2009 Spa Reviews by Julie Register

The following are reviews of some of the spas Julie Register visited in 2009

I started the year by visiting spas in Atlantic City. It seems appropriate that I end the year by doing the same. This time I stayed at Caesars Atlantic City to experience Qua Baths & Spa. I enjoyed two of their special holiday treatments - the Peace Back and Foot Ritual and Joy Intensif® Facial. I also enjoyed walking on the boardwalk and doing a little last minute Christmas shopping in The Pier Shops across from Caesars. However, there were a few opportunities for improvement. Read about my experience.

~Julie

I visited Oasis Westchester in Dobbs Ferry, New York to experience Active Isolated Stretching (AIS) and a Radiancy™ Facial using an LHE (Light and Heat Energy) Micro-Photo Therapy laser device. It was the first time for both of these treatments for me. I also chatted with owner Bruce Schoenberg. Read about my experience there.

~Julie

I flew into Austin to attend the ISPA Conference and Expo early so I could spend the better part of a day at The Spa at Barton Creek. I had a seasonal Pumpkin Enzyme Facial and a Mexican Chocolate Cayenne Scrub. Both were excellent. The spa facilities were mid-renovation. Read about my experience there.

~Julie

This summer I visited Wintergreen Resort, which located on 11,000 acres on the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains. At an elevation of 4,000 feet, there were spectacular views everywhere including at the Wintergarden Spa. Read about my experience there.

~Julie

It had been a long time since I first experienced The Spa at The Hotel Hershey. In the time that passed, the spa grew from 17,000 to 30,000 square feet. Read about my impression of the expanded facilities and my Cocoa Facial Experience.

~Julie

The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia was one of the first spas I discovered online when I started my website over a dozen years ago. I finally had an opportunity to experience the historic, award-winning resort and spa this summer. Read about my experience at The Greenbrier Spa - a soak in sulphur infused mineral water, Swiss shower, Scotch hose, and a heavenly massage.

~Julie

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Joya Spa at the Intercontinental Montelucia Resort & Spa Scottsdale in Paradise Valley, Arizona delivers both exterior and interior journeys. The spa's design makes you feel like your are in Andalucía, Spain with Moorish architecture, whitewashed walls, billowing "tents," and hand-made Moroccan tiles. Joya Spa also provides a guide to an interior journey throughout the spa experience with the Joy of Purification, the Joy of Insight, the Joy of Intention and the Joy of Illumination. Read about my experience at the newest luxury spa in Scottsdale.

~Julie

I am strolling on the wide beach in front of my room at Gurney's Inn on the eastern tip of Long Island. The fog has almost burned off. The sky is clear, the air is cool, and the sun is warm. My intention for a brisk walk has evaporated. My attention is drawn to the many small, colorful stones that have been perfectly polished by waves and sand and have been generously scattered all over the beach. Like a little kid, I have to stop and look at each one. I dawdle. The white, red, gold and black stones call me. I pick them up and brush them off. I put them in my pocket to later add to my fountains and plant trays at home. I will look at them and remember this beach, this time, this sun, this sky, the wee trace of fog, the seawater spa treatments and the child within. Read about my experience at the only thalasso spa in the continental United States.

~Julie

In May, 2007, I received a press release announcing that Harrah's in Atlantic City had opened a new pool complex ad and an Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa. At the time, I made a note to stop by. Elizabeth Arden was a pioneer in the industry, and Red Door Spas were opening all over the country (there are 30 now). I had never been to one, and my only impression was from a short, most likely inaccurate scene from the Whoopi Goldberg movie Jumpin' Jack Flash. Over a year and a half after the press release, I found my way to Atlantic City and finally experienced The Red Door Spa at Harrah's. Read about my experience.

~Julie