Tag Archives: family

The Caribbean, the Largest Spa in the World

caribbean 799352 The Caribbean, the Largest Spa in the World“The Caribbean, the Largest Spa in the World.”

I’m in the Dominican Republic, attending the second-ever Caribbean Spa and Wellness Association conference. Above is the new slogan the Association selected, which I think is terrific! Given the bright blue water that surrounds every island and the natural relaxation that results from just being in the Caribbean, the slogan seems fitting. I spoke yesterday on the state of the spa industry in the Caribbean and have been in sessions all day today. A few days ago, I did a tour of spas here. I have learned some surprising things, which I will share later. Right now, I’m just taking a break during sessions.

More later…

In This Case a White Spa is the Ultimate Luxury

In This Case a White Spa is the Ultimate Luxury“Wow, that spa is so clean!” Those were the first words my brother-in-law, Bill Formby, said when I asked him how his massage was at the new Mayflower Spa this weekend. I had to laugh because there are so many extraordinary aspects of this new spa that could be mentioned (the setting, the artwork, the spaciousness, the quality of treatments), but he reminded me that for many people cleanliness is still the ultimate measure of spa quality. And this one gets an A+ for cleanliness.

My husband and I did our annual trek to the country this weekend to see the color change. We usually drive up to the Mayflower Inn in Washington, Connecticut for lunch during the peak color season, but this year we decided to stay overnight since my twin sister and her husband, Bill, were there for a five-day spa vacation.

Part of the reason why this spa is super clean is: Because it has to be. Adriana Mnuchin and her daughter, Lisa Hedley, who are the proprieters, were brave enough to select white as their dominant color – with accents of the most beautiful eggshell, pale blue, yellow, and celedon. When entering the 20,000-square-foot facility, everyone is asked to take off their shoes and put on slippers. Dining room chairs are in plush white fabric (can you believe such a thing?), lounge chairs are in creme and white upholstery with white chenille throws, etc. Draperies are of various white sheer fabrics, the tiles are pale mosaics in very light colors with a hint of shimmer, and the entire pool and Jacuzzi are tiled so that while you are swimming light dances on the water. Even the book coverings in the library are mostly white!
2006SeptOct 704225 In This Case a White Spa is the Ultimate Luxury
This kind of detail is what makes the Mayflower Inn and Spa so extraordinary and why it has already garnered praise (such as Good Morning America naming it the No. 1 Spa in America after it was opened only a few months), and why it made the cover of a recent issue of Luxury SpaFinder Magazine.

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Spa News – Week of October 9, 2006

Spa May Open in Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
Shizen Spa in the Cosmopolitan Toronto Hotel Offers Urban Weekend Spa Retreat
Wailea Beach Marriott Begins $60 Million Renovation
Angsana Spa Emirates Hills Opens in Dubai
Spa Opens in Singapore’s Changi Airport
Completely Renovated Exhale Spa Reopens in New York City
Ireland’s Park Hotel Kenmare Adds Spa Residential Retreats
Playa Hotels & Resorts, S.L., Purchases the Gran Costa Real Resort & Spa Cancun
Steiner Leisure Limited Announces Buyout of Remaining Term of Its Spa at the One & Only Palmilla
Construction of Dam in Turkey Threatens World’s Oldest Thermal Spa
Aqua Bodywork Now Available at The Ritz-Carlton, Bali
Laguna Beach’s Montage Resort Now Offers a Retreat for “Expectant Couples”
Wedding and Event Venue Opens at Conrad Bali Resort & Spa

I would love to hear feedback from those who read my blog! Please post a comment by clicking on the link below that reads “Comments.”

Gwyneth Paltrow’s back – red marks from an alternative spa therapy treatment

spa moxven 719231 Gwyneth Paltrows back red marks from an alternative spa therapy treatment I’ll give you my layperson’s version of the Moxa Ventoza treatment I experienced at The Farm at San Benito. And then you can check out this CBS News segment on a similar treatment called “cupping” that aired the day after Gwyneth Paltrow was seen with round red marks on her back, which she attributed to this alternative therapy.

My therapist held a cotton ball she had soaked in alcohol at the end of a long pair of scissors. She then ignited the cotton ball by holding it over a flame. She took the flaming cotton ball and put it inside a heat-resistant glass for just a second or two. Apparently this removes the oxygen. Then the glass was immediately put on the skin of my back. A suction developed that was quite strong. The glass was left in place while she did the same thing with the other five glasses.

Once all six glasses were on my back with suction, she pulled the first one off and repeated the flaming-cotton-ball procedure with each glass until the cotton ball no longer burned. Then it was time for a new cotton ball. She repeated the whole sequence again. This goes on for about 30 minutes. The sensation is one of slight heat and a fairly strong suction feeling. The procedure was followed by a back massage and a cool cloth at the very end. The idea is to pull out toxins – if such a thing is possible. I do know that blood rushes to the surface of the skin, and I found the combination of slight warmth and the massage activity of the suction (as well as the subsequent massage) very comfortable. I did have red marks on my back for the rest of the day.

Mental note: Don’t do this before a big evening event if you will be wearing a backless dress. It must have been Gwyneth Paltrow’s first “cupping” treatment. Of course, she could have chosen a different dress!

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