| New York Spas: Lotions, Potions, Tonics & Teas at The Benjamin's Woodstock Spa & Wellness Center |
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Herbal
“cocktails” and an organic, two-hour facial are the “hot” new menu items
at the Woodstock Spa & Wellness Center, located in The Benjamin at 125 East
50th Street, at Lexington Avenue. The spa has a philosophy focusing
on the restoration of harmony and balance. Illustrating this philosophy
are two new menu items: mood-enhancing Gan Bei tonics from the
celebrity-frequented Elixir Bar in L.A. and Dr. Hauschka Skin Care treatments
and products. I tried the apricot flavored stress buster. Not only did it taste
good, but I think it worked. (It was a little hard to tell because I was so
relaxed by the marvelous massage I received)
One thing I
especially liked about this spa is that they schedule 75 minutes for their 60
minute treatments. That allows time for the therapist to unwind, or even spend a
little extra bonus time with her client.
To begin each
Woodstock Spa experience, guests unwind with a Gan Bei tonic or tea, made from
concentrated Chinese herbs, fruit extracts and tonic water, while they enjoy a
sage or lavender footbath. The specialty drink is intended to calm and
balance each guest, preparing them for their spa treatment. A team of
herbal experts worked together to create such Elixir Gan Bei drinks as “Kava
Pacifica,” a classic serenity tonic for relaxation and calmness;
“Virtual Buddha,” a formula for balance and creativity; and “Yin From the
Cold,” an immune system enhancer to clear away cold and flu symptoms.
The tonics’ effects range from providing energy, balance and replenishment to
mental clarity, anxiety relief and sexual strength and desire.
Since I am
newly single, I decided it best not to try the sexual strength tonic. I need
mental clarity and anxiety relief more. But I would like to try it in the
future.
Complementing
the Gan Bei tonics’ all-natural enhancers, the spa introduces Dr. Hauschka
treatments, offering a comforting and nurturing alternative to traditional
European skin care therapies. The treatments, using Dr. Hauschka’s Skin Care
line, are designed to support and encourage the skin’s natural conditioning
and healing process in a holistic way. Dr. Hauschka takes an organic
approach to supporting the health and well-being of the entire human body.
Treatments incorporate gentle stretching, warm compresses of aromatic lavender,
spruce, lemon or sage, and color therapy. A unique massage with mink
brushes stimulates the lymphatic system and treatments conclude with a botanical
healing mask. All Woodstock Spa therapists have been Dr. Hauschka-certified,
offering a one-and-a-half and two-hour facial, which includes a warm sage
footbath and massage with Dr. Hauschka leg and foot products.
Dr. Hauschka
has been in existence since 1967 and has gained an impressive celebrity
following, including Julia Roberts, Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow, Cameron Diaz and
Jack Nicholson, and now me.
“We dedicate
our time to personalizing each guest’s experience to provide healing and
relaxation to their mind, body, and soul,” says Spa Director Kelley Wohlfarth.
“Dr. Hauschka Skin Care embraces this philosophy through its holistic way of
treating the skin as the living, breathing organ that it is and allowing us to
tailor the treatment to meet the needs of the customer. Our new Elixir Gan
Bei drinks help prepare each guest mentally for their treatment.”
Along with the
Dr. Hauschka treatments, the 3,000 square-foot Woodstock Spa & Wellness
Center offers numerous other skin care treatments, body massages, body rituals
and spirit enhancers. The spa’s facilities include steam rooms in its
locker rooms, a Vichy Shower wet room, three multi-purpose body and skin care
treatment rooms and a foot soak area. It also features a 24-hour fitness
center with personal training sessions, yoga instruction and equipment for
strength training and cardiovascular workouts.
The Gan Bei
tonics were created by the owners of ELIXIR, TONICS & TEAS, a popular Los
Angeles Tonics & Tea Bar, to bring the benefits of herbal healthcare to a
more mainstream customer. The bar has become a “hot spot” among
celebrities, including Charlize Theron, Renee Zellweger, Beck, Matt Damon,
Winona Ryder, Steve Martin, Christy Turlington, Seal, and Jodie Foster.
The Benjamin
has gone to extraordinary lengths to provide all the comforts and services to
make each guest’s experience uniquely memorable. The Woodstock Spa &
Wellness Center’s new focus on natural products and the general well being of
its guests complements The Benjamin’s basic philosophy: “Comfort and genuine
hospitality are the true hallmarks of a hotel and that’s what we excel in
providing,” says General Manager John Moser. “The changes in the spa
complete The Benjamin Experience and place us among the best of New York’s
hotels.”
The Benjamin,
a Manhattan East Suite Hotel, is an intimate and sophisticated boutique-style
hotel that caters to and anticipates the needs of the modern business and
leisure traveler. Centrally located in midtown Manhattan, the luxury
Executive Suite Hotel features 209 spacious rooms, including 97 one-bedroom
suites and a deluxe two-bedroom suite as well as conference and catering
facilities that can accommodate 10 to 100 people. The Benjamin also offers
Chef Larry Forgione’s award-winning cuisine at the hotel’s An American Place
restaurant. An American Place offers breakfast, lunch and dinner at the
restaurant and 24-hour, in-room service.
The massage I
had was once of the most memorable ever –and my body has been rubbed all over
the world. From the moment Mary touched my body, I knew it would be a wonderful
massage. He hands glided over my body, pressings, kneading and touching, just
where I needed it. We barely spoke a word until she was done, but she was
certainly communicating with my body.
This massage definitely made my top ten. I would strongly recommend you ask for Mary, but a friend who had a treatment at the same time was equally enthusiastic about her therapist. Somehow I think there are only great choices at the Woodstock spa.
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