All summer long, Willow Stream spas around the world will feature the near-magical cucumber in a new special Willow Stream-only experience every month … and you’re invited.

·First up in June is the amazing Fresh Summer Skin Cucumber-Cooler Body Experience

·In July, treat yourself (and your friends) to the truly splendid Cucumber Cool & Hydrate Your Feet Pedicure. You’ll feel like you’re walking on air

·And August’s “get your cuke on” Willow Stream experience will send you euphoric into the fall: Fresh Summer Cucumber Facial and Back Treatment.

Scientists and spa therapists have long known that cucumbers are a terrific natural source of B vitamins and a wonderfully quick and easy “pick me up” snack.

Now, we’ve learned a lot more about how cucumbers can help to rehydrate your body and perhaps contribute significantly to a weight loss program.

It seems that the cucumber’s beneficial effects may be greater than anyone suspected even just a few years ago.

Getting your cuke on this summer starts with a simple call to book your next summer experience at a Willow Spa near you. Click here for more info.

That’s when we host our second two-day Peak Performance Weekend with renowned brain health expert, Dr. Daniel Friedland. I’ll be a full participant and I’m so excited.

I hope you’ll join me.

Like a lot of people, I don’t really love working out – please don’t tell Jason, my trainer – and I seldom refuse a gourmet pizza! As you can imagine, this is a difficult combination to manage, so I have to find the perfect way to get motivated to follow at least a basic healthy lifestyle.

And I think I’ve found one, thanks to Dr. Friedland and his research on brain health to achieve peak performance.

I first met Dr. Friedland (Danny, to everyone) when I chaired the 2011 Global Spa Summit in Bali. He had done some research for the Summit and helped us develop a web site with all the scientific evidence behind the services we offer in spas, including treatments like massage, hydrotherapy and aromatherapy.

His company,“Super Smart Health” (great name), as well as his credibility, depth of knowledge and personal energy were compelling. As you can guess, I am all about energy – and want lots! (Note: “find your energy” is the slogan of Willow Stream Spas).

At the 2012 Summit in Aspen, Dr. Friedland presented his latest program: Four in Four Framework to Achieve Peak Performance. It is a guide to brain-training through mindfulness and a healthy lifestyle. The goal is to “rewire” our brains for stress management, long term optimum brain functioning and to improve communication and happiness. I think brain health AND the promise of peak performance just might be my new healthy lifestyle motivation!

When you meet Danny, you will find that he lives his research and that his enthusiasm is infectious. After just a brief time with him, I come away revved up; I can’t imagine what 2 days will be like.

The Southampton package includes an eight-week follow-up to help keep you on track with the Peak Performance program.

If your new goal is a “fit brain in a fit body” then you’ll want to join us for this special weekend. It’s called Boot Camp for the Brain, and I am READY to get into action.

It will be a great event and, perhaps, the smartest thing we do all year.

Click here to find out more.

It’s great but it can be overwhelming at times to always be “On” and connected. Our phones have become appendages with emails, text messages, phone calls and the whole Internet always coming in.

A recent survey revealed that 87 percent of the global population has a mobile device (ITU). Whether out at dinner, spending time with friends or at work, we’re surrounded by technology. It’s a beautiful thing to use technology to stay in touch with loved ones, it’s another thing when it takes control of our lives.

Our attention spans have decreased tremendously and we’re reducing our human connections and avoiding face-to-face contact.

Fortunately, it’s easy to disconnect and rejuvenate. Here are a few tips on Digital Detoxing:

1. Turn off your phone/laptop/tablet by 8pm, or set a time at least a couple hours before you go to bed. Use that time to focus your energy on something else, like meditation or yoga. Your mind and body will be able to slow down and regroup. You’ll find that you sleep much better and wake up energized and refreshed.
2. Leave your cell phone in another room when you’re sleeping. We have a tendency to sleep with our phone right next to us for fear of missing something. Try leaving your phone charging in the hallway or in another room. It might be difficult at first, but you’ll find you feel better as time passes. It’ll help you focus on the task at hand – sleep!
3. Turn your phone off and put it away when you’re with friends and family. Our loved ones deserve our full attention. When you leave your phone off, you’ll find that you’re more alert, attentive and responsive in your conversations.
4. If you’re able to accomplish the first few tips, then you might be ready for a 24-hour Digital Detox. Use this time to do something that you find relaxing. Have fun with your family and create a game night or host a group cooking session. For a wonderful indulgence, try a day at the spa, with a luxurious massage, fabulous facial, and a dip in the pool. Top it off with a long sit in the sauna. Make it a group outing with your friends and make it a spa’rty!
5. Set a no-connection time each week. Make it a regular thing to enjoy some time without the distractions of technology. Whether it’s time set aside for reading or starting a project and do it consistently. Once you have the 24-hour Detox down, try it for 36-48 hours.

It’s a wonderful, freeing feeling. It’s so effective that vacations are being formed around it. Imagine a week with no cell phone, Internet or computer, and just enjoying pure blissful relaxation time. It’s a great way to reconnect with family and friends. Even more important, it’s a way to reconnect with yourself.

A few weeks ago, we decided to take a short break to Bermuda. The Fairmont Southampton is an amazing hotel high on a hill overlooking the famous pink sand of Horseshoe Bay. Our friends, Phil and Jo, joined us and we made the trip from Atlanta in less than two hours.

No one in the group (except me) had ever been there. All the comments on our 30 minute trip from the airport to the hotel reminded me of how remarkable this small island really is. The pastel houses and the hundred shades of blue of the water are vibrant against the clear sky. The narrow winding streets offer surprise views at every turn, occasionally making us close our eyes as scooters come from all sides.

Instead of the ride from the airport being a means to an end, it is a great time to soak in the island. We often speak in spas about “mindfulness” but I like to think of it as savouring – paying attention and enjoying every detail of the surroundings.

My Fairmont colleagues greeted us at the door and the smiles and laughter began. My husband and our friends thought it was all a show because I work for Fairmont but they remarked the next day that everyone was greeted like that.

There are three “musts”: our Willow Stream Spa (of course), our beautiful and challenging Par 3 golf challenge and a local drink called Dark & Stormy (or, my preference, Champagne) at the Jasmine Bar.

We played lots of golf on world renowned island courses (all great), spent time in the Willow Stream Spa and then met up before dinner for the evening cocktail.
While the big golf courses were spectacular, I had the most fun playing our picturesque resort course early one morning. The sun was coming up, the dew was glistening on the grass, the smell of jasmine was in the air. Riding in a pink (naturally) golf cart, I played well!
Justin is our Executive Director of all our Fairmont Golf Courses. The first thing he asked when I got home was my opinion of the new golf store he had put in at the Fairmont Southampton. He wouldn’t have had to ask if he’d seen the receipts from our group. It really is one of the best golf stores I have been to and he is so proud of it.

At our Willow Stream spa, I had one of the best facials ever – no kidding – and we had made my booking under a false name so the aesthetician didn’t know who I was. Probably one of the reasons that it was so great is that she was talented AND she didn’t know who I was! Our new Spa Director, Paul, is developing a great team and it was rewarding to experience it as a guest.

What a perfect 3 day break. Easy to get to, the best golf and spa combination and, of course, a relaxing sip of champagne and quietly savoring each wonderful day together in the Bermuda sun.

I always know when it’s a great break. Steve just asked today – when are we going back? So, we just booked another weekend. Can’t wait!

P.S. If it sounds like I’m bragging and about this property, I probably am. We had an amazing time and I just had to let you know.

I went with Ruth Armstrong, who opens all of our new spas, to see how the construction on the upcoming Fairmont Hotel in Jaipur was coming along and to prepare for our exciting new Willow Stream Spa.

It was certainly a whirlwind visit: Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai, Bangalore, Calcutta and Hyderabad in just 10 days!

We were looking for inspiration for treatments and we wanted to source local spa products and supplies. Most important, we interviewed top spa talent for our team.

India is a full five senses experience. The people are wonderfully helpful and friendly. I loved every minute: the elephants on the road to Jaipur our first morning, the ladies bathing in creeks and rivers fully clothed in brightly colored saris, a hike in the foothills of the Himalayas, monkeys all over the cars – even in cities, luxurious hotels with great service and, yes, even the poverty.

I had expected to feel some sadness but I found India to be very optimistic and in the process of transforming. Some day, I’ll return for a vacation.

In the meantime, we all look forward to seeing the hotel and spa fully open. They’re already magnificent. Designed in the Mughul tradition, the hotel is like a fortress that unveils itself at every turn with layers of interesting features and design elements. One of the arrival halls by the tea room is currently being hand painted by local craftsmen who won’t be finished for three or four years. Teatime while painters work on a masterpiece is fascinating.

The hotel will open later this year and the Willow Stream will open in 2013. We have so many magical things to create before then.

The Spa is in its own building (see the picture). The design is, of course, inspired by grand Mughal palaces surrounded by fragrant trees and lush gardens. Treatment rooms will be in yurt-like tents in the gardens. Winding down the central staircase is a subterranean spa oasis with two opulent suites. The therapeutic sounds of mineral water drip into an underground pool and they echo against the columns and stone ceilings creating an awe inspiring ambiance.

The experiences will match the architecture and I am getting very excited as we do the research now to create them. Start making your plans to visit us in Jaipur. It will be the experience of a lifetime. I can’t wait to go back.

Before a key speech, McKain likes to go to the spa at his hotel for a massage to clear his mind and sharpen his thinking. “It’s incredibly helpful before an event,” he says. McKain, who lives in Indianapolis, Indiana, never expected to make spas a regular part of his routine. He started trying them about six years ago, when he noticed that many peak performers he knew in the business world were doing so. Discovering that his own business performance improved, too, he began to schedule time for spa-going during his travels.

Today, “I’m in a hotel spa two or three times a month,” says McKain, who has relaxed at the Willow Stream Spas at the Fairmont Banff and Fairmont Scottsdale, among others.Thinking about a spa break on your next business trip? Here are some business-boosting benefits you might not have considered.

It’s a great way to maintain energy. Frequent travel can wear you down if you don’t take a break. A spa visit is the perfect way to keep your energy level high on the road. “It’s just part of what you have to do to take care of yourself,” says McKain.

It can refresh your perspective. McKain finds he does some of his best thinking after a spa visit. His tip on finding one that will recharge your thinking: “The décor of the spa creates the atmosphere,” says McKain. “But it’s the professionals who work in the spa who create the experience. It’s really critical to find both.” He particularly appreciates the “magic in the mix” at the Willow Stream Spa in Banff.

It’s a great reward. Barry Maher, a keynote speaker for many corporate clients and author of Filling the Glass, travels constantly. When staying at Fairmont Hotels and others he frequents, he’ll often go into the spa for a workout, followed by a sauna and perhaps a massage or spend time in the Jacuzzi. When he’s on the go and traveling light, thoughtful extras like a shaving kit in his hotel room mean a lot. “I really love all of that stuff,” he says. “To have the shaving station at Willow Stream is a real luxury.”

The Fairmont Fit Benefit (for President’s Club Members) makes everything very easy. If you’ve forgotten your fitness gear, they’ll provide Adidas workout apparel and shoes and even an MP3 player and yoga mat. All are delivered to your room. And he finds that his spa visits—often scheduled the day before a speaking engagement—pay off in his career. “My thoughts are clearer,” he says. “I sleep better.” And once he’s up on the stage, the calm he’s achieved helps him set the right tone. “When you’re relaxed enough, it projects an image of confidence, and that is absolutely critical when you stand in front of a group,” he says. “It calms down your body language.”

It’s a habit you’ll enjoy adopting.  Hans J. Galutera is co-founder and principal at New York City-based BG Studio International, which designs the interiors of yachts and cruise ships. While he loves his work, it comes with deadline pressures and a busy travel schedule. Galutera makes sure to plan spas into his routine, to keep his stress manageable. “I’ve tried different methods of decompressing,” he says. “Going to the gym, for me, is very boring.” But a workout at a spa followed by a massage is a whole other story. “For me, it’s a sanctuary,” he says.

“Five years ago, it was hard to get away,” he notes. Today, he realizes it’s vital. “You really have to reserve time for yourself,” he says.

“Maintaining a fitness routine while traveling is tough, but often key to making sure healthy habits aren’t completely jettisoned by business timetables,” says Brian Richardson, Vice President, Brand Marketing & Communications at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.

In fact, many road warriors find ways to use their business travel to get into even better shape and indulge in some much-needed pampering. The trick is planning ahead as much as you can, so you can take advantage of time during your trip to energize yourself with a workout. Try these tips.

Pack the essentials you need. Lisa Jennings, chief experience officer for Wildly Different and Master’s of the Hunt—related companies in Orlando, Fla. that provide corporate team building and networking events— travels two to six times a month for work. She always tucks a pair of running shoes and quick-dry exercise gear into her suitcase. “No matter where you are, there’s usually a place to walk or run,” she says. She’ll also bring a swimsuit, so she can take advantage of luxurious hotel pools.

Or better yet….

Let your hotel make it easier. If you’re a member of Fairmont President’s Club, check out Fairmont Fit (a service that is free for premier and platinum members). It provides Reebok workout apparel and shoes delivered to your room, along with an MP3 player loaded with music, a yoga mat and stretch bands.

“Fairmont Fit allows guests to hit the gym even if they’ve forgotten their gear or have opted to travel lightly,” says Richardson. “They can jog on the Santa Monica Pier, take a walk along The Thames in London, enjoy workouts in the health club or simply follow an in-room fitness routine.”

You’d be surprised how much you can accomplish even if you have 30 minutes to yourself in your room after a busy day. To fit in workouts during unusually busy travel days, Mike Muhney, CEO of VIPorbit Software International—who is close to becoming a “4 million miler” with his airline—brings along nylon exercise straps from TRX that he can hook over a door. “I’ve found ways to get around all the obstacles so they don’t hinder my routines,” he says.

Look for gaps in your work schedule.  Matt Bellace, a motivational speaker from New York City, sleeps in hotels about 100 nights a year to keep up with his busy calendar of events. Workouts help him maintain his energy level during his trips, so at the start of each week, he makes sure to plan three to four sessions on the elliptical machine or with weights, at whatever times he can fit them into his days that week. “If I get to work out, I don’t notice fatigue, no matter how busy I am,” he says.

Catherine Feliciano-Chon, founder and managing director of Catchon Communications, based in Shanghai and Hong Kong, often finds herself on business trips that are packed with activity. “I try to squeeze as much productivity as I can into my schedule, which means no down time,” she says. She makes the most of unexpected opportunities to exercise. “I try and walk as much a possible within the airport and avoid taking the monorail unless I’m really pressed for time,” she says.

Use time zone changes to your advantage.  If you’ve gained three extra hours on a trip from West Coast to East Coast, for instance, explore your hotel spa. “I’ll wake up at 6 am and go right to the gym,” says Bellace, who enjoys being able to take his time, with his first business meeting a few hours away.

Feliciano-Chon finds that when she’s jet lagged, she tends to wake up early and can squeeze in a quick workout in the hotel gym or her room, using exercise bands. “I also check if the destination is a `walking friendly’ city,” she says. “A great way to discover a city for the first time is usually very early in the morning, before the city wakes up. It’s both meditative and refreshing to walk around at sunrise. For example, walking on the Bund in Shanghai at dawn is such a fantastic experience.”

Work out before you check email. William E. Koffel travels almost weekly from his headquarters in Columbia, MD to locations as far flung as Singapore and Dubai as president of Koffel Associates in Columbia, Md. Nonethless, the fire protection engineer often fits in two daily workouts as he trains for a triathlon. How does he pull this off? First, he gets off to a strong start by diving into the hotel pool for a swim before logging onto his laptop in the morning. “Ignore the computer,” he advises. Once you’re done with your workout, your inbox will still be waiting. Then, if he doesn’t have plans in the evening, he’ll return to the hotel gym for a second workout.

Spice up your routine with a new class. Instead of the same old, same old, check out the schedule at the hotel spa for classes that you can’t do at your usual gym at home. “I love to see what offerings they have,” says Jennings.

Make it fun. When he travels to San Diego, Bellace heads to the beach and rents a surfboard. “It completely changes my entire mindset,” he says. “You forget about everything else for that period of time.”

If Bellace can travel with his wife, they take full advantage of the spa, like they did at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa. “When we go to a spa, we’ll work out first, get a couple’s massage and sit in the sauna afterward,” he says.

Workout with a buddy. Anne McCall Wilson, VP of Spas for Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, says she works out best with a workout partner, but on the road she’s often by herself. “I often hire a personal trainer in advance so that I am sure to put that time aside and it often gives me new things to tell my trainer at home,” says Wilson. “Sometimes I hire a walking guide and ask for someone fit. That way you’ll get in a good walk and a tour at the same time.”

Do some sightseeing. “I look for tours that combine exercise with a fun way to explore the city I’m in,” says Jennings. “Something like a bicycle tour or kayak outing is the perfect way to unwind.  It’s good for your soul, your body and your mind

Fit bliss: 8 ways to stay in shape on the road

Business trips can be full of temptations to indulge and let exercise fall by the wayside—but you don’t have to let things slide while you’re away.

“Maintaining a fitness routine while traveling is tough, but often key to making sure healthy habits aren’t completely jettisoned by business timetables,” says Brian Richardson, Vice President, Brand Marketing & Communications at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.

In fact, many road warriors find ways to use their business travel to get into even better shape and indulge in some much-needed pampering. The trick is planning ahead as much as you can, so you can take advantage of time during your trip to energize yourself with a workout. Try these tips.

Pack the essentials you need. Lisa Jennings, chief experience officer for Wildly Different and Master’s of the Hunt—related companies in Orlando, Fla. that provide corporate team building and networking events— travels two to six times a month for work. She always tucks a pair of running shoes and quick-dry exercise gear into her suitcase. “No matter where you are, there’s usually a place to walk or run,” she says. She’ll also bring a swimsuit, so she can take advantage of luxurious hotel pools.

Or better yet….

Let your hotel make it easier. If you’re a member of Fairmont President’s Club, check out Fairmont Fit (a service that is free for premier and platinum members). It provides Reebok workout apparel and shoes delivered to your room, along with an MP3 player loaded with music, a yoga mat and stretch bands.

“Fairmont Fit allows guests to hit the gym even if they’ve forgotten their gear or have opted to travel lightly,” says Richardson. “They can jog on the Santa Monica Pier, take a walk along The Thames in London, enjoy workouts in the health club or simply follow an in-room fitness routine.”

You’d be surprised how much you can accomplish even if you have 30 minutes to yourself in your room after a busy day. To fit in workouts during unusually busy travel days, Mike Muhney, CEO of VIPorbit Software International—who is close to becoming a “4 million miler” with his airline—brings along nylon exercise straps from TRX that he can hook over a door. “I’ve found ways to get around all the obstacles so they don’t hinder my routines,” he says.

Look for gaps in your work schedule.  Matt Bellace, a motivational speaker from New York City, sleeps in hotels about 100 nights a year to keep up with his busy calendar of events. Workouts help him maintain his energy level during his trips, so at the start of each week, he makes sure to plan three to four sessions on the elliptical machine or with weights, at whatever times he can fit them into his days that week. “If I get to work out, I don’t notice fatigue, no matter how busy I am,” he says.

Catherine Feliciano-Chon, founder and managing director of Catchon Communications, based in Shanghai and Hong Kong, often finds herself on business trips that are packed with activity. “I try to squeeze as much productivity as I can into my schedule, which means no down time,” she says. She makes the most of unexpected opportunities to exercise. “I try and walk as much a possible within the airport and avoid taking the monorail unless I’m really pressed for time,” she says.

Use time zone changes to your advantage.  If you’ve gained three extra hours on a trip from West Coast to East Coast, for instance, explore your hotel spa. “I’ll wake up at 6 am and go right to the gym,” says Bellace, who enjoys being able to take his time, with his first business meeting a few hours away.

Feliciano-Chon finds that when she’s jet lagged, she tends to wake up early and can squeeze in a quick workout in the hotel gym or her room, using exercise bands. “I also check if the destination is a `walking friendly’ city,” she says. “A great way to discover a city for the first time is usually very early in the morning, before the city wakes up. It’s both meditative and refreshing to walk around at sunrise. For example, walking on the Bund in Shanghai at dawn is such a fantastic experience.”

Work out before you check email. William E. Koffel travels almost weekly from his headquarters in Columbia, MD to locations as far flung as Singapore and Dubai as president of Koffel Associates in Columbia, Md. Nonethless, the fire protection engineer often fits in two daily workouts as he trains for a triathlon. How does he pull this off? First, he gets off to a strong start by diving into the hotel pool for a swim before logging onto his laptop in the morning. “Ignore the computer,” he advises. Once you’re done with your workout, your inbox will still be waiting. Then, if he doesn’t have plans in the evening, he’ll return to the hotel gym for a second workout.

Spice up your routine with a new class. Instead of the same old, same old, check out the schedule at the hotel spa for classes that you can’t do at your usual gym at home. “I love to see what offerings they have,” says Jennings.

Make it fun. When he travels to San Diego, Bellace heads to the beach and rents a surfboard. “It completely changes my entire mindset,” he says. “You forget about everything else for that period of time.”

If Bellace can travel with his wife, they take full advantage of the spa, like they did at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa. “When we go to a spa, we’ll work out first, get a couple’s massage and sit in the sauna afterward,” he says.

Workout with a buddy. Anne McCall Wilson, VP of Spas for Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, says she works out best with a workout partner, but on the road she’s often by herself. “I often hire a personal trainer in advance so that I am sure to put that time aside and it often gives me new things to tell my trainer at home,” says Wilson. “Sometimes I hire a walking guide and ask for someone fit. That way you’ll get in a good walk and a tour at the same time.”

Do some sightseeing. “I look for tours that combine exercise with a fun way to explore the city I’m in,” says Jennings. “Something like a bicycle tour or kayak outing is the perfect way to unwind.  It’s good for your soul, your body and your mind

Wearing high heels every day, can cause significant health problems, including bunions and hammertoes. And that’s just for starters; foot pain can resonate throughout your body, affecting circulation, spine, shoulders and neck.

Even if you don’t wear high heels, you could still be abusing your feet, especially if you stand up and move around all day. Sports and exercise are terrific for your whole body, but they can be punishment for your poor feet.

The difference between pedicure and pedi-CURE at Willow Stream

Pedicure is one of the most popular spa experiences at Willow Stream Spas everywhere in the world.

Generally, we think that people get pedicures to make their feet look prettier. That’s fine with us, as long as we can deliver the hidden health benefits at the same time.

The fact is, the health of your feet is vitally important to your overall health and, since they take quite a beating every day, they do need looking after. The therapeutic aspect of pedicure matters because taking care of your feet helps to make it possible for you to find your energy.

Willow Stream’s Pedi-CURE treatments are more intensely therapeutic than a standard pedicure. Here are some of our popular treatments around the globe.

At the Fairmont Pacific Rim, you can indulge in a Deluxe Executive Foot Grooming. After a long of day of standing on your feet or grueling stress on your feet, this 60-minute treatment is the cure for tired feet. It begins with an exfoliation using Eucalyptus and Turkish salts, following a rejuvenating footbath. Finally, a paraffin treatment and therapeutic foot balm seal in moisture. This wonderful experience helps stimulate circulation and revitalizes weary feet.

The Ginger and Black Pepper Foot Grooming at the Fairmont Zimbali is Great for aching feet. This 60-minute treatment begins with your feet and lower legs being soaked, exfoliated and moisturized. Followed by an awakening aroma of essential oils of stimulating black pepper, fresh rosemary and energizing ginger. It also includes polish or nail buffing.

Fairmont Yangcheng Lake offers a soothing foot treatment called “Soul to Sole”. It is a series of six 60-minute Reflexology treatments. Your feet will enjoy the attention they deserve with reflexology, which applies pressure to the foot’s thousands of nerve endings, improving your overall well-being. The treatment begins with a foot soak to soothe and awaken tired feet, followed by foot reflexology using special thumb, finger and hand techniques. It’s a treat your feet will appreciate, and put a smile on your face.

You can also try some of these foot and toe stretches, for extra relief at home (and between pedicures) to keep your feet in great shape:

1. Fill a reusable bottle with cold water and ice. Place the bottle on a towel on the floor and gently roll the bottle back and worth with the arch of your barefoot. Do this for a few minutes.
2. A simple point and flex stretch is one of the best preventative activities you can do for your feet. Just point your foot down, and then flex your foot up. Repeat a few times before and after any activity on your feet.
3. Sitting on your bed or floor, intertwine your fingers with your toes to help relieve the pressure. For an even greater stretch, straighten out your legs, keeping your fingers in between your toes.

So, the next time you want to pull out those fabulous heels, you might want to schedule a professional spa foot experience at Willow Stream for relief right after. Just let us know how we can help when you call.

Visit our website www.willowstream.com to see what foot treatments are available at a spa near you.

You just never know precisely how a new spa will turn out.

Thousands of details all need to come together for a luxury spa to be perfect; design, equipment, supplies, hiring, training, treatments, products, food and beverage, furniture, retail items all have to be determined and put in place. There are over 1,000 items just on our list of small supplies.

Many people are involved in a spa development and opening. Everyone works together to create a great facility with energizing experiences. Ruth Armstrong, our Director of Spa Openings, worked with Lyndell Nelis our Spa Director on the opening details so I didn’t get to see the final opening product until this summer. I had a lot of anticipation and a bit of anxiety about how the concept turned out and went to see all the final touches in place.

I am very happy to say that after seeing it – I am definitely at Peace.

Each Willow Stream spa is designed to draw on the energy of the place; often it is connected to nature. However, here we connected to the nature of Shanghai the city – merging some of the art deco, somewhat flamboyant past with Chinese tradition.

The spa is built in the new part of the project yet it gives the same kind of quality and environment of the historic Peace hotel. The interior designers HBA (Hirsh Bedner) did a great job, using many of the iconic details to give it a classic feel.

The treatment menu is interesting too – carrying the character of the spa into the menu with treatments like Mystic Peace which uses the mystic knot symbol that is everywhere in the hotel and the spa as the inspiration for a very effective massage treatment.

This is the one I couldn’t wait to try. The mystic knot is like a figure 8. It is not only a symbol of prosperity and wisdom but also a perfect energy flow. Some say simply drawing a figure 8 over and over has a calming effect. This massage was designed to target long held stress knots in the muscles using the 8 continuous movement. My experience with this massage was amazing. I could really feel the stress and muscle release. I am not sure it made me any wiser or more prosperous but it certainly made me feel at Peace. I definitely will have this treatment every time I go to this spa.

Question:
What is the time you feel most at Peace yourself? I think for me it is home with my family on a Sunday night after a great weekend – just the best.