Unique to this Mandara Spa location are its highly recommended treatment preparatory “areas” (although guests can benefit from the rejuvenating aspects after their treatments as well). All spa areas are co-ed, with the exception of the locker rooms, so bathing suits are mandatory. The Poseidon Thalassotherapy Pool is an enormous outdoor heated pool of fresh seawater, complete with underwater jets and water flow stations to target and massage specific areas. After about twenty minutes of floating and getting pummeled, I head for the next prepping stage, the Utopian Water Ritual. This large circular area includes a sauna, fog shower, steam room, tropical rain shower, aromatic steam room with heated lounges, and heated ceramic benches (the recommended sequence for maximum efficacy). Total recommended time for this odyssey in prepping the skin, aiding the upper respiratory tract and easing the joint pain is twenty minutes. After this combined experience, guests can re-group in the waiting area of their locker room, sipping fruit or vegetable infused water, until they are summoned by their expert therapist or esthetician and led to their treatment room. Admission to these areas is included with booked spa treatments, but resort guests can buy a pass to use these facilities, including the Fitness Center. The spa also has a full service salon and a retail area.

The spa offers a variety of massage therapies, body treatments (wraps and scrubs), and facials tailored to all skin types and age-stage, or area of concern. Highly skilled spa staff will indulge you, and restore your sense of calm; by helping to melt away any of your frets and stresses; the spa and treatment setting are definitely conducive to healing and restoration. My massage, facial and body scrub were exceptional. Having experienced the Poseidon Thalassotherapy Pool, the Utopian Water Ritual and my treatments, I left feeling super relaxed and rejuvenated, and my skin profusely thanked me for giving it so much deserved attention. Guests can choose their treatments from a very comprehensive menu of services, that are exceptionally healing and restorative offered, either ala carte, or as customized packages.

For the physically fit, or the wannabes, Atlantis, Paradise Island has a comprehensive fitness area and one of the signature Mandara Spa facilities. Regardless of a guest’s fitness level, the Fitness Center offers a comprehensive schedule of daily classes that include aerobics, body sculpting, Yoga, Pilates, and kickboxing, all led by highly skilled staff. The Fitness Center also has certified fitness trainers available to either assess current fitness routines, or assist in developing routines that will net realistic results for the guest. I spent some time at the Fitness Center, and although I realized after my feeble workout attempt (which included some grueling routines that were guided by my “much younger” CFT) that I’d neglected these “duties” for too long; still, I left encouraged and motivated (despite knowing I’d be really sore the next day!).

© SPA MANAGEMENT JOURNAL - AUGUST 2005

Previous page Next page