| LaSOURCE, The Amazing Holiday™ on the Caribbean Island of Grenada, Eastern West Indies |
Let's get right to it. What are spa treatments like at an all-inclusive resort that includes spa treatments? Not bad. Not bad at all! LaSource is the first all-inclusive resort I've visited offering this service. To be honest, I've only stayed at one all-inclusive resort before this and that was eight years ago. Except for unlimited food and drinks, the experiences were worlds apart. Either all-inclusive resorts have vastly changed in the past eight years or LaSource (and its sister resort, LeSport on St. Lucia) is unique among all-inclusive resorts. I tend to think it's the latter.
At LaSource, there are two very important pieces of paper to keep handy: 1) A schedule of spa treatments and 2) A booklet containing the Weekly Activities Schedule. I never left my room without them. In fact, I was rarely in my room.
SPATIP1: If you have a class of room that allows you to be on a top floor, by all means request a top-floor room when you check in. LaSource be happy to give you one if a room is available. The top-floor rooms are the same size as those on lower floors, but they have a vaulted ceiling which adds greatly to their ambiance.
In order to get a schedule
of spa treatments, guests must visit The Oasis as soon as possible. If there's
time the day they check in, that would be best. If not, then be there at 9 a.m. the
following morning.
I did what most guests do, I was at The
Oasis at 9 a.m. the
morning after I checked in to establish my treatment schedule. I was only going
to be there for three days and was going on a tour
of Grenada on Friday but thought I would be back in time for a treatment late in the day. The
Oasis was able to schedule a facial for me on Friday at 5 p.m.. My treatment schedule looked like:
Thursday: 12:00 Aromatherapy Massage
Friday: 5:00 Facial
Saturday: 2:00 Reflexology
SPATIP2: Take the first opportunity you have to go to The Oasis to create your spa schedule. Guests may have one treatment per day. However, every guest gets one, so the available time slots in The Oasis fill up quickly.
SPATIP3: If you would like a second treatment in one day, ask The Oasis. If one is available, they'll schedule it.
SPATIP4: If you are traveling with a spouse, and that spouse does not want their spa treatment for the day, you can double up. Just make arrangements with The Oasis.
The Oasis Spa Treatment Menu is short but covers the basics and almost everything is available in the all-inclusive rate:
Massage
Aromatherapy Massage: 50 minutes - A full-body massage using pre-blended aromatherapy oils and a special technique to alleviate stress and eliminate toxins and soothe muscles.
Couples Massage (instructional): 50 minutes - This massage is a lesson to bring about a physical and emotional closeness between the two partners and teach you how to bring about a feeling of relaxation and well-being in your partner helping to soothe away everyday stress and strains and leave a body feeling pampered.
Swedish Massage: 25 minutes - This massage brings about a physical and emotional feeling of relaxation and well-being, de-stressing tired, aching joints and muscle tissues, soothing away everyday stress and strains and leaving a body feeling pampered and rejuvenated.
Reflexology: 25 minutes - This holistic healing technique is a gentle art and fascinating science. This extremely effective form of therapeutic foot massage has carried an impressive niche in the field of complementary medicine. The reflexologist does not heal. Only the body heals, but reflexology helps to balance all the body systems stimulating any under-active area and calming any overactive areas.
Foot Massage: 20 minutes - The feet are the most neglected and abused part of the body, and this massage, which works on heavily stresses and tired muscles and joints, relaxes and eases tension in the feet, tendons and calves.
Body Treatments
Salt & Oil Loofah Rub: 20 minutes - Loofah rub is an exfoliating body treatment which combines the use of sea salt in a suspension of massage oil. The mixture is massaged on the body with a loofah mitten leaving the skin soft and smooth and the body invigorated.
Seaweed Wrap: 40 minutes - Seaweed wrap is a self-heating seaweed body mask treatment that is used in deep tissue detoxification. To derive maximum benefit from the seaweed the client is placed under a blanket to open pores and aid absorption of essential nutrients. The seaweed is then showered away, leaving the skin refreshingly clean.
Facials
Facial: 50 minutes - The facial is essential for healthy, youthful-looking, beautiful skin and leaves the skin feeling clean, refreshed, radiant and rejuvenated. It also soothes and relaxes the whole person, helping to ease tension and engender a sense of well-being.
Hair, Hands & Feet
Hair Treatment: 25 minutes
Manicure: (50 minutes, extra charge)
Pedicures: (50 minutes, extra charge)
SPATIP5:
Not all spa treatments at LaSource are created equally. Some are only 20 minutes
and some are 50 minutes. I recommend scheduling the following during your visit:
- one Salt & Oil Loofah Rub (20 minutes) to prepare
your skin for a great tan,
- one Facial (50 minutes),
- if you are a couple, at least one (and more if you
like) Couples Massage (50 minutes) and,
- if you like massage, as
many Aromatherapy Massages (50 minutes) as you can get (Swedish are good
but only 25 minutes!).
The Oasis is located next to the retail shop.
SPATIP6: A retail store is available for items you may have forgotten to pack. As expected, prices were on the high side. An extra 5% is added to charge items to your room or a credit card. The best advice is to make a list, check it twice, and don't forget anything. However, if you do, be grateful that the item is readily available at the resort and don't worry about the price.
Some treatment rooms are in The Oasis (#1 for the seaweed wrap, #2 and #3 for salt loofah, and #4-#10 general treatment rooms). Seven additional "M" treatment rooms are located under The Great House dining room. The treatment rooms are basic but comfortable.
The Oasis gives you a health form to complete before your first spa treatment. A nurse is available if there is a question whether a treatment is appropriate for any health concerns you may have.
My spa treatments were good:
Aromatherapy Massage - I had this treatment in the upper floor of The Oasis. My therapist, Kathy Ann, explained that Aromatherapy is the use of organic essences of the aromatic plants for healing and the maintenance of vitality. The Aromatherapy massage differs from the Swedish massage in that it works on the lymphatic system where the Swedish works on the muscular system. Several oils are used in combination to promote healing on different levels - physical, mental and emotional. Kathy Ann asked me to choose which oil blend I preferred based on the description on a chart on the wall. I chose the Energy Blend (cold-pressed oils of almond, pecan, apricot kernel, sesame, wheat germ, vitamin E, jojoba oil and essential oils of bergamot, rosemary, and peppermint). A nice improvement would be to have the different oil blends available for the clients to smell before choosing. Kathy Ann told me benefits of the Aromatherapy Massage include deep relaxation, improved circulation, assistance in the elimination of toxins, release of long-term emotional tension, and relief in stress-related complaints. The massage was very nice and used a lot of shiatsu/acupressure techniques. Lymphatic drainage massages I have had in the past were very light. The 50 minutes was over before I knew it, and I walked away feeling very relaxed.
SPATIP7: If you are unable to schedule a treatment that you want or have to cancel one, ask spa personnel to call you if they get a cancellation. I foolishly missed my first treatment (my mistake), and the spa was able to fit me in the same day at 5 p.m. thanks to a cancellation.
Facial - I met Glason, a male therapist, in front of one of the "M" rooms. Glason told me the facial would leave my skin feeling clean, refreshed, radiant, and rejuvenated by aiding in the absorption of essential nutrients and minerals the skin needs, helping eliminate impurities in the skin, and smoothing the skin's texture. Finally, the facial should soothe and relax my whole body by easing tension in the neck and shoulders with massage and give me a sense of well-being. The facial used Phytomer products and followed the typical regimen of cleansing, exfoliating, masks and moisturizers. What was atypical was Glason's technique which was vigorous and what I have since decided to call a 50-minute aerobic facial. The results turned out great, though!
Reflexology - My last treatment at LaSource was Reflexology with Listra in another "M" room. It started, oddly enough, with Listra asking me to sit on a stool, wash my own feet and then make sure they were completely dry. That done, I got on the treatment table and Listra applied powder to my feet and commenced the foot Reflexology session. She told me that Reflexology works by stimulating the body's own healing mechanisms, by stimulating and rebalancing the body's subtle energy field. It promotes deep relaxation that enables all systems to work effectively. The body is mapped out on the feet and applying pressure on points of feet or hands affects areas elsewhere in the body. Reflexology releases energy blockages and breaks up deposits of uric acid and calcium. The application of powder was a nice touch. I had never had a reflexology session using it before. The overall result was that my feet felt great. However, I think the treatment would be vastly improved by having the therapists wash the feet instead of the client.
Now for the second important piece of paper...the Weekly Activities Schedule. What I chose to do each day revolved around my spa treatments. There are, of course, lots of things to do that you don't need the activity schedule for: enjoy the beach and pool or play tennis or a round of golf (also included in the all-inclusive price!). The activities in which I was most interested took place in the mornings in either the Sports Pavilion or the Relaxation Pavilion which are both located away from the hubbub of the main resort. The activities included: Stretch Class, Tai Chi, Meditation, Abs/Thighs/Butts Workout, Yoga, Circuit Training, Stress Release, and Aqua Aerobics. They overlapped, so I had to make hard choices. The first day, I did Aqua Aerobics (and had to miss Stress Release and missed my first spa treatment!!). Another day, I did Stretch (and had to miss Tai Chi). Master Classes are available through November 17, 2002 (similar to last year). 25 highly skilled professionals teach Master Classes in various physical and mental health and fitness disciplines. These Master Classes are also covered by the resort's daily rate. Tai Chi was the Master Class available during my visit.
Afternoons on the Weekly Activity Schedule were filled with water-oriented things like water skiing, wind surfing, aqua fin, and water volleyball. The nice thing is that most activities are appropriate for all levels of experience. Instruction is available if needed. If an activity requires you to have a certain level of experience to participate (such as Scuba), the schedule lets you know. These activities are fun for couples (there were many honeymooners during my visit) but also for singles. The activities provide a great way to meet new friends.
How about the food? The open-air Terrace Restaurant and Bar is the hub of resort activity. Buffet Lunch and Tea are served there daily in addition to two themed dinners each week - Barbecue and Caribbean Nights. Hot and iced coffee and tea are available here 24 hours. The Terrace Bar opens onto the pool area and offers alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The open-air Great House dining room is located above the "M" spa treatment rooms. This is where the breakfast buffet is located daily and dinner is served five nights per week. The food is very good and healthy options are available. However, it takes a lot of skill and willpower to only put those "good" things on your plate as you walk along the bountiful buffet tables. It also takes a great deal of control to limit those cool, delicious (and calorie-laden) tropical drinks.
SPATIP8: A bulletin board posting daily activities is located in the Terrace Restaurant. You should check it before you retire in the evening for last minute additions or changes for the following day.
The bottom line is that, while not a destination spa, you can create a customized spa-oriented vacation if you want to. All the ingredients are there. It's up to you to manage your own schedule and diet.
| Related Books |
|
|
|
| Music in Oasis Spa |
Photos copyright 2002, Julie
Register
Licensed to About.com
unless marked * which are courtesy of
LaSource
Let Your Voice Be Heard! Vote in the Spa Site Polls
Share your spa experiences in Grenada on the Spa Site Forum in the "Share Your Spa Experience" folder.
Please help support this site by clicking the ads that appear here.
Like this article? Want to read more? Check out the Previous Features
