Laguna Beach 7/2/2008 1:00:00 PM
Best Bed and Breakfast Spas
Massage has gone full circle over the past three thousand years; from an ancient rite of the ruling class Chinese, Greeks and Romans, to some questionable affiliations in the 1960s and 70s, to what it is today: a respected healing art which has grown and expanded to countless techniques and disciplines. Smaller inns are bringing these desirable services to their guests and giving strong competition to the pricey hotels when it comes to total relaxation and pampering.
El Morocco Inn and Spa Desert Hot Springs, California
An exotic Mediterranean/Moroccan-inspired, 12-room inn near Palm Springs boasts two pools of natural hot mineral water available to guests 24 hours a day. On-site massage studios offer a full range of Moroccan-inspired spa services, with enticing names like Whirling Dervish, Pashas' Pleasure, Marrakesh Melting Massage, Sultan's Silk and Satin Massage, and Moroccan Mystic Ritual. A cinnamon or mint sugar scrub and a clay body mask, using Rhassoul organic clay, used for centuries in Morocco are also offered. You will also find two Far infra-red saunas on site.
Lake Point Inn McHenry, Maryland
This ten-room lakeside retreat snuggled in the mountains and ski area of western Maryland is elegantly decorated in the Arts and Crafts style. After enjoying an afternoon cruise aboard their pontoon boat, or kayaking, canoeing, bicycling, swimming, playing tennis, bocce, croquet, or skiing--you'll be ready for some serious muscle relaxation and pampering. Therapies offered include steam room, sauna and Swedish, hot stone or reflexology massages, and packages include take-home items (such as heatable spa booties and neck cozies).
Poplar Springs Inn and Spa Casanova, Virginia
This majestic stone-covered country estate on 200 acres has as an on-site spa with fitness center, Olympic pool, saunas and whirlpools as well as treatment rooms for various types of massage, body scrubs and body wraps. The full-service salon offers cosmetics, facials, waxing, manicures and pedicures. Also available are a private trainer, spa cuisine, water therapies and yoga/meditation.
Island Cottage Oceanfront Villa Inn and Spa Flagler Beach, Florida
A recently-built, Mediterranean-style inn near historic St. Augustine, it boasts a beautiful indoor pool and offers spa services such as body scrubs, body wraps, facials and various massages. Other more exotic treatments include a Polynesian facial, Egyptian full body mud and cocoon, Mediterranean, Asian and Polynesian facials & moisturizing treatments, and the Florida tourist essential…: body bronzing. Their Blue Lagoon Castaways package allows couples to savor their treatment of choice side-by-side.
Wiesbaden Hot Springs Spa & Lodgings Ouray, Colorado
Built in 1879 directly above natural mineral hot springs, this historic lodge has a distinctly European flair, reminding one of the many renowned spa hotels of Germany and Austria. Below the main lodge and into the mountain is the natural Vaporcave, where the hot springs flow from thousands of feet below the earth's surface into a 108-degree soaking pool. The remains of an ancient adobe are on the land where Native American Chief Ouray resided while using the sacred water for its medicinal and healing qualities. The Vaporcave, outdoor swimming pool and Lorelei, a privately rented outdoor soaking spa, are all from continually flowing hot springs. Spa treatments include therapeutic massage, LaStone and Dry Brushings, as well as Aveda Concept spa facials and wraps.
Five Gables Inn & Spa Saint Michaels, Maryland
This historic inn, comprised of three, thoroughly-restored 19th-century houses, is located in the heart of a scenic Chesapeake Bay maritime village. The inn’s Aveda concept spa, features sauna or steam room and an indoor pool. Or you can relax in your private in-room whirlpool bath and dry off in front of your own private fireplace. On-site spa services include body wraps, facials and massages, including specialty treatments like Aveda Hot Stone Massage and Body Polish. Spa packages are creatively designed, such as the Spa & Sail, Romance, Just the Girls, Bundle of Joy.
Portsmouth Harbor Inn and Spa Kittery, Maine
This historic house and inn also has an elegant spa situated in a large converted barn, along with one of the most extensive spa menus--with several full pages of treatments and packages for men and women. Along with many well-known massage techniques, they also offer some lesser known options, like Kriya Therapeutic Massage, to enhance energy patterns using deep pressure and Tuina Therapeutic Chinese massage used to increase the flow of Qi (life force) and promote well-being. Duet (simultaneous couples') massage, scented sugar scrubs, eye treatments, and a variety of facials, manicures and pedicures are also offered for men and women.
Visit http://www.iloveinns.com/ and browse through the 19,000 Bed and Breakfasts and country inns that specialize in other events and locations that may interest you. Many of the properties listed above are also in the best-selling bed and breakfast guidebook Bed & Breakfasts and Country Inns with a Buy-One-Night-Get-One-Night-Free Certificate. ILoveInns also offers Bed and Breakfast Gift Certificates, a perfect solution to help celebrate any occasion.
About American Historic Inns and iLoveInns.com
American Historic Inns, Inc. (www.iloveinns.com), founded in 1981, is the leading publisher of bed and breakfast guidebooks, with more than 2.5 million bed and breakfast guidebooks sold, and runs iLoveInns.com, a top bed and breakfast and country inns directory.
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