Walls of glass to the left revealed an expansive, three-level waterfall in front of the lower level café's patio.

To the right, there was another large outdoor patio on our level with more bistro tables and chairs surrounded by a wall of red rose bushes.

In the Grand Lobby, we passed an inviting fireplace with cozy seating, the entrance to Valley Bistro and the reception desk. If I didn't know differently, I would think we were entering a luxury hotel. We were actually entering a hospital - the $530 million, 237 bed, 924,000 square-foot Capital Health Medical Center - Hopewell in Pennington, New Jersey. This hospital, which broke ground in 2008 and opened its doors on November 6, 2011, was specifically designed to create an environment that promotes healing, reduces anxiety and delivers advanced medical care in a calming, comforting setting. One part of the calm, comforting and healing environment is the Oasis Spa, a full-service spa, hair and nail lounge that is available to guests, visitors and staff of Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell as well as the general public. As Spa Manager Candiss Lynch notes, "It's a luxury day spa in an unconventional setting."

Capital Health Medical Center in Pennington, New Jersey

I knew about Oasis Spa, which opened February 10, 2012, because Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell is the hospital where one of my granddaughters was born on February 25 of that year. It is also the hospital where my daughter had surgery a not long after the baby was born. When she was given a clean bill of health, we celebrated with a pedicure at the Oasis Spa. The spa is located on the first level of the hospital next to the Oncology Center. You know you are close when you see the glass wall of purple Larkspur, a flower that grew wild on the site of the hospital when it was just a field.

Entrance to Oasis Spa at Hopewell on the 1st floor of Capital Health Medical Center

This time, my mother and I were celebrating Mother's Day by having spa treatments at Oasis Spa. We checked in at the reception desk where the staff warmly greeted us.

Reception Desk at Oasis Spa at Hopewell

We were invited to sit in the boutique while we completed health information forms.

Retail Boutique at Oasis Spa at Hopewell

When the paperwork was completed, we were given the choice of starting our treatments a few minutes early or relaxing in the lounge. We chose to go right to the treatments.

Liz, an esthetician, introduced herself to my mother and led her to her treatment room. Mom was having an Oasis Spa Custom Facial, "a customized facial experience designed to meet the needs of your skin."

Facial Treatment Room at Oasis Spa at Hopewell

James, a massage therapist, introduced himself to me and escorted me to my treatment room. I was having an Essential Oil Wrap, "a luxurious application of organic aromatherapy oils mixed with a body crème... applied with effleurage movements to the body followed by a wrap and relaxing face and scalp massage."

Massage Treatment Room at Oasis Spa at Hopewell

First James showed me the Kerstin Florian products that would be used in the treatment. There was a little sample of the rich, silky Thermal Mineral Remineralizing Body Crème in a little white cup. There were also three other cups each with a few drops of Organic Aromatherapy Body Oil:

• Ginger (relaxes aching muscles and joints while helping to warm and stimulate the body),
• Juniper (good for sore joints) and
• Lavender (relaxes, soothes and balances).

James asked me to select one for him to combine with the body crème. I chose lavender. Finally, he showed me a jar of Kerstin Florian Aromatherapy Turkish Body Scrub with Eucalyptus, which he would use on my feet. He provided a cup for me to put my jewelry.

Treatment Room at Oasis Spa at Hopewell

James explained the treatment and instructed me to disrobe to my level of comfort then get on the table face down while he left the room. The treatment started with instructions for me to take a deep breath. The lavender smelled wonderful. This would be repeated throughout the session. He tucked bolsters under my ankles and then he applied a warm towel to my back (very nice!). As he massaged the body crème mixture into my skin, he spent a lot of time working out kinks he found in my muscles - especially my neck and shoulders (very nice!). When he was done with that side, he held the sheet so I could discreetly turn over. He adjusted the table so it elevated at my knees and head, and he tucked a heated roll under my neck (very nice!). He again massaged the body crème mixture into my skin. When done, he pulled the sheets and blankets up from each side to create a wrap. While the body crème mixture soaked in under the wrap, he massaged my scalp. He also used the Eucalyptus scrub on my feet and then massaged them - one of the best foot massages I've had! Soon it was time to remove the wrap, and James left so I could get dressed. As I left the room, James met me at the door with a glass of water and a sample of the Thermal Mineral Remineralizing Body Crème to use at home. He escorted me to the lounge, asked if I needed anything else, and then slid the doors closed.

Guest Lounge at Oasis Spa at Hopewell

Liz escorted my mother to the lounge a few minutes later. She left both of us with a number of G.M. Collin product samples to try at home then slid the doors closed. Mom said she liked her facial but was surprised by the extractions. She didn't realize she needed them and was happy they were taken care of. I asked her if the facial was like the description on the web site, "...begins with a soothing deep cleansing, exfoliation, a powerful serum, followed with an appropriate mask, and a finishing moisturizer." She said there were many steps and probably included all of that. She said Liz massaged her neck and décolleté and, while the mask was working, she massaged her hands and arms. She liked that very much. I think the facial was a hit. After we got home, Mom said she was planning to get a facial every 5 weeks. I hope she does.

As for me, I really enjoyed my treatment. I was expecting a typical wrap with a quick exfoliation and long stay in a mummy-like posture. But this was more like a really good massage with a wrap bonus. Very nice!

Other facilities at Oasis Spa at Hopewell include:

The Nail Lounge with two manicure and two pedicure stations.

Nail Lounge at Oasis Spa at Hopewell

A wet treatment room for wraps and scrubs using muds and algae.

Wet Treatment Room at Oasis Spa at Hopewell

And a private, specialized oncology suite for patients operated by Just For You Center, a full service wig salon that exclusively serves individuals with medically related hair loss.

Just For You Center at Oasis Spa at Hopewell

Other treatments available at Oasis Spa at the time of my visit include: