NEW ESPA at D-Hotel, Maris, Turkey ESPA has opened its newest spa at the beautiful D-Hotel Maris, set on a hillside in the Datca Peninsula nature preserve in Turkey. Famous for having the third highest concentration level of oxygen in the world, the Datca Peninsula is said to have natural healing properties that date back to the 12th Century BC and was once a sacred place of pilgrimage to the legendary Aphrodite of Knidos.

The peaceful enclave is surrounded by pine forests, natural private beaches, small islands, and volcanic mountains with spectacular views of both the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas. The hotel’s design combines the exotic elements of the East with the modernity of the West, and this is reflected throughout the ESPA spa at D-Hotel Maris.

An essential part of any trip to Turkey, the opulent world-class Hammam has private individual scrub rooms and a relaxation – a central feature of this ESPA spa. The natural healing properties of the surrounding area, coupled with ESPA Signature Treatments, seven spa rooms, private spa suite, and heat experiences (including a vitality pool, contemporary indoor pool, sauna, steam room and relaxation lounge) put this ESPA spa in a league of its own.

The spa is set in the resort gardens and has been designed to the highest standards. From the moment you enter the spa, nature welcomes you through a variety of different materials that blend in perfect harmony. Natural, uniquely textured warm brown Serpegiante stone, warm woods, and linear designed partitions are interspersed with furnishings in textured, neutral colors. The beautifully marbled Bianco Perlino natural stone features throughout the upper level of the spa. It extends into the pools creating a streamline spacious indoor relaxation space which is light and breezy.

Large floor-to-ceiling windows from poolside to the outdoor relaxation terrace give an indoor/outdoor feeling. Teak, known for its resistance to sea air, can be found throughout the spa and custom-made umbrellas shade the sumptuous outdoor furnishings. The shining bronze natural wall coverings, woven especially for the spa, complete the spirit of the space.

ESPA Hammam rituals include a warming steam prior to the following treatments.

• The Indulgence Hammam Ritual is a total body experience that caresses the skin and revitalizes the body.
• The Softening Body Ritual is an invigorating treatment scrub that cleanses the skin prior to a massage and the Revitalizing Body Scrub, a deep cleansing full body scrub.

The Signature Treatments at ESPA at D-Hotel Maris include the Sea Salt & Oil Scrub with Aegean Sea Shell Massage, the Purva Karma Four Handed Massage, and the Active Hydration Facial.

At the end of every treatment, guests are invited to relax on the huge sun deck offering combined views of crystal clear waters and volcanic mountain ranges and enables guests to breathe in one of the world’s most natural cures, a high concentration of oxygen. With a moisture rate of zero, the weather at the Datca Peninsula is also known to aid rheumatism, poor circulation, cardiac problems, and asthma.

D-Hotel Maris has 200 luxurious and elegantly appointed rooms, all with exceptional mountain or sea views and most Deluxe rooms featuring a bathtub on the balcony. In addition, the Presidential Suite with has a roof sauna and the Exclusive Villa has its own private Hammam. There are four gourmet restaurants and seven cocktail or wine bars from which to choose. Transfers to the hotel are available through the hotel’s chauffer limousines, private helicopter or luxury seaplane.

Rooms start from; €360 per night for the Deluxe sea view room, including breakfast and taxes and non residential guests are able to use the hotels facilities from their yachts.

Forget the Hallmark card or the flowers and take Mom away for a real treat. We’ve put together some suggestions for a Mother’s Day she won’t soon forget.

Where: One&Only Palmilla, Los Cabos, Mexico

What: Get Mom a weekend of spa treatments in paradise.

When: Mother’s Day Weekend

Why Mom will love it: Mothers and daughters can unwind in the privacy of a double Spa villa at the ESPA spa complete with private garden, rain showers, outdoor Mexican daybeds, and whirlpool baths to relax in after a treatment. Special for the weekend are Mother-Daughter Soul-to-Soul moments ($640 for two) that include a Mother-Daughter yoga or salsa experience, an ESPA age-defying radiance facial or intensive facial, a spa lunch, and full use of the heat experience and relaxation area, or the Enduring Memory Mother’s Day Experience ($355) with a two-hour holistic body ritual, an in-villa 30-minute experience including a foot ritual, bath, and relaxation time, a spa lunch, and full use of the heat experience and relaxation areas. And all of this with her now favorite child.

Where: Inn on the Alameda, Santa Fe, New Mexico

What: Show Mom how much you care by sending her to the welcoming Inn on the Alameda for a weekend of adult-only relaxation.

When: Mothers Day Weekend

Why Mom will love it: With the Please Your Parents Package, Mom and Dad can enjoy a weekend away from the kids in Deluxe Accommodations at the Inn, including the Inn’s signature continental breakfast, afternoon wine hour, and one box of yummy bizcochitos, the official New Mexico state cookie.

Rate: Nightly rate is $220 plus tax per room per night. With a regular rate of $270 plus tax, this package has $50 nightly savings and applies to the Inn’s Deluxe Rooms only. The stay must include Mother’s Day, Sunday May 13, 2012, but there is no minimum night stay requirement. The offer is subject to hotel availability.

Where: The Peninsula Spa, New York

What: An amazing ESPA “Spa-Cation” without leaving the island

When: Perfect for the week before or after Mother’s Day

Why Mom will love it: Play hooky and take your mama out! Without hopping on planes trains, or automobiles, have a spa-cation right in the city. You and mom can indulge in a 60-minute treatment, a special lunch, and complimentary use of the pool and fitness center. It’s available Monday-Thursday for $285 per person.

Where: White Elephant and Brant Point Grill, Nantucket, Massachusetts

What: Breakfast in bed is a nice gesture, but we bet Mom will enjoy the “Best Brunch on the Island” even more!

When: Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 13, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Why Mom will love it: From the Benedict Burger to the make-your-own Bloody Mary bar, a Sparkling Station for mimosas, and a brand new tapas station, this brunch is complete with all of Mom’s favorites.

Rate: Brant Point Grill’s Mother’s Day Brunch is $55 for adults, $25 for kids ages 6-12 and $5 for kids ages 3-5. Combine your brunch with a stay at White Elephant and enjoy special Hot Dates Cool Rates, starting at $195 per night.

Where: Park Hyatt Beaver Creek, Avon, Colorado

What: Located in the heart of the Colorado Rockies, this luxury chateau-style resort features many amenities, including the 30,000 square-foot Allegria Spa, with a full-service fitness center, slopeside pool and hot tubs. This world-class spa is offering the “Her Day, Her Way Mother’s Day” package, an exceptional package for moms to unwind on their special day.

When: Mothers Day, Sunday, May 13, 2012.

Why Mom will love it: Spoil Mom with an extra luxurious spa escape with the “Her Day, Her Way Mother’s Day” package that includes a 50-minute Swedish Massage; choice of one of three select treatments (25 minute Sweet Lavender Body Scrub, 30 minute Custom Facial or Express Manicure & Pedicure); champagne; take-home spa gift; and access to Aqua Sanitas, the health club, the pools and hot tubs.

Where: Parrot Cay, Turks & Caicos

What: Max and relax with Mom for a stress-free weekend away

When: Mothers Day Weekend

Why Mom will love it: Stress is a fact of life for mothers and daughters alike, which is why Parrot Cay has designed a Stress Management Wellness Package to target and relieve sources of tension and worry. Professional consultants will take things down a few notches with deep relaxing therapies, enlightening outdoor pursuits, and smart tips to put some of the carefree “island life” of Turks & Caicos into the home routine. Let the experienced personal fitness trainers convert pent-up stress into a productive mother-daughter workout, and follow it up with mind- and body-balancing yoga and meditation.

Workshops and classes will be held at Bartlett’s Farm, Nantucket’s oldest and largest family farm. The Festival is offering an amazing array of classes with experiences including:

• Silence in Symmetry: Learn hidden techniques of movement and breathing that will create the dynamic stillness that ancient yogis claimed was our original nature.
• Yoga for Athletes: Understand various styles of yoga asana and pranayama for sport-specific performance and longevity.
• The Secret to Radiant Health, Ayurveda: Learn the difference between Ayurvdea and modern medicine and how they complement each other.
• Reclaim Your Life Force: Combine an all-levels vinyasa flow class and various pranayama exercises to awaken the inner body and clear the mind.

For a complete schedule of activities, click here.

In between channeling your chakras, unwind at Nantucket Island Resorts for the weekend, which includes the new Inn at the White Elephant Village opening mid-June. Round out your weekend of wellness with a rejuvenating treatment at Wauwinet’s Spa by the Sea or the White Elephant Spa.

Day and full weekend passes are available starting at $125 per day. For more information, tickets, and a full schedule, visit www.nantucketyogafestival.com/.

To book overnight accommodations, visit www.nantucketislandresorts.com. Rates start at $450 per night.

Guinot’s new Gel Douche Soleil to the rescue! This NEW shower gel, made especially for bathing after sun exposure, is here just in time for Spring and Summer 2012. Sun, salt, and chlorine dry the skin, while sunscreens leave minerals behind. This shower gel has been formulated to dissolve sunscreen residues and UV filters while neutralizing the effects of chlorine and salt water. While all things relating to a day at the beach or pool tend to cause skin dehydration, so, too, do many ordinary soaps and cleansers. This after-sun superstar has Jojoba Oil to moisturize and soften, preventing dehydration and making it gentle enough for sunburned skin.

TO USE:Lather with Gel Douche Soleil in the shower to wash away sunscreens, salt, and chlorine.

Gel Douche Soleil comes in a 300ml bottle priced at $30.  Guinot products are carried in over 1,000 spas and salons within the US.  To locate a spa, visit www.GuinotUSA.com.

La Réserve Ramatuelle, an intimate French retreat dedicated to health, wellbeing, and relaxation, just added four brand new programs for Spring 2012. Combining medical assessments, spa treatments, personal training sessions, targeted physical activities, relaxation, and appropriate diets, La Réserve Ramatuelle’s new health and wellness programs range in length from three to six nights and feature a total care approach. With never-ending views of the Mediterranean and a host of new health inspired programs, La Réserve Ramatuelle offers the most discerning travelers and spa aficionados an escape on the French Riviera unlike any other.

Energy Program (7 days, 6 nights)

Following a medical assessment and personal trainer consultation, the invigorating retreat will devise a health plan with personalized energy-boosting diet. Participate in daily sport and health activities – Pilates, yoga, aqua strength training, Nordic walks, and healthy cooking lessons. Freshen the skin with “Better Aging” treatments and a therapeutic therapy (choice of relaxing massage, reflexology, acupuncture, or shiatsu – finger and palm pressure.)

Dates: April and May 2012

Cost: 1650 € for activities and meals. Accommodations are an additional cost.

Weight Loss Program (7 days, 6 nights)

Following a medical assessment and personal trainer consultation, this healthful weight loss retreat includes three personal training sessions, daily sport and health activities, a Cellu M6 endermology session to reduce fatty tissue, La Réserve’s signature “Better Aging” Body Treatment, a hydrotherapy session, one therapeutic treatment, and a personalized health plan with a customized slimming diet and therapeutic natural drinks.

Dates: April and May 2012

Cost: 1650 € for activities and meals. Accommodations are an additional cost.

Beauty and Well-Being Break (5 days, 4 nights)

This pampering program includes only the best treatments – a Crème de la Mer Excellence Facial Treatment and a Crème de la Mer Excellence Body Treatment, a La Réserve Better Aging Face Massage and Better Aging Body Treatment, a hydrotherapy session, manicure, feet beauty treatment, daily sport and health activities, and a customized well-being diet.

Dates: April and May 2012

Cost: 1390 € for activities and meals. Accommodations are an additional cost.

Express Fit & Beauty (4 days, 3 nights)

For a quick ‘get fit’ fix, La Réserve Ramatuelle’s Express Fit & Beauty program includes three Nordic Walking sessions, a hydrotherapy session, one therapeutic treatment, a La Réserve Better Aging Body Treatment, a Crème de la Mer Excellence Facial Treatment, daily sport and health activities, and a customized well-being diet.

Dates: April and May 2012

Cost: 1090 € for activities and meals. Accommodations are an additional cost.

For more information visit www.lareserve-ramatuelle.com. To book, call +33 4 94 44 94 44 or email inforamatuelle@lareserve.ch.

With temperatures rising, spring is just around the corner and people are starting to lose those extra layers of clothing. While happy to put that winter coat back into storage, maybe you’re not quite ready for that itsy-bitsy bikini. Really, all that is needed is a little detox, so why not pick a spring break locale that will have you looking and feeling great!

Recently, the Huffington Post featured Tablet Hotels’ Top 10 Hotels for Detoxing – and our favorite from the list was Anantara Bophut Resort & Spa on Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand. Located on a tranquil stretch of sand on one of the most stunning islands in Southeast Asia, this resort is the ultimate place to recharge the body, mind, and soul. Get the heart rate up with yoga or Thai boxing classes, followed by unwind time at the Anantara Spa with their signature treatment, the Culture of Anantara, which includes 180 glorious minutes of massage given by two therapists who will be sure to work out any kinks before polishing and smoothing the skin with a clay sea salt scrub. The final stage of the treatment is a Mud Steam Bath, which will leave the skin looking and feeling better than ever.

Vacations are usually a time for indulgence. A time when travelers don’t want to worry about how many calories are in that dessert, or when they’ll find time away from the rays to use the resort’s state-of-the-art gym.  Instead, most days are spent horizontally on a beach with a good book. But what happens on that last day of vacation when the bikini fits a little snugger?  Resorts are offering low-cal choices for holiday revelers, and at Anantara Seminyak Resort & Spa in Bali, guests can indulge in delicious, health conscious meals, like the Garden Vegetable Terrine featured on BeatMag.com.  Of course, Thai BBQ is also an option for protein-seekers, there’s always a game of beach soccer or yoga to burn off those extra calories.

April 1 marks the re-opening of St. Tropez’s La Réserve Ramatuelle with expanded Boot Camp offerings. The cliffside hotel has some of the best views of the Mediterranean; the entire sea-facing exterior is made up of floor-to-ceiling windows to maximize exposure and fill rooms with natural light (Goodbye darkness before 5 PM!). The star is the 13-room spa that offers an exclusive La Mer treatment (the renowned beauty company designed a series of treatments for the hotel).

Shed that winter weight with the hotel’s signature Boot Camp – a five-night personalized program encompassing yoga, Nordic walks, invigorating spa treatments, and healthy, low calorie cuisine – perfect for getting in shape for the summer months to come.

Sample itinerary

6:30 AM               One-hour yoga session

7:30 AM               Breakfast

8:30 AM               Departure on a 3-4 hour countryside walk

1:00 PM                Lunch at the hotel

2:30 PM                Balneotherapy session (bathing healing treatment involving minerals)

3:00 PM                Body wrap

3:30 PM                Jet shower

4:00 PM                La Réserve Better Aging body treatment

6:30 PM                Relaxation session

8:00 PM                Dinner

The Boot Camps are offered in *April, May and June with rates starting at 2700 euros per person including accommodations. Minimum four persons per program.

For more information visit www.lareserve-ramatuelle.com. To book, call +33 4 94 44 94 44 or email inforamatuelle@lareserve.ch.

*Dates:

April: 2-7; 9-14; 16-21; 23-28

May: 14-19; 28 – June 2

June: 11-16

The brand new Spa at Gleneagles by ESPA, ESPA Life is the second ESPA Life to open, joining the flagship ESPA Life at Corinthia in London as a leading voice in the next generation of spa.

Set within the hotel’s 850-acre Perthshire estate, the spa offers a new approach to health and wellbeing whose experts seek to address the pressures and stresses of modern lifestyles. The award-winning spa is home to a hand-picked team of alternative health and fitness specialists, offering treatments and personal programs with one simple aim: to help guests feel their best, inside and out.

Spa professionals, acupuncturists, physiotherapists, osteopaths, herbalists, and personal trainers are all on hand. The highly-qualified and experienced team is led by a skilled naturopathic practitioner known as the ‘Gatekeeper’ who meets with each guest for a private consultation. The Gatekeeper recommends programs or treatments tailored to the specific needs of the individual. Personal lifestyle programs can be crafted to help guests meet individual goals or complementary and alternative therapies can be booked à la carte.

Special Launch Offer
From now until March 31, 2012, the spa will be offering ‘Taste of ESPA Life’ to introduce the new wellness concept. The offer includes breakfast and a private consultation with a Gatekeeper for each person. The Gatekeeper will address each client’s lifestyle concerns and create a customized spa experience, including one spa or
fitness treatment, suited to each person’s needs.
Rates: From £315 (approximately $500) based on two people sharing a classic room. Offer valid Sunday to Thursday until March 31.

It’s the beginning of a new year, and a new you! If you’re resolving to be healthier this year, why not kick start your new fitness regimen on board an ultra-luxe cruise ship? Crystal Cruises is now offering complimentary Pilates and yoga programs on board both Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity on nine sailings each throughout the year. Travelers can attend several classes per day during their cruise, or arrange private one-on-one sessions of either interest (for a fee), as well as men- and couples-only yoga instruction.

Every Crystal Cruise offers a host of complimentary classes such as stretch, spinning, abs, circuit training/boot camp, and more. Crystal’s state-of-the-art fitness center, the only Feng Shui spa and gym at sea, features Kinesis strength training equipment, LifeFitness® treadmills with individual flat-screen TVs, cross trainers, recumbent and upright life cycles and steppers, free weights, and other strength-training equipment. Golf instruction, tennis, Nordic Pole walking, WALKVEST® Training, personal trainers, and a bevy of dietary choices offer the perfect opportunity to kick-start, or comply with, your healthy lifestyle.

Here’s to a happy and healthy 2012 aboard Crystal Cruises!

For more information on Crystal Cruises, visit www.crystalcruises.com