Women who are considering a spa vacation should first decide what they want from the experience, says Pam Martin Sarnoff, author of ”The Ultimate Spa Book.”
”Some (spas) emphasize pampering, others exercising and weight loss,”
says Sarnoff. ”There are resort vs. retreat atmospheres, places where you`re treated like family as opposed to being left alone. Some spas take care of everything for you; they even provide the clothes.”
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Among the variety of spas: Dr. Wilkinson`s Hot Springs in Calistoga, Calif., which specializes in hot mud baths that are said to improve circulation and draw out impurities; and the New Age Health Spa in Neversink, N.Y., which teaches Zen meditation, yoga and T`ai Chi.
The Golden Door in Escondido, Calif., offers a stress-reducing ”Inner Door” program that aims to enhance creativity and inner strength through, among other techniques, biofeedback.
Sarnoff`s recommendations for executive women under stress include Kerr House, Grand Rapids, Ohio (”geared toward getting the cobwebs out of the mind, especially through Hatha yoga); Plantation Spa, Ka`a`awa, Hawaii
(”emphasizing the mind-spirit connection”); Golden Door (”You might network with other powerful women”); Doral Saturnia, Miami, Fla. (”for those who like to make up their own personalized schedules”); Southwind Health Resort, Cartersville, Ga. (”The focus is on positive attitude”) and Greenhouse, Arlington, Tex. (”They even have a toll-free hotline you can call for encouragement and advice.”)
Sarnoff`s choice in the Chicago area is Heartland because it is small and nurturing. ”They have programs that help boost your self-reliance,” Sarnoff says.
Kerr House, 17777 Beaver St., Grand Rapids, Ohio 43522; 419-832-1733
Golden Door, P.O. Box 1567, Escondido, Calif. 92025; 619-744-5777
Doral Saturnia, 8755 N.W. 36th St., Miami, Fla. 33178; 800-331-7768. In Florida: 800-247-8901
Southwind Health Reso, P.O. Box 1144, Arlington, Tex. 76004;
817-640-4000.
Heartland, Gilman, Ill, 60938; Business office: 18 E. Chestnut St., Chicago, Ill. 60611; 312-427-6465.
Fontana Spa at the Abbey on Lake Geneva, Fontana, Wis. 53125;
800-772-1000 or 414-275-9751.
La Costa Hotel and Spa, Costa Del Mar Rd., Carlsbad, Calif. 92009;
800-854-5000 or 619-438-9111.
Russell House, 611 Truman Ave., Key West, Fla. 33040; 305-294-8787.
Wooden Door, Wis. Hwy. 50, Lake Geneva, Wis. Business office: P.O. Box 830, Barrington, Ill. 60010; 708-382-2888.
ANARA at the Hyatt Regency Waikoloa, One Waikoloa Beach Resort, Waikoloa, Hawaii 96743; 808-885-1234.