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Luxury Uncorked: South Coast Winery Resort & Spa

Monday, July 11th, 2011

Relaxation Room at South Coast Winery Resort & Spa in Temecula, CA

Ask the editorial team members at Talk Spas what their number one passion is and they will all tell you the same thing: spas. Ask them what their number two passion is and there’s a good chance that many will tell you that it’s wine. So it comes as little surprise that when the South Coast Winery Resort & Spa – a working winery and full service spa in one – popped up on our radar, we were ecstatic.

South Coast Winery & Spa, located in Temecula, California, a renowned wine region about an hour’s drive from Los Angeles or San Diego, is a luxury resort that combines great food, excellent wine and healing spa treatments for an all-around incredible and unique experience. Offering spacious villas with marble bath environments, secluded patios, fireplaces and no common walls between, South Coast Winery & Spa is the ultimate retreat for peace and quiet. The resort’s GrapeSeed Spa “soothes and re-energizes body, mind and soul with a blend of innovative vine based treatments, state-of-the-art fitness center, private movement studio and secluded places to simply unwind.” Treatments include the Full Day of Bliss featuring the spa’s signature massage, GrapeSeed Scrub, a facial, and a 50-minute South Coast Manicure and Pedicure; the treatment also comes with a special spa cuisine. The Half Day of Balance treatment includes Harmonizing Hatha Yoga, Honey/Lemongrass Revitalizing Ritual, and Raindrop Technique Massage; a spa lunch is also inclusive. When not indulging in spa treatments, it’s the perfect opportunity to experience the resort’s state-of-the-art winery, appreciate its carefully tended vines and sample its finest wines. South Coast Winery & Spa is well known for its Merlot, Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc varietals, all which offer intense flavors and supple structures. The wines are particularly special because of the rich Southern California soil and the abundant sunlight bestowed upon the Temecula Valley. (more…)

Tags: California Spas
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Separate Spas: Penn and ScarJo Part Ways

Thursday, June 30th, 2011

Wellness Men's Day Spa, Manhattan

Celebrities are a fickle bunch; it was only a few weeks ago that we profiled the romantic spa getaway Hollywood hellraiser Sean Penn and his young lover, Scarlett Johannsen, experienced together at the historic Ojai Valley Inn & Spa in Ojai, California. Alas, word of their recent and inevitable split has left fans and admirers wondering with whom the two stars will end up in the arms of next. We can only imagine the crash and burn of their whirlwind romance has taken its toll on them, so to prep them to once again be lucky in love, we have separate spa suggestions for each of them. And we’ve even carefully selected spas on two different coasts to avoid the faux pas of Penn and ScarJo running into each other.

For Penn, we’ve chosen the Wellness Men’s Day Spa in Manhattan. New York, with its lively nightlife and beautiful women, is the ideal place for the renowned playboy to get his mind off ScarJo. When he’s not busy partying or sleeping, he can check in to a VIP Room at the Wellness Men’s Day Spa to relax and find balance with some Eastern inspired relaxation therapies. The 60-minute Intense Wellness Treatment utilizes Marine sediments and Green tea to help detoxify, promote weight loss and purify the skin. It’s notable for combating toxins and free radicals in the system. Penn could also opt for a 75-minute Chakra Massage that combines deep-tissue techniques with ancient Ayurvedic philosophy; Ayurveda recognizes seven chakras, or spinning energy centers, along the spine, that contribute to one’s sense of well-being. Afterwards, Penn could treat himself to hot sandwiches, cold salads and wine or beer at the bar. Now that’s a man’s spa getaway!

The Lounge Spa, Los Angeles

For ScarJo, we’ve selected The Lounge Spa, right in the heart of Los Angeles. The Lounge Spa claims that their “red velvet ropes are open to everyone.” That’s great, but we’re sure ScarJo’s charms will help her get an extra special treatment. The Lounge Spa’s massage treatments mostly have playful cocktail themed names and in light of ScarJo’s recent heartbreak, perhaps their Soothe Your Soles on the Rocks massage is ideal. The 2-minute treatment utilizes heated lava stones that loosen up the soles before being massaged on specific pressure points to ease tension and improve circulation. In order to keep her face looking extra appealing for her next actor-boyfriend, ScarJo could opt for a Citrus Squeeze Facial  that incorporates pure Vitamin C, lightening ingredients and powerful antioxidants, leaving her skin luminous, healthy and vibrant. The Lounge Spa also offers a private lounge area for VIP parties, so ScarJo could decide to invite her gal friends for the ultimate spa break. Now that’s a spa getaway fit for a starlet!

Breaking up is hard to do, but with a great spa to fall back on, Penn and ScarJo will be back in the game in no time at all.

Tags: celebrities
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The Lukács Baths: Brad & Angie’s Favorite Spa

Monday, June 27th, 2011

The Lukács Baths

Ok, we’ll be honest: we’re not sure that Lukács Baths is the favorite spa retreat of Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and their adorable brood of international children. However, since we know they’ve all been there and frolicked in the ancient baths, we wouldn’t be surprised if it was.

The Lukács Baths are one of the largest thermal baths in Budapest and a favorite of visitors from all over the world. The nearly 6,000 square-foot park is blessed with natural healing springs that have been in use since at least the 12th century when knights of the order of Saint John engaging in caring for the ill settled in the area. The bath continued to operate until the Turks moved in; at this point, the energy of the powerful springs was redirected to produce wheat and grind gunpowder. The property eventually ended up under the control of the government treasury until a private owner purchased it in 1884 and built a hotel, turning the springs into a beloved hydrotherapy spa. From there forward, the Lukács Baths saw steady improvement and refinement with the additions of a drinking cure hall, a hot water mud bath, open-air pools with whirling corridors, underwater effervescence, neck showers, water beam back massagers, whirlpools, geysers and many other advanced spa amenities. It has been said of the waters at Lukács Baths that due to their high sodium, calcium, magnesium, hydrogen carbonate, fluoride ion and nitrate content, that they are highly effective in curing numerous degenerative illnesses including: chronic and semi-acute arthritis, deformations of the vertebral spine, dislocation of the inter-vertebral discs, and certain cases of neuralgia. The waters are also said to infuse the bones with calcium, especially effective for post-injury treatment. The baths offer a daytime outpatient hospital with a complete physiotherapy department for those who wish to receive a highly personalized level of healing treatment.

It was on a break from filming that Brad and Angie brought the kids, including Pax and Zahara, to the Lukács Baths. Pax was having such a good time that he didn’t want to leave. It was also mentioned that the couple took the kids to McDonald’s afterwards; not exactly the most nutritious meal after a winning day in the healing waters of Lukács Baths, but hey, maybe Pax just ain’t down with the Budapestian cuisine.

Tags: Budapest, celebrities
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Spa Fit for a Sultaness: Aman New Delhi

Tuesday, June 21st, 2011

Aman New Delhi

In Talk Spas’ “Spa Fit for a Sultaness” series, we profile the most luxurious and lavish spas in the world.

To the Westerner, India is about as exotic of a locale as it gets. To the spa enthusiast, India offers a plethora of rejuvenating treatments based on ancient healing traditions like Ayurveda, which create an authentic experience unlike any other available in the world. Aman New Delhi, located in the heart of the capitol city of India, is the ultimate hotel and spa to experience the pleasures of this incredible country’s rejuvenation therapies.

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Tags: India, Spa Fit for a Sultaness
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Spa Trend: Beer Spa

Tuesday, June 14th, 2011

Beer Bath at the Landhotel Moorhof in Austria, Germany

There are interesting spa trends; and then there is plunking down in a tub of yeasty brew to get your therapy on. In the last several years, beer spas have been popping up all over Europe – well, at least the countries that are well known for their beer-swilling cultures like Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic. So what’s the point of a beer spa you ask?

No, it’s not the promise of fulfilling your inner frat boy’s (or girl’s) ale-induced dreams to splash in endless amounts of the hop juice. Soaking in a yeasty and aromatic vat of beer actually promotes your health and wellness in a number of ways, according to the ancient Romans as well as some modern-day spa therapists. Potential benefits are derived from the high vitamin (B-complex) and mineral content present within the hops and yeast; such medicinal properties are said to be good for the health of the skin, including hygienically as beer is an effective cleanser, and also for treating certain skin disorders like eczema. Want to feel for yourself what it’s like to plunge into a tub of barley pop? Head to the Landhotel Moorhof in rustic Franking, Austria; they offer what might be the most thorough beer treatment available anywhere. The Moorhof’s cellar features four couple-size wooden tubs filled with their own special brew in which to soak in and relax. Composed of a two percent-alcohol lager from the local Schnaitl Brewery, the therapists fortify the concoction with brewer’s yeast – known for its high nutritional content – malt, two scoops of hops and some pure mineral water. The result: rising bubbles from the bottom of the tub that activate the ingredients, causing a foam to form and turning the Jacuzzi into a giant beer stein. Of course, during the beer spa treatment, you’re not just sitting there twiddling your thumbs; you’re drinking a cold one that is also from the Schnaitl Brewery. Post dunk in the “stein”, you get wrapped in a starch white sheet and led to a bed to roll around in some alfalfa hay and build up a sweat. At the end, you take a dunk in a cool pool and rinse all the hops and other sticky beer residue off yourself. The feeling you will have when you are done is said to be pure bliss. And starting at around $60US for a half-hour treatment, it’s a deal that’s pretty hard to beat.

Differing from the world of vinotherapy – utilizing wine externally to foster health and well-being – that has a predominately female customer base, the beer spas is not dominated by a single sex. Unlike other spa treatments like facials, men have no fears of losing their masculinity when it comes to soaking in beer and a lot of times, women like to go to the beer spa with their husbands or significant others and bond over a brewski, or rather in one.

Tags: Beer Spa
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Spa Fit for a Sultaness: COMO Shambhala Retreat

Wednesday, June 8th, 2011

COMO Shambhala Retreat

There are a few places in the world that are so remote, exotic and authentic, that the allure to embark on a journey and visit is simply built in without any salesmanship. The Maldives, an island nation in the Indian Ocean, 250 miles south west of India, and composed of 26 atolls, is one of those rare locales. Just getting to the Maldives is part of the adventure, as there are no direct flights from say, Denver to Malé International Airport (MIA) – the gateway to this breathtakingly beautiful destination. However, once you have arrived, paradise is there for the taking; and what could be more paradisiacal than the COMO Shambhala Retreat?

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Tags: COMO Shambhala Retreat, Spa Fit for a Sultaness
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Summer 2011 Spa Deals

Wednesday, June 1st, 2011

Summer is almost here and you know what that means: vacation, lounging outside and dinner parties. Moreover, it is a prime time to go to the spa and leave the stress of the year behind. As you decide how you will wind down from another hectic year, consider the deals that these spas are offering.

Deals:

Taj Resort & Spa

Taj Resort & Spa

Located on the private Maldive Island, the Taj Resort & Spa is the perfect getaway from the raucous city-life. The island is a 15-minute luxury boat ride away from the rest of civilization, ensuring that its guests are surrounded with tranquility. Its Jiva Grande Spa is known for its “Indian-inspired healing” and soothing design concepts that feature beautiful views of the water throughout the spa. The resort is giving you 30% off all room accommodations as well as a free, 60-minutes spa service with your reservation at Taj Resort & Spa.

Regent Spa

Regent Spa, Providenciales

The Regent Spa, part of the Regent Palmson Providenciales Island in Turks and Caicos, is another spa you must visit if you love traveling and the tropical atmosphere. The spa’s 150-foot water garden, and multiple reflection pools immerses in a breathtakingly serene environment. If you’re an organic-lover, you would enjoy their Caribbean and herbal inspired treatments such as the Zareeba, which uses hand-picked herbs from the island for a steam cleansing. Regent Spa is offering 20% off all spa services.

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Tags: summer spa deals
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Spa Fit for a Sultaness: The Blue Spa

Friday, May 27th, 2011

In Talkspas’ “Spa Fit for a Sultaness” series, we profile the most luxurious and lavish spas in the world.

The Blue Spa at Carlisle Bay Resort, Antigua

Nestled between three stunning volcanoes in the picturesque West Indies, and what amounts to nothing short of an adventure traveler’s fantasy island, Antigua is a paradise on earth that is not to be missed. The island’s The Blue Spa at Carlisle Bay Resort, located on the stunning and bountiful south coast, is the ultimate spa retreat to kick back, relax and allow all of your stresses and tensions to melt away.

Set against the backdrop of rolling hills, tropical gardens, lush rainforest and the islands most ravishing beaches, The Blue Spa is an oasis of health and well being that makes a powerful and long lasting impact on all who partake in its healing pleasures. Need proof? Just ask Prince William and his new wife, Kate Middleton; or Paul McCartney and fiancée Nancy Shevell; or even Italian soccer goalie Gigi Buffon and his lover, Alena Seredova. All have partaken in the pleasures offered by this smart, conscientious and design-forward resort, which boasts spacious and contemporary suites decked out in white colonial style furniture, luxurious silk curtains by Jim Thompson and linen bedding by Frette. Of course, it’s The Blue Spa itself that is the true stand out here with six luxurious treatment rooms including a wet treatment and couple’s treatment rooms, a leading edge gymnasium with certified personal trainers, and a sauna, plunge pool, hair salon, and yoga and pilates classes. A plethora of spa treatments that address a number of areas of the body are on offer including the Luminous C+C antioxidant facial that nourishes the skin with vitamin C and fights the effects of aging; the Citrus Drench body treatment that hydrates with honey, shea butter and a generous dollop of orange extract; the Lomi Juma massage ritual that offers a dynamic fusion of healing traditions from the Pacific and Mediterranean; and the classic manicure that is, well, simply classic. All beauty products utilized by The Blue Spa are natural and locally sourced for maximum nutrient composition and sustainability. Additionally, the Carlisle Resort features two restaurants with healthy, deliciously prepared cuisine that goes hand in hand with the spa lifestyle.

In a world where the fast pace of life often leaves little room for considerations as basic and necessary as personal health and well being, The Blue Spa is an inviting oasis in the sea that promises to change the way you look and feel about yourself, and in turn, the way you view the world around you.

Tags: Antigua, Spa Fit for a Sultaness, The Blue Spa
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Seal Team Six: You Deserve a Spa Treatment

Thursday, May 26th, 2011

We’re not quite sure what’s more impressive; the fact that the U.S. Navy’s Seal Team Six – an elite commando unit so secretive that the White House won’t even directly acknowledge their existence – was able to take down the notorious and deadly Osama bin Laden in one fell swoop, or the fact that it was just another day on the job for them.

Either way, we’re sure of one thing: the members of this heroic unit deserve a day at the spa. Much has been made of the prowess of the Navy Seals, the highest standards they impose on those who wish to join, their regimented and grueling training and of course, “hell week” – the ultimate test of mental and physical toughness in which recruits are afforded only four hours of sleep over the course of five and a half days of nonstop running, swimming, crawling and other feats of fortitude. Seal Team Six is the best of the best within the Navy Seals and that is why they were tasked with the job of putting an end to bin Laden. Now, this crack team deserves some R&R and who better to make some spa-rific suggestions than the crack editorial team at Talkspas?

Seal Team Six is based out of the Dam Neck Annex of Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, and there’s no shortage of fantastic spas in the area. The Spa Phoenix in Virginia Beach at Hilltop is a bastion of relaxation and personal pampering in the setting of a classic spa environment. There’s no doubt that the Seals could benefit for Phoenix’s plethora of spa offerings, especially the King Neptune’s Retreat, which is specifically designed for men. At $265, the package features the spa’s signature Massage, Men’s Facial, Men’s Manicure, Phoenix Pedicure and a gourmet lunch. Another option is The Beach Spa Bed & Breakfast, also in Virginia Beach, which features a range of massages including Swedish, sports, hot stone and Reiki – that latter of which utilizes healing energy to bring balance on physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels.

Seal Team Six is an extraordinary group of soldiers that put their lives on the line time and again. They deserve the best spa therapies around to keep them in tip-top condition for a lifetime.

Tags: seal team six, Spa Phoenix
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Spa Romance: Penn Wines & Dines ScarJo at Famed Ojai Spa

Wednesday, May 25th, 2011

Ojai Valley Inn & Spa in Ojai, California

Hollywood hellraiser Sean Penn – notable for punching out camera men, maintaining a sustained presence in Haiti with his relief organization J/P HRO, and winning an Oscar for his Best Actor turn in Milk – recently decided to give himself a break and visit the historic Ojai Valley Inn & Spa in Ojai, California.

Accompanying Penn was none other than starlet Scarlett Johansson, Penn’s latest romantic conquest, post-divorce from actress Robin Wright of The Princess Bride and Forrest Gump fame. Penn and ScarJo recently went public with their romance at Reese Witherspoon’s opulent wedding and decided to further see and be seen at Jimmy’s Bar within the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa. Overdressed for the casual restaurant and watering hole, all eyes were on the high star-wattage couple as they sipped gin and tonics and dined on brick oven pizzas and club sandwiches. One onlooker said, “Scarlett looked mortified that everyone was staring at her. But she also looked radiant and rested.” Her radiant and rested look was no doubt a direct result of the spa and its numerous luxury treatments. For over 80 years, Ojai Valley Inn & Spa has been a retreat for Hollywood types who want to enjoy its casual Spanish-colonial elegance and rejuvenate from the grind of the movie set. The spa features several signature treatments that can’t be found anywhere else. The Essence in Balance treatment starts in the spa’s Apothecary where you are encouraged to rely on the needs of your unconscious to blend your own oils that will soon be used in a customized, classic full body massage that will help restore balance to your present state. The Shangri-La Body Treatment utilizes local honey and lavender grown on the property in a full body buffing and deep heat wrap. The treatment also includes a warm oil scalp treatment and a finishing touch of lavender shea butter over the entire body. The spa is also notable for its Kuyam Experience, named for the Chumash Native American Indian word, which means “a place to rest together.” Through a combination of self-applied desert clays, dry heat, and inhalation therapy accompanied by traditional Chumash wisdom, the Kuyam Experience is like no other.

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Tags: Celebrity, Ojai, Spa Romance
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