Boston’s Giuliano Spa

Contact Information Giuliano Day Spa Address:  337 Newbury Street, between Hereford Street and Massachusetts Avenue Boston, MA 02115 Phone:  (617)262-2220 Web Site:  www.giulianodayspa.com More Boston Spas • Royal Sonesta Hotel Boston (Cambridge) • Day Spas in Massachusetts • Resort, Destination and Hotel Spas in Massachusetts Other Articles by Naomi Serviss • New York Spas:The Greenhouse Day Spa Midtown Oasis • New York Spas: Elizabeth Arden Red Door Salon and Spa • The Spa at the Disney Institute • Greenhouse Spa at Portofino Bay Hotel Universal Studios • Spa Treatment: reprinted with permission from WE Magazine, the lifestyle magazine for people with disabilities, their families and friends • Montreal Spa Dreams

For the uninitiated, Boston is the perfect city to explore for so many reasons. Its history, its architecture, its waterfront location—all wonderful draws. And in the midst of its current rebirth is a proliferation of day spas for every conceivable taste. If you wander through the trendy Back Bay via Newbury Street, you’d be wise to consider a treatment or two in the Giuliano Day Spa.

Housed in a narrow building along this arts avenue, the spa is in the lower level of the multi-floor site. Head downstairs and you’re immediately cocooned away from the madding touristy crowds of Newbury Street. The elevator opens onto a smallish lobby, where you’re greeted by delightfully friendly personnel before being led into the tiny locker room. One design flaw: the locker room door is right in front of the lockers, so be careful when disrobing.

The treatment rooms are lovely, clean and softly inviting. And the menu boasts the usual assortment of massage therapies, body treatments and facials found at most locales. But if you go it should be for one of two outrageously unusual offerings: the Rasul Experience (50 min) or the Soft Pack treatment (50 min).

What is the Rasul Experience? Good question. For one, it takes place in a specially designed room that bespeaks ancient bathing rituals of rich and famous royalty. Enter an exquisitely designed tiled chamber, assembled by master Hungarian craftsmen and composed of handmade Hungarian tiles with 24-carat gold trim. The chamber contains heated thrones, a heated floor and a fiber optic dome ceiling replicating a starlit night sky.

The tiles are gorgeous; hues of turquoise, blue and purple throughout. In one corner sits the minaret-like tower which diffuses aromatherapy steam during the treatment. The room is designed for one or two and you are seated on a “throne,” a sturdy plastic chair molded ergonomically correctly and heated for your comfort. When the lights are dimmed, the chamber’s fiber optic ceiling recalls a starry night sky and new age-y music wafts through the room.

Now, on to the treatment: a variety of mud concoctions are applied, either by a technician or your partner. The low humidity of the chamber helps the mud dry quickly and supposedly does wonders for the skin and circulation. The ceramic stove heats herbs and infuses them throughout the room with steam. Then the mud liquefies and you can gently massage (or have your partner massage away) the remnants. Then if that wasn’t enough, a delicate rain shower washes away the rest of the mud and you’re good to go.

Another unusual treatment is the Soft Pack, which I elected to try out. The treatment room is beautiful—subdued soft hues of tan and brown, sheer panels hang across the ceiling and an ersatz brick wall gives it an old-world feel. You’re first gently exfoliated then rinse off in an immaculate shower with 9 aptly placed showerheads. Then you lie down on a heated table atop a stainless steel tub, on top of which is placed a padded cushion and a soft cloth. You’re massaged gently with a variety of crème and oils (I choose almond) and covered up with another soft fabric, and wrapped up. Then you experience “passive immersion,” in which the table top is lowered hydraulically up to your neck, into 50 gallons of warm water. Keep in mind that you do not get wet, and can gently move around—it’s like being inside a water bed.

It’s a strangely pleasant experience, warm and cozy and you can stay there from 20 to 45 minutes, depending on your comfort level. I experienced a soft reverie….for about 15 minutes. Then I got a little antsy and when the therapist returned I decided that was enough for me. The goal is a complete relaxation of the muscular system and joints.

If I had more time I would have tried the “Fountain of Youth Facial,” because how can you resist such a claim?

Other facts

There are about 20 treatment rooms (some are used for multiple purposes), an assortment of massage treatments including maternity massage; relaxation therapies, including an “Alpha Sauna Capsule,” consisting of a vibrating massage bed, body treatments; facials; fitness training, salon services and a spa cuisine cooking class. Spa menu is also available. 

Giuliano Day Spa was named the “Best Day Spa” in Boston Magazine in 2001 and “One of the Top Salons in the USA” Salon today Magazine.

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