The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa in Asheville, North Carolina - a spa review by Julie Register at DiscoverSpas.com

The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa in Asheville, North Carolina
Julie Register visited this subterranean resort spa in North Carolina in June 2009

I had the pleasure of visiting one of my favorite spas this summer - The Spa at The Grove Park Inn Resort in Asheville, North Carolina. My husband, son and I were on our annual drive from Delaware to Atlanta to participate in the 10K Peachtree Road Race on July 4 (The men run, and I volunteer). We stopped in Asheville on the way. I find it hard to believe that seven years have passed since our last visit just after the spa opened. I was impressed then by the unique underground design, the wonderful way it blended with the historic resort's Arts and Crafts style as well as the quality of the services. I looked forward to experiencing the spa again.

This year we stayed in the newer Sammons Wing of the resort, which had easy access to the spa.

I enjoyed the walk down the cave-like corridor leading from the elevator to the spa. I was delighted to find sparkling geodes tucked here and there in the stone walls. The sound of soft music and water trickling into pools helped get me in the spa mood.

I checked in at the reception desk, was given a health form to fill out and was immediately escorted to the locker room with two other guests. We were shown how to operate the locks on the lockers and were offered a tour if we needed one. I remembered the layout, so I declined.

I changed into my robe, took a quick shower and discovered the first change to the spa since my last visit.

The women's lounge had a new addition - a quiet room with its own fireplace, comfortable chairs and access to the private women's patio.

This lovely outdoor space offers a number of comfortable lounge chairs, a beautiful waterfall and magnificent mountain views. Here I filled out my health questionnaire and relaxed until my therapist, Virginia, came for me.

The last time I was at the Spa, I noted that I wanted to try the 80-minute Fire, Rock, Water, and Light treatment on my next visit. That's exactly what I did. Virginia escorted me down the stairs to the treatment room area. I noticed the tile floors had been replaced with stone since my last visit. Virginia led me to a round, tiled treatment room furnished with a whirlpool tub and a table equipped with a Vichy shower. After I got on the table, Virginia asked me if I was comfortable with the temperature. I was. And if I liked the music - if not, she could change it. It was fine.

The treatment started with a full body exfoliation using Epicuren's Old World Salt Body Scrub containing sea salt, olive oil and other moisturizing and essential oils. After the scrub had been applied, Virginia worked it in with hot stones. The mixture was rinsed off with the Vichy shower, then Virginia helped me to the whirlpool bath sudsy with Epicuren Lavender Bath Salts. She asked if I would like anything to drink - champagne?, water?, elixir?. Elixir! This was the first spa I ever had an elixir in. I asked for a Virtual Buddha. I sipped and soaked in the hot water while Virginia prepared the table for the rest of the treatment. She asked if I would like a cold compress. I said I would. Instead of handing an iced washcloth to me, she gently dabbed it on my face. I know it is a small gesture, but I felt very cared for by it.

Virginia helped me get out of the tub and instructed me to dry off and get back on the table. She applied a volcanic body masque and loosely covered me up. She massaged my feet and put warm stones between my toes. She put larger hot stones on my heart and solar plexus chakras. Honestly, at this point I had already slipped into a deep state of relaxation, but I think she massaged my scalp and hands. Virginia removed the masque with hot towels. That felt wonderful. She sprayed me with Epicuren's Sandalwood Protein Mist and finished by massaging in Epicuren's Sandalwood After-Bath Moisturizer (all products were available in the spa boutique). It was a lovely treatment and worth the wait.

When it was over, Virginia led me to the nearby co-ed relaxation lounge, draped a warm, clove-scented pillow around my neck and prepared another Virtual Buddha for me. There I remained in front of the fireplace until my senses returned.

The rest of the day involved lounging in the extraordinary pool area, sitting under the waterfalls, floating in the mineral pools (now both are salt water), listening to music under water, eating apple-sized chocolate-covered strawberries and sipping champagne by the waterfall on the patio outside the Women's Lounge and making up for my indulgence by eating a healthy lunch in the Spa Café (healthy choices here are also new since the last visit).

The last change I noticed was that the covered porches we enjoyed so much during our last visit had been converted to treatment pagodas. My next visit will definitely involve a treatment in one of them!

So what were my guys doing while I was in the spa? My husband tried out the Donald Ross golf course.

My son, who is obsessed with being buff, spent most of the time working out in the Sports Complex.

The Spa at Grove Park Inn Resort is more than 43,000 square feet in size, 17,000 of which are amenities to enjoy before and after treatments including mineral and lap pools with underwater music and nearby waterfall pools, contrast pools, inhalation room, sauna, eucalyptus-infused steam room and outdoor hot tub.

Day of Indulgence
Blue Ridge Bliss
Heavenly Sanctuary
Natural Elements
Touchstone
Mountain Memories
Gentlemen's Getaway
Grove Park Seasonal Delight
Mother-to-Be
The Heaven Series
Fire, Rock, Water and Light
Sanctuary of the Senses Body Treatment for Women
Sanctuary of the Senses Facial
Mountain Honey Wrap
Waterfall Body Experience
Blue Ridge Symphony Massage
Grove Stone Massage
Arnica & Hot Towel Massage
Couples Retreat
Gentlemen’s Treatments
Gentlemen's De-Stress Body Treatment
Grove Stone Massage
Deep Tissue Massage
Gentlemen's Skin-Care Treatment
Gentlemen’s Mountain Stream Foot Treatment
Gentlemen’s Manicure
Skin Care
Sanctuary of the Senses Facial
Glycolic Lift Facial
Grove Stone Facial
Propolis Facial
Collagen Enriched Facial
Grove Park Seasonal Facial Green Tea and Ginger Facial
Grove Park Classic Facial
Skin Care Enhancements
Collagen Eye Brightener
Ageless Hands
Hands and Feet
Walk-in-the-Clouds Pedicure
Grove Park Seasonal Pedicure
Mother-to-Be Pedicure
Grove Park Inn Classic Manicure
Grove Park Seasonal Manicure

Massage
Blue Ridge Symphony Massage Grove Stone Massage
Aromatherapy Massage
Arnica & Hot Towel Massage
Mountain View Massage
Deep Tissue Massage
Grove Park Classic Massage
Maternity Massage
Grove Park Seasonal Soak & Massage
Mountain River Walk
Spirit of Renewal
Lymphatic Massage
Head in the Clouds Massage
Couples Massage
Couples Retreat
Grove Park Inn-Room Retreat
Grove Park Inn-Room Massage
Massage Add-In s
Aura Imaging Photo
Refreshing Foot Treatment
Scalp Refresher
Body Treatments
Fire, Rock, Water and Light
Sanctuary of the Senses Body Treatment for Women
De-Stress Body Treatment
Mountain Honey Wrap
Waterfall Body Experience
Carolina Mud Pie Wrap
Mother-to-Be or New Mother Wrap
Color and Light Wrap with Aura Imaging
Grove Park Seasonal Body Treatments
Deep Currents Hydrotherapy
Maternity
Mother-to-Be or New Mother Wrap
Mother-to-Be Pedicure
Maternity Massage
Couples
Couples Retreat
Couples Massage
Inn-Room
Grove Park Inn-Room Retreat
Grove Park Inn-Room Massage

More Information

Contact
The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa
• Address: 290 Macon Avenue,
Asheville, NC 28804
• Phone: 828-252-2711, ext. 2SPA(2772)
• Toll Free: 877-SPA-0747 (877-772-0747)
• Package reservations: 800-438-5800
• Within the Resort: SPA0 (7720)
• Fax: 828-253-7053
• Email: info@groveparkinn.com
• Web Site: www.groveparkinn.com

FYI

• Appointments: Spa services are always very popular with our guests. It is strongly recommended that you make your Spa appointments when you make your room reservation. (Weekend appointments should be made three to four months in advance.)
• Appointments for services are subject to availability. From noon on Friday through noon on Sunday, appointments are reserved for resort guests only.
• When making your appointment, please inform your reservations representative if you are pregnant or under a physician’s care.
• Preferences: When scheduling your treatments, you may request a male or female therapist; however, the spa regrets that it cannot guarantee this preference. All of the therapists are highly skilled professionals and are well-trained in draping techniques to provide you with the utmost comfort for your Spa experience. The ability to schedule you with either allows the spa to provide you with the widest range of appointment availability. All massage and bodywork services are provided by North Carolina Licensed and Nationally Certified Massage and Bodywork Therapists.
• What to Bring: Bring your swimsuit, sunscreen and sunglasses for our pool areas and workout gear if you plan to use the Spa fitness room. Robes, slippers and towels are provided for use to all guests.
• Check-In: Arrive a minimum of one hour prior to your first treatment. The exception is for 8:30 a.m. appointments for which you should arrive at 8:00 a.m.
• Arrival: Please arrive a minimum of one hour prior to your first treatment to allow time to enjoy the facility and to prevent delays for other guests. Arriving late may result in a shortened service. Upon arrival to The Spa, you will be asked to complete a brief health form to assist The Spa therapists in providing you the best experience possible and to assure your safety and comfort. The spa encourages you to disclose any pertinent health conditions that may affect your Spa experience. Give yourself plenty of time before your treatments so you can indulge in the complimentary amenities, including the Spa fitness room.

More Spas in North Carolina
• The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa DiscoverSpas.com Listing Page
• Julie Register's 2002 Review of The Spa at Grove Park Inn Resort
• North Carolina Spa Directory

Things To Do
Asheville

• Service Charge: For your convenience, a 20% service charge will be automatically applied to your bill and distributed to the staff. Gratuities are appreciated but not expected.
• Valuables: Please do not bring jewelry to The Spa, as it cannot secure these or other valuables.
• Spa Etiquette Help keep The Spa a sanctuary of tranquility and relaxation. Please respect the quiet and privacy of other Spa guests by refraining from using all electronic equipment while at The Spa. Please speak softly or simply enjoy the silence. The Spa is a non-smoking facility.
• Tours: To protect the privacy of the guests, tours of the facility are not available.
• Cancellations: As a courtesy to other guests and the staff, cancellations and time changes must be received at least 24 hours prior to appointment time to avoid full treatment cost.
• Spa Access Fee: The Spa is open for day guest access (those without a scheduled treatment) from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Without a scheduled appointment you may purchase a Spa Day Pass at the following rates:
$35 - Twighlight Tuesday-Thursday
$55 - Monday - Thursday, if you are a resort guest.
$80 - Monday - Thursday, if you are not a resort guest.
$80 - Friday - Sunday. Day Passes are reserved for resort guests only.
Day Pass sales are limited and are not sold in advance. When available, Day Passes may be purchased upon entry to The Spa. (These rates were valid in June 2009. Please check with the spa for current rates.)
• Age Requirements: The Spa is available for guests 18 years of age and older. Please contact the Sports Complex (ext. 1046) for extensive children's programming, or the Concierge desk (ext. 7005) for child-care services. While you're at The Spa, your child can be enjoying fun-filled programs for children ages 3 and older. Activities include swimming, arts & crafts and playing on our playground. Call 828-252-2711, ext. 1046, to register.