The Spa-ification of America

It’s official. America’s paper of record, The New York Times, has just run a major travel story called “The Spa-ification of America.” It says, “Like the pool in the 60's and the fitness center in the 90's, the spa has become the must-have for today's hotels, whether in a city center or rolling countryside. Starwood, which recently purchased the campy-chic Bliss Spas, is creating entire spa floors in six of its W Hotels from New York to Seoul, which will include spa suites in which guests can control... the humidity, light and aromatherapy. Hyatt is building six spas, including one in spa-saturated Scottsdale, Ariz. And Wyndham, which owns the Golden Door spa, is extending the brand to four of its hotels by the end of 2006.” If you are already a registered user of The New York Times web site, you can read the whole story in the Travel Section . Or you can register first by going to www.nytimes.com.