SpaFinder Announces 2009 Readers’ Choice Winners

SpaFinder announced the winners of its 2009 Readers’ Choice Awards, revealing spa-goers’ favorite spas around the world. The 2009 awards were based on more than 360,000 votes submitted worldwide by SpaFinder.com visitors and readers of SpaFinder publications. Winners include:

SpaFinder Crystal Award Winners (Top spa on each of the six continents)

• Africa: Pezula Spa at Pezula Resort Hotel and Spa (Kynsa, South Africa)
• Asia: Kamalaya Koh Samui Wellness Sanctuary and Holistic Spa (Suratthani, Thailand)
• Australia: Spa Sanctuary at Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat (Queensland, Australia)
• Europe: The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Prague (Czech Republic)
• North America: Canyon Ranch Tucson (Arizona)
• South America: Kurotel Longevity Center and Spa (Gramado, Brazil)

For the Country/Region Winners for 2009 and more information on the awards, visit www.spafinder.com/spaguide/readerschoice/2009.jsp.

Hotel du Palais Encourages Golfers to Get into the Swing of Things with Pilates

The closest I’ve come to taking up golf was during one summer in college when I worked as the beer cart driver at a local course. In addition to great tips, as an employee I was allowed to play golf for free. Unfortunately, no matter how many pointers the pros gave me, I was too uncoordinated to even get the ball off the ground, and I quickly gave up. But, according to the therapists at Imperial Spa Guerlain at Hotel du Palais in the legendary golf destination Biarritz, France, a few Pilates sessions could have been just what I needed to improve my game. With this in mind, the spa offers visitors the Golf Pilates Program (starting at $585), which includes three Pilates sessions concentrating on the swing, the back, and postural stretching. In addition, guests will receive an osteopathy session, foot reflexology, and a physical evaluation. Players also get special discounts on green fees (there are 11 championship courses in the areas) and can choose to take a lesson. “We’ve created a very special program with coaching tailor-made for each guest by the professionals at our spa,” says Jean-Louis Leimbacher, general manager of Hotel du Palais. “This goes far beyond mere pro lessons by integrating Pilates practices helping golfers make adequate corrections to the body, resulting in a definite improvement in their swing.”

Hotel das Cataratas, Iguassu Falls Set to
Unveil New Spa

South America has always held a special place in my heart, as it’s where I first developed a taste for adventure travel. When I was invited to visit Brazil to check out the infamous Copacabana Palace in Rio and the Hotel das Cataratas, Iguassu Falls, I was overjoyed. I had never been to Brazil, and a visit to Iguassu Falls had long topped my life to-do list. This morning, I woke to a fabulous view of the falls from my room at Hotel das Cataratas, which is undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation. Orient-Express recently took over management of the two-story Portuguese Colonial-style hotel and is transforming it into a first-rate destination. Needless to say, from my perspective, one of the most exciting parts of the renovation is the addition of a new five-treatment room spa, which will be unveiled Dec. 15. It’ll serve as the perfect complement to the many activities guests have at their disposal. Just yesterday, I was able to fit in an early morning hike to the falls, a visit to a nearby bird park, a helicopter ride over the falls, and a quick trip across the border to see the falls in Argentina. Today, I’m hoping to be just as productive before catching a night flight back to the States. For more on the new spa as well as the Copacabana Palace Spa, stay tuned for an upcoming piece in a future issue of American Spa.

How Are You Preparing for the Upcoming
Holiday Season?

“For the holiday season, we are preparing with fun and simple spa treatments that deliver a sense of relaxation, such as our Festivity Massage. Warm spiced aromas of bergamot, pimento berry, tangerine, and rich vanilla create a banquet of festive revelry. Those looking to recline in peaceful tranquility can enjoy our Monticelli Warm Mud Wrap, which includes a sleep-well aromatherapy bath that will clear the mind and stimulate the senses.”—Zully Cardona, spa director, SPA InterContinental at the InterContinental Los Angeles, Century City

Cornelia Fifth Avenue Comes to Eau Spa

Palm Beach, FL, is getting a Big Apple infusion thanks to a new partnership between Eau Spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach and Cornelia Fifth Avenue, New York. As of Dec. 14, the two will unite to create Eau Spa by Cornelia. According to company officials, this combined team will continue to showcase the playful, social nature for which Eau Spa has become known, while drawing upon the famed efficacy and worldwide reputation of Cornelia Fifth Avenue’s treatments, product lines, and signature guest services.

“Eau Spa by Cornelia will continue to break the spa mold by going beyond the traditional spa experience,” says Simon Lewis, owner of The Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach and Eau Spa by Cornelia. “We are excited about this partnership, as Cornelia brings a new level of personalized guest service, unique and effective treatments and precision skin and body products to the boutique spa experience.”

For details on this new venture, be sure to pick up the January issue of American Spa.

Spain Set to Welcome its First Mandarin Oriental

Slated to open November 26, the Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona will be the brand’s first hotel in Southern Europe. The 96-room hotel is situated on the famed Passeig de Gracia, one of Barcelona’s toniest addresses, which is also a popular shopping and business area. Guests will be able to visit the 10,763-square-foot spa, which is set to feature eight treatment rooms, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a 39-foot indoor swimming pool. The modern, minimalist aesthetic of the hotel will be carried through to the sleek and stylish spa, which was designed by Spanish-born Patricia Urquiola. In addition to signature Mandarin therapies, such as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), this spa will also offer treatments inspired by its stunning locale. The Barcelona Spring services will incorporate sage, fresh mint, and olive oil, all ingredients that are native of the area. We look forward to learning more about this brand-new Spanish sanctuary!

Discovering A Jamaican Gem At The Ritz Rose Hall

If you visit the official website for Jamaica, you’ll see the slogan, “Once you go, you know.” Though I’ve been to most of the islands in the Caribbean, Jamaica was one that I had not, until last weekend, visited. But after a few days spent at The Ritz-Carlton Golf & Spa Resort, Rose Hall, Jamaica, I must admit that the slogan makes perfect sense. I had heard that Jamaica is known for its beautiful beaches. But after my visit, I realized that there is so much more to the story and wondered why I hadn’t visited sooner. First, the people of Jamaica are lovely. Everywhere I went, I was greeted with warm smiles and wonderful conversation. And nowhere was that more evident that at the Ritz-Carlton Spa, Rose Hall.

Although the decor was charming, with fresh native plants and flowers and local artwork from members of the Jamaican Art Guild, it was the spa team that really made an impact on me. My spa attendant, Lora, greeted me with a smile when I first arrived. When I came back for additional services, she gave me a hug, asked about my day, and had my perfectly sized robe and slippers waiting for me. My therapists were equally amazing. I was charmed by the fun personality and magical hands of Suzette, who performed my Drift to Sleep ($299, 120 minutes) signature service. My esthetician, Latoya, gave me all sorts of interesting information about the ingredients she used for my facial. Sophia, who gave me a fabulous manicure and pedicure, worked wonders with my tired hands and feet, as they both and been pretty battered from spending several days walking the aisles of IECSC Florida. I also shared fun—and informative—meals with spa supervisor Kaye, spa director Shelly-ann Myrie, public relations coordinator Michele Gray, and hotel manager Grant Noble. Needless to say, at the end of the trip, I felt like one of the family and was sad to leave this enticing tropical isle. For more on my visit, watch for an upcoming winter feature in American Spa, and you’ll soon learn how the Ritz makes it easy to come to Jamaica and feel alright.

Spas and Product Companies Unveil Their Latest News at Spa Magazine’s 13th Annual Fall Media Event

Recently, I had the opportunity to attend Spa magazine’s 13th annual Fall Media Event at New York City’s Mandarin Oriental. There, I ran into many of my fellow colleagues from various media outlets, such as Allure, Shape, Redbook, and Travel + Leisure. Like myself, they were there to find out the latest the spa industry has to offer. Here is just some of the news the featured spas and product companies had to share:

• G.M. Collin introduced Bio Organique “Distinguished Organic Skin Care,” a newly launched organic line.

• Mr. Steam introduced the first aromatherapy towel warmer.

• Pevonia Botanica announced that its new Power Repair Spa Vitamins will be available in early 2010.

• Yon-Ka Paris is launching a new treatment that involves the use of fine art paint brushes.

• Mohonk Mountain House introduced its Mini-Triathlon Programs.

• The Spa at Stein Eriksen Lodge will be unveiled December 4.

• The Spa at Trump is opening locations in Waikiki in the coming weeks and in New York City’s Soho in early 2010.

For those on the west coast, Spa magazine’s annual Spring Media Event will be held in Los Angeles in April 2010.

Ivanka Trump Hosts Bridal Beauty Event

Anyone who has turned on the television lately or opened a celebrity gossip magazine should know that Ivanka Trump recently tied the knot in a lavish wedding ceremony. Since she realized firsthand how much time and energy a bride-to-be spends on planning a wedding, she hosted an upscale bridal event to showcase trends in bridal beauty, fashion, and accessories. My co-worker and fellow bride-to-be, Kara, and I attended the exclusive event last night. While we sipped a glass of champagne, we admired the gorgeous wedding gowns designed by Junko Yoshioka, the sparkling diamond rings and bridal jewelry by the Ivanka Trump Collection, the bridal hair styles by Antoine Brechu, the beautiful flower arrangements by Kenji Takenaka for Noir Hanna, and even indulged in delicious chocolates by 2 Chicks with Chocolate. We also enjoyed chatting with the charming Christopher Drummond, who discussed his all-natural, organic-based makeup line Christopher Drummond Beauty. He advised us that a simple, natural, uncomplicated look is what’s hot in bridal makeup these days. “The trend for bridal makeup right now is soft, classic and radiant, with a touch of sexy,” he says. Kara and I definitely appreciated all the advice and ideas we got to help bring some Trump-style touches to our own upcoming weddings.

25Tuesdays.com Offers NYC Spa-Goers an Unbeatable Bargain Weekly

In a city where take-out dinner can cost more than a day’s pay, Manhattanites are always on the lookout for a good deal that won’t break the bank. And now, thanks to a recently launched website that offers a discounted service at a different New York City spa each week, saving big bucks is just a click away. Visitors simply log on to www.25Tuesdays.com each Tuesday to check out which spa is offering a discounted service that week. Although the deals can only be purchased on Tuesdays, they can redeemed any day of the week for up to a year. And the deals really are quite incredible. For example, this Tuesday’s featured bargain is a $25 green tea hair treatment with a blowout at Le Salon Chinois. The 30-minute treatment regularly costs $130, but through 25Tuesdays.com, clients save 80 percent! For those not from the New York City-area, fear not. 25Tuesdays will be launching in more cities this winter.