| Nice Touch! Awards 2001 |
| I visited many spas in 2001 and enjoyed them all. Every once in a while, I ran across something that made the visit extra special, something extraordinary - a unique or outstanding treatment, a gesture, a touch, a program, or a feature of the facility. To these spas, I present the First Annual Nice Touch! Award from Julie Register. Here are those spas in alphabetical order: |
1.) Absolute
Spa at the Century
Complementary spa cuisine is served with every service. This really
encourages you to linger and relax after treatments. I also had and
"Absolutely" personalized facial with Doina - one of the
best I've had. All services were top notch. Nice touch!
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2.) Banyan
Tree Spa at the Banyan Tree Phuket
Fabulous exotic, private, open-air treatment rooms for two with
garden, relaxation area, shower, steam bath, tea and snacks. Treatments
start with a footbath. Ms. Junya gave me one of the best Thai massages
I've had. Nice touch!
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3.) Echo Valley Ranch & Spa
 A true East-meets-West experience at a remote working cattle ranch in a unique location where mountains, desert, tundra, and meadows meet. Authentic Thai treatments and architecture in the Canadian wilderness. Nice Touch!
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4.) The Spa at the Grand at
Grand Okanagan Lakefront Resort & Conference Centre
LaStone Therapy is the crème de la crème of hot stone massages, but
most practitioners only use hot stones. Beth used both hot and cold
stones as per LaStone guidelines. She also incorporated energy work
and visualization. Nice touch!
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5.) Healing Springs Spa
at Harrison Hot Springs Resort
 Ceilings have radiant heat panels over treatment tables so exposed skin is not chilled during massage or wrap, lamb's wool pads are used beneath sheets and down comforters are used on top of treatment tables. Couples room has fiber optic stars in ceiling and large slate bath for two using mineral water from hot springs without chlorine. Nice touch!
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6.) The Canadian Wellness Centre
at The Hills Health Ranch
Therapists and estheticians provide printed information sheets on
everything used in treatment - where it comes from, what benefits
it provides, etc. Nice touch!
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7.) The
Imperial Mandara Spa at the Imperial Queen's Park Hotel
All massage tables had bowls filled with beautiful flowers to look at
through the head rest when face down on the table. Other spas in
Thailand also had this, but this spa was the first one I visited that
did. It was also the first spa I visited that was filled with the aroma
of lemongrass - now one of my favorite scents. Nice touch!
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8.) Kingfisher Oceanside
Spa at Kingfisher Oceanside Resort & Spa
 Treatment rooms face the ocean. The sound of the surf can be heard through open windows while enjoying your treatment. A heating pad warms your feet when you're face-down and your tummy when you're face-up on
the massage table. A fortune shell (instead of cookie) is given at end of your visit. Steam " cave ." Nice Touch!
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9.) The
Spa at the Four Seasons Chiang Mai
Breathtaking spa architecture and interior design. Wonderful treatments
using indigenous plants and local healing traditions. Service was
outstanding at the spa and the resort. My overall favorite. Nicetouch!
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10.) The Health & Beauty Spa
at The Lodge at Paratiho Farms
 Fabulous facials in a world-class getaway. Facials include a back massage, therapeutic mud treatment for your back that heats up, bubbles and fizzes, and a relaxing foot massage. The facial left my face feeling soft and clean. My back and feet felt pampered and rejuvenated. Nice touch!
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11.) Polynesian Spa
 Series of beautiful natural hot springs pools in increasing temperature from warm to hot overlooking lake and bird preserve. Located in a very active geothermal area. Nice touch!
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12.) Senses Spa at
Our Lucaya
 This spa makes the most of its unique Caribbean location with The Sense of Wisdom - The Dolphin Journey spa package and treatments using
Bahamian bush medicine. Nice touch!
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Nice Touch! Awards 2002
Nice Touch! Awards 2003
Please bear with me while I publish the spa reviews on this site. As they go live, you will see the "Read Review" become blue links. |
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