Canyon Ranch In The Berkshires Health Resort in Lenox, Massachusetts - Preparing for the Visit

Julie Register, Your Guide to Spas, visited this destination spa in November 2002

As I crossed from New York to Massachusetts on I-90 East, the dusting of snow became a solid white blanket.

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Now the first of December was covered with snow
And so was the turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston
Lord, the Berkshires seemed dream-like on account of that frosting
With ten miles behind me and ten thousand more to go...

James Taylor's Sweet Baby James kept playing over and over in my mind. It was the weekend before Thanksgiving, and I was on my way to Canyon Ranch In The Berkshires. Fortunately, Massachusetts does a great job of clearing the roads, so driving was no problem. I took Exit 2, passed the Prime Outlets and followed US 20 West through the charming village of Lee towards Lenox. A short while later, I arrived at Canyon Ranch. What follows is a diary of my experience at "The Ranch."

Preparation

One Month and Counting: I made reservations at Canyon Ranch In the Berkshires a few weeks ago. In my stack of mail today is a brochure and other literature from Canyon Ranch. The other literature includes a sample schedule, the menu of services (a detailed description of the Health & Healing and Spa & Sports offerings) and a Health & Lifestyle Questionnaire. As part of my three-night package, I have $105 credit to be used on Health & Healing services and $190 to be used on Spa & Sports services. The literature instructs me to call to make reservations for these services in advance to ensure that I will be able to get the services I want when I want. Being the efficient person that I (sometimes) am, I call right away. A very helpful person answers my questions and provides additional information. I feel good about my decisions. However, I have called too early. They cannot actually take my request until November 11. I fill out the Health & Lifestyle Questionnaire and put it in the mail.

Spatip1: Be sure to call in advance to book your services.

Two Weeks and Counting: I call back on November 11 and schedule Food Habit Management ($105) for my Health & Healing service and Euphoria ($230) for my Spa service. OK, I admit I am a little over budget and there are plenty of choices I can make for $190 or less (facials, pedicures, manicures, seaweed body bliss, massages, color therapy bath, grape seed scrub, neuromuscular therapy, polarity, reflexology, reiki, shiatsu, and much more). In fact, $190 is enough for two services, such as a 50-minute Canyon Ranch Massage and a Classic European Facial or two 50-minute massages. However, Euphoria is what I want. Euphoria is what I will get! (When I checked out, that $40 was the only extra charge I had. Everything else I did was included in the package.)

Spatip2: Gratuities are (thankfully) included in the package.

24 Hours and Counting: As usual, I over pack. All I really need is toothbrush, etc., workout clothes and casual clothes for three days, swimsuit, undies, pjs, socks, sneakers, hiking boots, jacket, and gloves. The brochure says the dress is casual, and it is. There is not one area of the resort that exercise attire is inappropriate, and it does not have to be the most stylish. (I wore climbing pants and T-shirts and did not feel out of place - even at dinner.) Since there is a complementary self-service laundry, I could have packed even less. Canyon Ranch provides a list of things to bring with you.

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Day 1 - Getting Oriented