Somatic Integration at the Nob Hill Spa at the Huntington Hotel in San Francisco, California
Julie Register visited this hotel spa in California in January 2004

This was my first visit to San Francisco - a one-night stopover from Sonoma and Napa wine country to the airport. I am so glad I did! I soaked in the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, cable cars, hills, more hills, really steep hills - all that is San Francisco. I managed to drive to the top of the incredibly steep Nob Hill, one of the city's highest, where the Huntington Hotel and the Nob Hill Spa are located.

From my suite, I could see Huntington Park, the San Francisco skyline and the bay beyond. The four-diamond, family-owned, elegant Huntington Hotel and the adjoining new Nob Hill Spa are interesting contrasts. The hotel exudes a charm of the old world - rich, dark upholsery, heavy drapes, dark granite bathrooms. The spa is modern, light and airy with 18-foot floor-to-ceiling windows. They share great service and an ability to make their guests feel very pampered.

I arrived at the hotel around lunch time. My spa appointment wasn't until 3, so I called the spa and asked if they offer spa lunches. As a matter of fact, they do! They have a great spa cuisine menu and suggested I come down to the spa to enjoy the meal poolside. Menu selections include Passion Fruit-Wild Berry-Ginseng Smoothie, Mango-Banana Smoothie, Spa Oatmeal Cookies, Seasonal Sliced Fresh Fruit and Berries with Honey-Yogurt Sauce, Soup of the Day, Organic Field Greens, Vietnamese Prawn and Lobster Spring Rolls, Grilled California Chicken Wrap, Pan Seared Ahi Tuna and Butter Lettuce Salad, and Warm Salad of Grilled Prawns and Pan Seared Day Boat Scallops. I selected the Ahi Tuna and headed toward the spa.

The entrance to the spa is in the hotel lobby. I checked in at the reception desk in the spa boutique. They verified my appointment and lunch order and escorted me downstairs, past the lovely infinity pool, to the spa attendent desk where I picked up a robe and sandals. I entered the Women's Locker Room where I had a quick steam and shower. I emerged just in time for lunch. It was a beautiful, warm day, so I decided to eat outside on the patio where I could enjoy the fresh air and view of the city. The tuna was fabulous, the sun warm, and the view spectacular. I spent the rest of the time before my treatment catnapping on a lounge chair.

Shana came for me at the appointed time and escorted me to a cozy treatment room, one of eleven at the 11,000 square-foot spa. A fire danced in the fireplace making the room very inviting. The treatment I was about to have was Somatic Integration. Shana said it is a unique offering at the Nob Hill Spa. I have had pain in my shoulders for quite a long time. Shana's massage, while full-body, focused on the shoulders and was very deep. My shoulders definiately felt better afterwards. However, that was only the first part of the treatment. When the massage was finished, Shana escorted me to the the changing room where I put on my exercise clothes (I had been told I would need them when I made the appointment). We then went to the Fitness Studio where Shana evaluated my posture and the way I walked. Shana has been a dancer most of her life and holds a Masters degree in Somatic Physiology. She pointed out areas that could be causing problems for my back and legs. She then had me do a series of exercises designed to stretch and strengthen my shoulders. Most of them were done on a hard foam bolster about 8" in diameter and 3' long. I think this combination of bodywork and physical therapy is about perfect - passive and active therapeutic treatments - in a beautiful urban spa. I truly wish it was not "unique" and would love to continue this approach at home.

Other treatments offered at the Nob Hill Spa include:

• Facials (Nob Hill Spa European, green tea, longevity aromatherapy, professional Vitamin C peel, purity, Perrier Jouet Champagne, high skin refiner, gentleman's), performance facial series, cleansing back treatment
• Massages (longevity, Asian, aromatherapy, Ashi, pregnancy, dosha balancing, Balinese, couples)
• Body wraps (revive massage, de-stress massge)
• Body treatments (green tea scrub, vitamin cocktail, longevity body therapy), wellness body series
• Ancient healings (Scentao, bindi herbal treatment, shirodara, nurvana, bali ginger spice scrub)
• Waxing
• Nail care

Wellness classes include yoga, fitball, Inner balance, Ener-Chi, Pilates and San Francisco walk.