The Lodge At Woodloch

When the stresses of everyday life feel even more burdensome than usual and routine seems more rut, you know it's time to take a vacation. Massages, facials, poolside lounging, perhaps a spa getaway is in order.

Ever relaxing and rejuvenating, spa's are certainly enjoyable, however once the vacation is over then it's back to the grind. Wouldn't it be lovely to carry that new state of calm and presence with you weeks, months, even years after the vacation ends? This is the idea behind a getaway at The Lodge at Woodloch, a luxury destination spa located on a private lake in Northeast Pennsylvania, about two hours from New York City.

Founded by John and Ginny Lopis after 20 years in the luxury spa industry, The Lodge at Woodloch approaches the spa experience not only as a getaway but as an "awakening." The Lodge's "awakening" philosophy is meant to breathe new life into day-to-day living once you have returned home. Along with an extensive spa menu, including the "Awakening the Senses" facial and body treatment, activities such as kayaking and breathtaking scenery, The Lodge offers programs focused on uniting body and mind for overall quality of life improvement. With workshops entitled "Breathe and Change Your Life," "Awakening Your Life's Purpose" and "Inside Your Family's Communication," you will leave The Lodge at Woodloch with much more than relaxed muscles and soft skin.

Don't be fooled by The Lodge's goal to improve your quality of life, they want to pamper you as well. Guests are made to feel special by being matched with a personal spa concierge upon arrival in order to customize treatments and activities. Floor to ceiling windows allow guests to be surrounded by nature at all times, covered porches complete with rocking chairs and sunny terraces are perfect for an afternoon nap, making The Lodge a truly relaxing oasis.

he "awakening" the senses philosophy is applied to just about every aspect of The Lodge and does not stop at the food. Tree, their signature restaurant offers five-star cuisine and unlike most of its spa-dining counterparts, they omit calorie and fat count in place of nutritious and delicious ingredients. The menu, based around locally grown vegetables, naturally-raised meat and fish and organic ingredients, changes seasonally. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in your spa package and The Lodge wants guests to be able to take their dining experience home with them by offering cooking and nutrition demonstrations.

Having received several esteemed industry awards, including Travel and Leisure's "Top 15 Spa Destinations" and Forbe's "10 Most Luxurious Spas in the US," The Lodge at Woodloch offers guests a relaxing, educational and awakening experience.

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Aquae Sulis Spa

Aquae Sulis Spa at JW Marriott has new signature treatments for 2008. This local fave is a perfect place to unwind after a night of dancing, concert going or a day of shopping. The JW is just 20 minutes northwest of The Strip and just off the 215 and Summerlin Parkway so you can circumvent city traffic when you're coming in from St. George.

Settle in for the Sampler Massage at Aquae Sulis a customized deep tissue, Swedish, desert stone, reflexology, scalp, foot and/or aromatherapy. You won't be the same, and your body will thank you. The 50-80 minute treatment runs $145-$185 respectively.

Or, perfect for these waning winter months, perk up with a Watsu massage in a private outdoor covered pool heated to 98 degrees. This really opens the heart and quiets the mind to relieve pent up stress. The 60-minute treatment is $160.

There's much to do at Aquae Sulis so expect to spend a few hours near the pool, or inside at the waters in the Romanesque room, working out or taking a yoga or tai chi class.

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Eco-Spa at Loews Santa Monica

Eco-conscious fitness buffs can rejoice, Ocean Spa & Fitness, is now open at the luxurious Loews Santa Monica hotel.

Over 7,000 square feet of space are dedicated to embracing the nurture and nature.

According to Bill Doak, general manager of Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, "As we continue to invest in our hotel, we feel a strong sense of responsibility to help protect our planet. This project allows us to be environmentally responsible while still providing a luxury spa experience for our hotel guests, spa members and local residents."

The new spa is just one of the stages in the hotel's $7 million planned renovation. The remodel is set to include: a facelift on the exterior to provide an even more luxurious arrival for guests as well as new lobby and pool furniture, guestroom bathroom upgrades and meeting space enhancements.

The new renovations to the spa include green building materials, including the use of Ecoresin panels made from 40-percent post-industrial recycled resin, Armstrong sustainable ceiling tiles, reclaimed-wood furniture pieces, Mondo recycled rubber floors and Shaw carpet with Cradle to Cradle Certification.

New spa experiences also take on nature, including the "Aroma Synergy" massage and "Stream of Consciousness" scalp treatment incorporate certified organic essential oils by Red Flower, an eco-responsible company that uses sustainably harvested ingredients, biodegradable products and recycled packaging.

The Ocean Spa's four treatment rooms also offer other unique experiences, including: Moor mud wraps, buff body treatments, beauty flash facials and the signature "Beachcomber" massage. Each treatment utilizes elements of nature and many feature products from Pevonia Botanica, a member of the Organic Trade Association. Pevonia strives to maintain balance in the environment, and to do so they use paraben-free and chemical-free products, post-consumer recycled bottles and biodegradable packaging.

The new fitness center, which has been recognized as one of the nation's "best hotel fitness centers," has also been redone. New equipment includes a range of cardio equipment by Technogym, including six treadmills, seven elliptical machines, three exercise bikes, one rowing machine, one Excite top hand machine and two cardio waves - each equipped with an iPod docking station and personal television. Guests can also enjoy three interactive Expresso bikes, which invite competitive side-by-side racing experience. The spacious new fitness center also has a group fitness studio, which offers a variety of classes, including yoga, spinning, dance, mat Pilates and body sculpting.

Also included in the new Ocean Spa is a salon, offering spa manicures and pedicures and a full-service hair salon with cutting, coloring and styling services. Guests will also enjoy the expansive retail boutique in addition to comfortable men's and women's lounges with dry saunas and eucalyptus steam rooms, personalized fitness programs, nutritional coaching and educational seminars.

The hotel's location on the sand and surf of Santa Monica's beachfront makes time spent at Ocean Spa & Fitness an extraordinary experience.

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Adler Thermae Spa Resort Heats Things Up

What could be more amazing than a vacation to Tuscany, Italy? Visit beautiful Tuscan villas, dine on world-class cuisine, and marvel at one of the most stunning landscapes in the entire world. Now add a one-of-a-kind first-class spa and resort and what you have is the Adler Spa Resort. Located in the spectacular area of Siena, this ultra luxury resort offers some of the world's best spa and relaxation experiences. What truly makes this a must see travel destination is the world famous natural hot springs.

These amazing hot springs have been used for centuries to help ancient civilizations, such as the Romans and Etruscans, relax and replenish themselves. Now as part of this luxury resort the Adler Thermae Spa combines the magic of the healing hot springs with modern, state of the art facilities.

Adler Thermae Spa Resort offers several hot spring, sauna, and pool inspired treatments. Here, guests can enjoy indoor or outdoor thermal pools set at stress-melting 96.8 degrees, Etruscans salt baths, a fresh water sports pool, "Argillae" herbal steam rooms, multiple Jacuzzis, olive wood saunas, underground salt baths, a travertine grotto with steam bath, even a kids pool, as well as a two story relaxation area.

The Adler Thermae Spa Resort has available an in-house doctor that offers guests a natural medical approach and overall wellness to help achieve inner balance and relaxation. The Adler Thermae Spa also offers complete salon and beauty treatments, fitness and health accommodations that provide guests with the experience of hiking through the spectacular Tuscan scenery. The Adler Thermae Spa Resort is a complete luxury resort with its own unique style and charm.

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A Destination Spa at Enchantment

The spa at Mii Amo draws strongly on its surroundings in the Northern Arizona desert, providing patrons with the perfect way to relax and be pampered.

In Yuman, the traditional Native American language of Northern Arizona, Mii Amo translates to "One's path, or journey," a perfect name for a destination spa in the midst of enchanted ancient lands.

Surrounded by spiritual scenery, the spa at Mii Amo draws from the topography of the canyons and adobe buildings in the area to provide visitors with a luxury spa experience with an ancient twist, as the resort centers on the spa, which emphasizes inner peace and spiritual practices.

In the Crystal Grotto, staff and guest set their intention for the day as they contemplate earthly elements and also collect special oils used in the spa treatments. The physicality of the Crystal Grotto at the center of the spa represents Mii Amo's location, near the Native American "Garden of Eden."

Spa treatments at Mii Amo include a wide variety of spiritual elements, including the ancient Indian practice of Ayurvedic, baths, body treatments, massages, spiritual readings, other spiritual practices, facials and others. If you would like to experience one form of treatment especially in depth, you can spend "A Day at Mii Amo" focusing on one element in a variety of ways.

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A Day at Mii Amo can be spent having an introduction to Ayurveda, the Relax and Rejuvenate program, which is designed so that all your focus is on you, the Native Mii Amo program, which is based on the methods Native Americans use to cleanse and purify the skin, beginning with Blue Corn Polish, a Stone Massage and finishing with a Mii Amo Signature Facial. There are also other packages designed especially for men, a detoxification regimen, the Sedona Experience, a package for athletes as well as a couples treatment, with side-by-side wraps and massages.

Mii Amo is such a special experience that it is no wonder it was voted the #1 Destination Spa in the World by Travel + Leisure readers in 2007. The unique spa experience is surrounded by amazing architecture and natural wonders, designed to make each journey to the heart of Sedona a different personal experience for each guest.

Mii Amo emphasizes the spa experience as well as the Southwestern tradition and so each guest room is centered around a courtyard to mesh with the natural terrain. Guests can choose to stay in one of the Spa Casitas, which all come with fireplaces and a private courtyard or balcony, Spa Suites can be attached to the Spa Casitas, making it perfect for four or indulge in the extravagant 1500 square Mii amo Suite, with a private treatment room and whirlpool.

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Recharge at Remède Spa

The St. Regis Hotel is so exclusive and luxurious that it has its own brand of luxury spas in locations around the world, the Remède Spa.

Although spa treatments and massages vary by location in order to incorporate the specialties of the region, some things remain the same, like the attention to quality and the Signature Treatment.

The St. Regis Signature is a treatment available at all St. Regis spas. It is a treatment unique to that hotel, whether it is a facial, wrap or massage technique, it is sure to help you relax.

In addition to a huge menu of spa treatments like wraps, facials and massages, the Remède Spa also offers wax and nail services.

Part of what makes the Remède Spa so luxurious is that it features its own line of quality skincare products that are used in all spa locations around the world and are also available for purchase online. Created by French chemists in 1997, the products have a cult following of people who love the specially formulated skincare line. The blended creams are so powerful that they not only repair past skin damage, but also help prevent future damage by penetrating deep down into the skin to reveal a dewy complexion.

Beyond the spa treatments are the special touches Remède Spas around the world apply, like providing decadent chocolates and even champagne for guests to enjoy as they relax and experience their spa treatments.

Although the luxury indulgences are the same at all Remède Spas, specialty treatments vary by location in order to provide guests with a taste of local flavor.

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Exotic Destinations of the Guerlain Spa

While there are many spas to be found these days, the Guerlain Spa has something a little extra that makes a visiting these centers even more relaxing, replenishing, and rejuvenating than most. Each spa is located in a bona fide five-star hotel at some of world's most desirable locations of the world. The Guerlain Spas, which are renowned for their all-manual therapeutic applications and sensual aromatherapies, are in New York City, France, Italy, Hong Kong, and South Korea.

The Guerlain Spa and five-star hotels and resorts are a natural fit. Guerlain's pedigree in servicing an affluent clientele dates back to its inception as a Paris-based perfumery in 1828. The company has maintained a prominent presence in the glamorous fashion scene of Paris since setting up shop in 1840. For more than 180 years, its reputation in high society is a matter of record. Fragrances for royalty of France, England, and Spain were serviced in the mid-19th century under the tutelage of Pierre-Françoise Pascal Guerlain.

Today Guerlain Research works under the umbrella of LVMH, developing skin treatments that are exceptional in both application and therapeutic value. The patented Guerlain ambience may be imitated, but it is never replicated. A Guerlain spa treatment is an indulgence that is equally soothing physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Premier Destinations

Guerlain Spa's in the U.S. are located in NYC's Waldorf-Astoria and the Regent Bal Harbour in Bal Harbour, Fla. In Europe, the spas are at 68 Champs-Elysées in Paris, the Trianon Palace of Versailles, and the Carlton Hotel Baglioni in Milan. Locations in the Far East include the Residence Bel Air of Hong Kong, and two Hotel Shilla locations in South Korea on Jeju Island and Seoul, respectively.

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