This Holiday Season, Find Your Happy Place
What is supposed to be a joyous time spent reconnecting with family and friends often turns into a whirlwind of menu planning, late night parties, and mad dashes for those last few presents. The revelry, of course, isn’t a bad thing. But the chaos can take its toll on your body—and your stress levels. So this holiday season, make it a point to set aside some time for yourself.
When I lived in New York City, I always scheduled a post-Christmas shopping water circuit at Great Jones Spa ($50, three hours). After a day of lugging heavy bags, it felt so good to soak in the 100-degree Jacuzzi and strategically position my aching back on the water jet. That water lounge was my happy place—a calming retreat where I could forget about everything I had to do, even for just a little while. (Now that I live in the East Bay, my new happy place is Piedmont Springs, where I can soak in an outdoor hot tub and stare at the stars for a mere $15 an hour.)
Your happy place doesn’t have to involve hot tubs or water jets, but it should be somewhere quiet that you can escape to easily. We spend most of the holidays giving gifts to others, it seems only fair to give some peace to ourselves.
—Maria Wakem, senior editor
Image: Great Jones Spa
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Spa’s Holiday Gift Guide: Day 10 – Homemade Bath Products
Sometimes the best gifts are the ones you make yourself. And if, like me, you dread the maddening crowds of holiday shoppers, a homemade present is a great way to get in a festive mood in the privacy of your own kitchen.
In keeping with all things Spa-related, here are links to a few easy-to-follow recipes for bath products I found online. I have not yet tried these recipes myself, but if you try them at home, I’d love to know how they turned out!
- Brown Sugar Body Scrub: An all-natural scrub that sounds sweet enough to eat.
- Vanilla and Almond Soap: This exfoliating soap recipe doesn’t require lye, eliminating the risk of alkali burns.
- Milk Bath: Packaged in a simple glass jar, this would make a great hostess gift.
Check our collection of 13 DIY Beauty Recipes for more homemade gift ideas.
—Maria Wakem, senior editor
Image: Caren Alpert
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Spa Deal Alert: Ixtapan Spa, Hotel & Golf Resort
For those of you looking for a nontraditional way to celebrate Thanksgiving, how do 14 spa treatments over 5 days sound? Check out this incredible deal from Ixtapan Spa, Hotel & Golf Resort located at the bottom of the Sierra Madre Mountains in Mexico.
THE DEAL: 20% Off over Thanksgiving Weekend
THE DETAILS: 4 night/5 day Spa Classic packages include spacious accommodations, all meals, 14 organic spa treatments, guided walks, exercise and yoga classes, tennis and golf lessons, movies nightly and full use of hotel amenities. Prices do not include taxes at 16% or tips.
THE DOUGH: doubles from $616 for 4 nights *
THE DEADLINE: for travel through December 20, 2009
*Prices subject to change.
In the photo: Ixtapan Spa, Hotel & Golf Resort in the evening.
—Natalie Rios, editorial assistant/research editor
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Hot Spa Deals! Canada, Texas, and Bermuda
CANADA
“Preferences” at Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside and Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre in British Columbia, Canada.
COST: doubles from $130 per night *
WHAT YOU GET: Late check-out (until noon) and the choice of free parking, a $30 spa voucher, $30 solomon Voucher, pet stay free, or breakfast for two.
GOOD THROUGH: November 25, 2009
TEXAS
“Say Spaaaaah!” at The Stoneleigh Hotel & Spa in Dallas, Texas.
COST: doubles from $264 per night *
WHAT YOU GET: Stay in a Premier guestroom, a 50 minute Swedish Massage, and overnight parking.
GOOD THROUGH: December 31, 2009
BERMUDA
“Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!” at Elbow Beach Bermuda in Paget Parish, Bermuda.
COST: doubles from $450 per night *
WHAT YOU GET: Daily breakfast, 4th night free, welcome amenity, two-hour Time Ritual at The Spa, wine tasting, dinner at Seahorse Grill, meal at Sea Breeze Terrace, Bermuda memento, minimum four-night stay.
GOOD THROUGH: December 31, 2009
* Prices subject to change.
In the photo: A Private Spa Suite at Elbow Beach Bermuda.
—Natalie Rios, editorial assistant/research editor
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Hot Spa Deals! Florida, California, and Morocco
Today’s deals post has offers from three great resorts, but I wanted to mention that La Mamounia is brand new resort in Morocco which opened earlier this month. If any of you do decide to take advantage of this or any other offer, let us know what you think!
FLORIDA
1. “Fall for You Package” at LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort in Naples, Florida.
COST: from $219 per night*
WHAT YOU GET: $50 resort credit for a one night stay, $100 resort credit for a two-three night stay, $200 resort credit for a four-night stay or longer (credits can be used at the spa); deluxe room accommodations, complimentary valet parking ($23 value), complimentary resort fee ($17 value).
GOOD THROUGH: December 17, 2009
NAPA, CALIFORNIA
2. “Viva La Diva Girlfriends Getaway Spa Day” at Villagio Inn & Spa in Yountville, CA.
COST: from $285.00 per person*
WHAT YOU GET: A complimentary hour in a private Spa Suite (includes fireplace, infinity soaking tubs, steam shower, flat screen television with Bose surround sound system), Comfort Zone facial or choice of 50-Minute body treatment, Essence of the Valley manicure & pedicure, Champagne & hors d’oeuvres platter, sparkling wine, wine tasting passes to neighboring wineries & tasting rooms.
GOOD THROUGH: December 30, 2009
MOROCCO
3. “Very Morocco” at La Mamounia, Marrakech in Morocco.
COST: from $1,532 per person*
WHAT YOU GET: 3 nights accommodations, airport transfers, spa treatment on arrival, buffet breakfast, guided tour of Marrakech, dinner at Le Marocain, buffet lunch, tea ceremony, 90 minute hammam ritual.
GOOD THROUGH: December 23, 2009
* Prices subject to change without notice.
In the photo: A sunset view from SpaTerre at LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort.
—Natalie Rios, editorial assistant/research editor
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Hot Deals! California and Hawaii
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and these properties can help you feel great and give back at the same time.
SANTA BARBARA
1. “Pretty in Pink! Massage” at The Spa at Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara, CA.
COST: from $160 for 50 minutes *
WHAT YOU GET: In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, when you book a Swedish, shiatsu or deep tissue massage featuring a locally-made pink grapefruit oil, The Spa will donate 10% of the treatment cost to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation.
GOOD THROUGH: October 31
HAWAII
2.“Pink Spa Break” package at The Kahala Hotel & Resort in Honolulu, Hawaii.
COST: from $475 per night *
WHAT YOU GET: One signature massage of your choice and a portion of the package proceeds are donated to the Kapi’olani Women’s Ambulatory Cancer Center, the state’s first comprehensive cancer center committed to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.
GOOD THROUGH: December 20, 2009
SAN DIEGO
3. “Pink Ribbon Treatment” at The Spa at La Costa Resort in Carlsbad, CA.
COST: $125 per treatment *
WHAT YOU GET: Book any 50-minute treatment at the discounted price of $125 Sunday through Friday. The resort will donate five dollars form each treatment to the San Diego chapter of Susan G. Komen For the Cure.
GOOD THROUGH: October 1 through November 7
* Prices subject to change without notice.
In the photo: A treatment room at The Four Seasons The Biltmore Santa Barbara.
—Natalie Rios, editorial assistant/research editor
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Hot Deals! China, Florida, Oregon
Check out the deals in sunny Florida, wholesome Oregon, and faraway China. Enjoy!
CHINA
1. “The Suites and Treats Package” at The Regent Beijing in China
COST: from $425
per night, two-night minimum*
WHAT YOU GET: Two nights’ accommodations in an Executive Suite, one traditional Chinese aromatherapy massage in-suite or in the Serenity Spa, dinner for two, 50% discount on all additional meals, complimentary daily breakfasts, afternoon tea, happy hour and hors d’oeuvre, butler service and express check-in/out.
GOOD THROUGH: December 31, 2009
FLORIDA
2. “3 for 2 spa promotion” at The Palms Hotel & Spa in South Beach, Florida
COST: massages from $120 for 50 minutes*
WHAT YOU GET: Book 2 treatments and receive the 3rd for free. This offer is valid on all massage, skin care and nail therapy, excluding polish changes, waxing and hair services. The third service must be of equal or lesser value of first or second service.
GOOD THROUGH: November 30, 2009
OREGON
3. “Spa Date” at The Resort at The Mountain in Welches, Oregon
COST: from $299
per night, two-night minimum*
WHAT YOU GET: soothing facials at The Spa, drinks and treats with a $25 dining credit and overnight accommodations in a newly-renovated guest room.
GOOD THROUGH: October 30, 2009
*Prices subject to change without notice.
In the photo: The Spa at The Resort at The Mountain debuted in spring 2009.
—Natalie Rios, editorial assistant/research editor
