on 15/03/2013 by shyspy

Wyboston Lakes is a large leisure and business complex, just a short taxi ride from St Neots station, set in 350 acres of countryside. Their new addition to the main hotel and restaurant building, Y Spa, has a fabulous indoor/outdoor wet and thermal spa with a whole host of traditional and ultra-modern facilities to try out, plenty of stylish and comfortable relaxation spaces, and a great range of Murad and Elemis treatments on offer.

The outdoor hydrotherapy pool at Y Spa

The thermal spa

Outdoors, you’ll find an 11 metre hydrotherapy pool, a kelo sauna, and the spa garden. So you don’t get too chilly on your way out, an indoor walkway guides you straight into the water before you get outside in the open air. The pool has a bubble bed and body jets, and is warm enough to use on even the coldest days. If you want to get even hotter, then it’s off to the kelo sauna…

“Some like it hot!” is the title given to this outdoor heat room, the hottest of Y Spa’s facilities at 85 degrees. The kelo sauna is a Finnish-style cabin, made from 100 year old logs, in keeping with tradition. This spacious heat room has a glass front, so you can warm yourself while keeping an eye on your friends in the spa garden and pool.

The spa garden is an area for fun and relaxation. There’s a fire built into the wall, and a comfy sofa in front, so you can relax in front of the flickering flames, or get out in the sunshine on warmer days.

The salt steam room at Y Spa

Indoors, the spa facilities continue. “Softy” is a sauna heated to a moderate temperature, which also has a glass front overlooking the pool. “Steamy” is the steam room (which was as nice and steamy as the name suggests!) Within the thermal zone you’ll also find the fun experience showers, with a mixture of gentle mist and “glacier” cool. At the back, there’s a frost wall. If you’re brave you can scoop off ice to rub on your skin after the heat of the sauna and steam room.

Our favourite thermal room was “Salty” the salt-steam room, which was a dramatic improvement on the slightly damp-smelling salt rooms we’ve tried in the past. This salt room comes complete with minimalist white seating with colour-change lighting and ceiling-mounted salt-steam jets. As we didn’t have to share the room with other spa-goers, we may possibly have had a little dance round the jets in what we christened the “salty disco”…

The pre-treatment lounge at Y Spa

The treatments

We opted for the Murad Intensive Wrinkle Reducer (IWR) and rapid peel (70 minutes, £70). Our therapists used the Murad skin scanner to capture an image of our skin, and then the printed Murad Facial Assessment report was used to help diagnose the main areas of concern, including any wrinkles and dehydration, redness or pigmentation.

Rachel, one of the highly competent Murad therapists, told me that the IWR products contain durian fruit (an Asian fruit full of vitamins and minerals) and glycolic acid (an AHA used to improve skin texture). Bring it on!

Rachel used a steam machine to open up the pores, then cleansed and toned my face. Rachel applied the IWR mask to my face, neck and décolleté, asking me to rate my comfort level between 1 – 10. There was tingling, but it was certainly not unpleasant. Rachel left the mask to work for 10 minutes, and gave me a dreamy head massage. To finish, Rachel applied a cooling toner and “hydro-dynamic” moisturiser.

Afterwards, my skin really did look brighter and more hydrated, and my fine lines, although not entirely gone, were definitely reduced. Be aware that if you opt for this treatment your skin will be left sensitive, so you can’t use the thermal facilities afterwards .

We also tried an Elemis Deep Tissue Massage (50 minutes, £75) with therapist Christine. Christine placed a few hot stones under my shoulders which felt surprisingly soothing and instantly relaxing. She placed a few other hot stones strategically across my body to aid the relaxation process.

Christine customised the massage to my needs and used the Stress-Away blended oil. She employed long, rhythmical strokes across my body, and limb by limb. I was lulled into a calm, deep sense of relaxation. My tight muscles were eased, my cares had slipped away, and I glided out of the room feeling rested and much less achy. Delightful.

The relaxation areas at Y Spa

The relaxation zones

Relaxation is taken very seriously at Y Spa, with three separate areas designed to make sure you get the chill-out time you really want. The Big Sleep, as the name suggests, is a space for some shut-eye. A row of water beds covered with luxurious blankets and cushions runs along one wall; the beds gently mould round your body as you sink into them, making it pretty hard to stay awake! The separate Time Out area and pre-treatment lounge means you won’t be disturbed, either.

Time Out is another relaxation area next door to The Big Sleep. Here you’ll find things such as iPads and glossy magazines to keep you entertained if you’re feeling a little too alert for a snooze. The pod-like seats allow for guests to swivel themselves round to be sociable with their spa partners, or to snuggle inside for a bit more privacy from your neighbours.

The spa café at Y Spa

The food

Y Spa has its own café for refreshments and afternoon tea. Fish tanks built into the walls give you something calming to gaze at as you sip on your smoothie (or quaff your Champagne and cake!) If you’re at Y Spa on a full spa day or spa break, then main meals are served in the hotel’s Waterfront Restaurant, but robes are allowed, so you won’t have to change just for lunch.

We had a fresh, healthy salad for lunch, but our good intentions soon went awry when we saw the afternoon tea menu. We couldn’t resist a bit of indulgence, and the cute little sandwiches and cakes were just the ticket! In the evening we dined from the main restaurant menu, opting for a nicely cooked steak from the grill menu, and a tasty salmon and pea risotto.

For more information on spa days and spa stays at Y Spa, see www.yspa.co.uk.

To find a fabulous spa on your doorstep, visit www.goodspaguide.co.uk.

Cavallo Point – The Lodge at the Golden Gate

Posted on 22/02/2013 by spaliciously

Cavallo Point is more than just a resort, it’s an eco-paradise and wellness destination. Located on the San Francisco Bay in a national park, Cavallo Point features world-class views of the famous Golden Gate bridge, a renowned gourmet restaurant, spa and an on-site photography and art gallery featuring a private collection of acclaimed artists. Minutes from downtown San Francisco, the Marin Headlands and the charming seaside town of Sausalito, Cavallo Point is a luxury lodge unlike any other.

Spas in the San Francisco area offer treatments that range from cutting-edge science to natural and organic, with most offering a blend of the two. As a coastal city, San Francisco is strongly influenced by the ocean, and spas reflect this in their menus with seaweed wraps, salt scrubs and other treatments that highlight the gifts of the sea.

The Healing Arts Center and Spa at Cavallo Point

Cavallo Point Spa has a striking aesthetic, offering ocean views, an outdoor meditation/soaking pool and an on-site café.

The wet sauna is advertised as a “Eucalyptus Steam Room”, but on my visit I couldn’t detect any eucalyptus in the sauna and it could have used it, as the steam room had a bit of a stale, sweaty smell and the tiles could have used a good scrub, as they were dingy and grey.

What were the treatments like?

I tried the Detox Facial, which promised to be “therapeutic and stimulating” integrating “organic seaweed products” to “replenish the skin, improve skin tone, and calm both the body and the mind”. Unfortunately, the facial didn’t rock my world. The hand and face massage included in the facial was uninspired and lacklustre, the products used were so-so, (I wasn’t wild about the smell or texture and my skin didn’t feel all that different afterwards). Perhaps most disappointing was that the special touches I usually love so much were disappointing. Instead of steaming hot towels at the end of the facial, I received lukewarm towels that felt clammy. I also thought it was strange that during an organic detox facial, plastic bags were placed on my hands and then covered by hot warming mitts, trapping my skin in toxic plastic. Overall, I was expecting better from Cavallo.

Food facts

There are two dining options at Cavallo Point Lodge: Murray Circle Restaurant, which is known as a culinary destination in the bay area and features a locavore influence, strongly influenced by its Northern California location. Farley Bar is a more casual dining experience that offers a full menu of gourmet bar food and artisan cocktails and spirits. Room service at Cavallo Point is deluxe. We enjoyed a house-made bagel topped with lox, whipped cream cheese and capers for breakfast during our stay. It was delivered promptly and tasted delicious.

We loved

Our spacious suite was spectacular, with a stunning view of the bridge and San Francisco Bay, a two-sided fireplace, visible from both the bedroom and the living room area, and a two-person soaking tub that had both complementary natural bath-salts and bubble bath. A small outside porch area was perfect for watching the sun go down over the ocean. I also particularly appreciated the Numi organic brand tea that was offered in the room with a special tea kettle for water, as I’m not a coffee drinker and usually need to bring my own teas and heat water in the coffee maker. I also appreciated that the room did not have a mini-bar offering of overpriced snacks.

Service throughout the lodge was impeccable, from the valet who took our car upon arrival and whisked us away in a golf cart to our room, to the front desk clerk and room service waiter, everyone was friendly, personable and eager to help.

Though I didn’t have the opportunity to experience them myself, on-site complementary yoga classes are offered morning and evening. Cooking classes are also offered regularly for an additional fee as well as other educational workshops and experiences.

Who would like it?

San Francisco newbies with money to spend, wellness aficionados, locavore foodies and honeymooners.

For more information on Cavallo Point, visit www.cavallopoint.com

What is a good spa? Read the Good Spa Guide article to find out what to look out for!

Spa trends 2013: The Spies’ predictions

Posted on 16/01/2013 by singlespy

We were bang on the money with our spa trend-spotting for 2012.

We predicted brows would be big, and Glamour magazine confirmed that “Bold brows are big news for spring“.

We predicted that spa would be more about a way of life, and indeed, Grayshott Spa launched Grayshott Living in November. (Yes, you LIVE IN THE SPA.)

We also told you how huge nails would be in 2012, and no-one can have missed how this year’s summer games became the Olympics of nail art. We adored all those little union flags at the ends of the fingers…

So, what do we think will be the spa trends for 2013?

Single Spy:

“I think spas will go greyer. As we live longer, more people are coming to spas not to pamper themselves but to stay well. People want to keep physically healthy, so massages that maintain your mobility, regimes that help you stay strong, and exercise routines for those who can no longer touch their toes will all grow in popularity. I also think spas will learn better how to deal with people who want to get well, perhaps because they’ve been subject to serious illness, and need to recharge mentally as well as physically. A spa can be a wonderful place to recuperate, but spas don’t always make this clear.”

Sybaritic Spy

“I predict a rediscovery of the ingredients of the olden days. Honey, for example, has been used as a skin treatment, not just for beautification but to heal wounds and burns, for centuries. We’ll see more honey in facials, more seaweed in wraps and more salts in scrubs. It’s partly because spa-goers are still interested in natural treatments, but also down to a growing realisation that long, long ago, when they didn’t have a pharmacy to pop into, people still managed to make themselves better. Sometimes simplest is best.”

Sedate Spy

“The named therapist will be the buzzword of 2013. People won’t just book in for a massage, but for a massage with a specific practitioner — a person who knows their body well, knows their likes and dislikes, and who can tell if tensions are easing or getting worse. It’s an added benefit if you return for treatment and don’t have to explain to a new person every time that your left knee needs leaving alone because you’ve had surgery, or that your shoulders are your worst nightmare. The therapist can then complete the massage allowing you to relax into almost unconsciousness, and won’t have to distract you by asking a thousand questions.

On a unrelated note, I’d like to see fish pedicures disappear.”

Sassy Spy

“I predict personalised wellness breaks. More and more spas will focus on what is right for you as an individual. Spas will create a bespoke spa stay that also incorporates healthy eating, relaxation, yoga and meditation, rather than simply concentrating on beauty and pampering.”

Shy Spy

“Something I hope will happen: The demise of the £10 spa day. If the saying ‘you get what you pay for’ is right, that means you’ll either get a 10-minute massage or a pretty rubbish spa day!”

Time will tell if we’re right…

Leave a comment, join us on Twitter, send us a message on Facebook or simply email blog@goodspaguide.co.uk and tell us what YOU think will be big in the world of spa in 2013!

The Spa Spies head to Ashdown Park for the Kerstin Florian spa launch

Posted on 08/01/2013 by shyspy

The Spa Spies were invited to Ashdown Park in East Sussex’s beautiful Ashdown Forest for a relaunch of their Leisure Club, and also to meet the Vice President of Kerstin Florian, Charlene Florian.

Arriving at Ashdown Park is a bit like arriving in a Brontë novel. The manor building itself, complete with its own chapel, dates back to the 1860s. The grounds are spectacular, and have over 300 deer running around its 186 acres. Even the autumn mist couldn’t detract from the grandeur of the place.

Charlene Florian herself gave a very informative talk about the brand and their products. The brand philosophy is based on four key pillars: healthy nutrition, regular exercise, psychological well-being, and proper care of face and body. The Kerstin Florian skincare range only fulfills one of these key pillars, but the brand works to promote the other three components as important parts of a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

To reflect the emphasis on proper care of face and body, Kerstin Florian skincare range is free from strong perfumes, and heavy preservatives, and instead looks to the science of minerals, herbs, phytotherapy (plants) and marine technology to create its products. Charlene definitely knew what she was talking about when it came to the science bit. Although the brand takes influence from nature, in particular marine life and minerals, the use of science and modern technology to produce products which deliver was fascinating. We left the talk wanting to find out more about the personality of water and how telomeres can be used in skincare! (We’ll come back to this in future posts, readers!)

We were then whisked away for a back, neck and shoulder massage, which was very relaxing. The therapist pointed out the stressed parts of my back and worked on those, leaving me feeling very calm. After this, a dip in the Jacuzzi was in order, followed by the sauna and steam room.

Dinner was hosted by Charlene Florian, and was served in one of Ashdown Park’s private dining rooms. Ashdown Park has a fine-dining restaurant, as well as a more casual Bistro, and several drawing rooms and lounges where you can enjoy afternoon tea in splendid surroundings. The food was delicious, I couldn’t get enough! True to the Kerstin Florian philosophy, Charlene had a slightly healthier option, but from her glowing complexion and healthy looks, the lifestyle obviously works. After dinner, I headed to my room for an early night in preparation for a healthy early-morning walk around the grounds.

My room was in keeping with the grandeur of the rest of the building, with a four-poster bed, and beautiful views of the grounds. I retired to what I can only describe as the comfiest bed I have ever slept in.

I was glad I had risen early for the organised walk, as the groundsman showed us some of the most popular and beautiful areas of Ashdown Park’s gardens. There was still a mist hanging over the park, but it made the atmosphere somewhat ethereal.

Our experience at Ashdown was an interesting juxtaposition of modern day science and cosmetic technology in an olde worlde setting. Ashdown Park is definitely the sort of place to head to for a weekend away from modern city life. We left Ashdown Park feeling motivated to lead a more balanced life, to start following some of Kerstin and Charlene’s philosophies, and to look after ourselves a bit more!

For full details of spa treatments, accommodation and facilities, visit www.ashdownpark.com

For more information on Kerstin Florian spa treatments and products, visit www.kerstinflorian.co.uk

To find your perfect spa, visit goodspaguide.co.uk

Arabella Spa, Westin Hotel, Cape Town

Posted on 05/06/2012 by singlespy

If you’re staying in the Westin Hotel in Cape Town, chances are, you’re attending a conference in the Cape Town International Convention Center right next door. You can even reach the convention hall from the mezzanine of the hotel, thus maximising your ability to avoid weather-related conference incidents. If you’re attending a conference, even more chances are, you’ve journeyed from a little further afield than Cape Town. We were lucky to be visiting from the UK because, despite the 12-hour flight, South Africa is practically on the same time zone. We fly north to south, rather than east to west, skipping the worst of the time dislocation. Still, 12 hours on a plane is still 12 hours on a plane, so the chance to unknot some of those muscles when you reach the ground, jet-lagged or not, is welcome. And is welcome whether you’re at the Westin for a conference or not.

The Arabella Spa is on the nineteenth floor of the hotel, so offers a grand view of the city. The staff at the reception desk issue you with your locker key, a robe, slippers and ONE towel. (Hint for those staying in the hotel: bring a large towel from your room, also conditioner, as there is none in the spa.) The changing rooms have a bank of wooden lockers, showers, moisturiser and a swimsuit-spinner. All very sunny and clean on our visit.

View of Table Mountain from the Westin Hotel, Cape Town

Table Mountain from my room at the Westin Hotel, Cape Town

There is a lap pool, a Jacuzzi, a sauna and a steam room, as well as a gym. The pool is narrow, but enough of a length to get a swim in, and is nicely done with blue mosaic tiles and infinity edges. Floor-to-ceiling windows along one side look out over the harbour and Atlantic Ocean. Use of the pool and thermal areas is complimentary for hotel guests, and the pool is open from 6am if you need to clear your head before breakfast. Children under the age of 12 years are not allowed in the pool at all.

There are jugs of iced water all around so it’s easy to stay hydrated, which you’ll need to: that steam room is hot. (I didn’t do more than peek into the sauna, which also, unusually, also has floor-to-ceiling windows for heating up with a view, as bathing suits aren’t allowed and I didn’t fancy taking my chances with towel-draping, especially as I only had that one towel.)

I’d booked in for the hot-stone treatment, which promised 90 minutes dedicated to relieving stress and tension. The treatment room wasn’t huge, but had just enough space for my therapist to work her way around the table. I wasn’t sure which products she used, but the hot stones were soothing on my back and shoulders, and eased the strain in my neck. The massage pressure wasn’t too hard or too soft, but firm enough to ease some knots and tease out some tension in my lower back. The fact that the treatment went on so long meant that I was able to deeply relax into it, and not wonder if it was just about to come to an end. Very enjoyable, and very good value.

My colleague tried the jet-lag treatment, and found it so good, she went back at the end of the week for some more! You can also try different massage types, facials, manicures and pedicures, and other finishing touches.

After my treatment was over, my therapist took me to the Sea of Dreams sleep room where four heated waterbeds await. You can snuggle down under the blankets, drift gently away on your own private tiny ocean, and watch the city far below. A perfectly relaxing start or end to any conference (or anything else), I can tell you.

Colorado Spa of the Rockies

Posted on 07/05/2012 by sustainablespy

I’ve written before about how the link between spa-ing and nature — eco-therapy — can have an enormously beneficial effect on our mental health. Small wonder then, that the natural hot springs in Colorado at Glenwood Springs, in the heart of the American Rocky Mountains, made me feel thoroughly blissed out and at one with nature.

The Ute Native Americans used to bathe in the hot springs and believed that the waters had sacred powers, thanks to the healing properties of the mineral-rich waters. It’s a smart way to look at it; how almost-magical, that just from bathing or drinking water, you can heal your body.

Glenwood Springs

The pool at Glenwood Springs is geo-thermally heated and packed with sulphur, potassium and magnesium, which means, yes, it does have a little bit of a rotten-egg smell, but you very quickly stop noticing that.

There are two kinds of experience going on at the springs. First, there’s the pool itself. It’s the largest of its kind in North America. I first tried it a few hours after I’d arrived, so I could experience it at sunset. The changing rooms are very municipal-bath-ish and it’s very basic, no luxury or frills of any kind at all. The pool is huge and it’s like stepping into a warm bath. The pool has a sloping floor, so I strode through the water to the end, so I could bob up and down, my shoulders under the water. I lay back and watched the light change on the red rocks of the mountains across from the spa. Golden, honey-coloured, then slowly fading away. It was magical. I dreamily wandered back to the shallow end and hopped into the smaller, hotter pool for a 20-minute soak. I had an amazing night’s sleep that night.

The next morning, I tried a daytime soak. I loved that there was yet another separate pool to swim in. I tried a swim but a combination of the altitude (Glenwood Springs is 5,763 feet above sea level; that’s more than a mile) and the warmth of the pool made me sluggish, and I found more than a few laps almost impossible. I liked that Glenwood Springs is clearly an all-ages experience. Seniors and children alike were enjoying the waters. This is no refined spa-pool. This is definitely a family day out.

The cafe attached to the spa serves basic cafeteria fodder, so I didn’t have particularly high hopes for the spa. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The Spa of the Rockies is a new development that felt, to me, very Willow Stream-ish. The reception was bright and clean with products a-plenty, and helpful, friendly staff. After filling in a consultation form, I was whisked to the lovely changing rooms through softly lit corridors complete with soothing art and thickly-carpeted floors. I love North American spas — they have changing rooms down to a fine art: hair products, tampax, cleanser, lashings of moisturisers; all wonderful.

Treatment room at The Spa of the Rockies

Then to the Serenity relaxation room, where I found dried fruit and nuts to snack on, delicious iced raspberry tea and soft cashmere blankets and day beds. I was almost sad when my therapist arrived. We went upstairs to a large and beautifully decorated room with its own fireplace.

I was down to try a full-body massage, and with my aching back and shoulders stiff after a long flight, couldn’t wait. Just wow. What a treatment. My therapist slipped hot pads over my tight muscles and a hot towel under my stiff neck. She massaged me with arnica and a eucalyptus-wintergreen oil blend to soothe and unwind those tight muscles. What an exceptional therapist. I’m embarrassed to say I went into that rare but lovely state of spa-bliss: somewhere between unconscious and asleep and oh, so very happy. My therapist’s experienced fingers dug deep into the knots around my neck, arms and shoulders. Although it was painful, I felt incredible the next day and have felt the benefits for weeks afterwards.

Amtrak’s California Zephyr train, which travels between Chicago and San Francisco, stops off just two minutes from the springs. If you’re in the USA and fancy a break with a difference, hop on board and let the train take the strain. See the country from the comfort of your own cabin then stop off to soak up some of that magical healing water at the Spa of the Rockies.

Find out more

* Spa of the Rockies
* Glenwood Springs Lodge
* Visit Colorado
* Amtrak

Stylish Spy experiences “The World’s Most Expensive Blow Dry” at Urban Retreat, Harrods, London

Posted on 22/11/2011 by stylishspy

Here at The Good Spa Guide, we are all about a bit of luxury a whole lot of luxury. We do rather enjoy the finer things in life, so it’s no surprise we jumped at the chance to pop up to Urban Retreat in London’s iconic Harrods department store and experience “The World’s Most Expensive Blow Dry“.

Truffle by Fuente

To launch the exclusive Truffle by Fuente shampoo and conditioner, which contain white truffle skin, diamond dust and meteorite extract, Urban Retreat put together this very special blow-dry package.

So, what was it like?

We arrived at Urban Retreat on the fifth floor of Harrods (after being rather distracted by the shoe sale a couple of floors below) and were greeted by the lovely friendly staff. This exclusive treatment begins with a gloriously indulgent shampoo and condition complete with hot stone cranial massage. All this takes place in a private cornered-off hairdressing area, away from prying eyes (perfect for the wannabe movie star in you). Once you’ve been suitably massaged and your hair has taken in all the goodness of the uber-expensive shampoo and conditioner (you’ll get a full-sized bottle of both the shampoo and conditioner, worth £270, to take home after the treatment), it’s off to the private blow-dry lounge. (Oh yes, private, dontcha know!)

The guys at Urban Retreat know how to treat a lady; when I arrived at the blow-dry station, the Artistic Director was waiting for me, proffering a gorgeous cup of fragrant green tea.

I obviously looked like I needed some serious help (I’d earlier had a facial at Urban Retreat — full review coming soon over at The Good Spa Guide), as a make-up artist, Lola, appeared from nowhere and offered to spruce me up a bit. How could I refuse such a kind offer?

So, we embarked upon a scene reminiscent of backstage at a catwalk show. With her ever-steady brush, Lola applied some subtle but gorgeous make-up, while the Artistic Director blow-dried my hair with a fervor and flair I never knew possible. My normally sleek and short “Purdy” cut was transformed into a curly, wavy bonnet of beauty: all with just a rounded bristle brush, hair dryer and hairspray.

With a professional makeover and a barnet to die for, I was totally transformed! This treatment is really special; we recommend that you don’t pay too much attention to the “most expensive” tagline. As you get to take away full-sized Truffle by Fuente shampoo and conditioner worth £270, this treatment isn’t quite as spectacularly expensive at it first appears. The shampoo and conditioner are said to interact “intelligently” with your hair, providing the perfect levels of vitamins and minerals your hair needs, no matter what damage has previously been done. Furthermore, Fuente claim that this process happens every time you use the shampoo and conditioner, keeping your locks super-luscious!

After just one treatment and a fair amount of hairspray, the end result looked amazing; but it’s difficult to know what a difference the treatment really made. However, I had such a wonderful time at Urban Retreat’s salon, I’ll happily pop back weekly to check it out again and again!

Animal spa therapy – healing dolphins, reiki master horses, spa monkeys and more…

Posted on 10/11/2011 by stylishspy

When it comes to animals, here at The Good Spa Guide we all have our favourites. We’ve ooooh’d and aaaah’d over cute creatures, but we’ve only ever dreamed of having them as pets — not as therapists!

If you think a link between spa treatments and animals is a tenuous one, think again! Animals and spa treatments apparently go hand-in-hand around the globe…

Dolphin Assisted Therapy: Sevastopol, Crimea

Advocates of using dolphins in human therapy claim that the dolphins possess an innate healing ability to combat the “strong psychogenic component of the pathogenesis”. In layman’s terms? Cure disease. Whether this is true or not, many hundreds of people have found interactions with dolphins to be a liberating, relaxing and magical experience.

Dolphin Assisted Therapy is said to be particularly beneficial for people with chronic fatigue, emotional stress, phobias, depression, and nurasthenia.

If you can’t indulge in some one-on-one dolphin therapy, you could always try some Virtual Dolphin Therapy instead. You can expect to experience “many of the healing qualities of a dolphin encounter” during your virtual dolphin therapy, apparently. This virtual therapy essentially requires you to lie on a “tranquility sound and water table”. The table sends music and sound vibrations through your body while you listen to relaxing music combined with dolphin and ocean sounds, and watch images of dolphins swimming.

Reiki on horseback: Rockin’ Heart Ranch, Jackson, Wyoming, USA

Reiki is generally carried out by a human practitioner on human clients. However, reiki has also been used on animals. Approaching from the oblique angle is Christina DiBartolo, who believes that horses possess ”an innate healing energy”. So, Christina guides her clients through a reiki session on horseback, ostensibly to enable you to utilise the healing power of the horse to overcome various physical or emotional ailments.

Creepies and crawlies

When it comes to younger-looking skin, it seems there really is no end to where we will go: bee-venom face masks, snail-secretion skin cream, and even snake-venom facials.

Companies such as Rodial have developed skin serums based on the venom of the Temple Viper snake. Essentially, these serums temporarily “freeze” facial muscles in a similar (but less invasive) manner to Botox, tightening the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles … for a time, at least. Meanwhile, the secretions of snails are apparently full of super-powerful enzymes that help tackle acne, reduce wrinkles and brighten the complexion. As for bee venom, this follows a similar route to snake serum: supposedly the sting extract makes your facial muscles contract, resulting in younger-looking skin. We wonder if it hurts.

Japanese spa monkeys

Last but not least, here are some of our monkey cousins suggesting that our love of hydrotherapy is not just an indulgence of civilisation — it’s a primal instinct!

Behind the scenes with the Good Spa Spies

It's always nice to have a bit of a lie-down

Category Archives: treatments