The pre-treatment query is one of the most thorough I’ve experienced in quite some time. Post-treatment, guests are escorted back into the waiting area to savor their out-of-body experience; you can always tell which guests have just had a spa treatment; they’re the ones with a rapturous-goofy-spa-zoned facial expression.

Before the resort’s spa amenity was drawn on paper, resort management made a conscious decision to only offer its guests the finest in skincare and body care; the product line had to be comprehensive, and include products that were allergen-free, eco-balanced and free from artificial colors and fragrances, which is why they selected the Pevonia Botanica brand (including its Spalasium and Medicalia brands) for all of its body and skincare treatments, and the Cosmopro brand for the equipment. The global presence of Pevonia and Cosmopro were additional deciding factors, as was the proximity of this industry leader to the resort (Pevonia and Cosmopro world headquarters are located in nearby Daytona Beach).

At nearly 10k s.f, the spa’s seven treatment rooms (where five of them connect to outside lanais, canopied for privacy) and three wet-rooms, guests enjoy the finest in treatment therapies, based on the latest technologies, administered by nineteen highly skilled and trained staff. The spa offers an extensive and comprehensive menu of restorative and rejuvenating treatments. The spa is open daily from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm.

The spa has separate men’s and women’s locker rooms, each equipped with their own steam and sauna rooms, although I think it would’ve been great for the locker rooms to also have their own whirlpools (as an aside, while I was in the locker room one day, I noticed a mom and her dripping-wet bathing-suited child traipsing around the area to use the toilet and shower facilities; apparently the locker room is a shared-facility for the indoor /outdoor pool area in addition to the spa, although I think these facilities should have their own locker rooms, so as not to disturb spa guests). After changing in the locker room and getting prepped for their treatment, guests are escorted by cordial spa staff to the tranquil waiting and relaxation area, which is a lovely focal point of the spa. Guests can relax in comfy over-stuffed chairs, munching on mouth-watering fresh fruit, or languidly sipping fruited water, herbal tea, or the new Spalasium Holistic Vital-I-Teas. In the waiting and relaxation area, there’s a huge plasma screen “showcasing” fishes swimming in the deep blue sea; guests, so inclined, can stare themselves into a relaxing stupor; although pleasantly hypnotic, I prefer the calming visuals of live fish “aimlessly” swimming about in a huge tank of water; oh well, at least the plasma screen doesn’t have to have its water changed frequently, or any of its occupants fed!

It never fails, you no sooner get involved with a tea and magazine, enjoying the wonderful surrounds, then out of no-where comes your friendly therapist, esthetician, or technician to escort you to a treatment room. Before the treatment begins, you’re queried about whether or not you’ve had the treatment before or any questions, asked about allergies, ailments or medical conditions, other treatment related “issues”, or preferences, etc.? The pre-treatment query is one of the most thorough I’ve experienced in quite some time. Post-treatment, guests are escorted back into the waiting area to savor their out-of-body experience; you can always tell which guests have just had a spa treatment; they’re the ones with a rapturous-goofy-spa-zoned facial expression. The spa robes were made of a chenille-like fabric, and were very cozy and had a wonderful “hand” (the spa slippers were nice and “squishy”, too!). The robes and slippers are the Chadsworth & Haig brand. Getting relaxed from such wonderfully delivered treatments, the body temperature is automatically lowered, and sometimes a slight chill sets in; there are plenty of warming, chenille throws in the beautiful waiting/relaxation area to take the edge off of any chill.

I was delighted to experience a few of the spa’s signature treatments. One was the hot-stone massage, and although I’ve had these before, I can honestly state that for the first time I finally understood the importance of letting the weight of the stone merge with me externally, to the point where I wasn’t even aware I had a weighted object on my face, forehead, or any other body parts; at first the weight of the stone was noticeable, but as I achieved total relaxation, it was only after the stones were removed, that the stone’s removal was I reminded me of its weight. I also enjoyed the added warmth radiating from the stones and added pressure, because my chronic back and leg pain dissipated. I also had never fully benefited from the manipulative and sensory aspect of a therapist’s long strokes along my spinal column, until this treatment; my therapist’s wonderful technique helped me feel as if my spinal fluid were traveling down my entire backside, down my legs and into my feet; the sensation from the rolling wave-like action was remarkable. From start to finish, my massage was exceptionally relaxing and restorative, and one of the better ones I’ve had in some time.

Another treatment was the signature facial. This one got a bit tricky, because after my esthetician queried me and thoroughly studied my skin, we opted not for this facial, because of issues with potential sensitivity to a restorative vitamin C serum. Instead, my skilled esthetician gave me a facial, using the Pevonia Botanica Sensitive Skin skincare products, including an intensive re-hydrating ampoule (Dry Skin line). My skin got the “works”, and the end results were immediately visible. Because the products were gentle and non-abrasive, I experienced no sever tingling, irritation, itching or watery eyes; the hydration was wonderful hydration and left no product residue; the added hand treatment, head, neck and shoulder massage completed this exceptional experience. I topped all of this off with the signature manicure and pedicure; the massage, exfoliation, heated mask application and dry oil moisturization really perked my digits up nicely; all nail work (including hair) is done in a separate area, so as to minimize any noxious odors meandering into the other treatment rooms.

© SPA MANAGEMENT JOURNAL - JUNE 2005

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