Scrubbed into Relaxation

It's amazing what a pair of trained hands can do for the human body.

By the end of my recent visit to The Spa at The Island Hotel in Newport Beach, my muscles were like soft dough and I think I had reached some kind of spiritual enlightenment -- details of which I no longer recall, but that's besides the point.

I checked out The Spa's Signature Spring Body Scrub, which uses dead sea salts, orange and lemon peel, and rosemary in its mixture. It's 30 minutes of scrub and 60 minutes of Swedish massage, which I was thrilled about.

After massage therapist, Jennifer, explained what would be happening to me

Photos By Stacy Schwed

for the next 90 minutes and asked me the level of pressure I preferred, l placed myself face down on the massage table and let her work her sensory magic. Jennifer warned me that the scrub wouldn't be quite as relaxing as the massage, but still relaxing enough.

As you'd expect from a scrub, it was a bit rougher on the skin but not uncomfortably so. It was actually soothing to me. She placed the scrub on my back and limbs before wiping it off with a wet, warm towel.

I turned over and she did the same for my shoulders, chest area and front sides of my limbs. Every so often Jennifer removed a layer of towels from underneath me to remove any dampness from the wet towels off the warm table.

The massage began at the neck and shoulders, deep, like I asked for. She kneaded and loosened, and I was loving it. She made her way down into my back and limbs -- my right arm (containing my "mouse" hand) felt particularly tight and pained as she massaged and loosened.

Somewhere between my upper extremities and lower extremities, I lost touch with reality. I wasn't completely asleep nor awake. Not sure where I was, but it was a good place.

Then, sadly, it was over.

Though Jennifer still met me outside my treatment room with fruit kabobs of delicious strawberries, melon, watermelon, raspberry and boysenberry to help continue my serene state. Once she guided me back to the lounge area, brought me water and covered me with a blanket, we said our goodbyes and I was left to enjoy my fruit and feel incredibly relaxed.

All treatments include use of a locker, robe, slippers, steam and shower rooms. Valet parking is complimentary for spa guests. The Spa's Spring Body Scrub is available through June 1. Cost is $230 (gratuity not included). For reservations: (949) 759-0808. The Island Hotel is at 690 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach; TheIslandHotel.com.

Posted on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 in Permalink