Recommend October 2010 - (Page 46)

Meditating beachside at the Four Seasons Punta Mita. An EScAPE to Wellness With verdant surroundings and ocean breezes tickling the senses in Riviera Nayarit, it’s only fitting that such a heady destination be fitted with some of Mexico’s most opulent spas. Here, a trip to a spa is much more than a good massage—it’s a retreat into a higher state of being. The spas here move well beyond the basics with specialty treatments using native ingredients, ancient recipes, cultural rituals and international influences. Many local spas combine traditional remedies with contemporary treatments and services with great results: tequila scrubs, papaya facials, chocolate wraps and more. Facilities here come with the latest in health and spa technology, but they pay homage to their setting and their roots with jungle or beachside pampering. Riviera Nayarit has a spa for practically all budgets and predilections. Apuane Spa at the Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, for instance, uses only natural products and ingredients steeped in the marine and mineral ecology of Mexico. Its signature massages include the Punta Mita, which combines sage oil and tequila with Mexican healing techniques, and the Hakali, which uses cactus and pulque from the maguey plant to form a meringue-like substance that is then massaged into the body. This spa also has a gorgeous Zen garden and offers tai chi and yoga classes. Guests can also sign up for a Spa After Dark treatment in an outdoor hut followed by a beachfront picnic. Villa La Estancia and Villa del Palmar Flamingos Beach Resort & Spa share Tatewari Spa, whose name refers to a deity associated with extreme relaxation and personal growth. The spa features separate hydrotherapy circuits for men and women, plus a full roster of choices such as the Sea Escape Stone Facial & Body Treatment, which includes the famous Repechage Four-Layer Facial. The Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort’s Grand Velas Spa, a member of the Leading Spas of the World, also has a buzzed-about hydrotherapy ritual with Swiss showers, cold plunge lagoon, sauna, R8 october 2010 / recommend.com pressure showers and more. Guests can choose from more than 80 spa options and a dozen spa collections: Nirvana, Diamond, Four Hands, Vital Body, and others. Its Huichol Collection celebrates local culture with choices such as the Pre-Hispanic Massage Tukipa, where obsidian stones are used to relax the body and release toxins; the Spa Coffee Contour Treatment to help firm up skin tone and reduce cellulite; and the Cora Massage, which combines native oils with Mexican healing techniques. Another Nuevo Vallarta favorite is the Dreams Spa by Pevonia at Dreams Villamagna, with everything from Lily Wraps and Milk Mousse to different types of balneotherapies. As with other hotels, Dreams offers its own share of spa packages, including an indulgent Open Spa Bar Massage of four or six treatments. More than a few experiences in Riviera Nayarit move beyond the traditional spa. Taheima Resort is one of several places within the destination to offer a temazcal—an adobe sweat hut where an expert temazcalero performs a traditional cleansing ceremony by dousing hot stones with water infused with herbs while burning incense and providing guidance for spiritual release. Taheima, whose name means “a superior world” in Huichol, also has an outdoor meditation area. In Sayulita, Haramara Retreat is a sanctuary of sorts offering a wealth of workshops year-round: holistic therapies, meditation, yoga and more, mostly in one of two open-air yoga pavilions. Its secluded location allows for nature to play a main role in the serenity and holistic rejuvenation its guests seek. Guests stay in palapa cabanas of “rustic luxury” with stunning views. Certified therapists offer a variety of options, including Zen Tai Shiatsu, Reiki, Polarity Therapy, orthopedic massages, acroyoga and more. Spas in Riviera Nayarit are not just located in hotels. Golf spouses who’d like to get pampered while their partner plays a round at El Tigre Club de Golf can stop by Spa Hacienda del Paraiso. There’s also Palenque Spa at Paradise Village, which has more than 20,000 sq. ft. of facilities plus a long menu of treatments. ✹ http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend October 2010

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk
Tour Talk
Luxurious India by Rail, Plane and Boat
The Heavenly Taj Hotels, Resorts & Palaces
Experiencing the High Life in Kenya
Savoring the North of England
Riviera Nayarit Travel Planner
Marival Residences & World Spa
Wildly Luxurious––High-End Vacations
The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman Does it Again
Guadeloupe
Five High-End Villa Stays
Compagnie du Ponant's Le Boreal
Palm Beach: Playground for the Rich and Famous
Hawks Cay Resort, Florida Keys
La Costa Resort and Spa, California

Recommend October 2010