Day Spas:
An affordable luxury
in lean times
By Martha Steger
When times are lean, the trick is to re-evaluate priorities but find ways to feel really good. A friend recently shared that while she was cutting long-distance travel, she was indulging in day spas because of their rejuvenating effects on her daily life.
Despite my frugal-family-farm upbringing, I had to agree with her after experiencing the transformative results at two resort spas within an hour’s drive of Richmond. The exclusive offers for readers of Boomer Life (see bottom of article) grew out of those visits.
The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg, one of only nine spas in the United States in 2008 to make Conde Nast Traveler’s “Spas Hot List,” takes its inspiration from five centuries of wellness practices – beginning with the botanicals used in 17th-century North America. I chose its Beautiful Skin Refinement Facial ($135), which uses particle-free microdermabrasion to prepare the skin for penetration by a customized treatment.
While some facilities’ abrasion processes can leave the face so reddened that I wouldn’t want to meet anyone for lunch afterward, the Colonial Williamsburg process leaves a natural skin appearance with the bonus of an all-over invigoration.
The spa’s signature lavender-lemongrass-scented product line was undoubtedly part of the reason for this feeling. The other signature item, apple-mint tea, the complimentary beverage served cold in the summer and hot in the winter in the spa’s lounge areas, left me as refreshed internally as I felt externally.
At the Boar’s Head Spa, which offers more than 30 spa treatments, I chose the 2.5-hour Monticello Dreams experience ($210), combining a hydrotherapy bath, exfoliating scrub/wrap and massage. The common thread is the resort’s signature aromatherapy blend, made locally and carrying scents of lily of the valley, lavender and vanilla.
Spa visitors choose from among infusions at the time of booking, as the tub tea requires advance steeping. Goat’s milk, honey and herbs are used in the bubbling bath tea, which smells good enough to drink (but I opted for a paper cup of green tea from the spa’s lounge area). After the bath, the therapist applied the earthy herbal and honey-crystal mixture so soothingly during the scrub and wrap that I thought this was the massage – but that was yet to come, after the scrub’s hot-towel cleansing. The shea-butter-rich Monticello Dreams moisturizer went on in long, gliding strokes with rhythmic kneading that entirely relaxed my muscles.
On two different days, I had celebrated spring with a sense of new life, being at once relaxed and energized – and without breaking the bank.
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Martha Steger is a Richmond, Virginia - based freelance writer.
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Boomer Life exclusive spa offers
Good through June 30, 2009
The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg offers readers who mention seeing this offer in Boomer Life a complimentary Signature Lavender Lemongrass lotion for each guest on the package (retail value $20 each) upon booking a day-spa package for two ($279), which includes a Williamsburg classic massage (60 min.) and colonial manicure for two. (Single guests or groups of three, five, seven, etc., receive the same package for each at half the price of the package for two.) Call 1-800-688-6479 or 757-220-7720. Reservations required. The Spa is at 307 S. England St., Williamsburg. www.colonialwilliamsburgresort.com/spa.
The Boar’s Head Spa offers Boomer Life readers a complimentary boxed lunch after the 2.5-hour Monticello Dreams experience ($210). Call 1-800-476-1988, and mention Boomer Life to book. Boar’s Head also offers an exclusive Boomer Life overnight package priced from $250, double occupancy, based on availability and including lodging, breakfast in the Old Mill Room and a welcome gift (all taxes and resort fees included). The resort is at 200 Ednam Drive, Charlottesville. www.boarsheadinn.com.
