Tag Archives: London

Pritikin Spa Edging to a New Generation

Pritikin Spa Edging to a New Generation
by Susie Ellis
SpaFinder Insider

Just returned from a very nice Labor Day Weekend which Peter and I spent down in Florida on a boat tied up right near Pritikin Longevity Center and Spa in Aventura. Paul LePritikin Edge2 713703 Pritikin Spa Edging to a New Generationhr, President of Pritikin and author of their new book Pritikin Edge, was kind enough to invite us to be day guests while we were down there. That made our Labor Day Weekend a healthy kick-start for the fall season. It also gave me a chance to see what was new:

1. Younger clients. I was really surprised to see so many young people there. I met a mother with her two adult daughters, one in medical school and the other an actress – none of them more than a few pounds overweight. There were also some “high powered” New York women who also looked quite healthy as well as quite a few girlfriend pairs. In general, it was a nice mix of men, women and a variety of generations. On previous visits, I remember the guests being older. This mix of ages was cool.

2. Crowded. Well…not in a bad way, however the last time I was there, I remember there were some empty tables at dinner. This week – all the tables were full. And this was August in Florida!

3. More spa services. Their spa menu has expanded. The spa is still not as much of a focus as the fitness, medical and diet aspects, but there was a greater variety of offerings and my treatments were good.

4. Botox and fillers. I had heard that Pritikin was now offering these aesthetic medical services which was a surprise as they have always been so wellness-focused. However, I think it is a good idea. Many people are going to have these services anyway…so having them during a stay at a medically supervised longevity program isn’t such a bad idea. And I do think that a little bit of “freshening up” can score some mental health points. (Guests go off the premises to see a medical specialist for these treatments.)

5. Plastic surgery recovery. I didn’t realize that some people come to Pritikin post-plastic surgery. That might also include post mastectomy or reconstruction surgery, etc. Perhaps this has always been the case, however the information was new to me. Healthy eating, exercise, and stress reduction under medical supervision would be a great pre-surgery regime also.

6. No more ice cream. Boo hoo. Years ago I remember that their dessert options at dinner always included ice cream. For me with quite a sweet tooth, it was a real highlight. I believe it was Edy’s ice cream which was on their “OK” list at the time because of the low fat and no sugar. (Edy’s uses Splenda which is supposed to be better than the other artificial sweeteners.) Well, after more analysis by the Pritikin pros, there seemed to be some no no’s, and ice cream was taken off the menu. Guess it was too good to be true.

Alas, it’s probably better for me to distance myself from that sweet tooth rather than continue to indulge it.
**
If you wish to be put on a list that automatically sends my blog posts to your email, just let dulcy.gregory@spafinder.com know and she will add you to that list. Thanks so much!

Spa Businesses Coming Together – Is It a Good Match?

Spa Businesses Coming Together – Is It a Good Match?
by Susie Ellis
SpaFinder Insider

Last Wednesday evening I had dinner with Nancy Griffin, founder of Spa Trade and Spa Exec, and Joyce Jamison, Vice President/Group Publisher of Questex’s Beauty & Spa Media Group which publishes American Spa and American Salon Magazines. It was a chance for the three of us – all with varied careers in the spa world – to share experiences, opinions and ideas.

Spa Businesses Coming Together Is It a Good Match?
Of course the big news, is that Joyce’s company, Questex, just purchased Nancy’s companies, Spa Trade and Spa Exec.
spatrade logo 745941 Spa Businesses Coming Together Is It a Good Match?
I think it was a smart move and the kind of consolidation we will likely see more of in the future. Spa Trade and Spa Exec seems to fit well into the Questex portfolio.
I have known Nancy for many years – ever since we bonded over a shared interest in spa data when she was at Cornell. Peter and Nancy have always enjoyed a common interest and understanding of the value of the Internet for the spa industry. (Many years ago there were few who saw the possibilities, however Nancy and Peter were always on the same page.) Nancy worked for SpaFinder briefly when she ran our day spa retreats. We have seen her grow from someone interested in the spa arena to someone who now has great influence in it. In some ways, she has even become a sort of “watchdog” for our industry. While her tendency to sound alarms may not always make her the most popular person in the room, she is more often than not, right.
Joyce and I had met before although we have never had the chance to spend time together so dinner with Nancy in New York was a treat. Of course I read American Spa magazine cover to cover and have always enjoyed and admired the magazine. Since American Spa is sent directly to subscribers and is not sold on newsstands, it is possible to have beautiful covers on which you don’t have to have a lot of cover lines (they help with newsstand sales). Joyce seems like a
kind-hearted person with a good sense of “next steps” for our industry.
We will all have to stay tuned to see how their new collaboration works. My guess is that it will be a home run.
**
If you wish to be put on a list that automatically sends my blog posts to your email, just let dulcy.gregory@spafinder.com know and she will add you to that list. Thanks so much!

Canadian Hospitality at Ste. Anne’s Spa

ste.annes 704886 Canadian Hospitality at Ste. Annes Spa Well, my trip to Canada is coming to a close. Flying back to New York this morning.

Got so busy with the Leading Spas of Canada Conference that I wasn’t able to carve out blogging time. I wanted to share a few more things about our trip, including our stay at Ste. Anne’s Spa, which will be memorable for me for the setting and the warm hospitality. There is something about coming from New York City to a place where people are sweet, kind, who love helping you and can’t do enough for you and where no one – absolutely no one – has “an attitude”.

I signed up for a chocolate massage – something I had avoided doing in the past because I envisioned chocolate being slathered on my body and a temptation to “lick the spoon,” so to speak. Happily, I found out it wasn’t going to be a big mess because it was simply the massage oil having a chocolate essence. And then, to my delight, a chocolate truffle was given to me at the end of the session. Ryan, my therapist, was the first therapist ever to point out the cording in my right hand, and he suggested that I do regular stretches to avoid problems later on. You have to go through a much more extensive training program in order to become a massage therapist in Canada. It showed.

Ste. Anne’s Spa has a large and loyal clientele and they really make an effort to stay connected to their guests, which helps explain why they won the Favorite Spa in Canada in our Readers’ Choice Awards last year. Owner Jim Corcoran, and his partner David, are also a big part of the Ste. Anne’s spa experience, mixing hospitality with fun. There were lots of people (and I saw lots of couples) happily pattering around in white robes. Always a good sign.

Finding the elements embraced at this Ayurvedic Spa

Ariel Picture 1 778480 Finding the elements embraced at this Ayurvedic SpaAfter a scrumptious breakfast on the sun drenched dining porch of the Hillcrest mansion (with a view of Lake Ontario from every window) we headed to our next spa – Elemental Embrace. Stacey gave me some background about the property explaining to me that they are very much into ayruveda and that we would be meeting with Muquit who owns the establishment with his mom.
To my surprise we pull up to a very attractive property, enter the front door and are greeted by the handsome son who made us feel very welcome. After a tour of the property and some introductory conversation Muquit had arranged for each of us to experience one of their special treatments. I was down for the Ayurvedic treatment where two therapists do a synchronized oil massage. But Muquit had taken the time to explain to us the history of the treatment, the value of it, and in particular about the oil they use. It was the first time I understood that it isn’t just about the oil, it is about the herbs in the oil and the heating of the herbs which release the medicine in them which can penetrate your body. This was not your resort-style Ayurvedic treatment. The smell was different, the table used was an authentic wooden table from India, the steam cabinet in which I sat post treatment was from India, etc. This Ayurvedic treatment felt more authentic than anything ayruvedic I have experienced anywhere in the world. (And no, I haven’t been to India.)

It really made me realize how important it is to visit a spa to really understand its heartbeat. You can read about it in brochures or on the website, but there is nothing like experiencing a treatment, eating a meal and hearing about the vision of the property from the owner.

Lunch was unusual and unusually good. First, ginger and lime to get the digestive fluids flowing. Next dessert. Yes, dessert is served before the rest of the meal on the theory that it is better to get these food into the digestive process at the beginning of a meal. Next was a wonderful large shrimp cocktail, that was followed by a beautifully presented soup and finally a stuffed trout. The finale was one sweet date and some fennel and sesame seeds – all eaten together.

Adding to this rather surprising and extraordinary experience was the fact that Muquit was so interesting. A young guy, working with his mom in the family business, having been born in Kenya, he relates strongly with his Indian heritage and is a true believer in Ayurveda.
He’s quite impressive – as is the property. Such a specific niche…but for people who are really into Ayurveda I can’t think of a better place.