Greenhouse Spa at Portofino Bay Hotel Universal Studios

A Spa Site Guest Article by Naomi Serviss, a freelance travel/entertainment writer.

More Information • The Greenhouse Spa (407)503-1244 • Portofino Bay Hotel • Spa Resorts in Florida • Day Spas in Florida Other Articles by Naomi Serviss • Boston’s Giuliano Spa • New York Spas: The Greenhouse Day Spa • New York Spas: Elizabeth Arden Red Door Salon and Spa • The Spa at the Disney Institute • Montreal Spa Dreams • Spa Treatment: reprinted with permission from WE Magazine, the lifestyle magazine for people with disabilities, their families and friends

If you’re theme park-hopping in Orlando and in the vicinity of Universal Studios, I highly recommend a visit to one of the most delightful spas I’ve yet encountered. It’s a branch of the well-known Greenhouse Spas, a member of the Steiner Spa Network, located on the premises of Portofino Bay Hotel. This ersatz Mediterranean oasis is a magnificent re-creation of a romantic harbor, replete with a piazza, little row boats docked on the man-made waterway and a stunning 750-room hotel.

I had the pleasure of visiting over the 2001 Christmas holidays and although attendance was down, as were many tourist attractions post September 11, people’s spirits were upbeat and friendly. The exterior of Portofino Bay Hotel (owned by the Loews chain) was designed to encourage strolling and frequenting the quaint cafes sprinkled on the hotel perimeter. Over the holidays, a towering pine tree festooned with ornaments and twinkling lights was the festive centerpiece of the plaza. And tucked away in a corner of the hotel you’ll find the spa, near two of the splendid swimming pools (one for families, one for adults). It’s truly a lovely destination spot—for both the hotel and the spa.

Like many spas nowadays, The Greenhouse is eager to encourage new visitors and offer deep discounts. As a result, spa packages are a real bargain here, especially if you want to make a day of it. The spa day of beauty (7 hours) consists of a nurturing face treatment, well being body massage, ultimate manicure and pedicure, hair treatment and make-over. Less time-consuming is the absolute spa ritual (3 hours 15 minutes,), which includes the Japanese Silk Booster facial, massage, balancing scalp treatment and spa manicure.

If you are able to experience the Well Being Massage, (60 min;) you will float, I mean walk, away with a serenity unparalleled. At least I did. According to the brochure, ten cultural touches (I didn’t know what that meant either) combined with the Welcome Touch creates a sensation of healing peace and tranquility. Your body is lightly brushed, then stroked with warmed massage oils. The sensation was like being basted for dinner, only by loving hands with no ill intent. I remember meditating peacefully, thoroughly enjoying the ethereal transport to la-la land. The only downside to this lovely treatment was the tiny chime that gently signaled the end of the session. Boy, did I whine!

The Japanese facial is a delightful experience of cool compresses consisting of silk protein and pure plant extracts. Most pleasant and soothing enough to lull you into a nap. If I had my druthers, I would have stayed at the spa all day (who wouldn’t?) and sampled everything for the benefit of you, dear reader.

If you want a more vigorous workout, you won’t be disappointed either. The immaculate, glass-enclosed gym includes sturdy treadmills, stationary bikes, free weights and those two outdoor swimming pools are within steps of the front door.

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