SPaaaaaahs

[kyshel]

Conde Nast Traveler has a new hot list and some of the spas look fabulous.
Would anyone care to comment on spas they recommend (particularly ones features in LL pkgs, of course!)

[marolyn]

Lake Austin Resort and Spa in Texas is great! It is listed in LL's Protfolio section and is, relatively speaking, very affordable for the spaaas. Everything is easy and comfortable there, from the activities and classes to the food and especially the surroundings. Take a look for yourself in the Portfolio. Cheers...Marolyn

[bonniejoy03]

Kyshel. Went to Northern Costa Rica in January and stayed at Los Altos De Eros. The property is a spa resort with only about 5 rooms. They are known for their spa facilities. A few steps down from the rooms (which overlook a lovely pool), the owners, Jacqueline and Calvin, set up a lovely open air spa facility. They have just a few rooms but they are open to the view of the Pacific and surrounding countryside. Their treatments are spectacular and reasonably priced. The reason I enjoyed it so much was that it was so open. You could hear and see the howler monkeys as you were enjoying your treatments. Also, the location is so private. It is not a "cookie-cutter" type establishment. They also provide a fantastic spa lunch. So fresh and tasty!



My other favorite spa location is Punta Islita in Costa Rica (a LL package.) I had a full massage right on the beach! The property is very private also so having the treatment on the beach in a palapa was not at all open for the world to see! They have beautiful linen curtains hanging up but you are basically one with nature! I also had their pedicure and manicure. So different from home. The woman actually had a bowl in her lap for the pedicure. It was filled with peppermint, lavender and alot of neat smelling stuff! So natural again! They also have a chocolate treatment. I was trying to tell them (in my broken Spanish) that I live up the road from Hershey, PA, famous for their chocolate and chocolate spa offerings. What a great experience.

[kyshel]

Ladies--thank you, Marolyn and Bonniejoy!!
I looked at Los Altos when you mentioned it before--WOW!! and then I took a peek at Lake Austin Spa. WOW again!
I think so many "spas" in tourist destinations are somewhat overpriced, but looking at the menus--not bad at all. I've been offered a palapa massage in Playa del Carmen resorts for about the same price I'd pay here for a luxurious salon, so when I get a good recommendation for a proper one...well, I'm ready!
My husband had never had a professional massage until we were on a ship and they offered the "four hand" style at a Mandara spa. Well, let me tell you--it was the best massage I ever had--2 therapists working in sync--unbelievable.
So, I got him an appointment and he went into some kind of post-massage nirvana state! He loves to joke about the time I hired 2 women for an hour--just for him!

[cruisinred]

I love this post/thread as I'm a spa junkie!



Of all the destinations for spa-ing offered in LuxLink, my favorite is Bali.



The Royal Pita Maha, often offered in LL has a spa of its own (spa experience included in package) http://www.royalpitamaha-bali.com/



but itis also adjacent to a truly world class Shisedo spa called Kirana www.kiranaspa.com/







and is close by to the Begawan Giri spa....very exclusive and a favorite celeb hideaway

http://cse.comoshambhala.bz/flashintro.asp

[bonniejoy03]

Hi Kyshel. That's great. My husband still will not go to the spa! The owners of Los Altos really tried to convince him but no way. He is very athletic (rugby, tennis, soccer, swimming) so you would think he would appreciate it. Oh well, here is a photo of Los Altos spa area. Enjoy.

[lhbrown]

Hi kyshel and bonniejoy,

Hotel Bellevue in Cogne, Italy comes to mind. We loved this hotel and spent time there repeatedly. The hotel is surrounded by nature! Opposite a glacier in the heart of the Gran Paradiso national park, the Bellevue is a delightful family-run property. We were enchanted by this hotel full of charm and the atmosphere of bygone times, the exceptional view, the gourmet cuisine, a wonderful selection of fine wines and especially the fitness centre /spa in an XVIIIth century decor. The antique furniture makes this hotel a true museum of popular mountain art.Activities:
It has a wonderful Indoor pool, Spa, Sauna, Hammam, Fango, Mud bath, but it offers also mountain biking, hiking, horseback, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, rafting, skiing, Mountain and ice climbing, snowshoeing (winter). The spa was superb, their massages very, very good, and their hay bath divine....

Leisure programs at Hotel Bellevue


http://www.hotelbellevue.it


Message Edited by lhbrown on 04-22-200709:37 AM

[CMDAVILACLI]

The Grand Hyatt, in Seoul, has the finest traditional Korean spa ever! It is drop dead fabulous and totally affordable.



Before you beginany treatment, they give you a locker in the main changing room (men/woman totally separate) and then you strut around naked until they hold your hand and make you get into a really hot stone pool (since I don't speak Korean, they had to walk me all around the spa to "explain" what I was to do next.). Then, after the hot pool, they pull you out and make you go into the cold pool... then you start your treatments after that!



They have a package that includes a full body salt scrub (and whenI say full body, Imean it - every inch of you is scrubbed and it takes about 1 1/2 hrs), then they "hose" you down, then begin the 11/2 hour massage which also includesa tiny, but unbelievabely tough Korean woman who stands on your back and walka all over you (they do not fall off because they hold onto a bar that is above their heads). By this time you are so soapy, oily and completely limp that you are unable to turn over by yourself and have to be helped over so they can do the other side! After the message, they give you a simple facial and then to top it off, they wash your hair!!!!!



After the scrub/massage, they lead you back to the locker area where they have all sorts of goodies for washing up, drying/styling your hair etc...



The whole thing takes about4+ hours and last time I was there, it cost about $125.00!



Every time I go to Seoul, I stay at the Grand Hyatt so that I can get into the spa...after I make my reservations with the Hyatt using their 800 number I then call the GH in Seoul directly and have them book me a treatment.

Actually, now that I think of it, I would be a great package for LL!



Cathy

[kyshel]

Thank you, Cathy. Now that's what I call a day at the spa! This sounds awesome. I understand the airport is quite far from the city? I could go for a few days--any more info to pass along for Korea travel, please let me know thru asia post? Much appreciated.
Shel

[lhbrown]

Hi kyshel,
When in Paris, for the ultimate pampering session, head to one of the many hidden spas around the city offering beauty treatments to men and women, massages, manicures and other indulgent services. The French know the value of treating oneself and the importance of doing so in a tres chic environment. Nestled between George V and Francois 1er is Joiya, (6 Rue de la Renaissance, Paris 8th, www.joiya.fr) the spa of choice for a foot reflexology massage for Mina d'Orano's designer and boutique owner, while their Massage Aromatherapique, a traditional Asian-style massage using essential oils, will fade all your tensions away. Natalie Rykiel, boutique owner and daughter of the French fashion designer Sonia Rykiel enjoys the Turkish bath at the Ritz (15 Place Vendome, Paris 1st., www.ritzparis.com). And for a private VIP room head to The Spa, tucked away at the Four Seasons Hotel, (31 Avenue George V, 8th, www.fourseasons.com) for a luxurious retreat. Or for a traditional hammam turn to the spa at Ken Club, (100 Avenue du President Kennedy, Paris 16th, www.kenclub.com) located on the Seine between Trocadero and Radio France. A true hidden secret with a hanging garden and an ambieance so relaxed and sphisticated everyone walks around in the renovated spa in their bathrobes without a worry in the world. Their massages will leave you addicted and sturggling to wake up to leave!