Sono nel paradise! I'm in paradise!
Today, Western spas have evolved far beyond their Italian roots. "Romance en el baneario"—romancing the spa—has flourished into health and wellness lifestyle conservatories.
Spa "lingo" has been around for centuries.
In the diplomatic world, "détente" is equated with a relaxation of tensions between countries. To the French, "un massage de détente"—a relaxation massage—is more up their alley of desires.
Complete the experience with a slice of French bread and cheese, a cup of chamomile, chardonnay or champagne, and voila! You have a state of plaisir —pleasure abounding.
William Blake, writer-painter of the Romanticist period, is reported to have said, "Energy is eternal delight." In his time, Britons traveled south to Bath, England, for healing and renewal in thermal spring bathing pools left behind from the Roman occupation of Britain. There, entire complexes were built to provide the ultimate in bathing experience.
In Europe, similar destinations of leisure and levity were known as spa towns—"une ville d'eau"—literally translated as a city of water. Their raison d'être —was to provide visitors refreshment from natural mineral springs with hot thermal baths while offering a venue for socializing and even a place for political discussions.
In the 1980s, companies like Evian, Vichy, and Pelletier began packaging portions of their glistening geysers into sprays or sparkling water, perfecting the fine art of dining and adding a touch of European elegance to everyday living.
Evoking Relaxation and Stimulation
Vancouver, though surrounded by water and possessing incredible biodiversity, may not be "une ville d'eau." However, it has become known as "Spa in the City." Sumptuous treatments and tantalizing therapy products are available in spas all across the city.
While European luxury and rejuvenation used to be the domain of the leisure class, spas in Vancouver are attempting to reach beyond their borders and are as eclectic as their therapies and the neighbourhoods they serve.
Whether looking for a 10-minute manicure, a prolonged pampering pedicure, or an intoxicating aromatic facial, spas are designed to help us stop awhile and feel renewed, evoking both relaxation and stimulation.
At Absolute Spa at Vancouver's Fairmont Hotel, the menu is supremely elegant and inviting.
Without leaving the city you can experience a "Hawaiian Tropical Vacation," one of the Fairmont's more playful promos that includes a luxuriant coconut mango massage. The aromas of creamy coconut mingled with succulent mango are so exotic, you feel like you are lying on a beach or lounging under majestic palm trees near a pineapple plantation with soft, sensual Hawaiian trade winds sweeping over you.
"Moms 2 Be" is a complete comfort experience for expectant moms. Imagine lying in a bed of damask roses, soaking in rich rose oils, and being nurtured by the petals' velvety touch.
Or indulge in the more adventurous "Warm Chocolate & Vanilla" aromatherapy massage. Oozing with delectability and drizzling all over your body, this rich massage is an absolutely jazzy experience!
For the man on the fly, there is the "747 Y-Spa Men's Manicure" or a "Body Binge Massage." He can revel in relaxation while receiving an added perk — use of the hotel's Health Club pool, saunas, and workout area.
For those who delight in experimental, edgy treatments, the modern and minimalist Skoah spa in Yaletown offers what they call "facialiscious" or "x-treme facials."
All About You on Davie Street uses an all-natural St. Tropez bronzer for UV-free tranning. Ooo la la! Perhaps an oxygen steam bath is more your style, such as the one at State of Being Urban Spa Retreat on Howe Street.
'Balance of mind, body, and soul'
Holt Renfrew is also in the mood. At its hot, new location at Granville and Dunsmuir, you can get sculptured nails by Absolute Spa Nails. After being surrounded by Holt's trendy fashions, stroll across the street and enjoy a unique lunch at The Culinary Institute. Student servers, white linen tablecloths, and experimental entrees are exceedingly popular. Reservations are recommended midday.
Richmond offers its own desirable destinations. Earth Wind and Spa is a petite boutique spa that offers an array of services that go far beyond its small size. The Evergreen Spa in central Richmond offers skilled service at affordable prices by owners Stella and Mae.
Around the corner from the Sheraton Four Points Hotel, Eternal Beauty Clinic & Spa is one of the city's best-kept secrets.
"Eternal Spa's mission is to help clients develop and maintain natural healthy balance of mind, body, and soul using a combination of traditional and contemporary therapies in order to reveal the beauty in all of us," says manager Cecilia.
The spa offers an impressive range of clinical and essential facials, Swedish and Shiatsu massages, body wraps, and exfoliation treatments. Also available are touch-for-health kinesiology, which is described as "a system of natural health care which combines muscle monitoring with principles of Chinese medicine."
Delight your palate with the offer of custom-made teas or herbal Chinese soups. Then enjoy more pampering wrapped in a complimentary robe and slippers following ultimate relaxation in one of the spa's handsome cedar saunas.
Natural and Charitable
Even retailers have penetrated this niche market. The British boutique chain Crabtree & Evelyn has gone organic with its hit fragrance for bodycare and the home, Island Living, made from the exotic spider lily plant from the beaches of the Bahamas.
Crabtree & Evelyn spokesperson India Hicks, who lives in the Bahamas, says the collection reflects her "passion for natural things." In the company catalogue she describes it as "inspired by my favourite island flower—a fragile white beauty that grows wild at the edge of the sea."
The spider lily is an offbeat, ethereal, and alluring scent—so much so that last month it captured a top award at the Canadian Fragrance Awards in Toronto celebrating the best 2007 fragrance launches in Canada. Hicks also donates ten percent of her profits from Island Living toward education for Bahamian children.
Competitive retailer The Body Shop has its own range of lotions, scrubs, and essential oils, incorporating revitalizing ingredients and pure botanicals into all its products.
It is also endeavouring to engender community support with its newest campaign, "Get Lippy-Prevent HIV-moveyourlips.com." All proceeds from the sale of Brazilian berry Guarana lip gloss at the store go to the Staying Alive Foundation, a charity dedicated to HIV and AIDS prevention.
One beneficiary of this campaign is Bulelani Mvotho, an aspiring filmmaker in Cape Town, South Africa. The Body Shop's spunky pink promo tells the story of Mvotho who is leading a team to use film to bring HIV prevention and AIDS information to the youth in their townships.
'There's no place like home'
Spas can go beyond geography, and as Dorothy said in "The Wizard of Oz," "there's no place like home." At home you can set free your artsy, experimental side and turn your bathroom into a private oasis. And you don't need a jacuzzi to do it!
The book Home Spa, in collaboration with L'Occitane en Provence, recommends "investing in a heated towel rail and the fluffiest towels, softest robe, and coziest slippers you can find. Decorate the room with beautifully designed fittings and finishes."
Home Spa recommends this cleansing, refreshing, and purifying bath:
"Add to warm running water a tablespoon of carrier oil, 4 drops of rosemary essential oil, 3 drops of bergamot essential oil, and 3 drops of rosewood essential oil."
Whatever your spa style, whether you are frolicky, bouncy, or just curious, beauty and relaxation can be found through discovery and finding time out for Spa in the City.
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