spa

A Spa Review from Prague: ecsotica

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I have fallen in love. I visited Prague for the first time, and she completely captivated me. What an incredibly beautiful city; around every corner, there was something more that took your breath away.  Her beauty is awe-inspiring with every building’s attention to detail and storytelling. Prague is well kept and very clean, and her people are all embracing and kind.

Our visit was on a weekend, and it was extremely busy. Understandable so, with all the tourists wanting to soak her up and see everything she has to offer. My husband and I partook in the sight seeing for sure, but one thing we did was schedule some downtime at ecsotica spa; and let me tell you, it was the best decision made that weekend!

From the moment the Alchymist Hotel (home is ecsotica) came into view, the sense of relaxation eased in. Walking over the threshold into their beautiful courtyard, we knew we were in for a treat. Entering the hotel, we were greeted with welcoming smiles and kind staff who guided us toward the entrance of the spa, which, of course, was below ground. Not to get off topic, but in medieval times, Prague was accepting of the alchymist, and there is a lot of interesting history worth exploring, especially all the ungrounded tunnels and Alchymy labs.  Knowing this is why I chose this spa, instead of the one that was situated right in the hotel we were staying in. I wanted somewhere that embraced this history on some level… and it did not disappoint.

My husband and I walked downstairs to enter a cozy, inviting reception area where Damir warmly greeted and invited us to take a seat and offered a delicious, refreshing, healthy elixir to sip on. We reviewed our bookings, completed a health waiver, and then we were presented a tray with beautiful bottles of oils (very occult-like and fitting). It was a tough decision, but both of us picked the same oil for our 90-minute alchymist massages; ecsotica’s signature treatment combing Balinese, Hawaiian, and Swedish massage techniques.

We were then given a tour of the spa and its amenities, beginning to feel like VIP, as we were the only ones there. After each being led to the locker rooms, to drop our belongings and slip into a robe, our therapists led us through these gorgeous doors over a bride, below us a koi fish pond, and to a couples treatment room, where they had prepared for us a foot soak prior to our massages. That was a nice little surprise.

They gave us a few private moments to enjoy the foot soak and unwind, and then when ready to unrobe and climb onto the tables. Once situated, our therapists quietly entered the room, and our treatments began. Wow!

Now, as you know, I am also a massage therapist, and I have very high standards as to what I expect a great massage to be,  and my therapist, Damir, delivered. I feel his style very much matched mine, and his intention, energy, and techniques quickly had me melting on the table and entering a very healing, relaxing space. I actually didn’t speak a word the entire treatment.  I must comment on his transition from having me turn over from prone to supine.  It was the most smooth, graceful removal of the bolster under my ankles. I felt like he never stopped the massage as he gently removed the bolster. Actually, on that note, it felt like he remained connected, physically in constant contact the entire massage. Which, in my opinion, is also a sign of an expert therapist.  The 90 minutes passed, and it was perfection.

After our massages, we were guided to the resting area where we sipped on another healing elixir and relaxed and enjoyed the amenities. Again, it was still just the two of us, which was beyond lovely to swim and kiss and enjoy each other in the pool under a beautiful crystal chandelier. We leisurely hopped between the pool, the sauna, and the relaxation area.  Once we had our fill we went our separate ways to the men and women locker rooms, where I sat in the steam room for a few minutes,  followed by a cool shower, slowly getting ready to emerge into the sea people exploring the beautiful city of Prague.

Spa Mirbeau Albany, NY Review

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Thoroughly impressed! Completely Wowed! Extremely Pleased!

Who would have thought a mall could house a 5-star resort quality spa?! Yes. It’s true.
A little hidden gem if you will.
This past week I visited Spa Mirbea Albany, NY, a Day Resort for the second time, which is located in Crossgates Mall. I know, Right?! A spa in the mall, ugh. But let me know tell you, as soon as you step foot into this spa you completely forget you are in a mall. Hell, you completely forget you are in Albany, NY. This spa goes beyond all expectations and offers so much more than just spa services, it’s truly a mini vacation away from reality.
Upon entering you’re greeted with smiles from the staff behind the reception counter as well as calming aromatherapy being diffused into the air. The Spa attendant welcomes you, gives your a lush bathrobe and comfy sandals and then escorts you back into the spacious, aesthetically pleasing locker facilities. She’ll show you how the lockers work and also offer a tour of the facilities if you desire. The facilities have it ALL. Each the men’s and women’s locker areas have several showers, a steam room and a sauna. Then the men’s and women’s locker facilities have a back entrance which brings you to the beautiful co-ed relaxation area with plenty of lounge chaises, a soothing water feature as well as a cozy fire place. It’s dimly lit to help you induce a deep state of relaxation, and help drift you away from all your worries. Off the relaxation room, is the hallway that leads to the treatments room as well as a double door that takes you into a warm, airy, almost tropical location where the hot tub is located, also known as the aqua terrace. Here there are plenty of comfortable seating areas, some of which remind me of a private cabana you can rent out at resort hotels as well as a bar where you can order food and drinks, alcohol included… which makes me happy; I can enjoy the ambiance AND sip on a glass of red wine.
Spa Mirbeau also has a french inspried bistro and wine bar, which I did not include in this past visit, but my first time visiting, in May 2018 with 4 other girlfriends, we did enjoy a light lunch and some delicious cocktails in the bistro.  They also have a spa boutique and fitness center with state of the art equipment and offer fitness classes, which I have not yet checked out.

This past visit I was with my close friend, Elicia and we each had massages scheduled. We met at the spa about an hour before our scheduled appointments to enjoy the facilities. We both packed our bathing suits as we were very much looking forward to soaking in the hot tub. After we arrived and checked in and had our bathing suits on, we first decided to enjoy the sauna. After about 10 minutes we decided it was time to hop into the steam room, my favorite. I just love the steam room and they definitely were infusing the steam room with eucalyptus as well, it smelt amazing and I felt it tingle on my upper lip. After the steam room, when we couldn’t take it much longer, we headed back to the Aqua Terrace only to be disappointed that the hot tub was out of commission. We were bummed, but no worries, we poured our selves some cucumber water and curled up on the chaise lounges in the relaxation room and softly chatted among ourselves.

Relaxing Together.jpg
Elicia and myself in the relaxation room at Spa Mirbeau Albany

Us two girls, always have so much to catch up on. Our time went by perfectly. Though we were only enjoying the facilities for about an hour, it truly felt like we had been there all afternoon.  At 6 pm, a therapist came into the relaxation room and called my name for my massage. Elicia said, “I was so relaxed I forgot we were even having massages!” We hugged each other goodbye, since I was not going to see her after my massage. My friend, was receiving a 50 minute signature massage then venturing home, and I had signed up for a 100 minute massage.

The treatment rooms are so inviting, each having a cozy fireplace. My massage therapist was AMAZING. I was extremely happy about that, being my last massage, two months prior, was terrible. My therapist took my lead on the amount of conversation. Which I like to chat in the beginning, but then I like to be fully present in my massage and not talk too much. She was fantastic. She definitely had great pressure behind her deep work and nice connecting strokes where my body felt integrated and treated as a whole.  She addressed all my concerns that we discussed prior to beginning the massage plus some.
After my massage I mentioned to my therapist, I was going to venture back the aqua terrace to enjoy a glass of red wine after I used the ladies room. My therapist asked me what was my favorite red wine, which I replied malbec. When I arrived back into the aqua terrace, my glass of wine was waiting for me. I took my glass to a corner on the couch and curled up and sipped on my glass of delicious Argentinean malbec. I was so bliss-ed out. My massage was exactly what my body was earning for and now as I sit there reaping the amazing benefit of the deep work she did and enjoying my wine… I was in heaven.
While I was only inside the spa itself for three and a half hours I felt like I had a mini vacation, feeling completely rejuvenated. I can NOT wait to go back. Which I must add, will be soon, because upon check out I was given a free day pass to come back to enjoy the facilities at any time I chose due to the hot tub being down.  In my opinion I think this is a wonderful gesture.  First, they recognize that we were not able to enjoy all of their amenities that are included in the price you pay for treatments and second a great way of pulling you back in to their spa, which is where you want to be.
If you haven’t already gathered, I highly recommend visiting Spa Mirbeau Albany.  Perhaps I shall see you there soon.  I’m already daydreaming about my next visit.
Zenfully Yours,
Jyll

Gideon Putnam: Roosevelt Baths & Spa Saratoga Springs, NY

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I have been hesitant to write up my review of my last spa visit, because I really was not impressed.

For her birthday, my girlfriend requested a spa day with three of her close girlfriends. The spa she requested was fully booked the day she wanted to celebrate. After a couple phone calls to try to find a spa to accommodate 4 massages on a Saturday afternoon with short notice, I was able to book us all the same time slot at The historic Roosevelt baths & Spa in Saratoga Springs, NY.

I have been there once before, like seven years ago, and I remember not being impressed then; but trying to meet the birthday girl’s request, it’s what was available. All of us ladies met there and checked in together. While the entrance is fairly aesthetically pleasing, I was not impressed with check in. It was not streamlined well and felt a bit chaotic with the amount of guests standing in the entrance way and around the front desk.

All of us ladies met there and checked in together. While the entrance is fairly aesthetically pleasing, I was not impressed with check in. It was not streamlined well and felt a bit chaotic with the amount of guests standing in the entrance way and around the front desk.

After we all checked in, we were then led halfway to the entrance of the ladies locker facility, not guided all the way in and not shown how to operate the lockers or any other detail. Exceptional spa customer service would have done so. But in reality, it makes since, because the ladies locker area is super tiny. Getting undressed and ready for your treatment(s) when there are other ladies in there as well, is not so relaxing; it is extremely tight and you are constantly bumping into other spa guests.

Once we had our robes on we headed to the relaxation room to sip on some tea and relax a bit. The room itself was nice enough and they have a beautiful wall water fountain. They had hot and cold water, a variety of tea to choose from, as well as fresh fruit.

One of the girls and I decided to venture over to the steam room. Now, this was the highlight of my entire experience. Their steam room is fantastic. It’s actually kept very hot and steamy. I’m so unimpressed when you go into a steam room and you have to wait for it to actually get steamy. This one was optimally operating the way it should; with proper temperature right up around 110-115 and the humidity level at about 100%. There was also a spray bottle of eucalyptus water which I always love that added benefit. This made me happy.

After 15 minutes in the steam room we headed back to the relaxation room. We sipped on tea and quietly chatted among ourselves as our therapists came in to retrieve us for our massages. I was the last to be picked up by my therapist and she walked us down to treatment room. Walking down the long hallway is so stark lined with many doors that were closed. Which to note, this spa has 42 treatments rooms! That’s a lot.

Once in the room, my therapist instructed me to get on the table and she would be back in a moment. She knocked on the door quite quickly after leaving me and I was not ready. I asked for just one more moment. I climbed on table took a few deep breaths, I was so happy to be on that table and looking forward to my massage. I spoke out loud that I was ready, and nothing. I lied there for another few minutes and nothing. I was just about to get off the table grab my robe and go look for my therapist… NOT IMPRESSED. I was a little frustrated that she was taking so long. As I was about to climb off the table she knocked asking if I was ready. I said yes… but I was very disgruntled that my massage had not even started yet!

I am highly disappointment to report… my massage was awful. There was no flow to her massage sequence. It was very choppy and she was all over the place. I felt she segmented my body, there was no contiguous flow and the feeling of my entire body being massaged. It felt very compartmentalized. As she was massaging, I was thinking, “Who the hell hired you? You are awful!” Granted touch is touch and my body was craving it, as I was long overdue for a massage. And that is what is so disappointing: you spend over $135 for a 60 minute massage only to have it be a terrible. Very upsetting.

Now, I’m not one to complain, because, well, two reasons. The therapist is doing her job and working and there is someone that might, possibly like her massage; there’s a therapist for everyone.

Us four girls met back in the relaxation room. I am very happy to report my three girlfriends all LOVED their massages. They were all very happy and relaxed and talked highly of their therapists. That made me happy. As we were relaxing and quietly chatting… it was actually getting hard to hear each other, because the relaxation room, became more of a social gathering. Some of the the little cliques, were not using spa voices. We were going to relax a while longer and maybe nap on the lounges prior to our dinner reservations, but we decided if it was going to be this loud, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy. So we headed back to the women’s locker facility, played pinball with our bodies as we got dress and ready to go out to dinner.

I would like to end on a positive note. This spa is a historic landmark of the healing history of Saratoga Springs, NY. It is very well known for its mineral waters. The Roosevelt Baths & Spa was established back in 1935 with President Franklin Roosevelt’s visionary act to preserve the springs of Saratoga. The mineral water is captured cold from the underground springs that are located throughout the city, then mixed with warm fresh water to a neutral temperature for maximum, healing benefits.

I guess, I will have to go back to experience what they are most famous for, and soak in a glorious mineral bath and experience for myself “Saratoga’s signature brand of aquatic bliss.” Perhaps, my opinion will change.

Zenfully yours,

Jyll

Equinozio Spa: Roswell, GA

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I’m so excited to be writing my first spa review.  This is something I have always wanted to do!!

Though I have visited many spas, from solo practitioners to 5-star destination resort spas, I now have my blog officially started, so my first review will be of the day spa I visited this past weekend with two very dear girlfriends of mine.
My girlfriend who lives in GA, had booked the three of us ladies treatments for Saturday afternoon at Equinozio Day Spa; 2 facials and 1 massage.  We arrived about 10 minutes before our appointments and upon entrance, we were greeted by name by a very sweet receptionist.  The main entrance was clean, simple, bright with two tables set up with their product lines, but no big propaganda displays, just a simple presentation, which was inviting.
After checking us in, the receptionist guided us through a curtained doorway leading us into a dimmed lit, twilight blue colored room, inducing a state of calm.  Again, it was very appeasing to the eyes.  There was no clutter, clean lines and modern looking.  A small unit of lockers for those spending the day was located in the center of the room as well as a comfy couch along the wall with the treatments rooms along the perimeter.  We were then led through another curtained doorway into a relaxation room/waiting area, where the receptionist directed us to fill out the health waiver and also offered us water and/or tea as well as the option for a warm compress to put around our necks.  The three of us chose to enjoy the compresses.  I took a  moment to fill out the form, then I sat back to 20181002_1222172relax in the comfy chair to enjoy the heat around my neck melting my tension away.  As I put my head back my eyes drifted up to the ceiling where there was a twinkling star-cape above.  Quite lovely.
Rachel, the esthetician, picked me up from the waiting room and escorted me back to her treatment room.  She was very sweet as we talked briefly about my concerns.  She handed me a body wrap, informed me she would step out of the room as I took my time to get comfortable on the table.
She was back in a few minutes, the lights were dimmed, the soft, soothing music played and the warm mist from the steamer began to fall upon my face as she gently performed the facial.  We chatted through the session, but she professionally took my cue as we became silent as she gave me a great head massage while the  mask on my face was deeply hydrating my skin.
Side note: I think it is the client on the table who should set the tone of the session if there is to be talking or not during the session and the therapist should follow client’s lead.
She talked about the product when I asked questions and gave me suggestions.  She was never pushy about buying the product.  I did ask for extractions during my facial, and she was very diligent about doing so.  After the session was over, she gave me a few minutes to enjoy and slowly gather myself.  After dressing I looked in the mirror and my face looked well hydrated (one of my concerns) and plumped and felt amazing.  My nose was a little red from the extractions but that is completely expected.
I opened the door to leave the room and Rachel was there with fruit water for me and she escorted me back out to the main room where she pointed out some of the products we discussed, but again, there was no pressure.  I actually did end up buying the eye cream.
My other two girlfriends met me back out in the reception area with smiles on their faces.  Our friend that had the massage, wanted to stay and get a facial too!!  The staff was able to accommodate her and she too had Rachel and was very pleased with her facial she experienced.  The three of us ladies thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon here and set the tone for the rest of our perfect day.
My girlfriend that is local, actually frequents there and has always been very happy with the services provided.  I’m already excited for my next visit!  Both to see my girlfriend and a trip to Equinozio.
Overall, for what this spa is, a small personable day spa, I give this day spa experience 5 out of 5 stars!  I’m left with this: “There is eloquence in simplicity.”