OUR STAFF TRIES AND TELLS ON THREE LOCAL HOTEL SPA TREATMENTS.
WHAT: Stress Relief Massage
WHERE: The Spa at The St. Regis Atlanta
STORY: Giannina S. Bedford
Committing to an extra indulgence is always hard for me. I always tend to think I could be doing something “more productive.” But then I recall the saying, “Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax.” I repeated this mantra in my head as I entered the luxe lobby of the St. Regis Atlanta in Buckhead and embraced my plan for the morning. First, a light breakfast at Astor Court: I sipped coffee and ordered the mixed berry parfait with Greek yogurt, berries, granola and almonds and a side of chicken sausage. When the food arrived, I took my time eating while enjoying the view from the restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows and the quiet atmosphere with few guests. Time flew by and I soon realized I was due at the spa.
I took the elevator to the sixth floor where I was greeted at the spa entry with a stunning geode-inspired “celebration wall” that set the tone for the room’s design of gold, teal and white. During check in, the staff offered me a juice shot with flavors of pineapple, ginger, carrots and peach, then I was taken to the women’s locker room to prep for my treatment. Once ensconced in a robe, I found a spot in a plush chair in the low-lit Iridium Lounge and closed my eyes. I was nearly asleep when my therapist, Aaron, entered to retrieve me for my 60-minute Stress Relief massage.
Once in the treatment room, he let me choose from three Sothy’s essential oils for the massage. As soon as I inhaled the orange blossom and cedar wood oil, I was sold. He worked this zesty-meets-woodsy oil into my skin, applying firm pressure onto the typical tight spots in my neck and shoulders (computer time) and lower back (lifting my toddler to my hip). He also incorporated mobilizing stretches that pushed me into that uncomfortable but relieving zone, resulting in positive repercussions on my physical state for days. Towards the end of the treatment, I flipped on my back for a scalp massage that drew attention to how much tension I was storing in my head. The deep state of relaxation made me almost lightheaded as I descended the massage table and threw on my robe. Unfortunately, the steam room was under repair during my visit, but I made a mental note to add more time to my next visit to enjoy this extra perk as well as the Himalayan salt stone sauna.
Before heading to the valet, I ordered a freshly blended green juice from Astor Court to-go for some energy and to take a slice of the rejuvenating experience I just had on the road.
$220 for 60-minute Stress Relief Massage
THE SPA AT THE ST. REGIS ATLANTA
404.563.7683
stregisatlantaspa.com
@stregisatl
WHAT: Lotion P50 Slimming Algae Body Wrap
WHERE: Spa Intercontinental at the InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta
STORY: Jennifer Bradley Franklin
After months of spray sunscreen, chlorine from the pool and less-than-optimal moisturizing, my skin was in need of a refresh. While I’d experienced facials using cult-favorite French skincare brand Biologique Recherche in the past, I had no idea that body treatments with the science-forward products existed. When I discovered that Spa InterContinental at the InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta offered a whole body treatment, I jumped at the chance to check out the Lotion P50 Slimming Algae Body Wrap.
The spa is situated on the hotel’s second floor, and with its dim lighting and soothing music, it feels like an oasis of calm along busy Peachtree Road. Once settled inside a treatment room, I stripped down and lay on a plastic-covered, heated treatment bed topped by a small towel. My therapist meticulously patted on Lotion P50 Corps, a version of Biologique’s most popular facial product that’s specially formulated for use on the body. Alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxy acids, plus niacinamide, are blended to promote gentle exfoliation, even skin tone, minimize pore size and strengthen the skin’s barrier. A manual scrub with a nubby silicon mitt added exfoliation. Having used the sometimes tingly P50 on my face in the past, I knew better than to have freshly shaved legs, a move for which I was thankful.
Next, my therapist slathered on Enveloppement Marin, the algae and spirulina-infused cream-gel mask formulated to detoxify and tone the skin. She explained that it could help eliminate fluid retention, stimulate metabolism and boost my skin’s firmness. She wrapped me up in a mummy-like cocoon and tucked in a heated blanket to let the mask absorb for 15 minutes, after which I took a warm shower to rinse off before returning to the treatment room.
The point of this service isn’t really a massage, but it was impossible to disguise the fact that my therapist, Junie, is an expert masseuse. She gently worked in the luxurious Crème Matricielle, a product designed to boost tone and firmness by supporting the skin’s collagen and elastin. I can’t recall a time my skin felt more moisturized—or relaxed.
My spa afternoon concluded with a special treat: a glass of Champagne and chocolate covered strawberries in the relaxation room. Next time, I’ll plan ahead for a pre-treatment visit to the spacious rooftop saltwater pool, adjacent to the second-floor spa.
Days later, the skin on my whole body felt smoother than any time in recent memory and had a lit from within glow. This decadent, efficacious service will be at the top of my list for anytime I need a whole body boost.
$330 for 75-minute Lotion P50 Slimming Algae Body Wrap
SPA INTERCONTINENTAL BUCKHEAD ATLANTA
404.946.9175
intercontinentalatlanta.com/spas-buckhead-atlanta
@intercon_buckhead_atl
WHAT: Waldorf Signature Massage
WHERE: The Waldorf Astoria Spa Atlanta Buckhead
STORY: Lauren Finney Harden
The best way to describe me of late would be “harried mother of two.” I’ve had very little downtime between caring for my family and working full-time. To get some just-for-me relief, I headed to The Waldorf Astoria Spa.
The hotel’s spa spans 15,000 square feet and two floors and is done in soft, muted tones like grey and peach to set the scene for relaxation. I could have sweat it out in the state-of-the-art fitness center, but I’m not that type of person, so I moved directly into chill mode after parking and being shown to the elevator. (Tip: Parking is no longer validated, only discounted.) The spa has two places to wait within the ladies’ locker room: an indoor room and an outdoor patio. I chose to get some fresh air and was greeted on the patio with a flute of champagne that I sipped as I looked out over Buckhead.
Tamara came out shortly to get me for my 50-minute Waldorf Signature Massage to take place in one of the 13 treatment rooms. To complement the customized treatment, she offered me aromatherapy scents by Zents with names such as Ore, Earth, Water and Sun. The latter is a combination of vanilla, sandalwood and amber. There was also a bevy of add-ons like Knesko Skin collagen socks, lip masks and hydrating face masks. I wish I had booked more time to sit in the Keratin socks and gloves she offered, but I needed to maximize my time away, so we went straight into the massage. When I explained that I like firm pressure that feels like work and wanted to focus mostly on my aching back and neck and to forget the lower half of my body, she nodded and delivered on “firm pressure” like no other masseuse has—so much so that I fell asleep.
After I woke from my relaxing experience, I had access to the spa’s myriad extras, such as the dry sauna, steam room and vitality pools. I did a quick turn in the sauna for the novelty of it. After showering and changing, I took the main elevator downstairs to the lobby and wandered through the English Gardens before finding the indoor pool. Normally, I’m an outdoor pool person, but it had begun to cloud over and rain lightly, so I found tranquility sitting by the 60-foot saltwater indoor pool. I faced the floor-toceiling windows overlooking the English Gardens and soaked up the alone-time for a spell before it was time for me to turn back into a mom pumpkin. I left the valet stand relaxed and refreshed, ready to take on the rest of the day with aplomb.
Starting at $200 for 50-minute Waldorf Signature Massage
THE WALDORF ASTORIA ATLANTA BUCKHEAD
404.995.7500
hilton.com
@waatlanta
