Air Jamaica SkyWritings, Jan/Feb 2003

A Caribbean vacation provides a perfect respite from the stress of everyday life, but if you’re looking for that extra dose of relaxation, why not take things a step further and take a trip to an island spa? The following spas offer a wide variety of massages, scrubs and holistic treatments in breathtaking locales with majestic vistas to boot. So, whether your whim is practicing yoga on a white sand beach or enjoying a body wrap in a secluded room high in a lush mountain setting, these spas from Jamaica to Grenada offer the opportunity to lie back, close your eyes and experience bliss.

Aveda Concept Spa
Strawberry Hill
Irish Town, Jamaica
876-944-8400
Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, about an hour from Kingston, is the Aveda Concept Spa at Strawberry Hill, where clients like Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss and Sting escape the fray of everyday life with aromatic treatments for the body and soul. Upon arrival, spa technicians conduct a consultation to determine your “Personal Blend,” a signature scent made of Aveda pure flower and plant essences. The blend becomes the basis for customized treatments such as the Himalayan Rejuvenation Treatment ($170). Based on ancient Ayuverdic principles, this treatment begins with a plant Purefume steam bath to detoxify the body after which a continuous stream of plant-based concentrate is drizzled on the forehead to promote relaxation. The Purescriptions treatment ($35), another spa favorite, includes a hair and scalp analysis followed by a personalized, deep conditioning therapy using products blended with your signature essence.

Strawberry Hill makes a perfect day or destination spa. There are12 villas featuring traditional 19th century Jamaican architecture and a 60-foot negative edge lap pool with spectacular views of the city, perfect for a late afternoon dip after a day of pampering. The resort offers spa packages for as little as three nights (Three Night Retreat, from $1645) to as long as a week. The “Seven Nights of Rejuvenation” package (from $3600) includes accommodations in a studio, two full body massages, the Body Elixir (a combination of exfoliation, massage and hydrotherapy) and a host of other decadent delights.

Shambhala Retreat
Parrot Cay
Providenciales, Turks & Caicos
649-946-7788
The Shambhala Retreat is billed as being more sanctuary than spa, a place where mind, body and spirit are nurtured holistically. The retreat is located at the exclusive Parrot Cay resort in Turks and Caicos (Jerry Seinfeld and Jessica Sklar honeymooned here), a 60-room luxury hideaway located on its own 1,000-acre island. Shambhala has two new treatment pavilions and a recently renovated reception area. Treatment rooms overlook the spa’s terrace and heated pool, and the yoga pavilion offers majestic views of the sea.

Since the focus at Shambhala is as much on the mind as it is the body, the spa offers a range of Healing Activities and Holistic Therapies. Yoga, Pilates, meditation and tai chi classes are offered for students of all levels, and the Holistic Therapies include an extensive selection of massages and body care.

The spa’s signature treatment is the Javanese Royal Lulur Bath ($240), based on a bridal beauty ritual from the Royal Palaces of Central Java. This gentle exfoliating treatment begins with a massage followed by a body scrub with aromatic mixed spices. Cool yogurt is then applied to the skin and the two-hour treatment ends with a relaxing flower-filled bath and application of lotion.

The spa also offers treatments, like the Marine Mud Therapy ($240) and Marine Algae Therapy ($240), that are inspired by the sea. Dead Sea mud and sea salt are used as exfoliants for the Marine Mud Therapy and the warm mud also relieves muscle tension as it is gently massaged into the skin. The vitamins and minerals in the Marine Algae wrap stimulate the metabolism, improve circulation and rejuvenate the skin.

Shambhala features Healing Weeks throughout the year, special seven-day getaways featuring yoga sessions led by well-known holistic practitioners. In 2003, the spa will host retreats during the weeks of March 30 to April 5, April 28 to May 3 and May 27 to June 2, focusing on either yoga and movement, yoga, martial arts and chigong, or yoga and meditation. Prices begin at $ 3420 and include accommodations, meals, four or more hours of yoga per day and two hours of massage therapy.

Oceanside Beauty Spa and Salon
Hyatt Regency Grand Cayman
Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman
345-949-1234
For many travelers, Grand Cayman island is synonymous with Seven-Mile Beach, a stretch of pristine white sand lined with palm trees. The Oceanside Beauty Spa and Salon overlooks this famed beach, set on the 90 acre Brittania Golf Club at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cayman. The island’s only full service spa is staffed with therapists trained in Europe, and the two-story facility has several wet and dry treatment rooms, including a hydrotherapy tub with 118 air jets and 59 water jets designed to give a penetrating body massage.

The spa offers several packages specially designed to soothe whatever ails you. Weary travelers should try the hour and a half Jettison Jet Lag, which includes a Devil’s Mint Body Scrub, shower and full body massage ($168.75). From Head to Toe features a full aroma facial, Indian head and scalp massage, back and shoulder massage and paraffin wax application to the feet ($225).

For those who prefer to choose individual treatments, the hour long Rejuvenating Aromapure Facial is a guest favorite, featuring a mixture of geranium, rose and ivy used to regenerate skin cells and improve elasticity ($112.50). The Elemis Aroma Spa body treatment ($125) is also a popular choice that combines the detoxifying properties of sea plants with aromatherapy. The one-hour treatment includes a body wrap in warm seaweed and peppermint, as well as a scalp massage, shower and light massage.

The Hyatt Regency Grand Cayman offers spa getaways starting at $880 for 4 days/3 nights and $1388 for 8 days/7nights. Packages include a luxurious island view room, welcome champagne, three treatments to choose from a Seaweed Wrap, Seaweed Facial, Sea Spa Salt Glow, Full Body Aroma Massage or Honey & Almond Polish, plus the choice of one Hydrotherapy treatment. Guests also have full use of the resort’s facilities, which include tennis courts, a water sports center, health club, assorted land and water aerobics classes and five restaurants.

LaSource
Pink Gin Beach
P.O. Box 852
St. George’s, Grenada
473-444-2556
LaSource is the ultimate destination for the health and fitness conscious, an all inclusive resort built on 40 acres of lush tropical landscape just off of Pink Gin beach. The 100 rooms range from garden view (starting at $220 per person, per night) to luxury ocean junior suites (from $300 per person) and are furnished with mahogany four-poster beds, Italian marble floors, and ceiling fans. The price includes all food (you can choose between light spa cuisine or regular selections), exercise classes, as well as one body treatment a day at the spa, The Oasis. The menu for both spa and sports lovers is extensive: Body treatments can be selected from 30 or so facials, wraps and massages. The Swedish and aromatherapy massages are the most popular and should be booked in advance; also worth a try are the Salt & Oil Loofah Rub, a twenty-minute exfoliating body treatment using sea salt and massage oil, and the Seaweed Wrap, a self-heating seaweed body mask treatment for deep tissue detoxification.

The resort offers traditional sports like golf and tennis as well as fencing, archery, kayaking and scuba diving. LaSource’s TryDive program, which is offered at no extra fee, allows beginners to take an ocean dive after completing a two-hour lesson. Other scuba diving excursions for more experienced divers are available at an additional cost. There is a fully equipped gym and daily classes in yoga, tai chi and meditation. Each guest has the option of a “Fitness Interview” which helps trainers assess objectives and body composition, allowing them to select activities that are safe and suitable in helping guests reach their fitness goals.

While LaSource offers a packed calendar of fitness classes and of course, that daily treatment that each guest is due, there is no set schedule and guests participate in as many or as few activities as they wish. Some try to take in all that the resort has to offer, but many choose to do what most people envision doing in the Caribbean—simply relax on Pink Gin Beach.