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::TRAVEL NEWS::
LE Newsletter -
September 4, 2008
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Bliss in Bermuda
By Melanie Reffes
Steeped in British tradition and oozing its own unique charm,
Bermuda
is a serene sliver of sunny Shangri-la and a short commute to a
world away. With azure water, rolling hilltops, architecture
swathed in tropical hues and glorious stretches of sandy beach,
it is, indeed, the Caribbean’s hip haven for rejuvenation.
Derived from the Latin salus per aqua,
the word spa literally means ‘good health through water’ and
from the Greek ‘masso’, massage means ‘to touch’.
Although many treatments incorporate water in their
wellness rituals and most treatments involve touching to some
degree, the art and science of the Bermudian massage is unique
with an abundance of highly trained therapists and a bevy of
indigenous products.
Whether it’s a mirror to your soul or a massage for your soles,
a day at the spa is a must-have guilty pleasure. From grapefruit
extracts to rose petals,
welcome to the world of unbridled luxury where the wise and the
weary soak, scour and soothe their way to feeling good.
The Willow Stream Spa is a tranquil
sanctuary inside the
Fairmont Southampton
resort. Celebrating the seascape and scents of the
Island, the eco-chic spa beckons with a medley of massages that
will remind you why you booked a vacation in the first place.
“The spa has a commanding location on the highest point on the
south shore and offers guests an outdoor roof top terrace with
stunning views, as well as an indoor pool with waterfalls,”
notes Paul Hawco, Spa Director, “The pink sand of Bermuda and
our picturesque scenery create a spa experience like no other.”
Fifteen treatment rooms, two Jacuzzis and a sundeck overlooking
the lapping waves is truly a tropical oasis. Using natural
elements from the sea and the earth, treatments heal and hydrate
as they synchronize the energies of the mind, body and spirit.
In order to encourage total relaxation, the spa is a no-gadget
zone with blackberries and cell phones not permitted and to
ensure you are relaxed even before your massage begins, spa
goers are encouraged to arrive thirty minutes prior to an
appointment to make full use of the spa’s facilities.
Drawing from the traditions of Eastern Ayurveda or the science
of a long life, treatments build the immune system in the
winter, renew in the spring, soothe in the summer and balance in
the fall. Customized to
individual needs, the trained therapists work their nimble
fingers as they maximize the healing powers of hot stones, erase
all symptoms of jet lag and perform miracles with an array of
anti-ageing treatments. For the outdoorsy set, a sixty-minute
golf performance massage
that is endorsed by pro- instructor David Leadbetter and world
class player Charles Howell III is designed to get you in shape
for another round on the greens.
Signature treatments include a Bermuda Aromatherapy Facial using
sea algae that balances the skin and chamomile to restore
elasticity after the heat of the sun.
An herbal massage for the feet rounds out the ninety
minute package and is guaranteed to put a spring back in your
gait.
Indian Bindi oil and stones warmed in water creates a deep
heat massage in
The East Meets West Bermuda Stone treatment as it melts stress
into oblivion. In the privacy of your own suite, the aptly named
Bliss in Bermuda treatment kick starts with an aromatherapy
session followed by a dip in a hydrotherapy tub with more than a
hundred rotating jets that feel like an underwater massage.
Guys need maintenance too and with the Power Pedicure, manly men
can turn their tender tootsies into sandal-ready feet that will
look snazzy with a pair of Bermuda shorts. “We have seen an
increase in men taking advantage of the spa, “observes Paul
Hawco, “We appreciate the subtle differences in male and female
preferences and seek to create experiences that are geared to
each individual.”
Love blooms at the Willow Stream with side-by-side couple’s
treatment rooms and treatments that create memories that last a
lifetime. “Spas can be
incredibly romantic “ Spa Director Hawco adds, “We provide a
unique couples experience - a little time spent apart in the
female and gentleman lounges as well as time together in the
romantic couples lounge . “
Guests at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess may use the Spa
facilities at a reduced rate.
Total relaxation now
has an address on the south shore. The Spa at the Elbow Beach
Resort is the zenith of excellence with views of the
azure Atlantic Ocean that put postcards to shame.
Managed by the prestigious Mandarin Oriental Group, the Spa
boasts six
private suites decorated
in soothing colors, couples suites, hand-crafted granite soaking
tub, bamboo flooring and a pebble-lined steam shower.
Holistic treatments
rooted in Asian customs and blended with Bermudian finesse
create an unforgettable experience.
Bermuda’s national treasure, the Rum Swizzle, is a
mouth-watering treatment that combines the antioxidant benefits
of fruit essences like grapefruit and orange with the potency of
rum. A gentle foot ritual is followed by a pineapple body scrub
that cleans and renews tired skin. A delightful bath in zesty
lemon and lime juice smoothes rough skin and with a ‘real’ Rum
Swizzle cocktail in hand, the body and scalp massage will lure
you into pure nirvana. Bermuda pink sand is used to exfoliate in
the three-hour Ocean Wave Ritual leaving skin as supple as the
sand on the beach. The trained hands of the therapist work magic
in a massage that ripples tenderly over the body like waves in
the sea. (These
signature spa experiences are priced at $480 for three hours of
treatment time, plus half an hour of relaxation time.)
“Everyday we are blessed with the natural beauty, resources and
rich culture of Bermuda,” says Spa Director Debbie Baxter with
infectious zeal, “In keeping with the Mandarin Oriental
tradition, we wanted to translate this into authentic spa
experiences where guests can revel in things truly Bermudian.”
With
a dollop of Bermuda honey, calendula oil for sensitive skin ,
sugar and lemon, the Full Body Sugar and Honey Scrub is eighty
minutes of pleasure with an all-over body massage leaving skin
bright and full of life.
For those who aim to minimize the harsh the effects of the sun,
the Cooling Sun Savior Ritual cools after a
day on the beach.
A gift of the natural gel derived from the aloe plant is yours
to use while back on the beach chair.
And yes, you can try the massages at home.
The aromatic line of scrubs and bath oils with the
uplifting essence of jasmine, invigorating scent of frangipani
and sweet almond are available for sale in the Spa Boutique.
Brand new on the spa scene, the Samadhi Spa is a private health
retreat for savvy spa goers seeking a journey back to balance or
a calming spot to unwind during a weekend getaway.
Located at the Newstead Belmont Hills Golf Resort on
Harbour Road overlooking the Hamilton Harbour, Samadhi is the
only spa on the Island with water views from the treatment
rooms. A trio of single rooms, two double treatment suites, a
hydrotherapy suite, two relaxation areas, locker rooms with wet
steam , tennis courts and a fully equipped gym add up to
one-stop shopping for rest and relaxation.
“We are about gearing the spa towards a holistic retreat where
people are able to not only receive body treatments but also
able to participate in educational workshops like nutrition,
Ayurvedic medicine, exercise, and weight loss as well as
practice yoga and tai chi.” says Sanali
Senanayake Spa Director who has lived in Australia, Oman and
Dubai before moving to Bermuda.
The signature treatment called the Samadhi massage which is a
true fusion of East meets West uses a cornucopia of Caribbean
curatives and organic products. “Nothing we use comes out of a
jar, “notes Spa Director
Sanali Senanayake, “We use only natural organic
products made daily without preservatives.”
Two unique product lines are stocked in the Spa and used in the
various treatments. The
Eastern Ayurvedic ingredients include oil from the therapeutic
Neem leaf said to improve memory and the rejuvenating GotuKola
herb that fortifies the immune system as well as delicious
ingredients from the West like grapes, cocoa and truffles.
A spa menu is available for those who choose to linger
over lunch and tempts with nutritional dishes including low
calorie choices designed by an Island chef.
As the only spa on the island with a formal affiliation with the
esteemed Atlanta School of Massage, therapists are up-to-date
with the cutting edge developments in the world of spa therapy
and have access to current research on the healing benefits of
spa treatments.
Catering to a knowledgeable crowd, the demographic is diverse
with spa goers coming from all sectors. “Although women make up
the majority of guests, “Senanayake
adds, “the clientele is changing and we now have
athletes as we cater to their needs.
We also cater to babies
and children with our trained therapists who understand their
specific issues.”
Contact:
Willow Stream Spa
www.willowstream.com
The Spa at Elbow Beach
www.mandarinoriental.com
Samadhi Spa
www.newsteadbelmonthills.com
1-800-Bermuda
www.Bermudatourism.com
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::LANGFIELD
ENTERTAINMENT:: ENTERTAINMENT NEWS WITH A CANADIAN TWIST::
