One step in and you'll breathe a sigh of relief - you have arrived, in more ways than one. The Garden Room, where you'll wait for your masseuse, features walls of windows overlooking glorious greens (which must be magnificent in late Fall, when the leaves change their colors). It's a lovely place to wait, filled with magazines and art books.
performed on water-filled cushions. Here you'll also find an indoor pool, whirlpool, scented thermal sanctuary, fully equipped exercise studios, a private Pilates studio, yoga and meditation gardens, and a salon.
"We offer a high degree of intimacy; it's a custom experience," says Helen Brown, the Spa Director, who explained that all guests fill out a thorough questionnaire before their visit, detailing, if they want to detox, lose weight, or simply de-stress. "And because it's so personalized, people return again and again. Many people come several times a year, or once a month, or every other weekend. We obviate the necessity to have a country home," she said. Ms. Brown added: "You can turn up with sneakers and a swimsuit - we offer complimentary apparel you can use, as well as contact lens solution and other amenities, and MP3 players," offering the utmost in convenience. "We're also a huge couples destination," Ms. Brown said. "Many men have proposed here," and added to that, the inn does a brisk wedding business.
My first treatment was the spa's signature facial, done with Ilike products (szepelet.com). The spa prides itself on offering distinctive products, and I loved their choice of a relatively unknown brand such as Ilike. (It also carries the wonderful Jurlique, Farmaesthetics, and Buddha Nose.) I've written before about I like, a superb Hungarian line, which is known for its fruity, pulp-filled formulations. (Ilike retains the wonders of nature in its skincare products, through an unusual process of handpicking, hand-selecting and hand-processing all of its organically grown ingredients).
Fernanda, my facialist, took great care of me, giving me the signature Stonecrop Facial using Ilike's Nettle Exfoliating Wash, Stonecrop Toner (which I'm a huge fan of - the smell will knock your socks off), Spinach and Horsetail Exfoliator, St. John's Wort Eye Contour Cream, and Eliminator Serum. It was a gorgeous facial, including a scalp massage, a heated massage table with lumbar support, and warmed mitts placed on my creamed hands and feet. This 90-minute treatment costs $265.
The next day, I experienced the Midnight Honey Body Buzz with Warm Honey Massage ($170 for 60 minutes) - a symphony for your senses involving an exfoliation, body scrub, drizzle of honey all over my body, warm shower, body massage, and just when you're feeling like a limp noodle, being covered up with hot packs.
This treatment uses local honey as well as Farmaesthetics Midnight Honey Bath and Body Oil. Whole grains, organic oils and pure honey weave together and create a rich, round, darkly-scented full-body experience, complex in its therapeutic benefits, yet wildly engaging to the senses.
The spa currently offers 44 different massage, body treatments, facials and salon services. You can experience a wealth of treatments - everything including Thai Massage, Reiki, Stone Therapy, Scrubs and Body Wraps, even a PMS Massage, and Therapeutic Baths. There is also an outdoor labyrinth, classes in journaling, breath and mindful meditation, watercolors and The Joy of Tea.
And there's bound to be a class for every body - including cardio kickboxing, pumped-up playground (where you'll skip, jump and hula hoop), cardio dance, private Pilates training, as well as outdoor interests to include showshoeing, cross-country skiing, mountain climbing and tennis.
Last August it introducted a new Chocolate, Chuckles and Chi workshop, designed to teach guests a variety of lighthearted stress-reduction techniques for the body, mind and spirit. Each session lasts 45 minutes and is offered as a group class on a complimentary basis for guests every Friday at 6PM (or $100 on a private basis).
Read our review of the Mayflower Inn here.
By Debbi K. Kickham and William D. Kickham. Esq.
JustLuxe Contributors
Marketingauthor.com
Spa at the Mayflower Inn
Spa at the Mayflower Inn
Spa at the Mayflower Inn
Spa at the Mayflower Inn
Spa at the Mayflower Inn
Spa at the Mayflower Inn
