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Local Luxury: The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Boston

Filed under: Spas

When you step into the reception area of The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Boston, a 16,000-square-foot day spa four floors above busy Boylston Street, you can't help but leave your stress at the door. The soothing sound of the Asian-inspired wall fountain and the tantalizing aroma of the spa's signature scent, Quintessence, wafting gently through the air banish any thought of the mundane world below you. You're greeted and presented with a beverage specially selected for the season -- a warming cup of herbal tea for the winter, a cooling drink for warmer months -- and a pair of spa slippers replace your street shoes. Your treatment hasn't even begun, and already you're approaching Nirvana.

The spa asks that guests arrive 45 minutes before their scheduled treatments, and when you've slipped into one of the spa's plush robes in either the men's or women's dressing room, you see why. You're led into the spa's "thermal experiences" area where you're encouraged to relax on a surprisingly comfortable tile bench warmed by radiant heat, loosen your muscles in the vitality pool or the crystal steam room (a healing quartz crystal geode presides over the enclosed space), or refresh yourself with a splash from an ice fountain. Then you can recline and relax in a meditative lounge area until your therapist summons you for your treatment.

The treatment rooms, with their golden anegre wood walls, bamboo flooring, and a choice of natural lighting, inspire yet deeper levels of Zen-like calm. Every spa treatment begins with the ringing of tingsha, Tibetan cymbals that produce different sound frequencies that resonate with the body. A complimentary foot treatment blends Asian rituals with oils formulated with essences of New England herbs, like soothing calendula or invigorating mint. As for treatments, you can choose the services you want ahead of time -- an aroma stone massage, a detoxing body wrap -- or pick the treatment that suits your mood at the moment: most of the Mandarin Oriental's on-staff therapists are dual-licensed. Your treatment ends with a final ringing of the tingsha.

If you're looking for an even more luxurious day spa experience, there's the 700-square-foot Mandarin Suite, which spa director Sharon Holtz says is the choice of Boston's elite, visiting celebrities, and privacy-hungry guests with its separate entrance and "thermal experiences" area.

To book a treatment at The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Boston, call (617) 535-8820.

This post was contributed via Seed.com, AOL's new platform for freelance writers.

Tags: Bostondayspa, Bostonspa, dayspa, local luxury, luxuryspaBoston, spaBoston, TheSpaatMandarinOrientalBoston

Local Luxury: Top Luxury Day Spas in San Francisco, CA

by Keeley Mitchell (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spas

San Francisco has always done things its own way. Whether it was entertainment or politics, San Francisco always puts its own spin on things. The luxury day spas in San Francisco are no different. San Francisco's best luxury day spas are found off the beaten path and not in the ritzy hotels as one would expect.

International Orange Spa
Address: 2044 Fillmore Street, 2nd Floor (Pacific Heights)
Phone: 415-563-5000
Website: www.internationalorange.com
Hours: Monday thru Friday 11-9; Saturday and Sunday 9-7

Established by three Bay Area women, International Orange adds a twist to the archetypal spa. Customers can attend yoga classes before and after massages, facials and other treatments. The trendy spa offers ingenious services, such as rhythmic sequence of acupressure and holistic face lifts. The beautiful decor of milky white walls and cherry wood floors provides a serene ambiance that reinforces International Orange's therapeutic approach.

Kabuki Springs & Spa
Address: 1750 Geary Boulevard (Japantown)
Phone: 415-922-6000
Website: www.kabukisprings.com
Hours: Open Daily From 10am to 9:45pm

Located in San Francisco's vibrant Japantown, this Japanese paradise releases your inner empress through exotic rice exfoliations and massages. Along with a beautiful Japanese communal bath, customers can enjoy private candlelit baths while sipping on tea. Kabuki's focus is on nurturing harmony within the soul and relaxation through water and touch therapy.

Tags: bodywraps, dayspa, facials, local luxury, luxury, manicure, massages, pedicure, salon, sanfrancisco, spas

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The Spa at The Grand Del Mar: A Premier Resort Spa

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spas

Take a walk around the grounds of The Grand Del Mar and you might think you've stepped through a wormhole to a 16^th Century Mediterranean villa. Fortunately for modern spa-goers, the resort is a reality – and a Luxist nominee in the best day spa category.

Founded in 2007, The Grand Del Mar and its 249 guestrooms are tucked between the rolling fairways of a Tom Fazio-designed golf course near San Diego, Calif. The resort's 21,000-square-foot spa was created with Renaissance sensibilities in mind, from its earthy colors to is crystal glass tiles and imported white Carrera marble. Framed Hermés scarves and vintage photos of Venice adorn the walls; sauna rooms, an indoor Jacuzzi and a stone fireplace beckon.

Inside the spa's 11 treatment rooms – including a couples' suite – guests receive a host of natural therapies, including facials, hydrotherapy and body treatments. For the body, treatments include "Renaissance," a bath of mineral mud and warm oil proceeded by a warm body wrap and rosemary-infused Swiss shower, topped off with a stretching massage (90 minutes: $310). All treatments at the Spa utilize The Grand Del Mar Skin and Body Care Collection, a private label of botanical and aroma therapy-based facial and body wellness products. The entire product line is handmade and organic (products are for sale exclusively at the Spa Boutique).

For the face, options include "Luminous," a combination of a pressure-point massage and a nutrient-rich facial (90 minutes: $270), as well as "Art for Art's Sake," an exfoliating facial followed by a neck, shoulders, face and scalp massage done with warm oils (90 minutes: $270). Not a bad way to end the day after 18 holes.

Cast your vote for your favorite spa until March 31st. Winners will be announced on April 1.

Tags: awards-main, best day spa, best spa, BestDaySpa, BestSpa, day spa, DaySpa, grand del mar, GrandDelMar, luxist-awards, spa-main, The Spa at The Grand Del Mar

Readers Choice Awards for Best in Spas

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spas

Is there an extended-stay spa with a program that changed your life for the better? Is there a great spa that caters to men with unique programs or treatments? Which international spa is really worth traveling to, even if it is thousands of miles away from home? Is there a luxurious day spa that you believe is the best one around? Which spa do you think offers the best green practices while also offering luxurious surroundings and state-of-the-art treatments? If you can recommend the best spas around the world, we want to hear from you!

The Luxist Readers' Choice Awards for Best in Spas will be awarded based on your nominations and voting. We're currently seeking nominations for the best-of-breed in the following categories:

Best Day Spa
Best Green Spa
Best Extended-Stay Spa
Best International Spa Retreat
Best Men's Spa

One nomination per category, please. Submissions can be filed until March 15, 2010. Winners will be announced on April 1, 2010.