Spa Relaxation room at the Lodge at Sonoma

Spa Relaxation Room at the Lodge at Sonoma

We may catch hell from the spa community, but what misguided soul came up with the idea of a couple’s massage in the first place? It’s one thing if a couple is actually doing the massaging—and progresses to whatever occurs naturally thereafter—but when you’re on separate massage tables, having separate massages, performed by separate masseuses, what’s the point? That you are so in need of together time that you insist on being in the same room while drooling into your respective massage tables?

It seems particularly egregious when you’re preparing for a wedding, emotions are running high, and both of you may benefit from a few hours apart.

So on behalf of all stressed women (and especially you girls getting ready to head down the aisle), I’m going to make the case for some individual pampering. Here are three sublime treatments that would be a great way to kick off a wedding weekend—by yourself.

1.The Lavender Shea Butter Massage offered at the Raindance Spa, at California’s Lodge at Sonoma. The spa works closely with Matanzas Creek Winery in Santa Rosa, where some two million stems of lavender are harvested each year. Lavender essence is known as the “mothering oil” because of its ability to relax and soothe, and it’s used liberally in this treatment, starting with a lavender salt scrub and moving on to a mini massage with lavender shea butter. Finally, you’ll be swaddled in warm linens and given a foot and head massage. Nighty-night.

2. The Hiwahiwa Treatment at the Fairmont Orchid, on Hawaii’s Big Island. After a volcanic mud foot wrap to draw out tension and a lomilomi masage to introduce some fresh energy comes the best part: Warm cloths infused with the essence of wild orchid and gardenia flowers envelop you in the scent of the Islands. You haven’t smelled this delicious or been this relaxed in, well, forever.

3. The Elemis Deep Tissue Muscle Massage at Grace Bay Club, on Provodenciales (Turks & Caicos). The words “deep tissue muscle massage” are generally code for “extreme pain,” but go for the Stress-a-Way treatment and your masseuse with employ a blend of lavender,  chamomile, melissa, geranium, and bergamot. So while your muscles are being kneaded into submission, the fragrance takes you far, far, away from thinking about which bridesmaid will have to put up with Uncle Fred at the rehearsal dinner.

 


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