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The resort’s focal point, Relâche Spa
 For the gotta’ stay up late and have a rousing-good time, there’s plenty of other bars and grills to choose from; some offer live entertainment as a bonus, but if you tend to be an early-to-bed-early-riser and decide to leave your terrace doors open, you just may feel obligated to tap your toe to the wafting sounds of music while you try to go nighty-night. If golf is your game, regardless of your skill level, Gaylord Springs’ Links, is THE course to play. The course was designed by U.S. Open and PGA Champion Larry Nelson, and was built around federally protected wetlands and limestone bluffs (the course is also a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary).
Its accolades amongst the golf-in-the-know-types is impressive, including being voted by “Golf Digest” as one of the “Best Places to Play” (2004) and “75 Best Golf Resorts in North America (2004), and “Top 100 Golf Shops in the United States” by “Golf World Business Magazine”; it has also been awarded the “Gold Tee” award for excellence among outstanding golf/meeting properties (the Clubhouse). For the proverbial student, the course offers a superb learning environment, suitable for any level golfer at its highly acclaimed Golf Academy. Behind the wizardry of the course’s golf pros, the Academy offers the latest in technology in coaching and learning, by having the capability of taping and then playing back for the golfer, a visual “history” of the individual stance and swing; an objective analysis and coaching lesson ensues, and another taping is made; the “before and after version” of the session is then burned on a DVD for the “student” as a take-home learning tool; very effective and quite impressive (and I’m not a golfer!).
That said, for the resort guest in need of the ideal anecdote to being stressed-out, there’s the resort’s focal point, Relâche Spa. The multi-million dollar spa amenity is located in the resort’s Cascades tower, where waterfalls, pulsating fountains and lush greenery make for a spa-appropriate location. The spa’s architectural design stylishly blends European-traditional with minimalist-Asian (deep rich colored woods, and a muted natural color palette softened by indirect lighting). The spa’s ambient tenor is subdued, relaxing and calming. Treatment rooms are amply sized, making for a comfortable guest and spa staff experience. The co-ed/multi-function relaxation area is ideal for pre and après spa experiential contemplation and relaxation. Skilled and guest-motivated spa staff effortlessly accomplishes the guest transition from check-in, to locker room change, to holding area, to the relaxation area, to treatment room, etc. Everything at the spa interfaces seamlessly, translating to a favorable guest spa experience. Spa staff are very pleasant, helpful, informative, and not at all condescending.
Treatment Miscellany: Comprehensive and extensive menu of services, with signature treatments for facial, massage, and body; a full-service salon offers hair and nail guest services. While there, I thoroughly enjoyed the Soothing Stone Massage, and Royal Relâche Spa Pedicure. The Soothing Stone Massage is always a favorite of mine, because it incorporates the best of massage therapy and hot basalt stones. The radiant heat from the stones is always relaxing and cathartic for my stiff, achy muscles and arthritic joints; the stone’s weight also allows for the therapist to have a more pronounced stroking technique, enabling greater pressure on the areas needing the most work. The Royal Relâche Spa Pedicure was a real treat for my legs and peds. The combination of energizing manipulation of the calves and feet, plus a thorough exfoliation, application of restorative moisturization and meticulous grooming prepped me for a dazzling application of color. A few other recommended treatments, although not experienced, include several facial treatments like The Gaylord Glow, Organic Oxygen Facial and Aromatherapy Radiance Facial all three use the latest in esthetic technology to repair, restore and refine. Restorative body treatments, in addition to a variety of target massage therapies, include the Herbal Mud Therapy, Dilo Rescue Wrap, and the Detox Du Jour Body Wrap; these types of body treatment therapies work wonders in detoxifying, remineralizing and revving up sluggish circulation.
© SPA MANAGEMENT JOURNAL - JULY/AUGUST 2008
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