Recently in Spa Category

There couldn't have been a better time for me to get a 60 minute Swedish massage at the La Prairie Spa at The Ritz Carlton in NYC than on Tuesday. After an intense workout, my personal trainer decided he needed to use a roller to "loosen my many knots." The process, comparable to a deep tissue massage, was so painful I was left with bruises all over my legs!! I vaguely remember in my pain shrieking "you're killing me"...I guess I say that often while working out because my trainer was no deterred, promising me that I would feel better afterward. Needless to say I was semi-limping when I got to the spa, between the two massages however I can't even explain how wonderfully rejuvenated I feel. This morning I seriously thought there would be no way I could even make it back to the gym this week, now a few hours later I feel like I could not only make it to the gym tomorrow, but I could go out and dance my bum off tonight! My spa experience started in the locker room that was decked-out with La Prairie products and a steam room. It was there that I changed into a robe before making my way into the relaxation room where I laid-back and sipped on some fruit-infused water (champagne, coffee, tea, dried fruits, and nuts were also offered), and picked-out the music I wanted to listen to during the massage. Once I entered the treatment room I briefly spoke with the massage therapist about where my tension points were and the amount of pressure I like. She then proceeded to spend equal time on my back, front legs, back legs, shoulders, head, and extremities. Intermittently a hot towel was applied. Sooo relaxing! And the La Prairie creams that were used smelled so wonderfully refreshing -- like Oatmeal-Honey -- yum!

La Prairie Day Spa at The Ritz-Carlton, New York Central Park -- 50 Central Park South, NYC. Phone: 212.308.9100.

On my recent trip to Boston, I took a day and booked myself spa services at the brand new Mandarin Oriental. After 2 days of walking around, the Leg Rejuvenation Treatment sounded exactly like what I needed. The hotel and spa models their customer service after Asian hospitality, well, just the good parts =) At the spa reception, I was seated and offered a hot towel and hot tea on a lovely bamboo tray decorated with fresh orchids. Then the attendant brought over another bamboo tray with spa slippers and helped me change into them and she took away my street shoes on the tray. Wow. Now, I've been to a lot of spas but I have never experienced this level of care!

The 16,000 square foot spa was lit with soft ambient lighting to relax and calm your senses. The locker room is really nice and I was very happy with my Frette robe. There is a whilrlpool jacuzzi, steam sauna and something they call the Experience Showers. This very elaborate digitally operated shower offers different types of showers called Arctic Ice, Rainforest Mist, Tropical Storm and one other that I can't seem to remember but you get the idea. You use the touch pad to select the "experience" and the different variation of shower heads, nozzles and water temperatures give you that experience. I, of course, tried them all but I was not very impressive, it's just either a lot or a little of either cold or hot water coming out of the walls. The steam sauna, however, was incredible. I love steam rooms! The ceilings had fiber optic lighting so when the steam kicks up you're not left in a dark fog. The big room has a center island - not sure what it is actually meant for, but it was perfect to rest my feet on. The waiting lounge had reclined lounge chairs covered in super soft terry cloth. Magazines and other reader materials were bound in neat black binders and some lounge chairs were separated by curtains for semi-privacy if you decide to take a nap.

Then came my Leg Rejuvenation Treatment. The Asian hospitality thing went a little too far and made me uncomfortable when my therapist sat me down in the treatment room and then proceeded to kneel at my feet while she asked me specifics about how I would like the treatment. When I was in Thailand, this seemed normal, but my therapist was obviously from Mass and I just felt bad for her. All in all, I had a wonderful experience and left rejuvenated! I recommended the spa to all my friends in Boston, it beats the reigning spa, Bella Sante, by leaps and bounds!!

Treatment room with a view; Outdoor jacuzzi and cold dip

I usually travel far and wide for the best spas around the world. I always make a visit to every destination resort I go to and make a mental list of how each one ranks. The best is the Grand Wailea in Maui! But recently, a spa resort cropped up in my neighborhood, literally 10 minutes from my house! The Terranea Resort and Spa sits on the bluffs of Rancho Palos Verdes and even though I live here, I can tell you, there is nothing exciting in this neck of the woods. Until now!

The spa is an oasis within the gorgeous sprawl of the resort. It has it's own gym, pool, bar, restaurant and takes up the best real estate on the entire property - right on the edge of the Pacific Ocean. Being that this is the land of eternal sunshine, the jacuzzi and cold dip is outdoors, and are surrounded by cushiony reclined loungers to relax and take in the breathtaking ocean view. There are 25 therapy rooms, one of them (suite #1, you can request this room for any treatment) has double french doors that open to a balcony with a view. This room also has a freestanding copper tub for special soaks and baths. You are able to use the entire facilities for the whole day with any treatment. It is a vacation for half the day and still get home in time for dinner! Well, at least for me. The resort is well priced and is absolutely stunning so if you are in Los Angeles or coming to the area for a visit, I highly recommend you stop in. I might just be at the pool so make sure you come and say "Hi!" =) Go to Terranea Spa's site for information on booking and treatment menu.

The tranquil Pacific Ocean; Spa Pool

Taking care of the environment isn't just driving hybrids or putting trash in different colored bins. Going to organic spas that avoid chemicals can also contribute to saving our earth! In honor of our planet, why not make an appointment at one of these organic spas and treat yourself and the earth!

New York City Priti Organic Spa- A mom/tot friendly spa that will offer your little princesses a nail polish while you get pampered! Go for the exfoliating mani/pedi with organic geranium oil and fresh flowers! 35 East First St. 212-254-3628 www.pritiorganicspa.com

Washington DC Nusta Spa- The only spa in the country to be accepted into the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy & Environment Design pilot program. Try the hydrotherapy tub and soak in a blend of seaweed and calcium powders with essential oils and minerals. 1129 20th St. Northwest, 202-530-5700. www.nustaspa.com

Dallas- Spa Habitat- A spa that uses wind power as its energy source. Slip on an organic cotton robe and receive an eco buff and organic massage. You can keep the robe, too! 3699 McKinney Ave. #304 214-522-9989 www.spahabitat.com

One of the things I will never give up is the luxury of a day at the spa. Its stress reducing benefits are priceless and who doesn't love to be pampered? I've been going to spas since I was a young girl I(in Asia, it's normal to hang out at the spa daily with your aunties and grandmother!) and no matter where I travel to-- I always find out the spa options in the local area! I'm heading to Miami next month and am excited to try out the new Eau Spa at the Ritz Carlton in Palm Beach.

Palm Beach, legendary playground of the rich and famous, will soon offer an exclusive new gathering place for indulgence with the March 2009 opening of Eau Spa. The $30-million retreat offers a distinct setting for adults to engage in a magical spa experience with its variety of sensational beauty treatments and surprising touches throughout. Eau Spa's debut completes the recent transformations of more than $100 million of the AAA Five Diamond, Mobil Five-Star Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beachresort. (Jump for more details!)

Eau Spa is open daily from 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m., with treatments beginning at $40.00. For more information and reservations, please call (561) 540-4960. Check the website here for availability!

Left: Encore Spa Lobby; Right: Hallway that take you to the treatment rooms

On my recent trip to Las Vegas I had check out Encore to see Steve Wynn's latest creation. Encore's grand opening was Dec. 22, 2008. My husband had to work during the day so it was the perfect opportunity to get away for some much needed relaxation at their Spa (it was our alone time away from the kids). I made an appointment for a 25 minute Ayurvedic Body Restoration ($85), sounded like just what I needed and I didn't want to spend all my money there since the whole purpose was just to check out the spa and use the facilities. As soon as I stepped into the lobby I was floored by the grandeur. The spa had all the niceties - lounge area with comfy seating, fresh fruit, assorted beverages, fully stocked vanity, soft robes, etc. But it wasn't until I made it to the treatment rooms that I was stopped dead in my tracks from the amazing visual and opulence. And then there was my treatment, the Ayurvedic Body Restoration which begins with a dry body brush followed by a body polish of special Indian ingredients that was appropriate for my dosha (my intrinsic needs, which my therapist decided for me). I then showered off the polish in the steam shower in the room. At this point, I regretted my decision to book the short 25 minute treatment. Luckily, when I voiced this I was able to add in further treatments to my heart's content. Well, the contentment kind of ended when I got the bill for $235 ($85 plus another $150 for an additional 50 min massage) but this is the preeminent spa in the west and I certainly did enjoy myself. I was so impressed, I went to the Wynn Spa the next day which was nice but if given a choice, definitely go to Encore!! See a listing of treatments on the Encore website, prices are not listed but it is around $85 for 25 min and $150 for 50 min treatments and $250 for 75 min rituals that include multiple treatments. Spa is only available to guests of Wynn and Encore. Call 702.770.4SPA (4772) for reservations.

If you are looking for an excuse to pamper yourself, what could be better than $50 services at high end spas?  This could not have come at a better time for everyone, go to the Spa Week website and see participating Day Spas in your state. 

As for Texas spas, there is no other than Cooper Spa for me.  Call my girl Katrina for an Ultimate Facial or my massage guru Tracey for a deep tissue.  You'll be properly pampered and relaxed, I promise!  Cooper Spa 214-383-1010.

The Synergy 7 Facial
I had the most amazing facial the other day, from an old friend no less! Renée Rouleau is a trusted skin-care expert who has been helping women attain healthy, glowing, beautiful skin for more than 20 years but I discovered her over 10 years ago when I was still living in LA. She had a small skin care salon in Dallas at the time and it was an oasis for me when I would visit my husband (fiance at the time). I would often visit for weeks at a time and the intense dry heat of Texas was brutal on my skin but Renée's facials made sure I glowed no matter what! We lost touch through the years and I re-discovered her while watching ABC's Good Morning Texas where she was featured as a skin care guru. I shouted to my husband, "hey! That's Renee!" I contacted her right away and discovered she has been very busy the past few years. In addition to expanding her salons (she now has two locations)-- she has also developed a complete line of skincare! (I am testing out several of her best sellers right now, will give you full review next week)

Her latest masterpiece, Synergy 7, is a state-of-the-art, luxurious facial offered exclusively at the Renée Rouleau Skin Care Salons in Plano and Dallas, Texas. In addition to her Dallas clients, Renee's proven results have earned her the confidence of celebrities such as Lisa Rinna, Eva Amurri, Cheryl Ladd, Jessica Simpson and Ashlee Simpson, as well as cosmetic surgeons and dermatologists, who often refer their patients to Renee after cosmetic skin procedures.

"Renée Rouleau's products are fabulous!" says actress Lisa Rinna.

Check out Renee's site to find the product best suited for your skin type and receive a free beauty gift with free shipping! Or call 888.211.7560 to schedule a facial so you can experience what Allure magazine calls "The Best Facial in Dallas".

I checked out a MedSpa for the first time the other day! I went to an event at TriBeCa MedSpa and I have to say I felt a lot like one of the Real Housewives of Orange County getting the tour of the space where you can get anything from Botox to Medical Pedicures to Laser Hair removal, along with a bunch of other heavy-duty services. The spa has won countless accolades and was voted #1 MedSpa by Day Spa Magazine. They gave-out an interesting little document they put together with the Must-Have Bridal Beauty Services for various age groups that I thought some of you might be interested in:) Note, that I myself have never tried these treatments, so feel free to comment with your insights! I did get to try 2 products that I loved though --

*Oil Free Sun Block SPF 30 ($36 for 4oz) -- It's oil-free, fragrance-free, and absorbs almost instantly without a greasy residue (I literally couldn't tell where I had or had not put it on because it absorbed so quickly!).
*I just received some feedback on Rosewater moisturizer and the spa had an excellent one -- Rosewater ($55 for 4oz) -- great for a mid-day spritz in this crazy heat!!

Read on for the Beauty Countdown of suggested treatments for Brides-to-be!

"bringing beauty to you"

Left: Stephanie from MML PR- Beauty Snob Anne, -and Allison, the founder of Spa Connections, at BizBash Style Expo.
This is the ultimate in pampering, it does not get better than a spa that will come to you! Spa Connections is a company that sends anything and everything beauty right to your door. If you live in the LA area you know that "car culture" is a term that was coined in SoCal for a reason, we drive everywhere! With the gas prices continually escalating and the ever present LA traffic, it may be worth your while to order your massage and manicure to go. The massages are simply divine!--(ask for Travis!)-- Spa Connections offer services ranging from fashion consultation and fitness training to spray tanning, waxing and makeup applications. They also offer gift certificates which make amazing gifts for fellow Beauty Snobs! They also do parties... so if you are throwing a bridal shower, baby shower or birthday party make it memorable with a beauty Treatment from Spa Connections!