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Thalasso Center at Paraiso
de la Bonita in Peurto Morelos, Mexico
Thalasso Center
Thalassotherapy History The use of seawater and marine components goes back to antiquity. Even in 480 BCE, Euripides in "Iphigenia in Tauris" wrote: "The sea heals man's illnesses". Hippocrates, the father of medicine, evokes the beneficial effects of seawater in his Treatise on Medicine. Until the Middle Ages, seawater was known and used for its therapeutic powers. In the middle of the eighteenth century, seawater thermal baths came into fashion in England, long before this vogue crossed the Channel. During the nineteenth century all along the French coast, thermal stations were offering seawater treatments. Then three wars and the proliferation of antibiotics and chemotherapy stopped the natural evolution of sea thermalism. In 1899 in Roscoff, Dr. Louis Bagot founded the first Thalassotherapy center, where half a century later Louison Bobet, the French cycling champion, experienced the positive aspects of seawater treatments. He therefore decided to create a center in Quiberon in 1964. Modern Thalassotherapy was born. Since 1986 when the "Federation Mere et Santé" was created, the number of centers has doubled. At the present time, there are about forty Thalassos in France, more than all the rest of the world's combined. Thalassotherapy Concept
All treatments use fresh seawater as the principal active ingredient. This is combined with different techniques and products to enhance your health and beauty:
In the jet shower, you will be massaged by pressurized water from dozens of jet vents, relaxing and toning your body, and enhancing circulation. Two jet showers are located at the center. Two affusion shower rooms offer several types of relaxation massages. The hydrotherapy pool is specially designed to relax and invigorate you, with jet nozzles placed in the walls of the pool. Here numerous specific therapies and exercises are carried out, in accordance with the needs of each guest. The seawater jacuzzi is located in the open air. Here men and women can relax together and enjoy each other's company while valuable minerals and nutrients are absorbed into the body. The Resort
The hotel's exterior reflects the Mayan culture and architecture that embodies the history of the Yucatan Peninsula. Open courtyards and intricate mosaic pathways lead guests past metal papel-picado artwork and a hand-carved fountain with six sculpted Mayan jaguars to the rest of the resort - restaurants, a huge swimming pool with jacuzzi sections, Library Bar with internet access, CDs, books on the region and DVDs available for guests, lighted dock, outdoor bar, boutique and small meeting room. There is a 24-hour concierge service to arrange private tours and airport transfers.
There are two restaurants. Each restaurant provides a dual menu, offering a wide range of choices for guests who enjoy continental cuisine, and taking full advantage of the superb local fish, shellfish, fruit and vegetables. In addition, there is a full selection of equally gourmet appetizers, main courses and desserts for low-calorie "spa" cuisine. La Canoa is open for dinner and specializes in seafood dishes. The Terrace Restaurant provides indoor and outdoor dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner with a wide range of original Mexican and continental selections. I am adding Paraiso de la Bonita to my list of favorites and hope to visit it often in the future.
Photos copyright 2002, Julie Register |
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My
first thought when I entered Paraiso de la Bonita was, "this reminds
me of the Banyan Tree Phuket in Thailand," which happens to be one
of my favorite places in the world. My second thought was, "I don't
have to travel over 30 hours to get here!" There were two main elements
that brought the resort in Phuket to mind. The first was the Paraiso de
la Bonita's entrance, with its soaring thatched roof, rich terracotta-colored
walls, hand-hewn timber columns and the open courtyards with overflowing
reflecting pools. The atmosphere in these public areas is peaceful, elegant,
yet relaxed. I felt that I was in a special place. The second was the
elaborate guest room bathrooms which had inviting sunken tubs and exotic
open-air showers. The similarities ended there (the beach is much, much
nicer and more accessible here) but, needless to say, I started the visit
off on the right foot.
My
experience in the Thalasso Center at Paraiso de la Bonita reinforced my
good first impression. Paraiso de la Bonita, means "the paradise
of a beautiful woman." The resort offers a superb spa that should
attract spa-loving women and men - beautiful and otherwise - from around
the world. The main thrust of the luxurious 22,000-square-foot thalassotherapy
spa is, obviously, thalassotherapy treatments. Thalassotherapy is the
concept of using the benefits of seawater and marine algae to encourage
an exchange of minerals and vitamins for the rejuvenation of and curative
benefit to the body. These sea-based treatments are used for slimming,
re-energizing, physical therapy, stress reduction and sheer relaxation.
Thalassotherapy's history goes back to at least Euripides and Hippocrates
in ancient Greece, but the center at Paraiso de la Bonita's is the first
in Mexico and only the second in Latin America (the first was in Venezuela).
The center takes its seawater directly from the sea on which it is located.
The
luxurious spa has an earthy, grounded feel. Be sure to take a look at
the photos. Heavy stone walls give the appearance of being in an ancient
temple, yet it is equipped with all the modern technologies spas have
to offer including a hydrotherapy treatment area with hydro-massage, jet
baths and showers, Mayan-style seawater jacuzzi, steam and dry saunas
and high-pressure affusion jet showers. The large outdoor seawater hydrotherapy
pool has jets at different heights so you can massage your entire body.
Inviting double chaise lounges, tucked privately in the shade, overlook
the hydrotherapy pool and ocean beyond - a perfect place to relax the
day away. There is a Fitness Center with cardio, circuit training, free
weights, classes in yoga, t'ai chi, walking and aqua-gym. There is a Beauty
Salon that offers capillary treatments, depilation, haircuts, makeup,
manicures and pedicures. Special spa menus are offered in all of the resort's
restaurants. 
The
spa offers the services of a medical staff that can individually custom-design
spa and fitness programs. There are a broad range of treatments - massages,
body wraps, facials, shiatsu, reiki and reflexology among others. For
body-wraps, there are wet treatment rooms that provide the environment
required for specific treatments such as algae wraps, exfoliations, anti-cellulite
treatments, and presso-therapy. Facial treatments offered include a Cold
Marine treatment for sensitive skin, a hydration with a Collagen Velvet
mask, an anti-wrinkle treatment with Native Marine Elastine Patches, an
energizing Floral Mask, or a remineralization with marine algae. Facials
may be applied in any of the three facial treatment rooms with lovely
views of the sea. Reiki, Reflexology, Shiatsu, Holistic, Lymphatic Drainage,
Sport and Swedish massages are all offered by professional therapists
in one of eight massage treatment rooms. A massage room for couples is
available as well as massage on the beach.
I enjoyed
a Under Affusion Massage spa treatment at the Thalasso Center at Paraiso
de la Bonita. I checked into the spa reception which is on one side of
an open courtyard with a lovely fountain in the center. Across the courtyard
is the medical office. At the rear is the entrance to the spa. As I entered
the separate women's locker room, I was offered a choice of three herbal
teas - one a diuretic, one good for digestion and one a decongestant.
I changed into a robe and was led to the comfortable waiting area overlooking
the outdoor whirlpool and sea beyond. My therapist then escorted me to
a room with a wet table and Vichy shower. I lay under a gentle rain of
seawater from the Vichy Shower while the therapist gave me a lovely, relaxing,
deep-tissue massage. The benefits of this treatment are not the same as
most thalassotherapy treatments in which you are immersed or wrapped in
seawater or algae. However, this treatment is good for increased blood
and lymph circulation and tension relief. Definitely tension relief!
The
use of seawater in Thalassotherapy consists of heating it to around 97°F
(34°C), thus keeping its micro-organisms alive. It permits the passage
of ions into the body through the skin, because of the chemical similarity
between blood plasma and seawater. The presence of the micro-organisms
makes seawater unique: they remain alive only for 48 hours, which therefore
makes their transportation impossible. In addition, the fact that the
density of seawater and of human cells is similar means the effect of
the treatment is far quicker and more profound. Its uplifting power explains
why seawater has a better physical effect than freshwater. All treatments
are prescribed after an initial medical consultation.
The
hydro-massage is performed while your body is totally immersed in heated
seawater. As your muscles relax, your body absorbs the rich nutrients
from the warm water. Two hydro-massage tubs are available at the center.
Paraiso
de la Bonita is an intimate beach resort and thalassotherapy spa nestled
on secluded sugar-white beaches along Petenpich Bay on the Mexican Caribbean
in a 14-acre oasis surrounded by mangroves and a bird sanctuary. Located
in Puerto Morelos in the eastern state of Quintana Roo, between Cancun
and Playa del Carmen, it is just 12 miles south of the newly updated Cancun
Benito Juarez International Airport. Complimentary transport is provided
by the hotel for the 20-minute drive to Paraiso de la Bonita from the
airport. Riding on the dirt roads in Puero Morelos leading to the resort
made me wonder what I was getting into. I didn't have to worry. This is
a world-class gem tucked away from the hubbub of Cancun, but every bit
as convenient to get to. 
There
are 90 luxurious suites, including the Master and Bali suites. The owner
personally decorated the suites with unusual fabrics and items gathered
during his travels around the world. The suites incorporate Caribbean,
Mediterranean, Indian, African, Balinese and Asian design elements. Each
suite provides a large terrace offering breathtaking ocean views with
a double chaise, table and chair. Ground floor rooms also feature a private
plunge pool while those on upper floors feature terraces with umbrellas
and hammocks. The huge bathroom has two sinks, marble bathtub for two,
shower with extra jets to soothe the lower back, large closet, dryer,
robe and slippers, a valuables safe and bathroom amenities by Bulgari.
The ground floor rooms have open-air showers. The one-bedroom suite also
provides huge windows overlooking the sea, televisions in the bedroom
and living room, DVD and CD players in the living room, desk, built-in
sofas in the living room, a minibar and direct-dial telephone.
$50-
