CARIB 10 21/4/09 16:43 Page 47
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Spas in the spotlight
As one of the most chilled out places in the world, the Caribbean
lends itself to a growing reputation as a spa destination.
Philippa Jacks test-drives two very different spas in Jamaica
Blue Mahoe Spa, Breezes Runaway Bay
The spa menu at Breezes Runaway Bay is
largely the same as you’ll find at other Breezes,
Grand Lido and Hedonism properties, but what
sets Runaway Bay apart are the four cute
treatment huts set in the gardens – added
when the property was refurbished in 2006.
Three days of zip-wiring, trapezing and
scaling Dunn’s River Falls meant I was in
a sorry state by the time I crawled into my
hut.
Cool, dark and quiet, it didn’t take me
long to relax into my massage once I was
inside. The therapist for my 60-minute
Nature’s Touch treatment struck just the
right balance between friendly chat for the
first few minutes, and leaving me to my
thoughts for the rest of the time.
The resort uses the German brand Biodroga
for facial ingredients but many of the scrubs
Fern Tree Spa at Half Moon Resort The “Bush Bath” at HalfMoon, devised by Stella Gray (inset) and wraps used are custom-made, including
Hot stone massages and seaweed wraps are essential oils by local company Starfish Oils.
fairly easy to come by, but few spas can lay the same time as the spa – existing rooms Items on the menu include a Reggae Jammin’
claim to having its very own “spa elder”. converted into suites with their own mas- scrub which has green, red and yellow
At Half Moon Resort in Jamaica, Stella sage rooms and therapeutic baths. They all elements; and a Caribbean Riddim massage
Gray has been advising clients on courses of share a wooden pier with treatment cabanas for post-sporting aches.
treatment for nearly 40 years, using native facing out onto the sea. As well as the four huts, you can have
herbs and fruits and time-honoured Jamaican Half Moon has resisted bringing in an treatments in a beach cabana and other
concepts and methods. international spa brand, instead retaining locations around the property.
Half Moon has recently invested over $5 its locally-inspired treatments, with a real Unlike its sister brand Grand Lido, Breezes
million in its new Fern Tree Spa, in which emphasis on treating the whole person. Stella does not include any spa or salon treatments
Stella played a crucial advisory role. The new tries to educate guests on healthy eating too, in its all-inclusive package but prices are rea-
spa is the largest I’ve ever seen, at 68,000 with sessions such as “Lunch and Learn”. sonable – my Nature’s Touch massage was $85
square feet. As well as the treatment rooms, Recommend the Jamaican Bush Bath ($55 for one hour. Again, individual spa treatments
cafe and relaxation rooms you might expect, per person), devised by Stella and now are not commissionable but agents can go
there is an innovative “spa library” where much-copied, in which freshly picked herbs, the extra mile by pre-booking for their
guests can relax with a book about roots, leaves and fruit steeped in clients.
wellness, and a meditation garden hot water are added to a sooth- ■ breezes.com/resorts/runaway-bay
with a circular maze through ing bath. Agents can pre-
which to take a contemplative arrange spa treatments using
walk. There is also a “spa cot- Half Moon’s “Pre-Arrival
tage” with its own pool which Concierge”. Treatments are not
can fit eight or nine guests, mak- commissionable but packages
ing it perfect for groups. such as “Perfectly Pampered”
Six residential spa suites can be booked through tour ops.
were also opened nearby at ■ halfmoon.com/resort-spa Beach setting massages can be booked at Blue Mahoe Spa
24.04.2009 47
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