Destination Spa Vacations

THE BIGGEST LOSER RESORT

Attention all Biggest Loser fans! Have you been wanting to go to a place like The Biggest Loser Ranch and finally get rid of those unwanted pounds? Now you can - and it is at one of our Destination Spa Group spas!

Fitness Ridge Resort & Spa is now The Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge. It really is a perfect fit as Fitness Ridge's program was always "Loser-esque", offering a comprehensive weight-loss experience that focuses on exercise, healthy nutrition and education.

Loser fans and wannabes will love the program as it is similar to the infamous Biggest Loser Ranch. The goal is to provide the same sort of structured and nurturing environment as the contestants on  "The Biggest Loser". I wonder how often Bob & Jillian will be making appearances?

The Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge offers a minimum one-week weight loss program, but guests are welcome to stay as many weeks as they wish. The average day consists of at least six hours of physical exercise, which includes a wide variety of aerobic alternatives – from hiking in the majestic Snow Canyon State Park, to swimming, to kickboxing, to mat Pilates.

Similar to other destination spas, there is an emphasis on exercise and movement, but there is also a focus on helping people change their lives through education. An essential piece to Biggest Loser success, the fitness program and education series are designed to prepare guests to begin a new, healthier way of living when they leave the resort.

During their stay, guests are treated to three delicious meals a day, prepared by a trained, on-site chef and dietitian. The low-fat, low-calorie meals are prepared with an emphasis on creativity and flavor so that participants find it hard to believe that the calorie count comes in at 1200 per day. Imagine spinach and roasted red pepper fritattas for breakfast, couscous stuffed peppers with white bean and vegetable soup for lunch, and chicken breast with roasted root vegetables for dinner. And don't forget dessert. Yes, dessert is always served, including everyone’s favorite chocolate covered strawberries.

Following the daily fitness schedule, guests are encouraged to relax and pamper themselves in the resort’s full-service spa. All services are geared toward relieving tension and restoring energy, balance and focus. Although I have a feeling the Tuesday evening schedule will include tuning into "The Biggest Loser" on NBC.

Learning to Thrive with PCOS

Almost eight years ago I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Like most people who get a diagnosis after many years of searching, I felt relieved to have a diagnosis and one that didn't have a death sentence tied to it.

Most people have never heard of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Yet at least one in 10 women have it. One in ten which means ~ 5 million women in the US alone! In fact, it is the most common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age and is the leading cause of infertility. If you or anyone you know has irregular menstrual cycles, bad acne, and/or excessive facial hair, read on...

PCOS symptoms tend to start gradually and often start in the early teens. As was the case with me, PCOS symptoms are frequently mistaken for other medical problems and the diagnosis delayed. You may have several of the symptoms or only a few. It is different for everyone.

•irregular or no menstrual periods
•acne
•obesity/weight gain/inability to lose weight
•breathing problems while sleeping
•depression
•oily skin
•infertility
•skin discolorations
•high cholesterol levels
•elevated blood pressure
•excess or abnormal hair growth and distribution
•pain in the lower abdomen and pelvis
•multiple ovarian cysts
•skin tags

To be diagnosed with PCOS, your doctor looks for at least two of the following:

■ Menstrual abnormality. This is the most common characteristic.

■ Hormonal imbalance, specifically excess androgen. Elevated levels of male hormones may result in physical signs, such as excess facial and body hair, adult acne or severe adolescent acne, and male-pattern baldness.

■ Polycystic ovaries. Enlarged ovaries containing numerous small cysts can be detected by ultrasound.

Like many women with PCOS, I exhibit all three symptoms. But with the help of my dermatologist and OBGYN I have been able to manage the symptoms well. I eat healthy, exercise regularly, manage my stress well and take extra special care of my skin. Throughout the years, I have taken some prescription medications as well but for the most part I have been able to manage the PCOS without them. I feel this strategy is why I've not run into problems with the other conditions associated with PCOS: infertility, obesity, and diabetes. Working in the Destination Spa industry for the past 13 years has certainly helped me with all of this as well.

Very little support exists for women with PCOS. So, I am very excited that Green Mountain at Fox Run has teamed up with The inCYST network to offer a special PCOS program, Learning to Thrive with PCOS. I'm trying to clear my calendar so that I can attend.

What You Can Expect:

All the benefits of Green Mountain's renowned Healthy Weight Loss Program, which integrates workshops on eating restructuring, nutrition education, fitness/exercise, mindfulness/stress reduction and behavioral change.

PCOS-specific workshops
"Anti-Inflammatory Eating,"
"Hair, Hair Everywhere—Except Where I Want It!"
"When Is It Hormones, When Is It Emotions, and When Is It Hunger?

In-depth program led by Monika Woolsey, MS, RD, a nationally recognized registered dietitian/exercise physiologist who specializes in PCOS.

Skills, knowledge and a personalized plan to return home empowered so that you take charge of your health and improve your quality of life.

For More Information about PCOS:

http://www.pcosupport.org/

http://www.hormone.org/Polycystic/

http://www.incyst.blogspot.com/

http://www.soulcysters.net/

http://www.pcosmagazine.com/

If there are other thriving cysters out there, let me hear from you!

Tweets from Destination Spas

In addition to our blog and Facebook, you can now follow Destination Spas on Twitter too @DestinationSpa. We'll be tweeting about Destination Spas, the spa lifestyle, and anything else interesting that we come across.

Several member spas are also on Twitter. Check them out as well:

Lake Austin Spa

The Oaks at Ojai

Spa Eastman

The Kerr House

Green Mountain at Fox Run

Red Mountain Spa

New Life Hiking Spa

Mountain Trek

The Hills Health Ranch

New Life Hiking Spa

I'm excited to let everyone know that a new spa has joined us - New Life Hiking Spa in Vermont. They are by no means a new spa as they have been around for 30 years, offering a solid Destination Spa program and specializing in weight loss and hiking vacations.

About five years ago I had the opportunity to visit New Life during a whirlwind spa trip of the Northeast. It was Springtime in Vermont and I will never forget the lush Green Mountains, fresh Spring air and the rejuvenation I felt after my visit. I arrived late afternoon and was greeted by the owner Jimmy LeSage. After settling into my room and freshening up, I joined the rest of the New Life guests for dinner. Remarkably, I can still remember what was served that night - Whole Wheat Noodles with Peanut Sauce. The Reason being, I enjoyed it so much I asked the for the recipe and continue to make it on a regular basis at home.

New Life's Light Thai Peanut Sauce

1 1/2 cups water + 2 Tbsp
1/4 cup crunchy peanut butter
1 tsp dark roasted sesame oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 Tbsp onion, chopped
1/4 tsp chili powder
2 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated (use a zester)
2 tsp brown sugar
2 tsp cornstarch
1 Tbs tamari

In small saucepan, saute garlic, ginger, onion and chili for 1 minute. Add 1 1/2 cups water, peanut butter, sugar and tamari and bring to a low boil. Mix 2 Tbsp water and 2 tsp cornstarch together and add When peanut butter is dissolved. Stir until mixture thickens. Serve over whole wheat pasta.

The next day I ventured out on the hike with a few other guests. Several of the New Life hikes follow the Appalachian Trail, so as an avid hiker I was in heaven. We hiked the majority of the morning, returning to the Inn just in time for lunch. Later that day, I attended two of the classes taught by Karen (who still works there) - water aerobics and weight training for home - both of which I enjoyed, just not as much as the hiking. Sticking to my rule of no more than three physical activities/day while visiting the spa, I retired for the day. I can't remember what was for dinner on this night, but I do remember that the chef gave us a cooking lesson afterwards. We made a quiche using tofu. Anyone visiting a Destination Spa should be sure to attend these classes as the cooks share a lot of simple tips and kitchen shortcuts that you can easily use when you get home.

While it has been several years, I fondly remember my visit to New Life Hiking Spa. And now that they are a member, I'm looking forward to returning sometime soon.

 

Destination Spas on Facebook

It seems like everywhere I've turned lately, Facebook is advertised or mentioned. Even while watching the NBA All-Star game the other night, there was an advertisement for Facebook. I've personally been using facebook for about a year and have posted pictures from my Destination Spa Vacations to share with all my friends and have recently added company pages and groups for Destination Spas. 

If you are on Facebook, check out the company pages: Destination Spa Group & Destination Spa Vacations AND the groups: Destination Spa Group & Spa Vacations. You'll be able to find out about spa specials and events, view photo albums, and discuss all things spa with other group members. Become a FAN today and join the groups!

You can also find several of the Destination Spas on facebook. Rancho La Puerta, Red Mountain, Mountain Trek and Fitness Ridge all have company pages. And Green Mountain at Fox Run, Fitness Ridge, and Spa Eastman all have groups that you can join.

If you are not on Facebook - try it out. But be warned, it is addictive. Sign up and keep it as simple and private as you'd like. You can set limits as to who can access your information. Once you have an account, check out all of the Destination Spa chatter from news and specials to what activities and treatments rank high amongst the groups.

SpaFinder Releases 2009 Trends Report

SpaFinder Issues 6th Annual Full Trends Report: Entitled
‘Top 10 Spa Trends to Watch in 2009’

The global spa industry’s extraordinary growth and resiliency has been fueled by important new ideas in health, wellness, fitness, beauty, design, and cuisine. Despite a turbulent economy, SpaFinder President Susie Ellis once again shares her findings with us on upcoming spa trends.

She discusses specifically the “macro” trend emerging of integrative concepts where spa blends with medicine.  Spas are emerging on the scene with less focus on pampering and more on health and wellness, ideas long embraced by our Destination Spa members.  Ellis states, “They’ve (spas) become, in essence, our alternative ‘laboratories’ for testing new health and wellness approaches--from fitness, nutrition, acupuncture and yoga--or more recently, sleep and fertility solutions.”

The following are excerpts from each trend;

1) Energy Medicine
Everyone’s ‘talking about energy,’ and for 2009 the spa industry will follow suit, with a lot of high-voltage buzz around ‘energy medicine’ and therapies like Reiki; Qi Gong; chakra balancing; healing touch; magnetic, light and sound therapy; and acupuncture.

2) Casinos & Spas: A Good Bet
Today, spas in casinos have hit the jackpot, as they are some of the highest spa revenue producers in the world.  The new Canyon Ranch SpaClub at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino has expanded to 69,000 square feet and 90 treatment rooms, making it the largest spa in the world. Canyon Ranch also owns other properties, two of which are members of the Destination Spa Group.

3) The Medical and Spa Tourism Shuffle
Watch as the line between spas, medical spas and hospitals become ever more creatively blended. The era of the ‘spa-spital,’ with global consumers traveling to access the services they want, need, and can afford, has arrived.

4) Eco-Embedded Spas: A Deeper Shade of Green
By ‘eco-embedded’ we mean expanded green initiatives and eco processes that are quietly and meaningfully enmeshed throughout the entire spa, so there’s no demanding efforts required by the spa guest, who is, after all, there to relax.

5) Trains, Boats & Planes: In-Transit Spa-Going
With overbooked flights, tight security and longer delays, there’s no doubt that the stress of modern travel has increased. Thankfully, spa-ing while traveling is reaching a whole new cruising altitude: trains with fully equipped gyms and spas, planes with in-flight spa showers and massage treatments, health and wellness-oriented cruises, and more.

6) Brain Health and ‘Mind’ Gyms
While research concurs that many spa cornerstones like healthy food, exercise, relaxation techniques and healthy sleep are key to long-term brain health, spas will really step it up in ’09 to add activities, education, and new technologies and therapies that function like ‘gyms for the mind.’

7) Learning Labs for Stress Reduction
Spas, out of necessity, will increasingly become ‘learning labs’ for stress reduction, and this means it’s time for both the industry and its guests to realize that it can take less than one hour (or a ton of expensive time and treatments), to elicit the critical relaxation response.

8) Mindful Spending
The spa industry has proven fairly resilient thus far, but consumers will increasingly be price shopping. Discount massage and facial businesses will enjoy more popularity, and significant spa deals and added value pricing will appear on most spa websites. Luxury facilities will need to work harder at demonstrating how their unique experiences and special treatments merit the greater expense.

9) Move Over Baby Boomers: Gen X & Y Are Spa-ing Their Way
The shift from a core spa clientele comprised of Baby Boomers to one made up of the Gen X and Y generations represents more than a simple demographic switch. As Gen X (born 1965 to 1980) and Gen Y (born 1981 to 1995) hit spas in record numbers, they’re shaping the experience to meet their unique wants and desires.

10) Brands, Brands, Brands
Spas that establish and broadcast a truly unique brand identity will enjoy a powerful competitive advantage, and should attract more guests at a time when consumer budgets are under pressure.

SpaFinder’s annual trends report is based on analyses from a large team of experts who visit hundreds of spas each year, interview top analysts, and conduct ongoing research in the consumer, travel and spa sectors.

For a full version of the ‘Top 10 Spa Trends to Watch in 2009’ Click HERE

Canyon Ranch Spa Club Expands

I recently had the opportunity to tour the new section of the  Canyon Ranch Spa Club in Las Vegas before it opened to the public. WOW - they have doubled their size and added numerous services and amenities. With 134,000 square feet of beautiful spa, Canyon Ranch SpaClub in Las Vegas is now the most expansive spa facility in North America. While it is not a Destination Spa, it offers so much more than typical Resort Spas.

The new section is located in the Palazzo Tower of the Venetian (the original section is located in the Venetian Tower) with a connector hall between the two towers. Don't worry - you can check in at either desk and the helpful Canyon Ranch staff will guide you to where you need to go.

Here are just a few of the new amenities and services:

Canyon Ranch Grill

Similar to the Cafe, the Grill serves the award-winning Canyon Ranch spa cuisine we all love. What's new and different is that they are now open for dinner and offer a large array of organic wines, beer and spirits in the inviting social lounge (1st time for Canyon Ranch!) You can even reserve a private dining room for special occasions. Following the tour, I enjoyed a delicious lunch with a friend. The vegetarian quesadilla and mango soda (both new menu items) hit the spot!

Aquavana (the best addition to the spa in my opinion!)

The new SpaClub environment is centered around Aquavana, a European-inspired aquathermal oasis offering intriguing treatment suites designed to relax your muscles, enrich your blood with oxygen and rid your body of toxins. You can devise your own journey through a wide range of multisensory experiences, or explore the comforting, rejuvenating power of alternating hot-and-cold treatments with one of the classic Spa Circuit sequences.

Aquavana encompasses these single-sex, clothing-optional thermal environments:

• Igloo – Cool air and three Arctic Mist experiences enhanced by twinkling fiber optics

• Snow Cabin – Fresh powder snow falls gently from the ceiling

• Four HydroSpas and multiple heated loungers – a variety of massage fountains providing gentle massage are surrounded by radiant lounge chairs designed for ultimate relaxation

• Herbal Laconiums – Gentle warming of the body through warm, herbal-infused steam

• Experiential Rains – Invigorating, multi-sensory cooling showers

• Finnish Sauna – A classic dry-heat sauna environment lit by colored light refracted by crystals

• Crystal Steam Rooms – Cleansing aromatic steam environment with a large central crystal to inspire and focus meditation

You can also enjoy these co-ed, clothing-required gathering spaces:

• Conservatory – Intimate seating, soothing music and complimentary fresh fruit make this an extraordinary gathering place

• Wave Dream – A domed canopy with reflected water movements provides the meditative experience of watching waves breaking overhead

• Salt Chamber – Heated benches, floor and walls, intimate seating niches, invigorating "sea" air and a fountain bubbling over natural salt rocks

Spa & Salon

Several of the new services that have been added take place in the new Barber Suite and the new Bridal Suite.

Bridal Suite 

An elegant, intimate environment, the Bridal Suite is perfect for your pre-wedding pampering party and all the wedding-day rituals. Located within Canyon Ranch Salon and connected to the women’s locker room, the Bridal Suite features:

• Private gathering space for the bridal party

• 360-degree mirror and storage space for gowns

• Refrigerated storage for flowers

• Food and beverage service

• Personal bridal concierge

Barber Suite

Guys will enjoy custom shaves and cuts in the all-guy Barber Suite, which comes complete with a huge wide-screen TV on the wall.

Fitness

The SpaClub now has a 2nd fitness area outfitted with Technogym equipment, including an amazing kinesis circuit system. They are offering classes, 1:1 sessions, and you can utilize the system on your own. For anyone (not just fitness buffs) who has not yet tried this system, it is a must-try.

Boutique

The Canyon Ranch Living Essentials boutique is finally back! You can browse the unique selection of resources for healthy living – fitness clothing, cookbooks, logo apparel, nutrition supplements, cooking demonstrations and a personal spa product blending and sampling bar. Warning -- you will not leave empty-handed.

I can't wait to return to the Canyon Ranch Spa Club and experience all of the above. OK maybe not the Barber Suite -- I'll leave that one for the guys!

Living at the Spa

Imagine living in an environment where everything you do and see enhances your life and well-being. Sounds like utopia, right? Actually, it is the idea behind Residential Spas. Connect the spa -- fitness, healthy cusine, activities, education and body treatments -- to everyday living. Literally, living at the spa and making it part of your daily life. For many people (myself included), this kind of streamlined access to the spa lifestyle is a dream come true.

Several models and versions have emerged in the Residential Spa market over the last couple of years. Some are residential only, while some have a hotel and others offer fractional ownership options. In my opinion, they are all great options. Similar to other types of spas, it's just a matter of which one best meets your needs.

Within the Destination Spa Group, the following Destination Spas have entered the market:

Canyon Ranch  A unique approach, Canyon Ranch is offering residential opportunities (luxury condominimums or homes) in their Canyon Ranch Living communities in Chicago, Miami, and Tucson.  In spectacular locales, buyers can own their dream home plus have access to every amenity, fitness choice and wellness opportunity of Canyon Ranch, the world’s premier health resort. The Canyon Ranch Living communities also include a hotel (Miami, Chicago) or resort (Tucson) for out of town visitors.

I recently had the opportunity to tour the Canyon Ranch Miami facility. I donned a hard hat since the property is still under construction. Thanks to my expert guides, I was able to see the kitchen, dining room, wellness center, spa, fitness rooms, and hotel. I'm pleased to report that everything that Canyon Ranch offers at its Destination Spa properties will be available to the residents and hotel guests at this new location. An extreme amount of detail has gone into this project and from everything that I witnessed, it will exceed expectations. This is very exciting for healthy travelers looking for more options in the Southeast as well as those looking for residential options.

The Hills Health Ranch The Hills is building an entire spa village on property, the first of its kind in Canada. The new community will provide the amenities you would expect in a resort village with the addition of a unique focus on health and well-being, and green & sustainable planning and design. The village will provide the possibility for a rich sense of community, whether among permanent residents or those who develop friendships over years of shared vacations.

In the new community you can choose a lot on which to build your own home - lakeside, adjacent to the lodge or on a view site, or select from a single family chalet, townhouse, or hotel suite. All units will have access to international award winning health, fitness & spa amenities & services of the Hills. Planning is well underway with a proposed construction start in 2008.

Red Mountain Spa The Residences at Red Mountain Spa is your way to own a piece of beautiful Red Mountain. Each Villa is graciously designed for comfort and design and of course value. The uniquely designed ownership program allows you to have access to your Villa year-round plus the piece of mind of Red Mountain Spa management.

Green Valley Spa  The residences will meet the highest standards of the United States Green Building Council rating system for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).  Owners can take pride in a complete ecologically sustainable home in a complete Eco-Village where every home has solar panels, energy-saving lighting and appliances, tankless water heater and the most efficient heating and air conditioning unit on the market.  In addition Green Valley has added many health and safety features to protect your family, including air and water purifier, carbon monoxide and fire alarms, and a fireplace sprinkling system in every room.  Green Valley is proud to offer quality that will help protect your family is immediate well-being but their future by building an environmentally responsible home.

I recently toured the Green Valley residences as well. Check out my October blog entry.

Some day, I hope to live full time in a Residential Spa. Until then, I'll do my best to keep up the healthy lifestyle at home and visiting Destination Spas for a tune-up at twice per year.

iSpa's Conference - so much more than spa products...

Each year, thousands of spa professionals - owners, directors, managers and suppliers - from around the world gather to network and learn cutting edge tips on where the industry is headed at ISPA's (International Spa Association) annual conference.  Unlike most conferences, ISPA's is always filled with excitement, passion, inspiration, pleasure, and a wealth of information. The tradeshow floor allows everyone to see, smell, taste, and experience all things spa and the education sessions are filled with information that can be applied to all parts of business and life. Here are a couple of my takeaways (in addition to all the products) from this year's conference.

Tradeshow - New & Interesting Products (maybe some ideas for holiday shoppers...)

• Bissingers Chocolates - yes, chocolate & spa do go together.  Bissinger's packages 7 chocolates in a box, designed to last a week if one chocolate is enjoyed per day. While deep in discussion with the chocolate master, I tasted several flavors. My favorites: 60% Dark Chocolate (I'm a purist) and Green Tea Truffle.
• Spa Ritual Nail Care - finally, vegan nail care products that are free of dbp, toluene, and formaldehyde. I polished my nails for the first time in many years while at conference.
• Microplane Foot Files - this was definitely one of my favorite finds. The same company that makes the microplanes that are used in the woodshop and kitchen, have taken their product to the spa market. The file exfoliates the feet, leaving them silky smooth. WARNING - I found this to be addictive.
• Lava Shell Massage - similar to a stone massage but with some improved services and benefits to the customer.  I definitely see this as one of the new treatments for 2008, especially for beach side locations.
• ZZZZZmersion - a sleep program commited to helping people reclaim a drug-free, good night's sleep. Both Red Mountain Spa and Rancho La Puerta use a customized ZZZZZmersion program.

Jim Collins, best-selling author of Built to Last and Good to Great

• To succeed you need to make sure that you are surrounded by the right people FIRST. Then, you can decide what you are going to do. Not the other way around.
• Everyone should have a NOT To Do List. Anytime you add something to your To Do List, you need to add to your NOT To Do List.
• Do what you are good at and what you are deeply passionate about!

It's time for me to finally finish this book that I bought and started reading (twice) last year.

Mya Angelou - poet, author, actress, playwright, civil-rights activist, producer and director

Dr. Angelou captivated the audience as she accepted the 2007 Alex Szekely Humanitarian Award. She shared several life stories, joked around, and chatted as if she had joined us for a cup of coffee or a camp fire gathering. The entire room was focused on her and her words, laughing and crying throughout the hour. Her message - remember to laugh and smile! To illustrate her message, she read "The Health Food Diner" - a poem which she wrote to remind herself of this same point. As a dietitian, this is one of her poems I've always enjoyed so this was extra special to hear it directly from Mya. My absolute favorite Maya Angelou poem that I'd like to share with everyone is Phenomenal Woman.

Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou
   
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Maya Angelous is indeed a phenomenal woman and one of the highlights of this year's conference. 

NYC Spa Experience

If you are going to be in New York City this week, you need to check this out. Beginning October 31, SpaFinder will stage "The Spa Experience 2007", the largest spa event of its kind, free to the public, in the heart of midtown Manhattan. For four exciting days,Grand Central's Vanderbilt Hall will become the backdrop for an international gathering of the world's leading luxury spas, treatments, and products.

The Spa Experience 2007 will give you a taste of the spa lifestyle and the opportunity to book your dream spa vacation after talking to representatives from the world's leading spas. You may also be eligible to win one of several spa vacations raffled throughout the show. If you live anywhere near New York or will be traveling there this week, plan to attend and sample mini-treatments, taste spa cuisine, and make a reservation for your next spa getaway.

Four Destination Spa Group® members will be there, so be sure to visit them!

• Red Mountain Spa: Count Chocula hand and arm mask
• Rancho La Puerta: The art and science of myofascial release
• Spa Eastman (as part of Tourism Quebec)
• Hosteria Las Quintas (as part of Mexico Tourism)

For more information, visit www.spafinder.com/thespaexperience.