Spas

I'm just back from Bermuda, where the weather is a bit unpredictable this time of year (it is February, after all) but it's still a lot warmer than the Northeast, where most of Bermuda's visitors come from. The temperature was mostly in the 60s while I was there, sometimes gloriously sunny and warm, sometimes cloudy with a bit of rain, but always with the strange beauty unique to Bermuda.

Known for its pink sands (pinker in the summer, I'm told) and turquoise waters, Bermuda is sometimes confused with the Caribbean, but in fact it is much further north, all on its own in the Atlantic Ocean about 650 miles east of North Carolina. That's why it's such a quick trip from major cities on the East Coast. I was astounded when our captain announced a flight time of 1 hour and 34 minutes from Newark! (It took  two hours coming back.)

I had four fabulous nights at Elbow Beach, which first opened in 1908 and now consists of 98-rooms spread amongst small cottages near Bermuda's largest beach (that's it in the photo.) The Mandarin Oriental Spa there is currently undergoing a renovation, but they've set up temporarily in rooms by the swimming pool that have an astounding view of the ocean. Rosewood at Tucker's Point is the island's newest hotel, and its resort spa is the most luxurious on the island.

Bermuda held a few other surprises. An archipelago of 181 islands, islets and rocks, Bermuda sounds small at just 21 square miles. But that's still large enough for Read More...

Looking for a Valentine's Day gift? SpaFinder gift certificates (Buy Direct) are my favorite choice since they are accepted at more than 7,000 spas worldwide, including destination spas, resort spas and day spas.  Have more than two people you love?  Buy one gift certificate and save 20% on a second certificate of the same value (Code VDAY20) when you purchase by February 13, 2012.

You can package it in a gift box for $5, ship it for as little as $4.99, print it out via computer, or email it. One hundred to $150 is the typical amount to give, as it makes sure a full spa treatment is covered. Find out more about spa gift certificates.

LED light therapy is one of my favorite forms of skin rejuvenation because it's a painless, relatively inexpensive skin-care treatment that plumps up aging skin by boosting collagen production. 

First developed by NASA, LED works by sending energy-producing packets of light into the deeper layers of the skin. Red light LED stimulates the fibroblasts that produce collagen. Blue light LED treats acne by killing the bacteria that causes inflammation.

Professional LED treatments are given at select day spas, usually those with a serious focus on skin care. It can be a stand-alone treatment or part of a facial and usually cost somewhere between $75 to $125 a treatment. The results won't be as dramatic as plastic surgery, but it's a gentler, less expensive way to go.

I'm a big fan of LED, the source of soothing, painless treatments that plump up aging skin by boosting collagen production. When given in a series and then maintained, LED improves skin tone, minimizes fine lines and pores, and reduces redness.  LED can also improve cases of mild to moderate acne.  Treatments are usually given by an esthetician and can cost anywhere from $75 to $125 a treatment. It adds up.

So I was excited to find out that there's an affordable home LED machine for $350 that can be used to relieve pain and boost collagen. Here's what happened when I gave it a try.

Valentine's Day is coming up soon and there are plenty of hotels and spas out there with special spa deals for the month of February, 2012.  Here are a few I found:

• Known for its pink sand beaches and turquoise waters, Bermuda is hosting an island-wide "Feel the Love Month," with free activities for couples like a love cruise, champagne and strawberries museum reception, salsa dancing nights and a love tales walking tour. You can also get a free night at spa hotels, including Elbow Beach and the Cambridge Beaches Resort and Spa. The special events go from Jan. 16 - March 3, 2012. (Remember, this is well north of the Caribbean so it will be a little chillier.)
• The London West Hollywood in Los Angeles has the "From London with Love" package that includes a well appointed suite, a welcome amenity of sparkling wine and Gordon Ramsay chocolates, two one-hour spa treatments at the Carasoin Spa, breakfast at the Boxwood Cafe Breakfast Table, overnight parking for one vehicle, and 2 pm late checkout. Rates start from $499 night.
• The Setai Fifth Avenue in New York City is offering a "Weekend to Remember" experience throughout February, 2012. The experience includes overnight accommodations, a twilight trip to the top of the Empire State Building ( just steps away from the hotel), Taittinger Champagne and Read More...

Hate to exercise? Love to dance? Golden Door, one of America's best destination spas in the country, is planning a special Dance Week hosted by Karina Smirnoff, reigning champion for "Dancing with the Stars." Karina will teach her exclusive DanceFIT program and dance moves, designed for all fitness levels, Feb. 8-10, 2012 at the spa. Private sessions with Karina will be offered for an extra fee.

"I have been a fan of Golden Door for years and I couldn't be more excited to do my DanceFIT program here," says Karina. "We're going to dance, get in shape and have a ton of fun!" She will also talk about her personal journey and be available for photos during an evening presentation. Other classes will be offered during Dance Week by Golden Door's talented staff. Dance can be a powerful form of self-expression, and as exercise, it provides a a complete aerobic workout, improving endurance, balance, strength, flexibility and core stability.

The original Golden Door Spa, founded by Deborah Szekely in 1958, is set in the secluded rolling hills of Northern San Diego. It's known for customized fitness and wellness programs, 20 miles of private hiking trails, Japanese-inspired architecture and Read More...

I was intrigued by the claim that the new Quartz Crystal Spa at the Trump International Hotel & Tower Toronto is inspired by "Old World European quartz baths." I have never heard of them, so I asked spa director Daphne Swenerton for more information.

She says that in 19th century Russia, quartz crystal baths were very popular. This included baths literally made from quartz crystal (sounds expensive), and baths where quartz was suspended in the water. "It creates electricity in the water," she says. "You can almost see the sparks." The hotel and spa is owned by a Russian couple, and Inna Levitan looked to her Russian heritage as inspiration for the spa. "She told me our name was Quartz Crystal Spa and I went with it."

In metaphysical traditions, crystals are considered to have healing properties. Clear quartz, the most common type of crystal, is believed to naturally harmonize both our physical and energetic bodies. Not only is the front desk made of clear quartz (with amethyst chandeliers hanging above), but it's found in Read More...

Qua Baths & Spa at Caesars Palace, one of the best spas in Las Vegas, is now one of the few hotel spas in the country to offer Aura-Soma, a form of color therapy and energy work that helps you gain insight into your life.

Aura-Soma can only be performed by highly trained practitioners, and the bottles must be displayed properly so their brilliant colors stand out. Each of the 109 beautiful Equilibrium bottles filled with colors, aromas, crystals and light has its own name and meaning. You select four bottles from the vast display of bottles. After you make your choice, the practitioner explains the meaning of each bottle and how it applies to your life, including personality, gifts and talents, present state and potential.

You then choose one bottle to use throughout the hands-on portion of the treatment, and take home with you. The full 135-minute Aura-Soma Synergy treatment includes an hour-long consultation followed by Read More...

Trump International Hotel & Tower Toronto, a new luxury hotel featuring Quartz Crystal Spa, is set to open January 31st, 2012.  From the artist's renderings, it looks like the 15,000 square-foot bi-level sanctuary will be gorgeous. The spa is said to be "inspired by old world European quartz baths", which I've never heard of in all my reading about historic spa treatments.  Anyone else?

The spa menu lists a Harmonizing Thermal Crystal Massage (not sure what that means yet) and a Crystal Mosaic Pedicure (I'm guessing crystals in the pedicure bowl), but the real story is all the practical medi-spa style treatments available, including IPL for hair removal and skin rejuvenation, and radio frequency to treat cellulite and stretch marks.  This is unusual for a hotel spa, and shows Quartz Crystal Spa is hoping to attract locals since these services work best in series.

Located is on the 31st floor of the 65-story hotel, the spa has 10 treatment rooms and two couples suites. A personal spa concierge can help you design a personalized program of treatments and activities. Amenities include Read More...

This may sound surprising, but I thought I wasn't going to like Jamaican spas. I had heard too many stereotypes about the island that didn't reflect the complex reality of it.

But I was surprised by what I found -- a collection of unique properties and spas with caring therapists, a commitment to excellence, and completely different personalities.  One of my favorites was Round Hill Spa.

Though casually elegant, Round Hill is low-key and so close to the ocean that you can hear the waves lapping as you lie in bed. Wouldn't that be nice about now? I think one of my New Year's resolutions will be to go back to Jamaica. I guess that's why they say, "Once you go...you know." Happy New Year's, everyone!