Daily Pampering: Mandarin Oriental Prague takes the spa to a spiritual level

by Melanie Nayer on

Few places in the world combine pampering and prayer, but the Mandarin Oriental, Prague figured out a way to do it.

If you’re seeking complete harmony between mind, body and spirit, The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Prague might be the best starting point.

It’s the only spa in the world located in a former Renaissance chapel and preserves the remnants of its Gothic church under a glass floor.

The spa encompasses two floors and hosts six private treatment rooms. After the treatment, guests dress in robes and retreat to their hotel rooms through an underground passageway that links to the spa to the main building.

Spa treatments in the “church” start at CZK 800 (approximately USD $42) and can run as high as CZK 8,500 (approximately USD $450).

The cost of a religious revival in a spa? Priceless.

New Hampshire inn wants you to get dirty this spring

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Winter’s starting to turn into spring up in New England, which means pristine white landscapes turn into a brown slop. What do you do with it? The answer might be to smear it all over your body? Well, that’s what The Wentworth by the Sea has in mind. This New Hampshire inn has put together a great package that makes the most of the muddy season.

Head on up to New Castle, New Hampshire, and you’ll receive breakfast for two every morning, a 50-minute organic mud wrap and a sea facial with a bubbling mud back treatment (which sounds absolutely fascinating). Of course, a molten chocolate cake after the treatments in the relaxation room sure doesn’t hurt!

The tab isn’t too bad – only $289 a night (two-night stay Sunday through Thursday required), as long as you use promotion code P42.

Only a few weeks left on Curtain Bluff Power of ’10 package

by Tom Johansmeyer on

There’s only a month left on Curtain Bluff’s “Power of ’10” deal, and if you’re feeling worn down by the fierce winter cold, here’s your chance to win some relief. So, stay at this Antigua resort in the next few weeks, and you’ll be able to add some interesting activities to the SCUBA diving, dep-sea fishing and reef snorkeling that are already available. You’ll be able to take a cooking class with Chef Christophe Blatz, pick up a second spa treatment (of equal or lesse value), add an extra personal training session or enjoy a second tennis lesson.

These perks come at the rich cost of $10, as long as you pick them up by the end of March. The all-inclusive resort starts at $995 a night. I know there isn’t much time, but if you need to get away, this is an excellent way to do it.

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Daily Pampering: Condé Nast Traveller names top spa in the U.S.

by Melanie Nayer on

If a little relaxation and rejuvenation, and a lot of pampering, is on your task list for 2010, Conde Nast has a place for you: The Spa Solage.

Readers of Condé Nast Traveller voted Spa Solage, at Solage Calistoga, the “Favourite Overseas Hotel Spas: The Americas and Caribbean” in its seventh annual “Readers’ Spa Awards 2010.” This recognition follows on the heels of Spa Solage’s number two spot among the “Top 25 Hotel Spas: Continental U.S. and Canada,” in Travel + Leisure Magazine’s “World’s Best Spas 2009” awards.

The spa is located on 22-acres in Napa Valley and is known for its eco-friendly services including mineral pools, mud-treatments and organic menus. You can spend the day or stay the weekend in the one of the resort’s suites, which start at $320/night.

Want more? Get your daily dose of pampering right here.

A new way to find a spa in New York

by Tom Johansmeyer on

When you go to a resort, the spa decision is pretty easy to make. The resort is the main draw, so you just go with the spa that’s on property. If your trip involves a major city, though, you’d be nuts not to spread around your experiences a bit. Mix up your hotel, restaurants and spa choices: one-stop shopping isn’t always your best bet. So, I was thrilled to hear about SpaDealsNYC.com, which celebrated its official launch last week. In addition to finding the best spa for your tight muscles and weary spirit, you’ll score some great deals, too – no need to break the bank when you’re looking for a bit of relaxation.

SpaDealsNYC.com is the creation of Richard Cacace, owner of Body Beautiful Spa & Laser Center in the East Village. He wanted to give consumers a new way to find the right treatments and spas … and pick up a few discounts along the way. He says, “Given the situation with the economy and prioritizing how people spend their hard earned money, this site will be a way for people to receive a beauty service that they may have always gotten, but now forgo, due to financial reasons. It allows them to get that service again for a great discount.”