Israeli hotels showcase a summer medley of adventures

May 15, 2012

by Steve Walz, Contributing Writer

The historic King David Hotel

Spurred by a record-breaking number of foreign tourists who visited the Holy Land during the first quarter of 2012, Israel’s burgeoning hotel industry is gearing up for a busy summer tourism season by sprucing up their facilities and offering a variety of titillating vacation packages.

According to Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics, the 752,000 foreign visitors who entered the country between January and March 2012, not only eclipsed last year’s figures by 2 percent, the first-quarter figures also represent a 1 percent increase over 2010, which Israel’s Ministry of Tourism declared was Israel’s best year ever for incoming tourism.

Despite the generally optimistic picture, many hotel managers aren’t assuming that North American Jewish tourists will reflexively book a vacation to Israel when there are myriad interesting destinations to choose from. In order to attract both veteran and new foreign tourists to their facilities, some of Israel’s best-known hotels have undergone a series of physical transformations in order to broaden their appeal, while others have focused on offering newfangled experiences to both couples and families with children.

Ilan Brenner, executive assistant manager of marketing and sales at the Inbal Hotel in Jerusalem, said that the hotel’s staff knows its clients, and in a growing number of cases they have literally grown up with entire families.

“So when a new generation emerges, we already have a good idea about their needs. Both returning and new tourists are always searching for and asking about upgrades, so we are constantly adding incentives, whether it’s a free car, a multimedia game room for youngsters, new spa treatments, trendy gastronomic experiences in the dining room,” he said. 

Rafi Beeri, the Dan Hotel’s vice president of marketing and sales, said renovations at Dan properties have included some innovations. “The King David has undergone a major makeover with a new section of rooms and suites. At the Dan Carmel, which debuted in 1962, we have completed a top-to-bottom renovation [that] includes new executive rooms, which overlook Haifa Bay and the Carmel Mountains. With the Dan Jerusalem, which we acquired in 2010, we realized that renovating this huge hotel would have to be done in phases and feature some unique aspects.”

According to Beeri, the Dan Jerusalem highlights a unique hotel-within-a-hotel concept, where both guests and groups can benefit from more personalized services and amenities.

“It can be compared to an airline’s business-class environment,” he said. “We’ve upgraded a wing of 120 rooms, where guests or groups who wish to stay in this section will enjoy a separate check-in area, separate lounge and dining facilities, as well as a special staff that will cater to them in a more personalized manner.”

The Ramada Jerusalem Hotel has acquired a stellar reputation among families who seek discounted long-term vacation packages (from seven to 21 days) with a variety of summer activities for adults and children, including its “We Love Kids” program, which features daily entertainment for children, including magicians and petting zoos.

“During weekdays, we offer complimentary shuttle bus service to the Old City, which is an attraction for the parents. And, our outdoor American-style barbecues out by the pool area during August always attracts a large audience of both adults and children,” said Yacov Shaari, general manager of the Ramada Jerusalem Hotel. The growing Rimonim chain recently rebranded four of its upscale properties to create the “Royal Collection,” which includes the Royal Dead Sea, Rimonim Eilat, Ruth Rimonim Safed and Rimonim Galei Kinnereth. Each hotel accentuates contrasting experiences for the mind, body and soul.

“During the summer months, the Royal Dead Sea will feature special spa packages that include the hotel’s new Royal Lounge,” said Anat Aharon, Rimonim’s vice president of sales and marketing. “At the Ruth Rimonim in Safed, we invite guests to let their soul breathe amid the mystic beauty of the hotel’s Galilean surroundings. The hotel also features a wine cellar, where you can sample the best Israeli wines and enjoy small talk.”

At the Sheraton Tel Aviv Hotel, where North American, British and French tourists converge during the summer months, the “accent” will be on indulging kids and parents alike.

“Last year, we opened a children’s pool. This year, we will complement it with a guarded kids’ playground with games and toys, where families can relax and enjoy the pool while their children are playing,” said Jean-Louis Ripoche, general manager of the Sheraton Tel Aviv. “During the summer, we will be extending breakfast hours in the dining room till noon, so couples and families can enjoy a longer, relaxed morning. After breakfast, we offer adults a free bicycle, so they can pedal around the seaside boardwalk area and beyond.”

It’s important to note that despite a 15 to 20 percent rise in the cost of airline tickets to Israel since last summer, many Israeli hotels have not raised their basic rates. Israeli hoteliers are cognizant of the fact that families are looking to maximize their vacation experience without blowing a hole in their budget.

Here is a guide to some of the hottest summer deals across Israel:

Inbal Jerusalem Hotel
July rates begin at $150 per person in a double room, based on a minimum five-night stay. The hotel’s Web site features several unique summer deals. Guests who book three consecutive nights in a “superior room” are entitled to a free car. Guests who book at least three consecutive nights in “executive rooms” or higher category are also entitled to a vehicle upgrade (such as Mazda 6). In August, the hotel’s popular Kids Club will feature a supervised multimedia game room and Gymboree. The Splash Bar situated poolside highlights an American-style barbecue menu as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for adults and children. The hotel’s Mediterranean-accented Sofia restaurant has received rave reviews for the unique fish and pasta dishes served up by executive chef Moti Buchbut. 
inbalhotel.com.

Ramada Jerusalem Hotel
The hotel’s “We Love Kids” rates start at $198 based on a seven- to 14-night stay, including two adults and one child in a room (including breakfast). Rates are discounted even further based on stays exceeding 14 nights. Amenities include large indoor and outdoor pools, health club and sauna, as well as supervised summer children’s camps and a teen corner during July and August. This hotel highlights OU mehadrin glatt kosher cuisine.
jerusalemramada.com.

Dan Hotels
Rates for July and August for guests who book “Golden 7 Nights” at the King David start at $480 a night per room (per couple) based on a bed and breakfast excursion. The “Golden 7” special also includes pampering amenities such as free round-trip transportation between Ben-Gurion Airport and the hotel. Guests who stay a minimum of three nights are entitled to a free voucher to the Dan Lounge at Ben Gurion Airport on the day of their departure from Israel. At the Dan Jerusalem, guests who book a minimum of three nights in “deluxe rooms” will receive a free upgrade to “executive rooms,” which includes the use of the hotel’s new King David Executive Lounge.
danhotels.com.

Sheraton Tel Aviv
Hotel Towers
The hotel is offering an “early bird package” starting from $370 per person with a minimum booking of five nights, or three nights non-refundable. The charge for a child in the room under the age of 17 is $30 per child. There is no charge for children under 3 years old. There is a limited promotion whereby guests who stay for a minimum of five nights between Aug. 5 and Aug. 25 will receive complimentary tickets to the world famous Cirque du Soleil, which will be playing Tel Aviv during August. Rates start from $400 a night based on double occupancy. The special deal can be booked direct via the hotel’s Web site.
sheratontelaviv.com.

Rimonim Hotels
Various deals are available for guests who book directly via the Web site. Rates vary for midweek and weekend vacations. At the Royal Dead Sea
guests staying in suites and preferred room types will enjoy a separate check-in at the lounge, private breakfast and dinner, as well as snacks and drinks during the day. Galei Kinnereth’s luxurious spa highlights a “domed Jacuzzi” overlooking the Sea of Galilee. The Rimonim Eilat’s “Serenity Action” package includes a choice of two hot attractions for the whole family: IMAX Theater/Underwater Observatory/Ice Space, when reserving for a minimum of three nights. The hotel’s “Romantic Serenity” deal for couples features pampering amenities such as, breakfast for two in your room, one gift dinner, spa treatment for both, as well as a 45-minute pedicure and manicure.
english.rimonim.com

Rimonim Royal Dead Sea pool

A version of this article appeared in print.

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Flat out in Fiji

Sheriden Rhodes samples some of the delights on offer in the ‘spa capital of the South Pacific’.

I’m lying on a massage bed in the ocean. My masseuse stands knee deep in the sea with a frangipani tucked behind her ear, delivering long powerful strokes as I stare at the intense colours of the tropical waters swirling beneath me.

Surrounding us is nothing but the Pacific stretching beyond Yadua Island to the Yasawas. A balmy breeze blows, and I figure this is possibly the world’s most heavenly treatment room.

Afterwards as I sip on a fresh young coconut on a sunlounger at the new five-star Tadrai Resort, watching the hues of the water deepen as the sun comes out to play, I think about how far Fiji’s spa industry has come in a short space of time.

Sure, you can still get a grass-roots bobo massage using freshly harvested coconut oil in a rustic bure, and let’s face it there’s something completely charming about that. But today’s discerning traveller also has access to world-class spa treatments in increasingly sophisticated and dedicated spa facilities, or delivered in some of the most striking locations.

With their unique mix of Fijian hospitality, laid-back charm and locally sourced products, from virgin coconut oil, seaweed harvested in the Yasawas, through to frangipani and tropical papaya, Fiji’s newly sought reputation as the “Spa Capital of the South Pacific” is gaining momentum.

Spas include Sofitel’s stunning Mandara Spa and Intercontinental Fiji Resort‘s 2000sq m new spa.

Matamanoa Island Resort offers the incredible cliff-top Veidomoni Spa overlooking the magnificent Mamanuca Islands chain.

Qamea’s Jungle Spa is the only Fijian spa built in a jungle environment, and is the only Guinot Institute-Paris Spa in the South Pacific.

Sonaisali Resort’s Frangipani Spa offers a simple, traditional two-bure spa, and Tokoriki in the Mamanuca Islands has just opened a new Asian-inspired Senakai Spa. Treatments range from a Bua Frangipani cleansing ritual, a four-handed Duavata massage, to having your treatment delivered in the ocean at the all-inclusive Tadrai resort on Mana Island.

Being flat out has never felt so good.

Most regular visitors to Fiji would have at least heard of Pure Fiji, a Fijian body product brand used at countless spas and resorts across the country. Scores of departing passengers can be seen stocking up on Pure Fiji before departing home.

Australian woman Debra Sadranu hopes her Senikai Spa brand and her own locally produced Essence of Fiji product will also become the name on every visitor’s lips.

Sadranu, who previously ran a beauty salon in Sydney, moved to Fiji more than 14 years ago and realised there was virtually nothing available in the spa and beauty line.

In 1998 she opened Fiji’s first Beauty Therapy training Institution, then her first spa. Since then, Senikai Spas has evolved to become the largest spa operator in the Pacific Islands.

As well as its own training institution, The South Pacific Academy of Beauty Therapy, Senikai has 13 spa locations and produces its own spa skin and body care range.

“When I first opened the school, I was approached straight away from resorts saying ‘thank goodness we now have expertise here’,” says Sadranu.

“It took a while for resorts to build stand-alone spas, Fiji traditionally lagged behind the rest of the world, but once it took off it happened very quickly”.

The therapists make Fijian spas unique, according to Sadranu.

“The local women have grown up with massage and natural healing and are very giving and passionate about their treatments.”

You can experience Senikai spa treatments on Vomo and Tokoriki.

On five-star Vomo in the Mamanucas, the two-hour Weleti Papaya Body Rejuvenation treatment will leave your skin with a gorgeous glow enriched with Essence of Fiji’s natural papaya products, which smell good enough to eat.

The simple two-treatment spa will soon evolve into a much larger and more luxurious purpose-built spa.

Across the way, Tokoriki’s new spa features three individual couples’ spa treatment bures with plantation timber shutters and high-pitched traditional Fijian bure ceilings.

While the design is Asian-inspired the feel is pure Pacific, right down to the gorgeous hibiscus flowers sprinkled in your footbath.

Designed by Tokoriki’s Australian owner Yvonne Turnbull, the spa features a weeping volcanic rock wall, outdoor showers, oversized stone egg baths in each treatment bure and calm, experienced Fijian therapists with wide smiles and nurturing natures.

On arrival, guests unwind in the open plan Spa Lounge with a relaxing foot ritual. They then follow the stepping-stones to their own treatment bure where they can experience therapeutic massage, pampering facials or one of the spa’s specially designed spa packages.

Over on Savusavu, in a simple ocean spa bure with the warm water of the Koro Sea lapping on the shoreline, I submit my weary body for a Duavata Massage, a signature four-handed Fijian massage at Jean Michel Cousteau’s Fiji Island Resort.

The treatment is memorable as two, sizeable Fijian women perform an almost dance-like massage, totally in sync with one another.

The resort recently started using Niu Health Fiji, a pure virgin coconut oil harvested at a local village. Torika, my warm, motherly therapist, tells me many guests use it for detoxing and to treat dry scalps.

On the main island of Viti Levu, inspiration for Spa InterContinental at the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa on Fiji’s Coral Coast, has been drawn from centuries old South Pacific and Asian healing traditions which form the basis of spa products and treatments.

There are nine treatment rooms, a pre and post treatment relaxation lounge and a yoga deck offering complementary yoga for in-house guests. Arrive early as the Wai Water Zone located at the heart of this vast spa includes Fiji’s first ice room as well as a steam room and hydrotherapy pool, making it a first-class spa experience.

Back towards Nadi on Denarau Island, in a land where the coconut tree, tiare and frangipanis are almost sacred, Sofitel has conspired with its onsite spa specialist Mandara and leading luxury British spa and skincare brand Elemis to infuse these flavours into its menu of spa treats and therapies.

Try Mandara’s invigorating Thai Herbal Poultice Massage or the Elemis Exotic Coconut Rub and Milk Ritual Wrap. A soothing bamboo massage is also new to the menu at the tranquil village within a village, which offers nine private treatment bures, whirlpools, saunas, outdoor Jacuzzis and a healthy refreshment bar.

One of Suva’s best kept spa secrets is the Pure Fiji Spa, located in the heart of the capital and home of Fiji’s world-famous coconut and flower extract-based skin and hair care production company.

One of the country’s few top-notch day spas, the spa allows guests to experience Pure Fiji’s signature rituals and services in a lush, tropical setting. With flowers freshly picked from the company gardens and exotic fragrances emanating from the spa’s foyer, it’s a wonderful treat for the senses for fans of Pure Fiji, which include Hollywood celebrities including Tom Cruise.

Lastly, on the island of Taveuni, the Jungle Spa at the romantic, adults-only Qamea Resort and Spa (the only Fijian resort finalist by Conde Nast Johansens 2011 Global Awards for Most Excellent Spa), offers couples an amorous spa experience involving Fijian warriors, a candle-lit dinner and your own serenading string band.

Qamea’s Night of Decadence starts with a Fijian warrior escort to a decadent private spa experience involving tropical sugar scrubs, candlelit outdoor showers, signature massages or specialised Guinot facials.

It ends with a romantic dinner on the veranda of your bure, serenaded by your own Qamea Band.

If that’s not enough to convince you of how far Fijian spas have come, then you’ll just have to experience it for yourself.

TRAVELLERS’ TIPS

Getting there: Air Pacific offers multiple direct services between Auckland and Nadi. Island Hoppers offers seamless helicopter and plane transfers from Nadi Airport or Denarau to the Mamanuca Island resorts, Coral Coast and beyond.

Fiji’s Top 5

Moana McKeen of Botany Downs Flight Centre shares her top tips on things to do between spa treatments in Fiji:

1. Go on a cruise – there are some fantastic day trips available which include lunch and a local village tour. It’s a great way to make the most of the stunning beaches and islands.

2. Try your hand at some water sports, whether it’s snorkelling, surfing or a jet-ski safari tour, there is something for everyone. Most resorts have equipment available so you can kayak or catamaran at your leisure.

3. Adrenalin junkies should try zip-lining, racing through the jungle on lines that are up to 200m long and 30m above the ground.

4. Head to Jack’s of Fiji for authentic souvenirs. They sell a range of goods as well as the Pure Fiji soaps and hand creams which will remind you of your holiday long after it’s over.

5. Relax and enjoy the great range of fresh seafood and local entertainment while dining in Fiji. The Lomani Wai restaurant in Denarau is great for a special occasion – you dining table is positioned in the water.

* For more information on travelling to Fiji, contact Moana and the team at Botany Downs Flight Centre on 0800 427 555.

By Sheriden Rhodes

New Spa & Accommodation Experiences This Winter at Hotel Izulu – eTravelBlackboard

The award winning 5-star Hotel Izulu, Ballito has launched its Spa and accommodation winter packages which will run until the end of September 2012 subject to availability.

The Spa packages include a Full Body Scrub and a Clarins Hydrating Facial as well as a complimentary 30 minute back, neck and shoulder massage for R755, 00.  Alternatively, guests can book a Manicure and Pedicure and receive a complimentary Paraffin Wax for hands and feet for R410, 00.

Accommodation when booking any of these specials is R1190, 00 per person sharing including breakfast.

The “One Night Romance” special which includes one night’s accommodation in a Luxury Suite for two people sharing, a romantic turndown, candlelit dinner in Gigi’s Brasserie, breakfast and two 30 minute massages is R1670, 00 per person.

Hotel Izulu is the perfect base for the discerning traveller looking to enjoy the warmth, wildlife, spectacular scenery and culture of the Zulu Kingdom, whist being pampered and spoilt in world-class luxury.  Ideal for weddings, honeymoons or as a unique luxury retreat – Hotel Izulu is the place to be.

For reservations please contact Ronine on +27 (0) 32 9463444 or on Ronine@hotelizulu.com.

Spa for seniors said to meet growing need

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Sheryl Fappiano said that she began working with senior citizens when she was 16 and it has become her life’s work.

“I just love working with elders,” she said. “It’s their history, their stories.”

Fappiano, 47, the owner and operator of Elder Care Access, is opening a new service for elderly people that will also offer support to direct caregivers.

Golden Moments Adult Day Health Spa, located in Suite 106 of the Florence Medical Center on Nonotuck Street, is set to open April 9, with an open house on April 13.

The spa will provide a place for elders in need of care, who may not be safe at home by themselves. An alternative to full-time private care is something that Fappiano says is a large, unaddressed need in the community.

Nancy Maynard, associate director of Highland Valley Elder Services, agrees the new spa fills a void. She said there are other types of day programs geared to elders in Hadley, Sunderland and Westfield, but people are sometimes limited in their ability to take advantage of them due to cost, distance or the program not being an appropriate fit.

Maynard said that Highland Valley assesses the needs of seniors and works to find the right program or level of service. She said having a new day program/spa in the area means one more option.

The spa, Fappiano said, is appropriate for elders recovering from falls or fractures, with various stages of dementia, Parkinson’s disease, or any condition that makes it unsafe to be home alone.

Fappiano said that Massachusetts does not require licensing of adult day programs like hers until they begin accepting MassHealth state insurance. She said that both MassHealth acceptance and all of the accompanying required licensing are forthcoming.

Golden Moments will have televisions, a dining area, a separate sick room for people who are ill, an area for massage and reiki (a technique for stress-reduction and relaxation) treatments, a salon room for hairdressing services, and an activity room.

Services like massage and reiki also will be available at reduced cost to family and caregivers, she said, who can be overwhelmed by their duties, but whose needs can be overlooked.

###

New studio opens

Tiffany Hilton Pottery, formerly of Greenfield, moved its studio to the Arts and Industry Building at 221 Pine St. in Florence this month – and the family of its owner is not far behind. Hilton said that the rural life she and her husband, Tim, enjoyed in Franklin County, which included a dirt road, 6 acres of land and chickens, had its appeal, but ultimately became impractical.

Hilton said she’s excited about being close enough to work to ride her bike and the studio space allows for larger classes. She said in the former studio she ran out of her home, there was only room for two pottery wheels; the new studio has six.

“I wanted to expand the teaching space,” she said. “Teaching has become more a part of my life, and I want to build a community around what I do.”

Hilton, 38, calls lumps of clay “mini-miracles” and says those new to the work can be surprised by how challenging it is to bring the clay around to their way of thinking.

“The clay gets a little say in it, too,” Hilton said.

###

Local author talk

Writer Jacqueline Sheehan, author of “Now and Then,” “Lost and Found” and “Truth,” will present a free workshop at the Lilly Library when she hosts “Creating Memorable Characters” in the community room from 10:30 a.m. to noon April 7.

Sheehan’s first novel, “The Comet’s Tale: A Novel About Sojourner Truth,” a fictionalized account of the life of the 19th-century abolitionist, was published in 2003. She has published three others, including the forthcoming “Picture This” scheduled for publication May 22. Sheehan, who teaches workshops at Writers in Progress in Florence, is a practicing psychologist as well as a fiction writer and essayist.

Bob Dunn writes a monthly column about news and happenings in Florence. He can be reached at bdunn@gazettenet.com.

Spa Of The Day: Spa At The Broadmoor

The spa’s Mountain View room. Photo courtesy of The Broadmoor.

What: A Five-Star Rocky Mountain retreat with treatments steeped in global traditions, the Spa at The Broadmoor exudes the kind of warm ambiance and impeccable service that can be missing in modern spas. Hand-painted floral motifs, ornate chandeliers, striped upholstery and rich blue and gold hues give the 38-treatment room spa a comfortable and traditional—never cold—feel. Guests relax in warmed robes either in the Mountain View room (with goose down lounge chairs and windows facing Cheyenne Mountain) or the dimly lit fireside lounge (with cozy antique furniture) before and after their treatments.

Where: The spa sits on the southern side of the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Broadmoor, a sprawling Colorado Springs resort that first opened in 1918. The building that houses the second-floor spa is also home to a café, salon, fitness center, enclosed pool (with a soaring glass roof), outdoor lap pool and whirlpool, giving resort guests enough space to lounge all day.

When: While summer brings a slew of outdoor activities at The Broadmoor (championship golf, hiking, swimming), the spa offers winter-weary guests ultra-hydrating treatments and a chance to enjoy the year-round Colorado sunshine through the floor-to-ceiling windows in the Mountain View relaxation room.

Why: The spa facilities here are spacious and luxurious—men and women have private steam rooms, dry saunas and multi-head experience showers (the women’s area has an aromatherapy relaxation room, too). While there are classic treatments on the menu (Swedish massage, basic facial), a new spa menu with services inspired by different global cultures was introduced in 2011. The Lu’Lur Ceremony—based on a sacred Indonesian ritual given to royalty—is equal parts unique and heavenly. It starts with a tub soak, followed by a scrub made with turmeric, a body and pressure point scalp massage, and an application of organic coconut oil.

Like a Good Wine, Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn Gets Better With Time

SONOMA VALLEY, CA–(Marketwire – March 13, 2012) – For over 85 years the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn Spa has catered to discriminating travelers and has given prestige to the Sonoma Valley. Known for casually elegant accommodations, sensational cuisine, healing thermal mineral waters, luxurious spa treatments, and world-class golf — this luxury Sonoma hotel recently unveiled 30 newly renovated signature Mission Suites along with a new premier Winemaker Suite, aptly titled the “Jack London.” From the moment guests arrive they will find themselves immersed in the grace befitting one of Northern California’s finest resorts.

Building on the Inn’s historic legacy inspired the design plan — the new Sonoma suites respect the Inn’s mission-style architecture with the use of rustic woods and wrought iron, successfully capturing the essence and beauty of Wine Country. The upholstery fabrics include embroidered pillow shams and crisp white linen draping. 

An updated color scheme of rich blues and California whites complements the Mission Suites’ open floor plan. Each handsomely appointed Sonoma suite features local artwork, entertainment and work desks with built-in smart media panels and new spa-like bathrooms with stone vanities and special marble and tile details. The renovation was capped by the sprawling 1,010 square feet Jack London Winemaker Suite. This unique suite features romantic garden views, a private free standing wet bar, and mixed-use work/dining table with built-in smart media panels. The luxuriously oversized bathroom, featuring a sunken Jacuzzi-style tub and the Inn’s signature apricot and cream products, offers a tranquil and relaxing atmosphere similar to that of our Sonoma resort’s Willow Stream Spa.

The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn Spa resort is proud to be one of the only luxury spa resorts in the country with its own source of thermal mineral water. The Inn continues to offer all guests privileged access to the celebrated Sonoma Golf Club. This private 18-hole golf course stretches 7,087 yards through native oaks and redwoods, nestled at the foot of the Sonoma Mountain Range and secluded by bordering vineyards.

The Inn boasts a Michelin Star, award-winning restaurant, Santé. Designed to exude the California wine country experience, Chef Tison showcases the region’s abundant local products and world-famous wines. 

Renowned for natural mineral waters, unparalleled charm and gracious service, the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn Spa, is located 40 miles north of the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge at 100 Boyes Blvd. in Sonoma Valley, the heart of Northern California’s wine country. A recipient of both the AAA-Four Diamond and Mobil-Four Star Award, the Sonoma resort consistently provides the country’s finest European spa experience. For reservations please call 1-800-441-1414 or 707-938-9000, or visit the Inn’s website at Fairmont.com/Sonoma.

Runcorn entrepreneur opens health spa in Old Town

Mar 8 2012
by Sam Yarwood, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

RUNCORN looks set to become more relaxed thanks to the opening of a new spa.

Vicky Clark, 29, has opened a spa room Heaven Is A Place On Earth in Runcorn Old Town.

The spa offers holistic treatments and a full range of alternative therapies including Reiki, reflexology, hot stone therapy and Indian head massage.

Vicky, who studied Complementary Therapy at Riverside College in Widnes, is hoping to put Runcorn back on the map as a spa town.

She said: “I offer various holistic treatments and packages for people from all walks of life, and offer a peaceful candle-lit sanctuary for people to receive treatments, and they leave feeling stress and tension free.”

Heaven Is A Place On Earth also offers treatments including reflexology, Swedish massage, aromatherapy and Hopi ear candles.

Vicky added: “I am really passionate about my work, and would like to share all the knowledge which I have learned over the years with my clients to help them reduce feelings of stress and lead healthier and happier lives.

“When you come to my treatment room you are not just receiving a lovely pamper treatment, but also a personalised service which includes personalised aftercare and non-medical nutrition advice.

“Holistic therapy is about helping people physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, and I would recommend it to everybody.”

Vicky is also offering clients a mobile service upon request for those unable to find the time to visit the spa, or for parents with children at home.

Tailor made pamper parties are also available for groups of four or more.

For more information visit www.heavenisaplaceonearth.webs.com or contact Vicky on 07715 555 900.

Spa Cenvaree shares a smile with the children on its 10th anniversary

(Forimmediaterelease.net) Spa Cenvaree, the luxury spa brand within the Centara HotelsResorts family, is celebrating its 10th anniversary by unveiling a new spa menu and donating part of its income to two Bangkok orphanages.

Under the Shared Smile project, Spa Cenvaree branches at Centara hotels throughout Thailand that are introducing the new menu will donate 3 percent of their net income for the month of March to the Rangsit Babies’ Home and Sotsuksa Prachinburi School.

The new spa menu will be featured on www.spacenvaree.com , Spa Cenvaree’s newly-revamped website with enhanced features and a more interactive structure for guests to navigate through individual outlets and spa treatments.

“In the 10 years since Spa Cenvaree was introduced, it has emerged as one of Asia’s leading spa brands,” said Suthikiati Chirathivat, Chairman of the Board, Centara Hotels and Resorts.

“Centara, as a group, has a very strong policy on social awareness and responsibilities, and we felt it appropriate that we should mark the anniversary by raising funds for a very worthwhile cause.”

A Shared Smile limited edition retail line will be available for sale during this event to help raise awareness of the program. Partnering with Spa Cenvaree’s preferred supplier, these gift sets were developed exclusively by Donna Chang, the industry leader in providing the finest quality of spa products.

In addition, Spa Cenvaree is encouraging bookings by offering a free upgrade to all guests taking 60-minute spa packages and massages.

Distribution of the funds will take place in April. The donations will go directly to the two orphanages to provide essential supplies.

The Spa Cenvaree branches that are introducing the new spa menu and participating in the Shared Smile project are Centara GrandBangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld, Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya, Centara Grand Beach ResortVillas Hua Hin, Centara Grand Beach ResortVillas Krabi, Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok, Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket, Centara Villas Phuket, Centara Villas Samui, Centara Kata Resort Phuket, Centara Karon Resort Phuket, Khum Phaya ResortSpa, Centara Boutique Collection, Centara Duangtawan Hotel Chiang Mai, and Centara Anda Dhevi ResortSpa Krabi.

Established in year 2000, SPA Cenvaree is a member of Centara Hotels and Resorts, a leading group of first class hotels and resorts in Thailand. Recognized as an innovative spa operator in the Asia Pacific region, the SPA Cenvaree experience can be found through an elite network of 27 outlets, and will expand its presence to new destinations including Mauritius, China, Sri Lanka, Bali by 2012, bringing its portfolio of spas to 40 across 9 counties.

SPA Cenvaree’s philosophy is simple, holding on the belief that the life-force is enhanced through the balance of body, mind and soul, achieved through making time for a calm moment and allowing the body to rest and rejuvenate.

Every spa is a destination in itself, offering guests their own distinct signature journeys inspired by local culture, surroundings, and healing traditions. Guests will enjoy the same high-quality spa standards, with treatments administered by a team of skilled, customer-focused therapists.

For more information or reservations, please contact SPA Cenvaree on 0 2100 1234 ext. 6545 or visit www.spacenvaree.com .

PHOTO: Centara Grand Island ResortSpa Maldives SPA Cenvaree / Image via centarahotelsresorts.com

MEDIA CONTACT: Centara Hotels Resorts, 999/99 Rama 1 Road, Pathumwan Bangkok 10330, Thailand, Tel: +66 (0) 2 769 1234, Fax: +66 (0) 2 769 1235, Email: centara@chr.co.th

Where you can get manicures and mammograms the same day

When her sister suggested they try a new spa for a pre-New
Year’s Eve pedicure, Jenny Burden was a bit skeptical about her
choice. Especially the location: a hospital.

“It was strange, definitely,” she said. “I probably wouldn’t
have done it, if my sister didn’t know about it.”

But the experience was so good that Burden, a Falls resident,
says she may return for a plant stem cell facial.

“It is really nice especially for patients who’ve been there all
day getting medical treatments and they can go there and relax,”
she added.

The Oasis Spa at Hopewell has been doing a brisk business since
opening in November within the new $500 million Capital Health
hospital campus in Mercer County, N.J., about 15 miles outside
Lower Bucks County, hospital officials say.

Capital Health is one of two local hospitals that are merging
medical and beauty services, a trend largely attributed to the
popularity of medi-spas, hybrid centers that offer more intensive
skin treatments that are administered by licensed medical
professionals.

Hospital-based spa services are seen as a natural extension of
that trend, industry insiders say.

“They recognize this is a paradigm shift that is going on and
they don’t want to be missing out,” said Allan Share, a spokesman
for the Day Spa Association/International Medical Spa Association,
based in Minnesota. “It has opened up people’s mind to think about
it’s not just therapy for the wealthy.”

The American Hospital Association, the trade group for U.S.
hospitals, doesn’t track the spa trend, but the Day Spa Association
says more than a dozen U.S. hospital-based spas are open for
business. One Bucks County hospital that dabbled in the retail spa
business eventually sold it to a private entity.

Theories abound about why hospitals would branch into the beauty
business, including the fact it provides a supplemental income
stream while simultaneously promoting brand loyalty among patients
and others who may return later for elective medical services.
Convenience is another factor, especially for time-starved
caregivers.

The popularity of medi-spas also shows that people are attracted
to the idea of receiving beauty treatments in a setting with easy
access to medical and prescription services and the highest level
of cleanliness and professional standards, industry experts
say.

For hospitals, the idea of expanding into retail spa services
isn’t so far-fetched.

In recent years, the medical community has embraced a more
holistic approach to health care and prevention. Many hospitals,
including most local ones, offer cancer patients complementary
therapies such as massage, yoga, reflexology and aromatherapy.

Initially, Capital Health planned to focus its spa services on
cancer patients, but after visiting a few similar hospital-based
centers, it decided to go bigger, opening the spa to the hospital’s
1,500 employees, visitors and the general public, said Nancy
Schlitter, director of volunteer services.

Oasis clients include family members waiting for patients,
employees and even visitors, Schlitter said. Plus, the Hopewell
hospital is seeing visitors use its other retail offerings,
including a bistro café, a high-end gift shop and a baby
boutique.

“We’ve had people come in and say, ‘Oh my God, you have a spa
here.’ We sold a ton of gift certificates for the holidays,”
Schlitter said. “People are starting to come who are looking for
that.”

Oasis features certified organic products and offers a
full-range of services, including body wraps, massages, makeup
applications, facials, and a waiting area that sells beauty
products. A separate area within the spa caters exclusively to
cancer patients.

“Studies show stress brings on illness and illness brings on
stress,” Schlitter said. “If this was something we could offer to
everybody, it would be something that would bring people into the
hospital and it would treat the whole person.”

Aria Health, which has campuses in Falls and Philadelphia, was
among the pioneers in the health and beauty arena. The hospital has
offered spa services for at least three years at its Aria Health
Spa Aesthetic Center at its Torresdale campus.

Demand for spa services has increased so much that Aria has
plans to expand offerings into the Bucks County area, where about
40 percent of its regular spa clients live.

Two years ago, the hospital hired a full-time medical
esthetician who provides treatments such as laser and chemical
peels, said Chris Winchester, manager of preventive health and
fitness for Aria.

The connection between skin condition and overall health is one
reason that Aria esthetician Anna Broggi believes people see skin
care regimens as a reflection of good health, not pure vanity.
Hospital-based spas services include extensive patient education on
how to maintain and protect skin health, Broggi said.

“We hold ourselves to a higher standard when it comes to that.
They’re looking at us as a different level of esthetic care,”
Broggi said. “It’s not just they get a pampering. They walk away
educated on how to take care of themselves.”

Leslee Forsyth, who splits her time between homes in Chadds Ford
in Chester County and Philadelphia, started with medical massage
services at the Aria Health spa at the recommendation of her
orthopedist. She is now a regular facial client.

What Forsyth says she likes best about the facials at Aria’s spa
is the extra medical insight the staff provides.

“They come from a different perspective,” she said. “At my stage
of life, it’s not a vanity thing; it’s not just how I look. Your
skin tells what is going on inside.”

Not all hospitals are eager to enter the beauty business.

Doylestown Hospital opened The Lab Fitness + Spa in 2001, but
sold it to Cornerstone Fitness, a local private health club in
2010.

“We didn’t feel we were as knowledgeable about the spa industry
as we were health care,” said Eleanor Wilson, vice president of
patient services for Doylestown Hospital.

One problem the hospital encountered with on-site spa services
was a lack of time, since most hospital stays last only a few
days.

“To try and fit spa treatments in with everything else that has
to be done with patients is very hard,” Wilson said.

Jo Ciavaglia: 215-949-4181; email: jciavaglia@phillyBurbs.com;
Twitter:
@jociavaglia

© 2012 phillyBurbs.com . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Red Door Spa’s Midtown terrace

SIDE DISH

Elizabeth Arden’s new flagship Red Door Spa on Fifth Avenue will include a 2,500-square foot penthouse terrace overlooking the posh Midtown shopping area, Side Dish has learned.

The opening marks the start of a new business strategy to roll out Red Doors across the country and overseas, said Todd Walter, CEO of Red Door Spa Holdings, which is backed by North Castle Partners, a private-equity firm based in Greenwich, Conn.

The 21,000-square-foot facility, occupying the top two floors of the Ferragamo building at 663 Fifth Ave., where Cornelia Day Spa used to be, will offer a day spa and salon services for men and women, along with a spa cafe and boutique selling Elizabeth Arden products.

The new location also will include longstanding employees, such as celebrity aesthetician Claudia Bode, who says there will be a private VIP entrance on 52nd Street for high-profile clients who want treatments free from the glare of the paparazzi.

In addition, Cornelia Zicu, who founded the Cornelia Day Spa, is now the Global Chief Creative Officer for Red Door Spas.

The flagship, Walter says, “showcases our growth, modernity and passion for innovation and expansion while honoring our classic heritage.”

Red Door closed its old flagship at 691 Fifth Ave. on Saturday and is reopening at the new location on Thursday. The old lease expires next month.

“The new spa is a dramatic upgrade with a modern look and better amenities,” Walter said. It includes full-service steam rooms and a relaxation room.

Red Door currently owns and operates 50 full-service salons and day spas across the country, including 31 freestanding spots or hotel properties.

Its new business plan is to open between four and six locations a year, Walter said.

He added that Red Door is in talks with a major hospitality company to open spas in new top quality hotels, and that Red Door has “identified another 100 locations around North America that would support a freestanding Red Door Spa.”