Tag Archives: Rancho La Puerta

A “Plugged-In” Spa Visit to Thailand with Massage and Facial on Day One and a Pre-Flight Manicure and Pedicure

A “Plugged-In” Spa Visit To Thailand with Massage and Facial on Day One and a Pre-Flight Manicure and Pedicure
by Susie Ellis

Just got to Thailand after a 16 hour flight from New York to Bangkok aboard Thai Airways, a three hour layover at the Bangkok airport, a one hour flight to Phuket, a 1/2 hour drive to a jetty and a 45 minute boat trip to the island of Yao Noi where I am staying at the Six Senses Hideaway.

I have learned to make the most of my traveling. Got a manicure and pedicure in at the JFK airport (what a time-saver that was!) and answered about 50 emails on the flight (which to the chagrin of the receivers – especially my assistant – all go out at the exact moment that I land in Bangkok), handled another bunch of emails at the Bangkok airport, and finished up the rest when I arrived at Six Senses Hideaway.

Am in the middle of helping plan the Global Spa Summit and don’t have the luxury of turning off my Treo for the duration of my trip…however I am not complaining. This is going to be a “plugged in” trip rather than an “unplugged” trip. However, if it wasn’t plugged in, I wouldn’t be able to take it.

More later….

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“Silent Havens for Holistic Solutions” – The Perfect Description for Sacred Spas Created by Christina Ong

“Silent Havens for Holistic Solutions” – The Perfect Description for Sacred Spas Created by Christina Ong
by Susie Ellis

I can only imagine how long it must have taken to come up with this spot-on perfect tag line: “Silent Havens for Holistic Solutions.”

The other evening Peter and I attended a cocktail reception given at Donna Karan’s Soho pad for Christina Ong, who was showcasing her Como Shambhala luxury resort properties. I was delighted to see that Mrs. Ong herself was at the reception since I understand she is very shy and not a fan of large social gatherings.

Some quick background if you haven’t heard of Como Shambhala. Shambhala means “a sacred place of bliss,” and Como is an acronym for Christina Ong and her daughter Melissa Ong. Their collection of unique and distinguished properties currently include:

Parrot Cay, Turks and Caicos
Metropolitan, London
Metropolitan, Bangkok
Como Shambhala Estate, Bali
Uma Ubud, Bali
The Halkin, London
Cocoa Island, Maldives
Uma Paro, Bhutan

I am sure there will be more. They seem to be on a roll…as each property seems to be another instrument in a symphony they have created. I have had the pleasure of visiting about half of their properties and will see the two in London next month. It is simply understood that no property will disappoint.

When I spoke with Mrs. Ong, her brightest smile came when I mentioned how talented her therapists appear to be. I understand that she screens every single therapist in her collection – and it shows!

The Como Shambhala properties have a dreamy quality and combine nature, yoga, and holistic therapies with expertly trained therapists in a setting that is tasteful and, at the same time, progressive in design. This simple formula works.

Top Five Pedicure Tips

pedicure 739073 Top Five Pedicure Tips I received a call yesterday from New York 1 requesting an interview about pedicure equipment at spas and what consumers should know to make sure they are safe when receiving a pedicure. Since manicures and pedicures are the most popular beauty services at spas, this is clearly an important topic.

With the hundreds of thousands of pedicures performed yearly most are excellent experiences with great results. Some people, however, are concerned especially if they read a story in the news that questions the safety of a pedicure. So here are some tips to help you be safe:

Skip having a pedicure (or manicure) if you have any open wounds. This is best for your health and is considerate of other spa-goers and the person performing your pedicure.
When you make an appointment, be sure to let the spa know that you are concerned about safety and ask them what steps they take to assure you will receive a safe manicure or pedicure. Be familiar with sanitation regulations. For example, in many states, nail care tools that can not be sterilized, including nail files, porous buffing stones and toe separators need to be thrown away (or given to you) after being used in your pedicure. Tools that can be sterilized must be sterilized after each use.
Licenses of technicians must be displayed at their stations.
Don’t assume that just because a pedicure is expensive, you will be safer. Sometimes the fanciest pedicure stations are among the most troubling. One of the most challenging sanitary issues regarding pedicures is the unseen piping and jets in pedicure tubs that can not be cleaned 100 percent.
If the spa has a whirlpool unit, ask if the technology is ³pipe-free². If they say no, ask to forgo the hydrotherapy portion of the treatment.
I would love to hear feedback about your pedicure experiences from those who read my blog! Please post a comment by clicking on the link below that reads “Comments.”

Husband at Spa (Spa, Belgium that is)

piscineexterieur2 735685 Husband at Spa (Spa, Belgium that is) Just got this email from hubby who is in Brussels for a global internet conference. I reminded him that he was close to the city of Spa and that it might be worth a drive to see it. He found out it was only 90 minutes away, so off he went. Here is his email to me from Spa, Belgium:

“There are many places here with thermes but they are really mineral pools at a property…terme is spa kind of like Italy. I got lucky …took a tram from center town for about 100 yards up a hill to the real spa in town. Termes de Spa is the name…no hotel as you stay in hotels around the town…Friedrichbad in Baden-Baden comes close except much of the facility is pretty new…especially the treatment areas…nice wood floors and cabins as they call ‘em…with views of the surrounding tree-lined countryside. Many pools, whirlpools, high-pressure fountains like fire hoses…they do have steam and saunas and there is one section for au naturel and another for swimsuits. Full-service spa with many treatments, including beauty. Big here are these copper bath tubs with warm natural gas or carbonated water…as you sit in the tub you look out at nature….all the pools reminded me of Fonteverde…oh…they also do Watsu but I could not book a time. Hot place worth a visit.”

I’m anxious to hear feedback from you on my blog! Please add 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!