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Things Are Getting Steamy!
Scintillating Spa Treatments A Deux
By Irvina Lew
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Alvadora
Spa at the Royal Palms Resort in Phoenix, Ariz. |
A
romantic rendezvous away from work and family distractions
is the key to creating magical memories. This Valentine’s
Day, choose a spa where the sexy ambiance soothes your
senses. Then, spark your unique connection by indulging
in spa treatments for two. Let your spirits soar: frolic
in a whirlpool, play with mud, linger over a suggestive
book, stare at a starry sky, stimulate your body with
sensual—non-sexual—pleasures. Be sure to
pack some seductive "play" clothes, plus bubbles,
toys and games. Share quality time together and you’ll
remember the day forever.
Starlit skies entice nature lovers…
Hike,
bike or ride (the trails) through the red rock bluffs
at Red
Mountain Spa in St. George, Utah. The Do Not Disturb
package ($2,045 per couple for three nights villa accommodations,
meals, a multitude of activities and one massage each)
gives access to an à la carte menu of seductive
Adventures in Romance experiences. The Private Star-Gazing
Service ($150) offers a magical telescope viewing and
interpretation of clear skies, stars and planets. Call
800-407-3002 or go to www.redmountainspa.com
Ancient
rituals inspire present-day passions…
At
the Red Door Spa at The
Wigwam Golf Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona,
the ceremonial Native American foot bath includes tea
service and begins the 135-minute Wigwam Warm Water
Ritual ($320). What follows? A clay, cornmeal and oat
body mask, a scalp and foot massage and a Desert Sage
Oil massage by the fireplace or on the private balcony.
Linger in the Jacuzzi for twenty minutes (or add $55
an hour). Call 623-535-4967 or go to www.wigwamresort.com
Lolling
in a grotto reduces tension…
Ski
out the back door and return to The
Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch Spa (near Beaver Creek
and Vail, Colorado) and into its rock-walled refuge:
The Grotto. Snuggle in its dimly–lit, swim-size,
lazy river hot tub. Reserve two hours for The Romance
Package ($435) and step into the copper soaking tub
for two and toast with Champagne during the sensual
Vanilla Bourbon Milk Bath. What follows? An 80-minute
Couple's Massage! Call 970-748-6200 or go to www.ritzcarlton.com
Scenic
countryside invokes closeness…
Celebrate
Valentine’s Day at a destination spa in an over-the-top
country inn in the historic Connecticut countryside
(outside New York City). Reconnect during partner yoga,
tandem indoor swims and a Sensual Self workshop. Reserve
the chic Wisteria Suite for any combination of wet and
massage treatments for two. The all-inclusive three-night
package at The
Mayflower Inn ($4,500 per person) includes unlimited
spa and salon services. Contact 860-868-9446 or go to
www.mayflowerinn.com
Physical
play excites the mind…
The
WELL Spa within The
Platinum Hotel & Spa, in Las Vegas, offers the
unique Pittura Festa (for February only, $356.25) 125-minute
session. Between the body scrub and massage, there's
time in the Hammam-style Turkish Bath to "Scrub
and Paint" each other with silky mud. This brand-new,
non-smoking, non-gaming, 255 room condominium-hotel
features an indoor/outdoor swimming pool with views
of the "Strip" just one block away. Call 702-365-5000
or go to www.lvplatinum.com
Orange-scented
air invigorates the spirit…
Receive
an Acqua Dolce Ritual ($200) on twin heated stone tables
topped with overhead showers in the couples’ suite
at the Alvadora Spa at the intimate Royal
Palms Resort and Spa in sun-kissed Phoenix, Arizona.
The 90-minute Botanica session starts with a body scrub
(overhead rain showers rinse you), an herbal soak in
a whirlpool for two overlooking a water garden with
a romantic fireplace and a light massage. Call 602-977-6400
or go to www.royalpalmsresortandspa.com
Naughty
aphrodisiacs boost the libido…
"The
Valentine's Day Indulgence Escape Package (from $860
per night) at the Hotel
Gansevoort—in Manhattan's trendy restaurant-
and boutique-lined Meatpacking District—includes
a deluxe room with a basket of sensual goodies: Champagne,
chocolate body frosting, a red, toy-filled Mile High
Kit, both a Kama Sutra book of love-making
techniques and a 269 Amazing Sex Games book
and two 30-minute foot (or body) massages in the subterranean
G Spa and Lounge, breakfast at Ono,
a first drink at the rooftop indoor pool plus, an in-room
movie. Call 212-660-6700 or go to www.hotelgansevoort.com
Sun-swept
beaches inspire closeness…
Escape
to the soft, sandy oceanfront near historic St. Petersburg, Florida and the Ponte
Vedra Inn & Club. Its glamorous new spa features
the Unwind Together package ($675). The four-hour private
session in the couple’s suite includes: body massages,
time for the steam room and shower, facials, an aromatherapy
soak in a Jacuzzi for two plus pedicures. Then, enjoy
the wine and cheese lounge indoors or on the private
patio. Call 800-234-7842 or go to www.pvspa.com
Simultaneous
treatments stimulate the senses…
Views
of Biscayne Bay through a grand window wall, bamboo
flooring, twin massage tables and a glass-enclosed shower
set the stage for the two-hour “Spa Couples’
Suite Ritual.” Priced at $850 per couple, it lasts
for two hours at the serenely exquisite Mandarin
Oriental, Miami and includes a Red Rose Petals Foot
Ritual, Mandarin Oriental Signature body scrub, Oriental
Oil Massage, Oriental Scalp Massage, Raspberry Love-tini
and Deviled Fortune Cookies. Go to www.mandarinoriental.com
Steamy
hammams ignite basic instincts…
At
the glamorous Argyle Salon & Spa (within the art-deco
designed Sunset
Tower Hotel in West Hollywood) you can swim, linger
over lunch in the celeb-friendly Tower Bar (or in your
oversized spa haven with its day bed, shower, flat screen
TV, vanity, soaking tub and bath.) Begin you spa session
on a marble chaise in the Hammam. Splash in the silky,
sweet Hot Cocoa Bath, snooze through the Specialty Scrub
Wrap, savor champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries
and enjoy simultaneous Argyle Ambassador 80-minute hot
stone massages ($820) includes 45 minutes to ready yourselves
for a night on the Sunset Strip! Call 310-623-9000 or
go to www.argylela.com
Irvina Lew, a freelance spa journalist, is the author
of Romantic Weekends in and Around New York
(Hunter, 1997).
| P011007 |
(Updated:
01/15/08 AK) |
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