Spa Sojourning

Something about alliteration.....

Why do we love to spa? And when did that word become a verb?

No matter about syntax.

We spa because we seek solace, comfort, peace, relaxation and escape. Yes, escape. From daily stresses, struggles, conflicts and sometimes just for fun. Well, those with disposable income go for fun. The rest of us calculate every dollar we have in exchange for a moment's peace.

Even though I am well taken care of when I visit spas (otherwise, this blog would be about Garage Sales) I am well aware of the exorbitant cost of luxury. So, believe me, I am uber-grateful to have the opportunties to have my flesh pounded, stretched and pummeled. Even when the experience is not as wonderful as expected. Them's the breaks. Stuff happens.

For instance, I experienced an amazing couple of treatments at the chi-chi Island Hotel in Newport Beach, California recently. It was lovely, healing and restorative. Despite the spa having some major design flaws.

The Facial Drench involved all kinds of healing stuff geared towards faces that have been around the block, so to speak.

And given that this is a beach community, where the sun is worshipped daily (not by me, I'm a cave dweller by nature) a good facial is part of residents' beauty routines. So having been around the block once or twice (a steady jog, not too fast) I opted for some relaxing beachy-type treatments and was happily exfoliated, scrubbed clean and essentially oiled.

While at the Island I was treated to the Boreh Bali Spice Remedy, which sounds like a hearty drink enjoyed after a Spice Girls concert. Fortunately, no girly music played as I let myself be "remedied" with all kinds of delicious-smelling stuff. Spicey and citrusy and yummy and soothing. All good stuff. Just too bad the spa was so small it only had one of those dreaded combo lounges.

You know, the kind that's small AND unisex. My favorite. But when I wasn't worrying about this chubby guy (with a too-small robe) getting up for a green tea, I had fun studying some small woman (and they're all small in Newport Beach) all cuddled up in a lounge chair trying to sleep. After a too-close-encounter with Mr. Chubs, I waited in the ladies' locker room until T-time (therapist time) just to avoid another potential eye-bruising.

Before Mr. Chubby-Man-With-A-Too-Small-Robe appeared, I had been enjoying some down time on a comfy lounge chair between treatments and enjoying a delicious (and unexpected) fresh-fruit plate (how'd they know I love fruit?) and chocolate-covered strawberries.

Rifling through the magazines (too old anyway) was a waste of time since the lighting was so dim it was impossible to read, even if your eyes were 20/20. Lighting options must be available in a great spa!

Maybe they dim the lights so you won't have to look at near-naked, beefy, strange men.

Yup, I also had a "Signature" facial and loved every non-exfoliating minute.


Obviously, this was no weight-loss spa (chocolate-covered strawberries?). But the attendants were sweet. And the therapists knew what they were doing. So well, in fact, I can barely remember the details because I was drifting in and out during my "Spice Remedy."

Now if they'd only do something about the coed lounge thing, I'd definitely try this place again. And maybe dare to eat a strawberry.

Another uber-cool Newport Beach spa visited during my last trek was one of my faves: Fairmont Newport Beach's Willow Stream Spa. While the hotel itself is disappointingly NOT near the beach (about a mile or so away) and is in the middle of an industrial park, it still ranks as one of my best recent experiences.

While the spa itself is not as grand as my Banff favorite, it has its definite appeal. The staff is amazing (hey, anyone who employs another "Naomi" ranks high in my book) and professional and the locker space is ample and non-claustraphobic. Important to me and I bet many, many others.

The treatments were stellar--I had a custom massage because of personal medical issues and it gave me great pain relief, albeit short-lived. One caveat however: the room I was in was a tad chillier than hoped for. So, I asked for a temperature adjustment and an extra blanket. Yes, it might make you temporarily feel like a bitch to ask for changes, but a therapist WANTS you to be comfortable so you must speak up.

That's when those warming tables really come in handy. Some spas use these and I think they should be standard everywhere.

You might feel like you're on a hot plate (a warm plate, ideally) but for those like me who can never get warm enough, they are a tremendous asset, but when your resting blood pressure reads "Near Comatose" like mine, every degree upwards iis appreciated. Especially when you're starkers beneath the blankie.

This Fairmont was especially fun, even though the weather was "eh" but because the weather was so dismal, it was actually advantageous staying in a "non-beachy" hotel. I didn't feel like I was getting short-changed by not being within walking distance of the coast since the weather was yuckville.

But I was able to visit some other very upscale spots, definitely not intended for use by the hoi polloi. Of which I am a card-carrying member.

In brief, I spent some time at one of the most exclusive places --Balboa Bay Club & Resort which is member-oriented but also caters to a wealthy hotel clientele. I kept expecting Cary Grant to stroll the dock, ascot-accessorized and wine glass in hand (no Merlot!) but not even his ghost made an appearance.

But for a small spa, this one has plenty to cheer about and if you win the lottery and find yourself down California way, book a facial and you won't regret it.

Why do some small spas make the cut and others just don't get it? Because of inexperienced staff, inept therapists (each state has different requirements...posing a real challenge if you want strongly qualified body-handlers) and bad layout.

Yep, a bad layout can totally throw off the "feng shui" of a spa and you don't even have to understand the practical application of this "placement philosophy" in order to "feel" that something's not quite right in a spa.

So ladies (and the occasional gentlemen), that's it for today. Now it's time to put on a sweater. Brrr.....